Mathematics

Faculty

Sita Ramamurti, Associate Professor of Mathematics (Program Chair)
Lee Chiang, Associate Professor of Mathematics
Kerry Luse, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Description

The study of mathematics is an integral part of a liberal arts education. All students need to develop critical skills in problem solving and analytical thinking. The Mathematics Program at Trinity serves the community at large and offers mathematics students many opportunities to explore both inside and outside the classroom.

The mathematics major enables students to build a solid theoretical and technical foundation and to develop an appreciation of the nature of mathematics in the liberal arts tradition. Students gain technological expertise through the use of mathematical/statistical software packages and computer languages. As seniors, majors work on individual projects and communicate their work both through speaking and writing.

Mathematics students are involved in many activities outside the classroom such as serving as mentors and tutors to students in introductory courses.

Women in Math, Science and Engineering (WMSE) is an organization for students pursuing majors in math, science or in applications of these areas. The goal of WMSE is to expose students to available career opportunities, and to inform about summer programs, internships, and graduate programs. The club sponsors talks with professional scientists employed in a variety of academic and nonacademic settings and arranges trips to technical companies and industrial/governmental firms.

The Mathematics Program supports a major in mathematics and minors in mathematics and applied statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences. The major prepares students for graduate school and professional positions in government, business, and industry. Majors may adopt a theoretical or applied focus through their selection of electives ranging from number theory and history of mathematics to mathematical modeling and differential equations.

Major Requirements

To earn the bachelor's degree in mathematics, students must complete 52 credits distributed among required courses and supplemental requirements. MATH 431 Real Analysis I

Presents the basic concepts of analysis, including sets and functions, the real numbers, the topology of Euclidean spaces, compact and connected sets, continuity and uniform continuity, convergence and uniform convergence, and the Riemann integral. Formerly MAT 421 Real Analysis I.

3 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 331

Real Analysis I is strongly recommended for students who plan to attend graduate school.

Required Courses (32 credits)

ALL of the following mathematics courses:

MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster


MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
MATH 301 Linear Algebra
MATH 325 Multi-Variable Calculus
MATH 331 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
MATH 315 Mathematical Probability and Statistics
MATH 403 Abstract Algebra I
MATH 499 Senior Seminar in Mathematics
CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming

Supplemental Requirements (20 credits)

BOTH of the following physics courses:

PHYS 111 General Physics I

Covers mechanics in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, conservation of energy, and momentum. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 115 General Physics I.

4 credits

Prerequisite: MATH 125

General Education Requirement: Kniowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV, Laboratory Science Cluster


PHYS 112 General Physics II

ONE course chosen from between the following:

MATH 431 Real Analysis I

Presents the basic concepts of analysis, including sets and functions, the real numbers, the topology of Euclidean spaces, compact and connected sets, continuity and uniform continuity, convergence and uniform convergence, and the Riemann integral. Formerly MAT 421 Real Analysis I.

3 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 331


MATH 437 Complex Variables

ONE additional course at the 200-level or above

TWO additional courses at the 300-level or above

Minor Requirements

Minor in Mathematics:

Required Courses (23 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster


MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
MATH 331 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics

TWO additional courses at the 200-level or above

TWO additional courses at the 300-level or above

Minor in Applied Statistics:

Required Courses (19 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics

Presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, normal and binomial distributions, and central limit theorem, with an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.

3 credits

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

Prerequisites: MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course


MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MATH 210 Statistical Inference
MATH 310 Applied Statistical Methods

TWO more courses (at least 6 credits) chosen from:

CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming

Serves as an entry-level programming course recommended for all students. Objects, arrays, program flow (if-then-else, while, do-while, for, switch), simple graphical user interfaces and applets, problem solving techniques, and elementary algorithms are covered. Effective design, implementation, debugging, and documentation of object-oriented programs are emphasized. Formerly MAT 141 Introduction to Programming.


MATH 315 Mathematical Probability and Statistics
MATH 410 Special Topics in Applied Statistics
MATH 345 Operations Research

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Students who score 4 or 5 on the calculus AB or BC exam will receive credit for MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster

. Students who score 4 or 5 on the BC calculus exam may receive credit for MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II at the discretion of the program chair.

CLEP Policy:
A satisfactory score on the CLEP exam in college algebra will be accepted in lieu of MATH 103. A satisfactory score on the CLEP exam in calculus will be accepted in lieu of MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster

.

Cross-tallied Courses:
Courses that are cross-tallied represent identical courses offered with a different program prefix. Students may not enroll in or receive credit for more than one iteration of a cross-tallied course even in different semesters.

Grades in Major and Minor Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major or the minor. To declare the mathematics major, a student must receive a "B" or better in MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster

and MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II or the approval of the program chair.

Pass/No Pass:
No major or minor courses may be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment:
Every mathematics major must successfully complete MATH 499 Senior Seminar in Mathematics

Provides a capstone experience required of all senior mathematics majors. Each student completes a comprehensive project that involves researching an area of mathematics not studied in formal course work. Through the project the student must demonstrate the ability to read and write mathematics, and as a culmination of the experience, students present their work in a formal lecture. Formerly MAT 490 Mathematics Senior Seminar.

3 credits

Prerequisites: Senior Status

.

TELL Policy:
TELL credits are accepted toward the Trinity degree based on the approval of program faculty. TELL credits do not count toward the major in mathematics.

Transfer Credits:
Students wishing to transfer credits must consult the Program Chair.

Course Descriptions

MATH 030 Pre-Algebra MATH 060 Elementary Algebra MATH 100 Introduction to Pre-Algebra MATH 101 Introductory Algebra MATH 101S Introductory Algebra with Suppl Instruction MATH 102 Intermediate Algebra MATH 105 Mathematical Problem Solving MATH 109 Foundations of Mathematics MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics MATH 111 Applied Mathematical Skills MATH 123 Pre-Calculus MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I MATH 210 Statistical Inference MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II MATH 299H Math Across Cultures: Ethnomathematics - HONORS MATH 301 Linear Algebra MATH 310 Applied Statistical Methods MATH 315 Mathematical Probability and Statistics MATH 325 Multi-Variable Calculus MATH 327 Differential Equations MATH 331 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics MATH 341 Discrete Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling MATH 345 Operations Research MATH 371 History of Mathematics MATH 403 Abstract Algebra I MATH 410 Special Topics in Applied Statistics MATH 431 Real Analysis I MATH 433 Number Theory MATH 435 Geometry MATH 437 Complex Variables MATH 491 Internship in Mathematics MATH 498 Independent Study MATH 499 Senior Seminar in Mathematics

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to Virginia Broaddus, Ph.D., Provost at BroaddusV@trinitydc.edu