Academic Bulletin Mathematics & Computer Science - 2011-12

Currently viewing 2011-12 bulletin

Faculty: R. Foote (chair), D. Limmer, C. McKinney, E. Poffald, P. Thompson*, W. Turner, C. Westphal***

*Sabbatical leave, fall semester
***Sabbatical leave, full year

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has as its goals:

• To give all students who take mathematics courses a sense of the nature of mathematics and its place in society;
   
• To give our majors and minors an understanding of mathematics and computer science, their nature, and uses, to prepare students to become effective users of mathematics and computer science in their careers;
   
• To prepare future high school teachers of mathematics;
   
• To give our students interested in continuing to graduate study in mathematics, statistics, or computer science an adequate preparation to succeed in that study.

Mathematics
Mathematics majors may opt for either the Pure Mathematics Major, the Computational Mathematics Major or the Financial Mathematics Major. There is a great deal of overlap between these choices and all include the four coure courses.

The Mathematics Core Courses: Calculus I (111) or Calculus I with Pre-Calculus Review (110), Calculus II (112), Linear Algebra (223), Abstract Algebra (331). Mathematics majors should complete the four core courses by the end of the sophomore year, if possible; they must be completed by the end of the junior year.

Requirements for the Pure Mathematics Major:

Electives may not include 010, 103, 104, 106, or 108.

Additional courses to consider, especially for students who are considering graduate school:

• Pure mathematics: 219, 221, 222, 224, 225, 323, 324, 332, 334, 344
• Computational mathematics: 219, 222, 224, 226, 314, 323, 332
• Financial mathematics: 224, 324, 333

Incoming freshmen interested in pursuing mathematics at Wabash College will typically take Mathematics 111 or Mathematics 112 in the fall (depending on placement) and Mathematics 112 or Mathematics 223 in the spring. Course choices in the fall of the sophomore year will usually depend on the direction the student sees himself headed. Students should plan on taking Mathematics 331 in the spring of their sophomore year. It is a good idea for all mathematics students to discuss their plans with one of the mathematics professors.

An Area of Concentration in Education and Middle and High School Teaching licensure (grades 5-12) with this major is administered through the Teacher Education Program. For Education AOC and teaching licensure information, please see the Teacher Education section of the Academic Bulletin. Students are asked to consult with their academic advisor AND the Director of Teacher Education to learn more about course and licensure requirements.

Requirements for the Minor: Five or more course credits, including Mathematics 110 or 111, 112, 223, excluding Mathematics 010, 103, 104, 106 and 108. Potential mathematics minors should read the brochure "How to Minor in Mathematics or Computer Science at Wabash College".

Computer Science

No major is offered.

Requirements for the minor: The requirements for a minor in computer science are five courses in computer science and one course in mathematics. The computer science courses must be: Computer Science 111 and 112 and three other Computer Science courses. The mathematics course must be Mathematics 108 or 219.

Potential computer science minors should consult with one of the department members who teaches computer science and should read the brochure “How to Minor in Mathematics and Computer Science at Wabash College.” Computer Science minors should take Computer Science 111 by the end of the sophomore year.

Advanced Placement

• A student who gets a 5 on the AB calculus exam receives immediate credit for Mathematics 111 and is placed into Mathematics 112.
• A student who gets a 4 on the AB calculus exam is placed into Mathematics 112 without immediate credit for Mathematics 111.
• Any student starting in Mathematics 112 (by the AP exam or our internal placement) who gets a B- or better will receive retroactive credit for Mathematics 111.
• A student who gets a 4 or 5 on the BC calculus exam receives immediate credit for Mathematics 111 and 112, and is placed into Mathematics 223.
• A student who gets a 5 on the statistics AP exam receives immediate credit for Mathematics 103 and 104.
• A student who gets a 4 or 5 on the computer science AP exam receives credit for Computer Science 111 after taking another course beyond 111 and getting a grade of B- or better.