Academic Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Course Listing
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Courses listed below are grouped together alphabetically by subject prefix. To search for a specific course, please follow the instructions in the course filter box below and click on “Filter.”
Departments and interdisciplinary programs are described in detail on the Majors, Minors, and Other Programs page within this catalog. Please refer to the detailed sections on each area of study for more information. Requirements to fulfill a major or minor appear within each program or area of study.
All students must also complete the courses in the Common Curriculum (General Education), including Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) requirements and other requirements that pertain to the undergraduate degree. Courses are numbered as follows.
000-049 - Non-credit courses.
050-099 - Common Curriculum (General Education) courses and others that do NOT count toward the major.
100-199 - Introductory-level courses which count for the major.
200-299 - Sophomore/junior-level courses that can be taken by non-majors. (Some departments may use 200-249 and 250-259 to delineate between sophomore and junior level offerings.)
300-399 - Upper-level courses intended primarily for majors - these are courses representing the depth component of the major.
400-499 - All advanced courses for seniors, including those used to fulfill WS (Senior Writing Experience requirement), small seminars, research, thesis, and independent studies.
Wherever possible, the departments have indicated the instructor and the term during which a course is given. Some courses are offered only occasionally and are so indicated. The College retains the right not to offer a course, especially if enrollment is insufficient.
A few courses are not valued at full course credit, and some carry double credit.
A full course unit may be equated to five quarter-credit hours, or three and one-third semester credit hours.
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Mathematics |
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MTH 051 - Cryptology: The Mathematics of Secrecy Course Units: 1
The course will focus on the mathematical aspects of public-key cryptography, the modern science of creating secret ciphers (codes), which is largely based on number theory. Additional topics will be taken from cryptanalysis (the science of breaking secret ciphers) and from contributions that mathematics can make to data security and privacy. CC: QMR
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MTH 053 - Visualizing the Fourth Dimension Course Units: 1
An investigation of the idea of higher dimensions and some of the ways of understanding them. The classic novel, Flatland, is the starting point; discussions, writing, projects and interactive computer graphics are used to extrapolate ideas from two and three dimensions to their analogues in four dimensions and higher. CC: QMR
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MTH 054 - Number Theory: From Clock Arithmetic to Unbreakable Codes Course Units: 1
An introduction to the beauty and use of numbers. Topics chosen from divisibility tests, prime numbers and factorization, modular arithmetic with applications to check digit schemes and selected other topics. CC: QMR
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MTH 055 - Ancient Greek Mathematics Course Units: 1
Ancient Greek mathematicians fundamentally re-invented the notions of abstraction (in mathematics and other fields), absolute precision, and proof. The approach to mathematics that we take today can be traced back to these Greek mathematicians. After examining some pre-Greek mathematical traditions, we study Greek mathematics and its legacies in medieval Islamic and western cultures and in early modern Europe. Topics include Plato and his academy; Euclid and his Elements and the Euclidean construction problems; the greatest of the Greek mathematicians, Archimedes; and the philosophical and cultural influence of Greek mathematics on human endeavors such as understanding the cosmos, educating the young, and running the world. CC: QMR
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MTH 056 - History of Mathematics Course Units: 1
Traces the development of mathematical ideas and methods in literate cultures from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, to Hellenistic Greece and medieval China, India and the Islamic world, up through the dawn of calculus at the start of the Scientific Revolution in early modern Europe. Topics include the interlinked changes and intercultural transmission of basic numeracy, arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, algebra, practical computation and approximation, and concepts of the infinitely large and small. CC: QMR
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MTH 057 - Game Theory and its Applications in the Humanities and Social Sciences Course Units: 1
A self-contained introduction to the mathematical theory of conflict. Examples and applications include parlor games, auctions, games from the Bible and games commenting on the existence of superior beings, game-theoretic analyses in literature, philosophical questions and paradoxes arising from game theory, and game-theoretic models of international conflict. CC: QMR
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MTH 058 - Applications of Mathematics to Economics 1 Course Units: 1
Linear and exponential functions, matrix algebra and linear programming with applications to the social sciences. Some sections include the use of computer spread-sheets for computations and graphical analysis. CC: QMR Note: Not open to students who have passed a college calculus course.
