Mathematics Programs

Mathematics courses support students majoring in biology, management, nursing, psychology and other areas, and are also available as electives. Students broadly interested in the science/mathematics field can choose either an individually initiated major or an appropriately designed physics major. The following courses satisfy the General Education First Year Core Quantitative Literacy Requirement: MATH 1150, MATH 1190, MATH 1550, and MATH 2130.

Students are encouraged to select the core course that best matches their intended major.

• MATH 1150 Statistics I: For students in Accounting, Biology, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Communication, Community Health and Wellness, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Nursing, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology. MATH 1142 is an optional co-requisite recitation that can be added to any section of MATH 1150 to provide additional instructional support.

• MATH 1190 College Algebra: For students who are in Biochemistry or who are Undecided or would like a broader mathematics core for their educational careers

• MATH 1550 Quantification in School Mathematics: For students in Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Special Education

• MATH 2130 Calculus I: For students in Biology (BS), Biochemistry, or who have a strong mathematics background and who would like a broader mathematics core for their educational careers.

MATHEMATICS MINOR

In a world increasingly dependent upon science and technology, the study of mathematics has become ever more important and, in many disciplines, essential. People trained in mathematics are employed in industry, teaching, and research at all levels. Students who study mathematics gain an excellent background for collaboration with professionals in other disciplines such as economics, business, and criminal justice. Undergraduate mathematics also serves as a strong foundation for further studies in operations research, statistics, computer science, medicine and law, in addition to mathematics itself. The mathematics minor program at Curry College provides the foundation for further studies in applied fields and prepares a liberally educated person for related fields in which strong quantitative and problem-solving skills are needed.

Mathematics Minor Learning Outcomes

Problem Solving: Students will solve problems using a variety of problem solving strategies. Students will employ problem-solving strategies such as organizing information, drawing diagrams, seeking patterns, working backwards, identifying sub-problems, and solving easier related problems.

Modeling: Students will develop and utilize mathematical models of real-world situations. Students will, in some cases, develop their own models; in others, they will utilize previously developed models. They will use these models to make predictions and decisions.

Reasoning: Students develop mathematical reasoning skills as they learn to support conclusions with sound mathematical arguments. Students will apply various mathematical reasoning techniques to develop and test conjectures, propose examples and counterexamples, and employ probabilistic and statistical reasoning.

Using Technology: Students will use appropriate technology to enhance the problem solving, modeling, and reasoning processes. Students will use technology to enhance their study of mathematics, without it becoming the primary focus of instruction. By relieving the need to emphasize symbolic manipulation and computational skills, technology will enable students to actively investigate mathematical principles and concepts.

Communicating: Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas and procedures. Students will communicate their understanding of mathematics using appropriate mathematical vocabulary and notation. They will form the habit of interpreting their solutions to problems and describing the process by which these problems were solved.

Connecting With Other Disciplines: Students will examine connections between mathematics and a variety of other disciplines. Students will consider mathematics as a language for the natural sciences and will explore its applications in disciplines such as the social sciences, health sciences, management science, and economics. Mathematics will be presented in the context of applications that help students develop an appreciation of the wide and varied use of mathematics across disciplines.

Research: Students will gain the ability to do research. Students will conduct research having to do with the analysis and solution of real world problems. In-class presentations and term papers pertaining with this research will be assigned in all higher level mathematics courses

Credit Requirements

Students can earn a minor in Mathematics by taking 15 credits of courses in Mathematics, not including MATH 1000: Problem Solving Strategies in Mathematics or MATH 1550: College Mathematics I: Numbers and Numeration.

At least six credits must be earned at Curry College, and at least nine credits must be earned at the 2000-level or above.

Students may not take MATH 1190 if they have already completed MATH 2140.

MATHEMATICS EDUCATION MINOR

The Mathematics Education minor builds upon the three-course sequence of mathematics courses required of Education students seeking licensure and will prepare them to apply for an additional license as an elementary math specialist. Students seeking the minor will deepen their understanding of numerical, algebraic and statistical concepts by taking a minimum of two additional mathematics courses, and they will be exposed to constructivist pedagogy and best practices in mathematics instruction. While the minor is intended primarily for Education students, it is open all students whose interests include working in an educational setting.

A grade of “C” or higher must be attained in all courses required for the Mathematics Education minor. Any mathematics course at the 2000 level or above can substitute for one course in the Mathematics Education minor. MATH 4000 Independent Research in Mathematics Education can substitute for any course in the Mathematics Education minor.

Mathematics Education Minor Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the requirements for the Mathematics Education Minor will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of number theory, the structure of numeration systems, and the properties of the real number system.

2. Describe and operate with integers, fractions, decimals, and percents.

3. Use fundamental principles of probability, descriptive statistics and the statistical methods used in collecting, organizing, reporting, and analyzing data.

4. Demonstrate their understanding of patterns and the properties of functions and relations, including translating problems into algebraic expressions and manipulating and solving algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities.

5. Apply properties of linear, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, and rational functions and relations, and ratios and proportions to the solution of problems.

6. Apply principles of Euclidean geometry, coordinate geometry, and transformational geometry to prove theorems and analyze the characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional shapes.