200
A course primarily for prospective elementary teachers, designed to build a background in number and operations with a particular focus on visual models for whole numbers, fractions, and early algebraic reasoning. The course focuses on both mathematical content and methods for teaching number and operations. There is a particular focus on current curriculum and children’s mathematical thinking at the elementary school level.
An extension of
MA 201 into geometry, measurement, set theory, and statistics. The course focuses on both mathematical content and methods for teaching geometry and statistics. There is a particular focus on visual models and children’s mathematical thinking at the elementary school level.
The basic concepts used in statistics such as measures of central tendency, variation, and probability distributions, and statistical inference are stressed. Applications are made in the social, communication, health, biological, and physical sciences. This course does not count toward a major or minor in mathematics, nor does it count toward the math requirement for biology majors.
This course is an introduction to difference equations, differential equations, and linear algebra. Specific topics include analytical and numerical solutions to difference equations and first-order linear differential equations, phase line analysis, stability of equilibrium, matrix equations and eigenvalues. We emphasize how this mathematics can be used on many real-world problems such as how to predict the spread of a disease, how a home mortgage works, and how to understand the growth of animal populations. We use computers and calculators extensively, meeting in the computer lab once each week. We also focus on learning how to explain mathematics verbally and in writing.
In this course we study multivariable and vector calculus including vectors, parametric equations, surfaces, partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and vector calculus. The big spotlight in this course is using these ideas to understand things like force fields, the flow of water, and magnetic fields. Once a week we meet in the computer lab to use the power of computers to focus on the visual aspects of these concepts to gain insight into more complex situations. We also focus on learning how to explain mathematics verbally and in writing.
In this course we will learn to use the LaTeX markup language in order to produce high quality mathematical documents that include mathematical symbols and equations. We will integrate text, equations, tables, and figures into a professional mathematical document with in-text citations and reference list. Through a series of weekly writing assignments, we will learn how to write up mathematical work in a clear, logical manner, whichh guides the reader step-by-step through the work that was performed.
Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.