Mathematics Department
- Course Descriptions
MAT 103 Everyday Math
Concepts of integers, fractions, decimal numbers, ratios, percents, order of operations, exponents, and an introduction to algebraic expressions and equations with an emphasis on applications to everyday life. P/N grading only. Grade of P advances student to MPG 2. MAT 103 does not count as a credit toward graduation. (Prereq.: MPG 1)
MAT 105 Applied Algebra
Concepts of linear, exponential, logarithmic, and other models with an emphasis on applications to the social and natural sciences, business, and everyday life. Grade of 2.0 or higher advances student to MPG 3. Students preparing for MAT 114 should consult the department. (Prereq.: MPG 2 and a year of high school algebra)
MAT 114 Precalculus
Concepts of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions for students planning to study calculus. Students who have completed MAT 145 or other calculus courses may register for credit only with consent of department. Grade of 2.0 or higher advances student to MPG 4. (Prereq.: MPG 3)
MAT 129 Practical Applications of Mathematics
An examination of applications of mathematics in contemporary society, with an emphasis on quantitative reasoning including an introduction to probability and statistics and topics such as the mathematics of finance, graph theory, game theory, voting theory, linear programming, or cryptography. Note: Students who have successfully completed MAT 138, MAT 163, MAT 248, BUS 379, PSY 215, or SOC 362 may not register for credit without consent of instructor. (Prereq.: MPG 3)
MAT 137-8 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I and II
Concepts of number, operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and probability with an emphasis on the processes of problem solving, reasoning, connections, communication, and representation. These courses are designed for prospective K-6 elementary school teachers. (Prereq.: MPG 3)
MAT 140 Calculus Workshop (.25 course)
An elective workshop for students concurrently enrolled in Calculus I or Calculus II. Calculus related problems and activities that require significant collaborative and creative effort. Emphasis on strategies for succeeding in college-level mathematics courses. MAT 140 does not satisfy NSM-LAF requirement. P/N grading only. (Coreq.: MAT 145 or MAT 146 and consent of instructor).
MAT 145-6 Calculus I & II
Concepts of calculus of one-variable functions including derivatives, integrals, differential equations, and series. (Prereq.: MPG 4 for MAT 145; MAT 145 for MAT 146)
MAT 163 Introductory Statistics
Concepts of elementary statistics such as descriptive statistics, methods of counting, probability distributions, approximations, estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis-of-variance, and regression. Note: Students who have successfully completed BUS 379, MAT 248, PSY 215, or SOC 362 may not register for credit without consent of instructor. (Prereq.: MPG 3)
MAT 171 Discrete Mathematics for Computing
Concepts of discrete mathematics including binary representations, sequences, recursion, induction, formal logic, and combinatorics, with an emphasis on connections to computer science. Students who have completed MAT 271 may not register for credit. (Prereq.: MPG 3. Also recommended: CSC 160)
MAT 173 Mathematics of Finance
Concepts of elementary financial mathematics such as annuities, loan payments, mortgages, life annuities, and life insurance. Provides an introduction to actuarial mathematics. (Prereq.: MPG 3)
MAT 201 Communicating Mathematics (.5 course)
An introduction to mathematical speaking, typesetting, presentation technology, reading, and bibliographic resources. This half-credit course does not count as an elective in the mathematics major or minor. Completion of this course plus one of MAT 304, MAT 314, MAT 324, MAT 355, MAT 369, MAT 374, or MAT 377 taken at Augsburg satisfies the major’s speaking skill requirement. Students with majors other than mathematics should consult their major department before taking this course. (Prereq.: MAT 146)
MAT 245 Calculus III
Concepts of multivariable calculus including functions of several variables, partial derivatives, vectors and the gradient, multiple integrals, and parametric representations. (Prereq.: MAT 146)
MAT 246 Linear Algebra
Concepts of linear algebra including systems of linear equations, matrices, linear transformations, abstract vector spaces, determinants, and eigenvalues. (Prereq.: MAT 245 or MAT 271)
MAT 248 Biostatistics
Concepts and techniques of probability, descriptive statistics, and statistical inference are applied to scientific studies in Biology, Medicine and other Health Sciences. Material is centered on real studies in these areas. Other topics include graphing techniques, correlation and regression, experimental design, combinatorics, probability, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing and, time permitting, analysis of variance and nonparametric methods. Credit may not be received for both MAT 163 and MAT 248. (Prereq.: MAT 145 or MPG 4 and BIO 151)
MAT 252 Exploring Geometry
Concepts of geometry including Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries and geometric transformations with an emphasis on geometric reasoning, conjecturing, and proof. (Prereq.: MAT 145)
MAT 271 Discrete Mathematical Structures
Concepts of discrete mathematics including number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, recursion theory, set theory, and formal logic, with an emphasis on algorithmic thinking, mathematical reasoning, conjecturing, and proof. (Prereq.: MAT 146 or MAT 145 and one of MAT 163, MAT 248, MAT 252, or MAT 287; and pass CT assessment or GST 100.)
