Mathematics Courses (MATH)
005 Algebraic Preliminaries (4)
Students develop basic computational skills and strengthen their understanding of fundamentals in preparation for courses that involve more difficult quantitative concepts. Students with placement level D must complete this course with a grade of C or higher before attempting MATH 104. Topics include operations on whole and signed numbers, fractions, decimals, exponents, variables, linear equations, and elementary problem solving. Traditional grading only. While students receive no credit for this course, the course grade does count toward their overall grade point average as if it were a 4 semester-hour course. Prerequisite: placement or consent. Offered every spring.
104 Algebra and its Applications (4)
Presents topics in algebra through traditional and applications-based methods. Topics include functions, exponents and scientific notation, linear, exponential, rational and quadratic functions and graphs, systems of equations, and quadratic and linear inequalities. Prerequisite: placement level C, Math 005 with a grade of C or higher, or consent. Students must have a TI- 83 or TI-84 graphing calculator. Offered every semester.
135 Calculus with Precalculus, Part I (4)
Students learn the basic tools of calculus, why they work, and how to apply them in various contexts. Symbolic, graphical, and numerical approaches are considered. Topics include limits, derivatives, and applications. Includes sufficient coverage of functions and trigonometry to support the study of calculus and of other sciences. The two-course sequence, MATH 135 and 136, is sufficient preparation for MATH 172 Calculus II. Prerequisite: placement level B, MATH 104 with a grade B or higher, or consent. Offered every fall.
136 Calculus with Precalculus, Part II (4)
A continuation of MATH 135. Topics include applications of derivatives, the Riemann integral, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Includes sufficient instruction in advanced algebraic techniques to support the study of calculus. Prerequisite: MATH 135 with a grade of C- or higher or consent. Offered every spring.
150 Topics in Modern Mathematics (4)
Exposes students to areas of modern mathematics. Topics vary but may include voting theory, game theory, mathematics and art, elementary number theory, graph theory and scheduling problems, management science, and others. Focus is on critical thinking skills, communicating mathematics orally and in writing, and applications to other disciplines. Prerequisite: placement level A or B. Offered every semester.
171 Calculus I (4)
Students learn the basic tools of calculus, why they work, and how to apply them in various contexts. Calculus I develops differential calculus through symbolic, graphical, and numerical approaches. Topics include differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions, applications in modeling and optimization, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and an introduction to differential equations. Prerequisite: placement level A or consent. Offered every semester.
172 Calculus II (4)
A continuation of Calculus I. More advanced techniques are studied and used to solve quantitative problems in various contexts. Topics include integration techniques, applications of definite integration, polar coordinates, parametric equations, and sequences and series. Prerequisite: MATH 136 or 171 with a grade of C- or higher or consent. Offered every semester.
205 Foundations of Logic and Proof (4)
Introduction to abstract mathematical thinking and logical reasoning skills needed in upper-level Math/CS courses. Topics include logic, argument, proofs, induction, sets, and abstract functions and relations. Emphasizes mathematical writing. Identical to CS 205. Prerequisite: MATH 217 with a grade of C- or higher or CS 212 with a grade of C or higher, or consent. Recommended spring of sophomore year. Offered every spring.
210 Introductory Statistics (4)
Introduces students to learning from data. Topics include the basics of data production, data analysis, probability, Central Limit Theorem, and statistical inference. Statistical software is used for data management, calculation, and visualization. No previous knowledge of statistics is required. Students cannot receive credit for both MATH 210 and PSY 210. Prerequisites: sophomore status or higher, and placement level H, A, or B, or MATH 104 with a grade of C- or higher. Not appropriate for first-year students. Students must have a TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator. Offered every semester.
217 Linear Algebra (4)
The study of vector spaces and linear equations in several variables. Topics include systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear dependence of vectors, bases, dimension, linear transformations, matrices, determinants, and applications.
Prerequisite: MATH 172 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered every fall.
273 Multivariable Calculus (4)
Topics include functions of several variables, curves, surfaces, partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and vector analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 172 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered every spring.
274 Ordinary Differential Equations (4)
Explores the theory and applications of ordinary differential equations and their solutions. Topics include linear and non-linear first order equations, higher order linear equations, series solutions, systems of linear differential equations, Laplace transforms, and numerical methods. Prerequisite: MATH 172 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered every fall.
300 Teaching Assistant Program for Math (1)
Qualified students assist math instructors in teaching their classes. Enrollment is by invitation of the MATH/CS department. A student may enroll more than once but may apply no more than 3 semester hours earned in this manner toward graduation. May not be used to satisfy major or minor requirements in Mathematics. One semester is required for students seeking secondary education certification; however, the course is open to all students. Offered every semester.
