MTH 061 - Math in the Public Interest

Course Units: 1.0

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. Note: Not open to students who have passed (or have AP credit for) a college calculus course. CC: QMR