Course Catalog

Mathematics

Math 105   Quantitative Reasoning
A survey of quantitative topics to prepare students for college courses requiring quantitative reasoning skills. Interdisciplinary topics will build skills in these areas: descriptive statistics; graphical analysis with an emphasis on dimensional analysis and slope; problem solving and informal proof; functions, ratios and proportions. Emphasis will be placed on the use of technology and writing-to-learn mathematics. Cornerstone 2B and QUANT. Satisfies the Quantitative Literacy Competency. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 105T   Quantitative Reasoning
An examination of the concepts in Math 105. Passing this exam satisfies the Quantitative Literacy Competency and serves as a prerequisite for subsequent courses, but does not satisfy Cornerstone 2B and QUANT. Graded as P/NP only. Zero credit.

Math 106   Explorations in Mathematics
Applications of quantitative reasoning and methods of problem solving and decision making. Emphasis will be placed on non-algebraic topics in mathematics; possible topics include mathematical analysis in sports, sustainability, game theory, quilting and biology. The course topics will be announced each semester. Cornerstone 2B. Satisfies the Quantitative Literacy Competency. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 116   Foundations of Arithmetic for Elementary Teachers
This course is the one of two courses designed for K-8 pre-service teachers to address the conceptual framework for mathematics taught in elementary school. Topics covered include problem-solving techniques, whole numbers and numeration, set theory, elementary number theory, integers, rational numbers, ratios, proportions, decimals, and percents. This is not a "methods-in-teaching" course. Prerequisite: Educ 114 and one of the following: Math 105/105T/106, Math ACT of 22 or higher, or Math SAT of 530 or higher. Cornerstone 2B and QUANT. Four credits. Offered fall.

Math 117   Foundations of Geometry for Elementary Teachers
This course is the one of two courses designed for K-8 pre-service teachers to address the conceptual framework for mathematics taught in elementary school. Topics covered include geometric vocabulary and concepts in two and three dimensions, coordinate geometry, and measurement. This is not a "methods-in-teaching" course. Prerequisite: Educ 114 and one of the following: Math 105/105T/106, Math ACT of 22 or higher, or Math SAT of 530 or higher. Cornerstone 2B and QUANT. Four credits. Offered spring.

Math 130   College Algebra
Fundamentals of college algebra including equations and inequalities in one variable; linear, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions; graphing; and systems of equations. Prerequisite: Students with a Math ACT lower than 18 are strongly encouraged to take Math 105 before Math 130. Satisfies the Quantitative Literacy Competency. QUANT Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 130T   College Algebra
An examination of the concepts in Math 130. Passing this exam satisfies the Quantitative Literacy Competency and serves as the prerequisite for subsequent courses. Graded as P/NP only. Zero credit.

Math 131   Trigonometry
Fundamental concepts of trigonometry needed for calculus including right triangle and general trigonometry and trigonometric functions. Prerequisite: One of the following: Math 130T, Math 130 (can be enrolled concurrently), Math ACT of 24 of higher, Math SAT of 570 or higher. One credit. Offered fall and spring.

Math 151   Calculus I
Topics include limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives, and definite and indefinite integrals as applied to algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions. Prerequisite: One of: Math 130/130T, Math ACT of 24 or higher, or Math SAT of 570 or higher. Students whose backgrounds do not include trigonometry should register for Math 131 concurrently with Math 151. Cornerstone 2B and QUANT. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 152   Calculus II
Topics include applications of integration, methods of integration, improper integrals and polar coordinates. Prerequisite: Math 151. QUANT. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 180   Independent Study in Mathematics

Math 190   Special Topics in Mathematics

Math 198   Research in Mathematics
Independent research in any area of mathematics. Cannot be used as an elective for the mathematics major or minor. There is no limit to the number of times a student may take Math 198. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 251   Calculus III
An introduction to multivariable calculus including functions of several variables, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, infinite series, and vector calculus. Use of a computer algebra system will allow for exploration of multidimensional calculus concepts. Prerequisite: Math 152. QUANT. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 255   Linear Algebra
Linear Algebra. Topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vectors, vector spaces, linear transformations, diagonalization, and applications. Prerequisite: Math 152. ORALCOM. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 265   Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
A bridge from elementary to abstract mathematics. Emphasis on basic mathematical concepts and methods of proof. Topics may include operations, relations, functions, sets, topology of the reals and number theory. Prerequisite: Math 130/130T, Math ACT of 24 or higher, or Math SAT of 570 or higher. CRITTHNK and WRITCOM. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 280   Independent Study in Mathematics