310 Statistical Models (4)
A course in applied data analysis. Emphasizes construction of models for authentic data sets. Statistical software is used extensively for analyzing real data sets from various contexts. Topics include parametric and non-parametric tests, simple and multiple regression, and ANOVA. Prerequisites: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher, MATH 172 with a grade C or higher, and MATH 210 with a grade C or higher, or consent. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
316 Probability (4)
Approaches probability as a discipline with applications throughout mathematics and the sciences. Topics include classical and axiomatic probability, random variables, common distributions, density functions, expectation, conditional probability, independence, the Law of Large Numbers, and the Central Limit Theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 273 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
319 Algebraic Structures I (4)
An introduction to algebraic structures focusing on rings and fields. Topics include homomorphisms and isomorphisms, ring structure, equivalence classes, quotient structures, and polynomial rings. Prerequisites: MATH/CS 205 with a grade of C- or higher and MATH 217 with a grade of C- or higher. Offered every fall.
325 Theory of Elem Mathematics I (4)
Develops a professional knowledge of the mathematics generally taught in elementary schools (K-6). Part I focuses on number systems, arithmetic, number theory and algebraic concepts. Does not count as an elective for any mathematics major.
Prerequisites: Any credit-bearing Mathematics course (MATH 150 is highly recommended), junior/senior status and admission to the program for Elementary or Special Education Teacher Certification. Offered every spring.
326 Theory of Elem Mathematics II (4)
Develops a professional knowledge of the mathematics generally taught in elementary schools (K6). Part II focuses on geometry, probability and statistics. Does not count as an elective in any mathematics major. Prerequisite: MATH 325 (grade of C or higher). Offered every fall.
333 Number Theory (4)
An introduction to the study of the set of natural numbers. Topics may include linear congruence, greatest common divisor, Euler’s totient function, Chinese Remainder Theorem, Fermat’s Little Theorem, Wilson’s Theorem, Legendre symbol, and quadratic reciprocity. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher and MATH/CS 205 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
340 Modern Geometries (4)
Explores Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries and the cultural impact of non-Euclidean geometries. Topics may include geodesics, plane geometry, non-Euclidean geometries, finite geometries, complex numbers, and geometric transformations. Prerequisite: MATH/CS 205 with a grade of C- or higher, MATH 217 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
350 Numerical Methods (4)
Examines methods used in solving numerical problems with the aid of a computer. Topics include floating-point arithmetic, interpolation, integration, roots of non-linear equations, ordinary differential equations, and systems of linear equations. Identical to CS 350. Students enrolled in the pre-engineering program with ODU cannot receive credit for this course and the cross-registered courses MAE 340 or CEE 305. Prerequisites: MATH 172 with a grade of C- or higher and CS 212 with a grade of C- or higher, or consent. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
380 Advanced Topics in Mathematics (4)
Explores an area of mathematics which is not otherwise included in the curriculum. Students may repeat the course for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: MATH 217 with a grade of C- or higher and consent. Offered intermittently.
410 Mathematical Models (4)
An introduction to mathematical models and sensitivity analysis. Emphasizes construction of models for real world applications in a variety of areas. Mathematical software is used extensively for problem solving. Topics include optimization models, linear and discrete programming, dynamic models, and probability models. Prerequisites: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher, MATH 217 with a grade of C- or higher, and MATH 273 with a grade of C- or higher. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
419 Algebraic Structures II (4)
A continuation of Algebraic Structures I, focusing on groups, homomorphism theorems, and Galois Theory. Prerequisite: MATH 319 with a grade of C- or higher. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
470 Internship in Mathematics (2 or 4)
An intensive mathematics project conducted in a professional setting. Pass/Fail grading. Prerequisites: junior/senior status, cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and consent. Offered intermittently.
471 Real Analysis (4)
A theoretical treatment of continuity and real-valued functions. Topics may include sequences, series, limits, the derivative, and the integral. Prerequisite: MATH 319 with a grade of C- or higher. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
487 Mathematics Senior Seminar (1)
Students read and discuss current journal articles in mathematics. Topics vary and may include problem solving. Pass/fail grading. Prerequisite: declared Mathematics major and senior status, or consent. Offered every spring.
489 Research in Mathematics (2 or 4)
Offers students the opportunity to conduct original scientific research in an area of interest. Students work closely with one or more members of the natural science faculty to develop and conduct a research project, then present their findings orally during the semester’s undergraduate research symposium and as a formal research paper. Students are encouraged to present their findings at a conference. Prerequisite: junior/senior status and a major in Mathematics, prior approval by the project advisor, and consent of the instructor. Students may enroll for 2 or 4 hours in a given semester. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 semester hours. Identical to BIO 489, CHEM 489, CS 489, and EES 489. Offered intermittently.