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Mathematics Courses

The objective of the department is that all students completing a major in mathematics shall be able to demonstrate:
  • a solid base of mathematical skills: symbol manipulation, model construction and interpretation, application of definitions and theorems to particular instances;
  • ability to apply mathematics to problem-solving in realistic situations; 
  • facility in use of computer and calculator tools to support and extend analysis and presentation of mathematical work; 
  • understanding of the nature of mathematics as a logical system and ability to develop and present valid mathematical arguments and proofs; 
  • ability to research, organize, and deliver a presentation (oral and written) on a topic in mathematics.
An overriding goal of the department is to assist each student of mathematics in assessing his or her own interests, achievements, and potential. The students choosing to major in mathematics may design a program emphasizing pure or applied mathematics, statistics and actuarial science, preparation for teaching, and/or preparation for graduate work. A major or minor in mathematics also provides a valuable complement to a variety of other majors offered at Hastings College.

Transfer coursework into the Mathematics or Computer Science majors will be handled as follows: Students wishing to transfer a course for MTH 251 for credit towards the Mathematics or Mathematics Education major must pass a departmental test before receiving such credit. Students who wish to take CSC 250 must either pass CSC 150 at Hastings College, or pass the Hastings College CSC 150 test out exam, at the proficiency level.

Mathematics Major:
Core (32-34 hours) MTH 150, 160, 251, 308, 313, 334, 404, and 484; CSC 210: Pure and Applied Mathematics Emphasis (11-12 hours) MTH 323; two additional upper-division mathematics content courses selected from MTH 302, 314, 344, 354, or 406: Pre-Actuarial Science Emphasis (12 hours) MTH 314, 384; one additional upper-division mathematics content course selected from MTH 344, 354, or 374.

Mathematics Education Major—Secondary Mathematics Field Endorsement (43 hours):
MTH 150, 160, 210, 251, 302, 308, 313, 334, 404; one of 310, 320, or 340; CSC 210. In addition, students must meet professional education requirements, including MTH 420.

Mathematics Minor (18-19 hours):
MTH 150, 160, 308, and 313 or 323; one additional upper division mathematics content course selected from 302, 313, 314, 323, 334, 344, 354, 374, 404, or 406.

Mathematics courses numbered below 150 will not be calculated in the major or minor cumulative grade point average.

MTH 100 General Mathematics — 3 hours
This is an elective course designed to allow students who complete the CLEP Examination in General Mathematics the opportunity to receive credit. The Mathematics Department will review the test scores and the written essays according to college standards and make a credit recommendation to the Academic Dean and the Registrar.

MTH 110 Math Foundations-Numbers & Patterns — 3 hours
A course designed for pre-service elementary teachers. Sets, Venn diagrams, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, decimals, percentages, and numeration systems of other cultures and time periods are studied. Emphasis is placed on how these topics are learned and taught in the elementary schools. Open only to Elementary Education majors. Each fall term.

MTH 120 Math Foundations-Geometry & Logic — 3 hours
A course designed for pre-service elementary teachers. Beginning geometry, congruence, symmetry, measurement, elementary probability, and descriptive statistics are studied. Emphasis is placed on how these topics are learned and taught in the elementary schools. Open only to Elementary Education majors. Each spring term.

MTH 140 Pre-Calculus — 4 hours
A study of analytic geometry and functions (rational, trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential) and their graphs, for those students needing additional preparation prior to taking calculus. Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra. Spring, odd-numbered years.

MTH 150 Calculus I — 4 hours
The first course in the calculus sequence. Functions and their graphs, limits and continuity, derivatives and their applications, antiderivatives, and definite integrals. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry or MTH 140. Each fall term.

MTH 160 Calculus II — 4 hours
Continuation of Calculus I. Techniques of integration, applications of the definite integral, polar coordinates, and infinite series. Prerequisite: MTH 150 (with C or better) or equivalent. Each spring term.

MTH 202 Discrete Mathematics — 3 hours
An introduction to mathematical ways of thinking about discrete systems, and using them to model reality. Topics may include: counting principles, logic, circuits, theory of codes, shortest route and minimal spanning tree algorithms. Prerequisite: High school algebra. May be offered during interim term.

MTH 210 Introduction to Statistics — 4 hours
A study of descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis and presentation of data, basic probability, random variables and their distributions, statistical inference, estimation and hypothesis testing, regression and correlation analysis, and one-way ANOVA. Prerequisite: High school algebra. Each long term.

MTH 251 Calculus III — 4 hours
The final course in the calculus sequence. Vectors and vector-valued functions, functions of two or more variables, applications of calculus to curves and surfaces in Euclidean three-space. Prerequisite: MTH 160 (with C or better). Each fall term.

