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Stavros Christofi, Chair christofis@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 102E, Midtown campus (203) 837-9351 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
David Burns, Associate Chair burnsd@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 102F, Midtown campus (203) 837-9346
Cathy Desisto-Reynolds, Department Secretary reynoldsc@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 102, Midtown Campus (203) 837-9299 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
Faculty
Adjunct Faculty
Overview
In the exciting, technologically advanced, and dynamic age we live in, mathematics has become one of the primary players in developing useful solutions to practical problems, receiving its rightful recognition as one of the cornerstone components of discovery and innovation.
Employers from businesses and government agencies to schools and foundations understand more and more the benefits of hiring an employee able to think critically and problem-solve — an employee with the skills that mathematics teaches.
Math Students at WCSU may choose major options in pure or applied mathematics or math education and are challenged to gain mastery in a variety of mathematical areas while fulfilling all requirements of a liberal arts education. The programs are flexible and up-to-date.
Students have the opportunity to pursue their particular mathematical interests by working closely with Western’s dedicated mathematics professors on independent projects. These may be in such diverse areas as analytical and numerical methods for partial differential equations, combinatorics, actuarial math, axiomatic set theory, cryptology, wavelets, topological measure theory, scientific computing and more.
For students who plan to continue with graduate studies in math or a related field, as well as those who look forward to beginning a career upon graduation, studying mathematics at Western will provide the knowledge and skills required to achieve success.
Mission
It is the mission of the mathematics department to contribute to our society’s mathematical competency in a manner consistent with the university’s mission. To accomplish this, the department has defined its goals for the following three constituencies.
University Mathematics Testing and Placement Program
All students admitted to the university are assigned mathematics placement prior to registration. Placement level is determined by SAT scores. A placement test is available for students wishing to place higher than the SAT placement. The purpose of the placement/testing is to determine whether the student possesses the basic quantitative skills needed for success in college-level quantitative studies.
If the student requires additional work in the skills area (SAT below 570), placement will be in MAT 098 Elementary Algebra, MAT 100P Intermediate Algebra Enhanced or MAT 100 Intermediate Mathematics. Otherwise, the student may opt for any general education course appropriate to the student’s educational goals. Students wishing to register for Calculus must have an SAT score of 620 or above. Detailed information can be found on the departmental website.
Instruction in MAT 100 and MAT 100P
MAT 100 and 100P are taught following the Emporium Model of instruction. Traditional lecture methods are removed from the course and replaced with individual work and one-on-one help from an instructor or tutor. The text, homework assignments and course exams are part of an online delivery system. This should not be confused with an online class as daily attendance is required. Students use a required Workbook that guides them to the necessary videos, animations and required homework assignments needed during the learning process. The completion of the Workbook is mandatory and is incorporated into the student’s final grade. These courses are designed to have the student constantly engaged in the learning process using adaptive learning technologies. A professor and/or Teacher’s Aide are always present and available to teach/help/guide a student when needed but there is little “Chalk and Talk” in the traditional sense.
Thomas Grant, Math Emporium Coordinator granttt@wcsu.edu Higgins Annex 114A, Midtown campus (203) 837-9370 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
Degree Programs in Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics Mathematics with Computer Science Option
Bachelor of Science
Secondary Education: Mathematics
Minor Programs
Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (B.A.)
Requirements:
Students must complete all general education competency-based requirements, the courses and credits listed below and additional free electives to total a minimum of 120 semester hours, including foreign language and exercise science.
CS 140 Introduction to Programming MAT 141 Foundational Discrete Mathematics MAT 150 Math Seminar I MAT 151 Math Seminar II MAT 171 or 181, 182, 281 Calculus I, II, & III MAT 185 Introduction to Symbolic Computation MAT 207 Proofs MAT 222 Introductory Statistics MAT 272 Introduction to Linear Algebra MAT 282 Ordinary Differential Equations MAT 332 Introduction to Applied Mathematics MAT 375 Algebraic Structures MAT 383 Introduction to Mathematical Analysis MAT 453 Senior Seminar Experience * One elective course which completes a sequence in analysis, algebra or applied math. * One major mathematics course chosen from the department list; Refer to the major program sheet. * A year sequence from one of the following (May also be used to satisfy general education requirement.) BIO 103-104 or CHE 110-111 or ECO 100-101 or PHY 110-111. * Two mathematics electives chosen from the department.
Course Restrictions For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Bachelor of Arts: Mathematics with Computer Science Option (B.A.)
Students must complete all general education competency-based requirements, the courses and credits listed below, and additional free elective to total a minimum of 122 semester hours, including foreign language and exercise science.
Mathematics Courses (35 SH) MAT 171 or 181, 182, 281 Calculus I, II & III MAT 150, 151 Mathematics Seminar I and II MAT 165 Introductory Discrete Mathematics MAT 207 Proofs MAT 272 Introduction to Linear Algebra MAT 375 Algebraic Structures MAT 282 Ordinary Differential Equations or MAT 222 Introductory Statistics MAT 332 Intro to Applied Mathematics or MAT 359 Introduction to the Theory of Computation MAT 450, 451 Senior Seminar I and II
Computer Science Courses (19 SH) CS 170 Computer Science I CS 205 Data Modeling and Database Concepts CS 221 Object Oriented Prog & DS CS 315 Design and Analysis of Algorithms CS 350 Object Oriented Software Engineering Choose one CS elective from the following list: CS 305 Database Applications Engineering CS 350 Object Oriented Software Engineering CS 360 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
In addition, students must complete a one-year sequence in natural science from the following: PHY 110-111, or PHY 120-121, or CHE 110-111, or BIO 103-104.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of their B.A. in Mathematics:
For those completing a BS in Secondary Education, students will demonstrate competence in the 16 standards for preparation of mathematics teachers as set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These standards are:
More information about specific indicators can be found on the Math department website at www.wcsu.edu/math.
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Mathematics (B.S.)
See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.
Mathematics-Secondary Education (B.S.)
MAT 150 Math Seminar I MAT 151 Math Seminar II CS 140 Introduction to Programming MAT 141 Foundational Discrete Mathematics MAT 207 Proofs MAT 171 or 181,182,281 Calculus I, II & III MAT 242 Foundations of Geometry MAT 272 Introduction to Linear Algebra MAT 342 Topics in Geometry And one of the following: MAT 250 Mathematical Modeling MAT 251 Problem Solving MAT 332 Introduction to Applied Mathematics And two of the following: MAT 281 Calculus III MAT 212 Math in the Middle Grades MAT 363 History of Mathematics MAT 383 Introduction to Analysis * One major mathematics course from the department list; see major program sheet.
The following are suggested course selections for mathematics majors. Due to the diversity of students’ backgrounds, students must consult with their (math faculty) adviser to select the program sequence that best fits their needs. For example, students with an inadequate math background may have to begin with MAT 170 instead of MAT 181. B.S. majors (elementary and secondary) have professional semester in the fall and student teaching in the spring of their senior year.
Mathematics (B.A.)
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
Mathematics – Secondary Education (B.S.)
Minor in Mathematics
At least 17 credits in major mathematics courses, including MAT 171 or 181, and MAT 182. In addition, the student must achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better in the courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
