Math & Computer Science Courses

2006-2008

Advanced Placement Credit: The Mathematics and Computer Science Department will grant a student who received a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC Examination a maximum of 4 semester credits. This may not exempt the student from taking MA 251, Calculus I.

MA 090. Essential Mathematics (3)
Whole numbers, fractions and mixed numbers, decimals, ratio, proportion, percent, measurement, geometry, introduction of algebra, solving equations, and statistics. This is a Pass/Fail course. This is designed to prepare the student to become math proficient.

MA 095. Intermediate Algebra (3)
Linear equations and inequalities, graphing lines, systems of equations, exponents, polynomials, factoring, radicals, complex numbers, and the quadratic formula. Prerequisites: Pass MA 090, or COMPASS Examination score of at least 50 on the Pre-Algebra section, an ACT score of at least 21; or, Instructor’s permission. Students must verify they have met the prerequisites on the first day of class. This is a Pass/Fail course.

Credit for courses numbered below 100 is not transferable.

MA 110. Liberal Arts Mathematics (3)
A course designed for an introduction to mathematical concepts. This may include such concepts as sets, logic, functions and graphs, mathematical models, and history. Prerequisite: NNU math proficiency is required.

MA 130. College Algebra (3)
Topics include polynomial arithmetic, synthetic division, zeroes of polynomials,
systems of linear equations, matrices and matrix multiplication. Prerequisite: ACT score of 23 or instructor’s permission. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 140. Trigonometry (3)
Topics include the study of the trigonometric functions, plane trigonometry, and
analytic trigonometry. Prerequisites: MA 130 (a grade of C or better), an ACT score of 26, or Instructor’s permission. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 151. Survey of Calculus (3)
The concepts of calculus are emphasized. All concepts are considered from the intuitive point of view. Applications are drawn primarily from business, economics and population models. Trigonometric functions are not considered. Prerequisites: MA 130 (a grade of C or better), an ACT score of 26, or Instructor’s permission. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 201. Fundamental Mathmatical Structures I (3)
Includes problem solving and mathematical reasoning, sets, relations and functions, numeration, the system of whole numbers, integers and rational numbers, and number theory. Laboratory activities are included. Prerequisites: NNU math proficiency, and enrollment in a program leading to an elementary or secondary teaching certificate.

MA 202. Fundamental Mathmatical Structures II (3)
Includes probability and statistics, basic geometric concepts and measurement, constructions, congruence, similarity and transformations. Laboratory activities are included. Prerequisite: MA 201 or Instructor’s permission.

MA 224. Elementary Statistics (3)
Introduction to statistical terminology and basic concepts, including common uses and misuses of statistics. Topics include experimental design, sampling, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, probability, and tests of significance. Prerequisites: ACT score of 23, a passing grade in MA 095, or Instructor’s permission. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 231. Discrete Mathematics (3)
An introduction to graph theory, logical operators, mathematical induction,
enumeration and Boolean algebra. Prerequisites: MA 130 (a grade of C or better). Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 251, 252. Calculus I, II (4 each)
MA 251: Limits, derivatives, integration and applications of the derivative, applications of integrals, integration techniques, logarithmic, exponential, trig and inverse trig functions. Prerequisite: MA 140 (a grade of C or better), an ACT score of 28, or Instructor’s permission. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.
MA 252: Infinite series, vectors, partial differentiation, multiple integrals. Prerequisite: MA 251 (a grade of C or better). Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 301. Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School (2)
Strategies appropriate to this subject field, instructional materials and tools, curricular structure common to this subject in the secondary school. Includes opportunities for students to observe and teach a minimum of 20 hours in a secondary classroom. Prerequisite: Junior classification. Corequisite: ED 342, 343. (See ED 357).

MA 310. History of Mathematics (1)
A study of the emergence of numeration methods, the invention of new mathematical systems, the development of geometry, algebra, calculus and related concepts, and the life stories of some of the persons involved. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: MA 251.

MA 324, 325. Probability and Statistics I, II (3 each)
Study of combinatorial analysis, probability, random variables and their distributions, estimation, statistical inference, regression and correlation, and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: MA 252 (a grade of C or better). Offered alternate years. Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 328. Modeling and Operations Research (3)
A survey of fundamental operations research techniques. Emphasis is given to the linear programming model. Other topics will be chosen from network models, decision analysis, queuing theory and dynamic programming. Prerequisite: MA 130; or, MA 332. Offered alternate years.

MA 331. Introduction to Abstract Mathematics (3)
Logic, mathematical induction, sets, equivalence relations and equivalence classes, and order relations are studied. Emphasis is given to constructing sound mathematical arguments. Prerequisite: MA 231or 251; or, Instructor’s permission.

MA 332. Linear Algebra (3)
A study of vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices, determinants and system of equations. Special attention is given to the connection between linear transformations and matrices. Prerequisite: MA 130 or 251. Offered alternate years.

MA 341. Modern Geometry (3)
A review of Euclidean Geometry is followed by a wider view of geometry. Topics may include hyperbolic geometry, finite geometries and other metric geometries other than Euclidean. Prerequisite: MA 140 or 251; or, Instructor’s permission. Offered alternate years.

MA 353. Calculus III (3)
A study of Euclidean space and the calculus of functions on this space. In particular vector fields with the operators curl and divergence. Also the integral calculus involving line and surface integrals. Green’s Theorem, Stokes Theorem and Gauss’ Theorem are further topics to be studied. Prerequisite: MA 252 (a grade of C or better). Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 354. Differential Equations (3)
A first course in ordinary differential equations. Linear algebra will be introduced for systems of linear differential equations. Prerequisite: MA 252 (a grade of C or better). Note: Students need to verify they have the prerequisites the first day of class.

MA 356. Numerical Analysis (3)
Numerical solution of algebraic and transcendental equations and systems of linear equations; interpolation, finite differences; numerical differentiation and integration and solution of differential equations. Emphasis on methods most adaptable for computer use. Prerequisites: MA 252. Recommended: MA 354 and a programming language.

MA 394. Topics in Mathematics (1-4)
Intensive study of one topic. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor’s
permission.

MA 432, 433. Modern Algebra (4, 2)
The similarities between the algebraic structures arising in the study of number systems, modular arithmetic and polynomial operations will be used to introduce the study of groups, rings, fields, and their mapping. These structures will be applied to number theoretic and geometric problems. Topics in MA 433 will include permutation groups, quotient structures, and finite fields and their applications. Prerequisite for 432: MA 332 or 331; or, Instructor’s permission. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite for 433: MA 432. Offered alternate years.

MA 451, 452. Introduction to Real Analysis (4, 2)
A two-course sequence in the theory of calculus. Topics include limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, sequence, series, series of function. An introduction to metric topology is given. Prerequisites: MA 252, 331. Offered alternate years.