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Stavros Christofi, Chair christofis@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 101N, Midtown Campus (203) 837-9351 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
David Burns, Associate Chair (Sabbatical Spring 2021) burnsd@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 101A, Midtown campus (203) 837-9346
Cathy Desisto-Reynolds, Department Secretary reynoldsc@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall Office Suite 101 Reception, Midtown Campus (203) 837-9299 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
D. Burns, Assoc. Chair S. Christofi, Chair B. Hall S. Hayes (Sabbatical Fall 2020) S. Lightwood A. Lubell P. Maida C. Rocca M. Shoushani T. Trimble (Visiting Assistant Prof. Fall 2020) X. Wang
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 foundational 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 with quantitative competencies able to think abstractly, 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 B.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics as well as the B. S. in Secondary Education – Mathematics weave career applications into the curriculum. All 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 research projects. These may be in such diverse areas as analytical and numerical methods for partial differential equations, combinatorics, actuarial math, axiomatic set theory, cryptology, data science and machine learning, wavelets, topological measure theory, scientific computing, 3-D printing and more.
For students who plan to continue with graduate studies in mathematics, applied mathematics 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 primarily by SAT scores. A placement test is available during the first class meeting for those students placed into developmental math in the Math Emporium, but wish to place higher. 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 Plus 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. A 3, or higher, in AP Calculus AB allows a student to earn credit for Calculus I MAT 181. Detailed information regarding placement testing and placement levels can be found on the departmental website (http://www.wcsu.edu/math/placement-testing/ ).
Instruction in MAT 098, MAT 100 and MAT 100P
MAT 098, MAT 100 and 100P are taught following the Emporium Model of instruction. Traditional lecture methods are reduced and the emphasis is placed on individual work and one-on-one help from an instructor or teaching assistant. The text, homework assignments and course exam preparations are part of an online delivery system. Exams, including the final, are given as traditional paper and pencil tests. This should not be confused with an online class as daily attendance is required. Students use a required software program, ALEKS, Assessment and E-Learning in Knowledge Spaces, that guides them to the necessary videos, learning content and required practice assignments needed during the learning process. Meeting weekly assignment goals as well as the completion of the periodic progress checks and self assessments are mandatory and are 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 teaching assistants are always present during the lab’s open hours 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 Hall 122A, Midtown Campus (203) 837-9370 (203) 837-8289 (fax)
Degree Programs in Mathematical Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
Mathematics Mathematics with Computer Science Option
Bachelor of Science
Applied and Computational Mathematics with options in:
Secondary Education: Mathematics (in collaboration with the Education and Educational Psychology Department)
Minor Programs
Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (B.A.)
Requirements:
Part 1: General Education Competency Requirement
See: ( http://wcsu.edu/catalogs/undergraduate/academic-programs-degrees/ )
All math majors must complete the university’s general education requirements. See description here:
Part 2: General Education Exploration Requirements (40 cr.)
You need to complete a total of 40 credits outside your major; this includes the required cognate courses listed below as well as any other courses outside your major.
WRT 101: Composition I (Writing Tier 1)
CS 140 Intro to Programming or CS 143 Visual Basic
Sequence Option: Choose from 1 of: BIO 103/104 or CHE 110/111 or PHY 110/11 or ECO 211/213
Part 3:Major Requirements (45 cr.)
Courses with ✢ require a C or better.
MAT 150 & 151: Math Seminar I & II MAT 141: Foundations in Discrete Math ✢ MAT 182: Calculus II ✢ MAT 185: Math with Symbolic Computation MAT 207: Proofs ✢ MAT 222: Introductory Statistics MAT 272: Introduction to Linear Algebra ✢ MAT 281: Calculus III ✢ MAT 282: Differential Equations MAT 332: Intro. to Applied Math ✢ MAT 375: Algebraic Structures ✢ MAT 383: Introduction to Analysis ✢ MAT 453 Senior Seminar Experience MAT 467 Topics Sequence Elective
Choose 1 Department Approved Elective (MAT 250, 251, 298, 299, 342, 351, 359 or 363)
Part 4: General Electives (35 cr.)
MAT 181: Calculus I or MAT 170/171
Take additional credits to earn a total of at least 120 credits.
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.)
See: ( http://wcsu.edu/catalogs/undergraduate/academic-programs-degrees/)
Lab Science Sequence Option: Choose from 1 of: BIO 103/104 or CHE 110/111 or PHY 110/11 or PHY 120/121
MAT 150 & 151: Math Seminar I & II MAT 182: Calculus II ✢ MAT 207: Proofs ✢ MAT 272: Introduction to Linear Algebra ✢ MAT 281: Calculus III ✢ MAT 375: Algebraic Structures ✢ MAT 453: Senior Seminar Experience MAT 165: Introductory Discrete Math ✢ Choose 1 of: MAT 222 Introductory Statistics or MAT 282 Differential Equations Choose 1 of: MAT 332 Intro. to Applied Math or MAT 359 Theory of Computation CS 170: Computer Science I: Language CS 205: Data Modeling and Database Design CS 315: Design and Analysis of Algorithms Choose 1 CS Engineering Elective: CS 305 or CS 350 or CS 360
Choose 1 of: CS 140: Introduction to Programming or CS 143 Visual Basic
Take additional credits to earn a total of at least 120 credits
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.