MTH 302 Geometry —  3 hours
A study of advanced topics in Euclidean geometry and a survey of topics in modern geometries, including finite geometries, the projective plane, and groups of transformations of the plane. Prerequisite: MTH 160 (with C or better). Interim, odd-numbered years.

MTH 308 Logic, Sets and Methods of Proof — 3 hours

Theory and practice of mathematical proof and its foundation in symbolic logic. Construction of proofs about sets, relations, functions, real numbers, and integers. Prerequisite: MTH 150 (with C or better). Each interim term.

MTH 310 Teaching Math Foundations: Numbers Patterns — 1 hour

MTH 320 Teaching Math Foundations: Geometry/Logic — 1 hour

MTH 340 Teaching Pre-Calculus — 1 hour
Courses for prospective teachers of mathematics. Students will participate in all aspects of MTH 110, 120, or 140, respectively, and will assume responsibility for teaching at least one segment of the course under supervision of the instructor. Recommended for mathematics education students and elementary education majors seeking an emphasis in mathematics. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Concurrent with MTH 110, 120, 140.

MTH 313 Linear Algebra with Applications — 4 hours

A study of systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, and linear transformations. Prerequisites: MTH 150 (with C or better), MTH 308 recommended. Each spring term.

MTH 314 Probability Theory/Mathematical Statistics — 4 hours
A calculus-based study of discrete and continuous probability distributions and statistical inference, with applications. Prerequisite: MTH 251 (with C or better). Spring, even-numbered years.

MTH 323 Differential Equations with Applications — 4 hours

Solution of differential equations with applications. Differential operators, Laplace transforms, and power series. Linear algebra as it applies to theory, solutions and systems of differential equations. Prerequisites: MTH 160 (with C or better), MTH 313 recommended. Each spring term.

MTH 334 Abstract Algebra — 4 hours
Study of algebraic structures: introduction to theory of rings and groups, properties of the complex number system, polynomial and matrix rings. Prerequisite: MTH 308 (with C or better). Fall, odd-numbered years.

MTH 344 Numerical Analysis — 4 hours

Numerical approximation techniques: location of roots, differentiation, integration, solution of differential equations, and solution of systems of equations. Prerequisites: MTH 160, 313 or 323, CSC 210 (all with C or better). Fall, odd-numbered years.

MTH 354 Mathematical Modeling — 4 hours
Using fundamental calculus concepts in a modeling framework to investigate meaningful and practical problems chosen from the mathematical sciences, operations research, engineering, and management and life sciences. Prerequisites: MTH 160 and CSC 210 (both with C or better). Fall, even-numbered years.

MTH 364 Mathematical Physics — 4 hours

(See PHY 364). Spring, odd-numbered years.

MTH 374 Quantitative Methods in Business/Economics — 4 hours
(Also ECO 374) Analytical approaches to business/economic problems with emphasis on construction and application of mathematical models for managerial decision making. Topics include linear programming and related models, decision theory, forecasting and inventory models, queuing theory. Prerequisite: MTH 210 or SOC 295. Spring, even-numbered years.

MTH 384 Financial Mathematics for Actuarial Science – 4 hours

Application of mathematics to problems involving valuation of financial transactions; equivalent measures of interest; rate of return on a fund; discounting or accumulating a sequence of payments with interest; yield rates, length of investment contributions or amounts of investment returns for various types of transactions; loans and bonds. Calculations involving yield curves, spot rates, forward rates, duration, convexity, and immunization. Prerequisite: MTH 251 (with C or better) Spring, odd-numbered years.

MTH 404 Real Analysis — 4 hours
A rigorous development of properties of the real number system and functions of a real variable. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, Riemann integration, and number sequences. Prerequisite: MTH 308 (with C or better). Fall, even-numbered years.

MTH 406 Introduction to Complex Analysis — 4 hours
A study of functions of a complex variable. Topics include properties of the complex field, analytic functions, integration, and the calculus of residues. Prerequisite: MTH 308 (with C or better). On demand.

MTH 420 Teaching Mathematics: Methods/Measurements — 4 hours
Capstone course for prospective secondary mathematics teachers. Topics include: curriculum/course design, textbook selection and use, teaching strategies, and assessment theory and practice. Emphasis on student presentations. Prerequisite: Junior standing and admission to teacher education program or permission of instructor. Fall, even-numbered years.

MTH 474 Advanced Topics in Mathematics — 2 hours
Seminar approach to one or more advanced mathematical topics, depending on faculty and/or students' interests. Topics which have been or may be covered include Real Analysis II, Abstract Algebra II, and Advanced Mathematical Statistics. Prerequisites: Advanced standing and permission of the department. On demand.

MTH 484 Senior Project in Mathematics — 1-3 hours
Student will work with a faculty member to research a mathematical topic, and will make a public presentation of the results of the study during the semester in which credit is awarded. Prerequisites: Advanced standing and permission of the department.

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