Currently viewing 2012-13 bulletin
Faculty: W. Turner (chair), R. Foote, C. McKinney, E. Poffald, P. Thompson, C. Westphal
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 MAT 111 or 112 in the fall (depending on placement) and MAT 112 or 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 MAT 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 MAT 110 or 111, 112, 223, excluding MAT 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: CSC 111 and 112 and three other Computer Science courses. The mathematics course must be MAT 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 CSC 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 MAT 111 and is placed into MAT 112.
- A student who gets a 4 on the AB calculus exam is placed into MAT 112 without immediate credit for MAT 111.
- Any student starting in MAT 112 (by the AP exam or our internal placement) who gets a B- or better will receive retroactive credit for MAT 111.
- A student who gets a 4 or 5 on the BC calculus exam receives immediate credit for MAT 111 and 112, and is placed into MAT 223.
- A student who gets a 5 on the statistics AP exam receives immediate credit for MAT 103 and 104.
- A student who gets a 4 or 5 on the computer science AP exam receives credit for CSC 111 after taking another course beyond 111 and getting a grade of B- or better.
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAT 010 | Pre-calculus with an Introduction to Calculus I | 1 | Prerequisite: Instructor permission. |
| MAT 103 | Probability | 1/2 | Prerequisite: None |
| MAT 104 | Statistics | 1/2 | Prerequisite: None. (MAT 103 is not a prerequisite for MAT 104). |
| MAT 106 | Topics in Contemporary Mathematics | 1 | Prerequisite: None. |
| MAT 108 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 1 | Prerequisite: None. |
| MAT 110 | Calculus I with Pre-calculus Review | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 010 |
| MAT 111 | Calculus I | 1 | Prerequisite: Departmental placement examination. |
| MAT 112 | Calculus II | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 110 or 111, departmental placement examination, or AP examination. |
| MAT 219 | Combinatorics | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 221 | Foundations of Geometry | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 112. |
| MAT 222 | Theory of Numbers | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 112. |
| MAT 223 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 1 | Prerequisites: MAT 112, departmental placement examination, or AP examination. |
| MAT 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 1 | Prerequisites: MAT 112 and 223. |
| MAT 225 | Multivariable Calculus | 1 | Prerequisites: MAT 112 and 223. |
| MAT 226 | Operations Research | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 251 | Mathematical Finance | 1/2 | Prerequisite: MAT 112 |
| MAT 252 | Mathematical Interest Theory | 1/2 | Prerequisite: MAT 112. |
| MAT 253 | Probability Models | 1/2 | Prerequisite: MAT 112. |
| MAT 254 | Statistical Models | 1/2 | Prerequisite: MAT 112. |
| MAT 314 | Modeling with Differential Equations | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 224. |
| MAT 323 | Topics in Linear Algebra | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 324 | Topics in Differential Equations | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 224. |
| MAT 331 | Abstract Algebra I | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 332 | Abstract Algebra II | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 331. |
| MAT 333 | Introduction to Functions of a Real Variable I | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. It is recommended that students take MAT 331 before MAT 333. |
| MAT 334 | Introduction to Functions of a Real Variable II | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 333. |
| MAT 337 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis (CSC 337) | 1 | Prerequisites: CSC 111 and MAT 223. |
| MAT 338 | Topics in Computational Mathematics (CSC 338) | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 111. Some topics may have additional prerequisites. |
| MAT 341 | Topology | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 344 | Complex Analysis | 1 | Prerequisite: MAT 223. |
| MAT 353 | Probability Models II | 1/2 | Prerequisite: MAT 253. |
| MAT 354 | Mathematical Statistics | 1/2 | Prerequisites: MAT 253 and MAT 254. |
| MAT 355 | Regression Models | 1/2 | Prerequisites: MAT 223, MAT 253, and MAT 254. |
| MAT 377 | Special Topics in Mathematics | 1 or 1/2 | Prerequisite: Specific to topic, if any. |
| MAT 387 | Independent Study | 1 or 1/2 | Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and department chair. |
| MAT 388 | Independent Study | 1 or 1/2 | Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and department chair. |
| MAT 400 | Seminar | 1/2 | Prerequisite: None. |
Computer Science Courses | |||
| CSC 101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 1 | Prerequisite: None. |
| CSC 111 | Introduction to Programming | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 101. |
| CSC 112 | Advanced Programming | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 111 or equivalent programming background. |
| CSC 211 | Introduction to Data Structure | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 112. |
| CSC 271 | Special Topics in Computer Science | 1/2 | Prerequisite: Specific to topic, if any. |
| CSC 311 | Introduction to Machine Organization | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 112. |
| CSC 321 | Programming Languages | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 112. |
| CSC 331 | Analysis of Algorithms | 1 | Prerequisites: CSC 112 and MAT 108 or 219. |
| CSC 337 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis (MAT 337) | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 111 and MAT 223. |
| CSC 338 | Topics in Computational Mathematics (MAT 338) | 1 | Prerequisite: CSC 111. Some topics may have additional prerequisites. |
| CSC 341 | Introduction to Automata, Computabiligy, and Formal Languages | 1 | Prerequisites: CSC 111 and MAT 108 or 219. |
| CSC 387 | Independent Study | 1/2 | Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and department chair. |
| CSC 388 | Independent Study | 1/2 | Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and department chair. |