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MTH 059 - Applications of Mathematics to Economics 2 Course Units: 1
Differential and integral calculus with applications in the social sciences. Students who wish to continue the calculus after MTH 059 should enroll in MTH 112 . Prerequisite(s): MTH 058 . CC: QMR Note: Not open to students who have passed a college calculus course.
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MTH 060 - Mathematics and Politics Course Units: 1
(Same as PSC 123 ) A mathematical treatment (not involving calculus or statistics) of escalation, political power, social choice, and international conflict. No previous study of political science is necessary, but PSC 111 or PSC 112 would be relevant. CC: QMR
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MTH 061 - Math in the Public Interest Course Units: 1
In what ways do advertisers, politicians, and other propagandists try to trick the public by exploiting our ignorance of or aversion to mathematical reasoning? This course explores key mathematical topics related to these questions, drawing on fields such as probability, statistics, combinatorics, mathematical modeling, and mathematical visualization. We will examine them in the context of contemporary public policy issues, such as climate change, demography, gambling, sports and public health. CC: QMR
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MTH 062 - Mathematics of Election and Polls Course Units: 1.0
One part of this course will cover polling, answering questions such as: were the 2016 U.S. Presidential election polls as inaccurate as often reported? What are margins of error, exactly? How many people must be surveyed for accurate results? Which people? To help answer these questions, the course will include background material on probability and statistics. Another part will be on voting theory, where we will look into designing elections from scratch, in search of the “best” system for converting the preferences of the voters into an election winner. This will lead to voting paradoxes and a discussion of Arrow’s impossibility theorem. Throughout the course, we will draw on many examples of voting, such as the U.N. Security Council, the election of popes, the academy awards, infamous historical elections, and the U.S. presidential election. Additional topics will be chosen from gerrymandering, Congressional seat apportionment, and game theory CC: QMR
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MTH 100 - Calculus with Precalculus 1 Course Units: 1
The MTH 100-101-102 sequence covers the same calculus material as the MTH 110-112 sequence, but places additional emphasis on the review of fundamental precalculus concepts and is spread over three terms. MTH 100 alone does not fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement; successful completion of MTH 101 after MTH 100 does fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement.
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MTH 101 - Calculus with Precalculus 2 Course Units: 1
The MTH 100-101-102 sequence covers the same calculus material as the MTH 110-112 sequence, but places additional emphasis on the review of fundamental precalculus concepts and is spread over three terms. MTH 100 alone does not fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement; successful completion of MTH 101 after MTH 100 does fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement. The next calculus course after the sequence MTH 100-101-102 is MTH 115 Prerequisite(s): MTH 100 CC: QMR
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MTH 102 - Calculus with Precalculus 3 Course Units: 1
The MTH 100-101-102 sequence covers the same calculus material as the MTH 110-112 sequence, but places additional emphasis on the review of fundamental precalculus concepts and is spread over three terms. MTH 100 alone does not fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement; successful completion of MTH 101 after MTH 100 does fulfill the Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning requirement. The next calculus course after the sequence MTH 100-101-102 is MTH 115. Prerequisite(s): MTH 101 CC: QMR
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MTH 110 - Calculus 1: Differential Calculus Course Units: 1
Differential calculus of functions of a single variable. Limits, continuity, differentiation, computational aspects of Maclaurin and Taylor polynomials and series, and applications. CC: QMR Note: Not intended for students who have passed a calculus course or MTH 059
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MTH 112 - Calculus 2: Integral Calculus Course Units: 1
Integral calculus of functions of a single variable. The fundamental theorem, formal integration, several techniques of integration, and applications. Prerequisite(s): MTH 110 . CC: QMR
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MTH 113 - Accelerated Single-Variable Calculus Course Units: 1
Self-contained treatment of the main topics in MTH 110 and MTH 112 . Intended for first-year students who have been introduced to (but have not yet mastered) the basics of differential and integral calculus. CC: QMR
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MTH 115 - Calculus 3: Differential Vector Calculus and Matrix Theory Course Units: 1
Geometry of 3-space, differential calculus of functions of several variables, linear systems, matrices. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 , MTH 112 , or MTH 113 .
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MTH 117 - Calculus 4: Integral Vector Calculus Course Units: 1
Double and triple integrals, line integrals and Green’s theorem, divergence and curl, divergence theorem and Stokes’ theorem. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 .