In addition to the courses listed below, students must complete all university general education requirements and sufficient additional free electives to total a minimum of 120 semester hours, including foreign language and physical education.
All Option Areas Must Take:
MAT 141 – Foundational Discrete Math MAT 150 – Math Seminar I MAT 151 – Math Seminar II MAT 181 – Calculus I MAT 182 – Calculus II MAT 207 – Proofs MAT 222 – Introductory Statistics MAT 272 – Linear Algebra MAT 281 – Calculus III MAT 282 – Ordinary Differential Equations MAT 322 – Probability MAT 332 – Applied Linear Algebra and Math of Machine Learning MAT 380 – Math Modeling with Symbolic and Scientific Computations MAT 383 – Introduction to Mathematical Analysis MAT 453 – Senior Seminar (CE,W3) (OR SIS with Project) (OR Senior Thesis) (OR Internship)
Further Requirements (Option Specific)
Mathematics of Data Science and Machine Learning Option:
Further Required MAT Courses
MAT 422 – Statistics for Data/Actuarial Science and Machine Learning MAT 470 – Applications of Machine Learning and Wavelets One of the following: MAT 468 – Partial Differential Equations MAT 469 – Numerical Methods for Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations (OPDEs)
Cognates
PHI 227 – Ethics in Computing CS 140 – Introduction to Programming (Python)
Application Area Courses:
CS 172 – Intermediate Java Programming CS 205 – Data Modeling and Database Design CS 250 – Introduction to Data Structures, Algorithms and Complexity CS 303 – Introduction to Data Science with Python
Applied Differential Equations and Scientific Computing Option:
Regardless of the sequence pursued, students interested in this option must take:
MAT 468 – Partial Differential Equations MAT 469 – Numerical Methods for Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations (OPDEs) MAT 470 – Applications of Machine Learning and Wavelets
Cognates (Sequence CHE) CS 140 – Introduction to Programming (Python)
Cognates (Sequence MTR)
CS 140 – Introduction to Programming (Python) PHY 110 – General Physics I (Calculus)
Application Area Courses
Currently, students interested in this option will need to pick one of the following sequences to pursue: a chemistry sequence (CHE) or meteorology sequence (MTR). For students interested in other application areas, please contact the department chair.
Sequence CHE
CHE 110 – General Chemistry I CHE 111 – General Chemistry II CHE 300 – Physical Chemistry I CHE 301 – Physical Chemistry II
Sequence MTR
PHY 111 – General Physics II (Calculus) MTR 310 – Atmospheric Thermodynamics MTR 311 – Atmospheric Dynamics MTR 340 – Mesoscale Meteorology and Numerical Forecasting
Actuarial Science Option:
MAT 329 – Actuarial Mathematics MAT 422 – Statistics for Data/Actuarial Science and Machine Learning
One of the following:
CS 143 – Visual BASIC
ACC 201 – Financial Accounting ECO 211 – Principles of Macroeconomics ECO 213 – Principles of Microeconomics FIN 310 – Principles of Finance
Learning Outcomes:
The BS in Applied and Computational Math program will graduate students who will:
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – Mathematics (B.S.)
See http://wcsu.edu/catalogs/undergraduate/academic-programs-degrees/
WRT 101: Composition I CS 140 Intro to Programming Fine Arts class Lab Science class (that satisfies Scientific Inquiry) HIS 148 or 149
Part 3:Major Requirements (80 cr.)
Math Requirements (43 cr.)
MAT 150 & 151: Math Seminar I & II MAT 141: Foundations in Discrete Math MAT 181: Calculus I or MAT 170/171 MAT 182: Calculus II MAT 207: Proofs MAT 212: Math in the Middle Grades MAT 222: Introductory Statistics MAT 242: Foundations of Geometry MAT 272: Introduction to Linear Algebra MAT 281: Calculus III MAT 342: Topics in Geometry MAT 375: Algebraic Structures Choose one of: MAT 363 History of Math or MAT 383 Intro. to Analysis Choose one other 200-400 level math course
Certification Requirements (37 cr.)
You must earn a B or better in each of the following.
ED 206: Introduction to Education ED 212: Educational Psychology II HPX 215: Health Issues in Schools ED 385: Methods of Teaching ED 386: Secondary Education Professional Dev. ED 405: Introduction to Special Education ED 440: Integrating Language ED 449: Teaching Math in Secondary Schools ED 340: Assessment of Teaching Strategies ED 342: Student Teaching (Pass/Fail)
See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.
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 (secondary education) have a 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.