Math 290   Special Topics in Mathematics

 Math 298   Research in Mathematics.
Independent research in any area of mathematics. Cannot be used as an elective for the mathematics major or minor. There is no limit to the number of times a student may take Math 298. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. One to Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 310   Mathematical Modeling
An introductory study of mathematical models used in the social, life, physical, computational and management sciences and how they predict real-life phenomena. A variety of mathematical content is used, possibly including algebra, calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. Prerequisite: Math 152. WRITCOM and INFOLIT. Four credits. Offered fall of even years.

Math 315   Graph Theory
An introduction to the study of graph theory, including connectivity, trees, cycles, matching theory, coloring and planarity. Prerequisite: Math 265. Four credits. Offered spring of even years.

Math 319   Internship in Mathematics

Math 325   Topology
An introduction to general topology, including set theory, topological spaces, connectedness, compactness, and the countability and separation axioms. Prerequisite: Math 265. Four credits. Offered fall of odd years.

Math 331   Real Analysis
A study of the basic concepts of real analysis, including real numbers, limits, continuity, derivatives, Riemann integrals, and infinite series. Prerequisite: Math 265. Four credits. Offered fall of even years.

Math 335   Probability and Statistics I
A calculus-based approach to probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, basic sampling distribution theory, and estimation, nonparametric methods of statistical inference, chi-square tests of models, linear statistical models, and tests of statistical hypotheses. Co-requisite: Math 251. Four credits. Offered fall of odd years.

Math 336   Probability and Statistics II
A continuation of Math 335 Probability and Statistics I. Prerequisite: Math 335. Four credits. Offered spring of even years.

Math 337   Actuarial Exam Preparation
Actuarial Exam Preparation. Students will use materials approved by the Society of Actuaries to prepare for Exam P or Exam FM. Four credits. Offered May Term of odd years. Prerequisites: Math 335 and Math 336.

Math 345   Differential Equations
Topics include ordinary differential equations, systems of ordinary differential equations and applications of differential equations. Use of a computer algebra system will allow for the computation of complex systems of differential equations and their applications. Prerequisite: Math 251. Four credits. Offered spring.

Math 350   Abstract Algebra
Fundamentals of modern algebra, including a survey of the following algebraic systems: semi-groups, groups, rings, integral domains, fields, and vector spaces. Prerequisite: Math 265. Four credits. Offered spring of odd years.

Math 360   Complex Variables
An introduction to the study of functions of a complex variable, including the algebra of the complex numbers, the topology of the complex plane, analytic functions, integration techniques, conformal transformations and applications. Prerequisite: Math 251. Four credits. Offered spring of odd years.

Math 375   Geometry
A review of Euclidean geometry based upon Hilbert's axiom system and an introduction to hyperbolic geometry. Prerequisite: Math 265. Four credits. Offered fall of even years.

Math 380   Independent Study in Mathematics

Math 385   Senior Research Seminar
A capstone course in mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on further development of skills in the areas of written and oral communication, problem solving, and research. Prerequisite: Declared mathematics major and successful completion of two 300-level mathematics electives. ORALCOM and WRITCOM. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Math 386   Senior Experience Seminar
A capstone course in mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on further development of skills in the areas of written and oral communication in the context of upper-level mathematics. One credit. Prerequisite: Declared mathematics major, the successful completion of two 300-level mathematics electives, and the successful completion of or concurrent involvement with a Research Experience for Undergraduates at Simpson or other college or university, a mathematically-related internship, or a mathematically-related capstone experience from another department, as approved by the mathematics department. ORALCOM and WRITCOM. One credit. Offered fall and Spring.

Math 390   Special Topics in Mathematics

Math 398   Honors Research in Mathematics
Independent research in any area of mathematics. Prerequisite: An A in Math 385 and admission to the Honors in Mathematics program. Four credits. Offered fall and spring.

Last Updated: 11/18/11