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MTH 127 - Numerical Methods Course Units: 1
Newton’s method, numerical differentiation and integration, solution of ordinary differential equations, error estimates. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 and fluency in some mathematical programming language.
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MTH 128 - Probability Course Units: 1
(Same as STA 128 ) This course is a survey of the basic concepts of probability theory including permutations and combinations, conditional probability, Bayes’ formula, independence, discrete and continuous random variables, expectation and variance, the Central Limit Theorem, and selected topics. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 , MTH 112 , or MTH 113 .
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MTH 130 - Ordinary Differential Equations Course Units: 1
Topics include linear ordinary differential equations, linear systems, power series, analytical solutions, qualitative techniques, bifurcations, phase lines and phase portraits, stability, method of undetermined coefficients, harmonic oscillators, and applications. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 . Note: Not open to students who have passed MTH 234 .
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MTH 140 - Applied Linear Algebra Course Units: 1
Linear algebra has an enormous number of applications to the sciences and engineering. This course will cover the basics of linear algebra in Euclidean n-space, including linear systems, linear transformations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality, and the singular value decomposition. An emphasis will be placed on applications, chosen from least-squares fitting, linear programming, image compression, Markov chains and discrete dynamical systems, computer graphics, principal component analysis, the Google PageRank algorithm, and others. Computer software such as MATLAB or Mathematica will be used in this course to perform numerical calculations. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 . Credit will not normally be given for both MTH 140 and MTH 340 . Exceptions require approval of a proposal from the student to the department chair.
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MTH 197 - Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science Course Units: 1
An introduction to fundamental concepts and methods of proof in mathematics and computer science. Topics include elementary logic, functions, relations, sets, and basic combinatorics. Not open to students who have passed MTH-199. CC: QMR
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MTH 199 - Introduction to Logic and Set Theory Course Units: 1
Designed to enable the student to develop the ability to understand and communicate mathematical arguments. Logic and set theory from the core. Selected topics are covered at the discretion of the instructor. For those considering any form of mathematics major, the department recommends that Math 199 be taken by fall term of the sophomore year, if possible. MTH 115 is usually taken before MTH 199. Credit is not normally given for both MTH-197 and MTH-199. Exceptions require the approval of the department chair. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 , MTH 112 , or MTH 113 .
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MTH 219 - Topics in Discrete Mathematics Course Units: 1
Topics may include graph theory, partially ordered sets, algebraic coding theory, computational complexity, number theory. Prerequisite(s): MTH 199 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 221 - Mathematical Cryptology Course Units: 1
An in-depth look at the mathematical theory underlying modern methods to accomplish the secret transmission of messages, as well as other tasks related to data security, privacy, and authentication. MTH-221 normally is closed to students who have passed MTH 235 or MTH 051 . Prerequisite(s): MTH 199 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 224 - Geometry Course Units: 1
Topics in transformation geometry, or projective, affine, Euclidean, and/or non-Euclidean geometries. Prerequisite(s): MTH 199 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 234 - Differential Equations Course Units: 1
Topics include differential equations and models, asymptotic solutions, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, classification of planar systems, higher-dimensional linear algebra, canonical form, linear and nonlinear systems, and applications. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 and MTH 199 , or permission from the Chair. Note: Not open to students who have passed MTH 130 .
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MTH 235 - Number Theory Course Units: 1
Properties of natural numbers including divisibility, prime numbers, congruences, special number theoretic functions and quadratic reciprocity. MTH 235 normally is closed to students who have passed MTH 221 . Prerequisite(s): MTH 199 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 238 - Methods of Applied Mathematics Course Units: 1
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques in applied mathematics. Topics may include dimensional analysis, scaling, perturbation theory, boundary layer analysis, differential and integral equations, calculus of variations, optimization, and eigenvalue problems. The emphasis is the use of mathematics to quantify and solve problems arising from physical, chemical, biological, and economic phenomena. Prerequisite(s): MTH 130 or MTH 234 and MTH 197 or MTH 199 .