MAT 287 History of Mathematics
Concepts of historical importance from the areas of geometry, number theory, algebra, calculus, and modern mathematics. (Prereq.: MAT 145)
MAT 304 Graph Theory
Concepts of graph theory including standard graphs, classic questions, and topics such as degree sequences, isomorphism, connectivity, traversability, matching, planarity, coloring, and graph metrics. Focuses on theoretical structures. (Prereq,: MAT 271, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course. Also recommended MAT 246.)
MAT 314 Abstract Algebra
Concepts of algebra including the abstract structures of groups, rings, integral domains, and fields. Focuses on theoretical structures. (Prereq.: MAT 246, MAT 271, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course)
MAT 324 Analysis
Concepts of real analysis including limits, boundedness, continuity, functions, derivatives, and series in a theoretical setting. Focuses on theoretical structures. (Prereq.: MAT 146, MAT 271, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course. Also recommended: additional MAT course numbered 200 or higher)
MAT 327 Special Functions of Mathematical Physics
(See PHY 327)
MAT 355 Numerical Mathematics and Computation
Concepts such as polynomial interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, numerical solution of differential equations, error propagation, practical implementation of numerical methods on modern computers, and applications. Includes an applied project. (Prereq.: MAT 146, CSC 160, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course)
MAT 363 Dynamical Systems
Concepts of dynamical systems including iteration, stability, orbit diagrams, symbolic dynamics, chaos, and fractals, along with topics such as applications of dynamical systems and/or complex dynamics including the Mandelbrot set and Julia sets. (Prereq.: MAT 146 and MAT 246, MAT 269, or MAT 271)
MAT 369 Modeling and Differential Equations in the Biological and Natural Sciences
Concepts of differential equations including quantitative and qualitative methods of linear and non-linear systems; the application, modeling, and analysis of differential equations to model biological phenomena. Includes an applied project. (Prereq.: MAT 245, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course)
MAT 373-4 Probability and Statistics I & II
Concepts of probability and statistics including methods of enumeration, random variables, probability distributions, expectation, the Central Limit Theorem, sampling distributions, methods of estimation, hypothesis testing, regression, analysis of variance, and nonparametric statistics. Includes an applied project. (Prereq.: MAT 245 for MAT 373. Also recommended MAT 271. MAT 373, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course for MAT 374)
MAT 377 Operations Research
Concepts of linear programming and its applications to optimization problems from industrial settings including the simplex method, sensitivity analysis, duality theory, alternate optima, and unboundedness with an emphasis on both the mathematical theory and the application to current business practice. Includes an applied project. (Prereq.: MAT 246, ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111, and a speaking course)
MAT 395/495 Topics/Advanced Topics in Mathematics
Study of an advanced topic such as actuarial mathematics, combinatrics, complex analysis, mathematical biology, topology, or foundations of mathematics. (Prereq.: at least two MAT courses numbered above 200 and consent of instructor. For 495, an additional upper division MAT course depending on the particular topic may also be required)
MAT 491 Mathematics Colloquium
Information about contemporary applications, career opportunities, and other interesting ideas in mathematics. Presented by outside visitors, faculty members, or students. Carries no course credit.
Internship and Independent Study Courses
MAT 199/399 Internship
Work-based learning experience that links the ideas and methods of mathematics to the opportunities found in the internship. For upper division credit, significant mathematical content and presentation at a departmental colloquium is required. (Prerequisite for upper division: at least one upper division MAT course, junior or senior standing)
MAT 499 Independent Study/Research
Selection and study of an advanced topic outside of the offered curriculum with the guidance of a faculty member. Presentation at a departmental colloquium is required. (Prereq.: at least one upper division MAT course, junior or senior standing, and consent of instructor.)
