What’s Next?

After MTH111 or MTH112, you have many options of what you can take! Check the requirements for your program of study for recommended courses. Below is a brief list of possibilities, some of which are required by different programs on campus. 

 

MTH153: Introduction to Discrete Mathematics

Description: An introduction to discrete (finite) mathematics with emphasis on the study of algorithms and on applications to mathematical modeling and computer science. Topics include sets, logic, graph theory, induction, recursion, counting and combinatorics.

Offered: Every semester, usually two sections in Fall semester

Prerequisite:  None, but MTH111 and familiarity with summation notation is recommended

Great for: Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Statistics & Data Science – the study of logic and algorithms is necessary for good coding. In addition, you learn a variety of proof techniques, which are key for going deeper in mathematics as a whole.

 

MTH211: Linear Algebra

Description: Vector spaces, matrices, linear transformations, systems of linear equations. Applications to be selected from differential equations, foundations of physics, geometry and other topics.

Prerequisite: MTH 112 or the equivalent, or MTH 111 and MTH 153; MTH 153 is suggested

Offered: Every semester, usually two sections

Great for: Almost everyone, but specifically Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Statistics & Data Science, Economics. Linear algebra is the workhorse subject of modern mathematics. Any work with data relies on an understanding of matrices. Linear algebra is even used to help identify exoplanets in astronomy! It turns up pretty much everywhere. 

 

MTH212: Calculus III

Description: Theory and applications of limits, derivatives and integrals of functions of one, two and three variables. Curves in two and three dimensional space, vector functions, double and triple integrals, polar, cylindrical, spherical coordinates. Path integration and Green’s Theorem.

Prerequisites: MTH 112. It is suggested that MTH 211 be taken before or concurrently with MTH 212.

Offered: Every semester, usually two sections

Great for: Physics, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Economics. Calculus III takes everything from calculus and moves into multiple dimensions. For physics and engineering, understanding of more than one dimension is essential for modeling how objects move through our multi-dimensional space. In economics, you often need to optimize quantities with many different inputs (and sometime outputs!) which falls under Calculus III.

 

MTH/SDS220: Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Description: An application-oriented introduction to modern statistical inference: study design, descriptive statistics; random variables; probability and sampling distributions; point and interval estimates; hypothesis tests, resampling procedures and multiple regression. A wide variety of applications from the natural and social sciences are used. Classes meet for lecture/discussion and for a required laboratory that emphasizes analysis of real data. 

Prerequisite: MTH 111 or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Lab sections limited to 20

Offered: Every semester, usually two or more sections

Great for: Everybody. Data analysis is a growing field and understanding how to work with data is useful in many fields. MTH 220 satisfies the basis requirement for biological science, engineering, environmental science, neuroscience and psychology.

 

PSY/SDS 201: 

Description: An overview of the statistical methods needed for undergraduate research emphasizing methods for data collection, data description and statistical inference including an introduction to study design, confidence intervals, testing hypotheses, analysis of variance and regression analysis. Techniques for analyzing both quantitative and categorical data are discussed. Applications are emphasized, and students use R and other statistical software for data analysis. Classes meet for lecture/discussion and a required laboratory that emphasizes the analysis of real data. This course satisfies the basis requirement for the psychology major.

Prerequisite: None. Students who have taken MTH 111 or the equivalent or who have taken AP STAT should take SDS 220. Enrollment is restricted to psychology majors or permission of instructor. 

Offered: Every semester

Great for: People interested in data analysis but not necessarily calculus