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MTH 248 - Intermediate Topics in Mathematics Course Units: 1
An exploration into topics chosen from different areas of pure mathematics, this course is divided into three sequential units, each taught by a different instructor. The topics are 1) convex geometry (including convex sets, linear and affine spans, simplices, and applications to Nash’s Bargaining Theorem in Game Theory);
2) continued fractions and their use in number theory, such as in solving linear Dophantine equations and in finding rational approximations to real numbers;
3) introduction to analysis (sequences, series, convergence tests, complex series, and Euler’s formula). Students will receive a single grade for the entire course. Not normally open to students who will have completed MTH 257, or MTH 336 by the end of the term, except by permission of the math department chairperson. Prerequisite(s): Take MTH 199 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 295H - Mathematics Honors Independent Project 1 Course Units: 0
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MTH 296H - Mathematics Honors Independent Project 2 Course Units: 1
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MTH 325 - Knot Theory Course Units: 1
An introduction to the mathematical study of knots, including colorability, chirality, genus, and the Jones polynomial. Course will also explore the relationship between mathematical knots and structures in molecular chemistry and biology, and physics. Prerequisite(s): MTH 221 , MTH 235 , MTH 332 , or MTH 340 , or permission of the Chair. Note: Not open to students who have passed MTH-225.
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MTH 332 - Abstract Algebra 1 Course Units: 1
Algebraic structures including groups, rings and fields. Prerequisite(s): One of MTH 219 , MTH 221 , MTH 224 , MTH 235 , MTH 248 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 336 - Real Analysis Course Units: 1
An introductory course in analysis. Completeness and Cauchy sequences; open, closed, connected, and compact sets; continuous functions, uniform continuity, and uniform convergence; the extreme and intermediate value theorems; differentiation and the mean value theorem; Riemann integration and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Additional topics may be covered, including the contraction mapping principle and sets of measure zero. Prerequisite(s): MTH 332 or MTH 340 or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 340 - Linear Algebra Course Units: 1
Vector spaces, linear transformations, inner product and dual spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, special topics. Prerequisite(s): MTH 115 and one of MTH 219 , MTH 221 , MTH 224 , MTH 235 , MTH 248 , or permission from the Chair. Credit will not normally be given for both MTH 140 and MTH 340. Exceptions require approval of a proposal from the student to the department chair.
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MTH 430 - Complex Analysis Course Units: 1
An introduction to analytic functions of a complex variable. Prerequisite(s): One 300-level MTH course or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 432 - Abstract Algebra 2 Course Units: 1
Continuation of MTH 332 . Certain topics will be selected for more intensive study. Prerequisite(s): MTH 332
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MTH 436 - Topology Course Units: 1
Topological spaces, connectedness, compactness, continuous mappings and homeomorphisms. Prerequisite(s): One 300-level MTH course or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 448 - Differential Geometry Course Units: 1
A study of curves and surfaces in 3-space. Topics include arc length, curvature, torsion, the Frenet frame, the first and second fundamental forms, normal curvature, and Gaussian curvature. . Prerequisite(s): MTH 117 and MTH 340 , or permission from the Chair.
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MTH 480 - Foundations of Mathematics Course Units: 1
(Same as PHL 480 ) Propositional and predicate logic, Godel completeness theorem, introduction to recursion theory. Prerequisite(s): MTH 332 or permission from the Chair. CC: HUM
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MTH 487 - Senior Writing Seminar Course Units: 1
This course is required by, and limited to, seniors who are not satisfying their WS requirement through either a one- or two-term thesis. The seminar will provide a forum in which students continue their study of a common upper-level mathematical topic (exact choice of topic will depend on term and instructor) and explore a new related topic independently. Students will gain experience in giving oral presentations and writing mathematical papers. Prerequisite(s): Admission by application only. CC: WS
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MTH 490 - Mathematics Independent Study 1 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 491 - Mathematics Independent Study 2 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 492 - Mathematics Independent Study 3 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 493 - Mathematics Independent Study 4 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 494 - Mathematics Independent Study 5 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 495 - Mathematics Independent Study 6 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 496 - Mathematics Independent Study 7 Course Units: 1
Independent study in a particular area of mathematics under the supervision of a faculty member.
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MTH 497 - Mathematics One Term Senior Thesis Course Units: 1
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MTH 498 - Mathematics Two-Term Senior Thesis 1 Course Units: 0
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MTH 499 - Mathematics Two-Term Senior Thesis 2 Course Units: 2
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