Comments on Elective (400-level and higher) Offerings
MT410 Differential Equations (Professor Cheung, MWF 10:00-10:50) is a reasonable elective option for any student who has completed at least MT202 Multivariable Calculus and MT210 Linear Algebra. We now offer MT410 every semester -- it will be there next Fall if you miss it this time around.
MT414 Numerical Analysis (Professor Quillen, TTh 4:30-5:45) is a good choice for students interested in applications. Much of the material involves approximations of calculations that are too difficult to solve exactly. The course should be useful to students interested in the natural sciences, economics, and computer science. The computer system Matlab will be used - no prior experience required.
MT426 Probability (Professor Baglivo, 2 sections, MWF 10:00-10:50 and MWF 12:00-12:50) is a reasonable elective option for any student who has completed at least MT202 Multivariable Calculus and MT210 Linear Algebra. It is a fundamental course for students interested in careers in actuarial science. MT426 is now offered every semester -- it will be there next Fall if you miss it this time around.
MT426 will be restricted to "majors only" when the (sophomore) class of 2011 begins registration. If enrollments from the junior class are unexpectedly high, it is possible that this course will be restricted to "majors only" even during junior registration.
MT427 Mathematical Statistics (Professor Chambers, 2 sections, MWF 1:00-1:50 and MWF 2:00-2:50) is a good choice for a student who has completed MT426. It builds on probability and uses results and tools from probability to analyze data, estimate parameters of distributions that model data, and test hypotheses about those parameters. This is a good choice for students who are thinking of actuarial or other applied fields.
MT440 Dynamical Systems (Professor Mirollo, MWF 3:00-3:50) is open to students who have completed MT410. In special cases, it may be possible to take MT440 without having had MT410, but all such cases should be cleared with Professor Mirollo directly.
NEW! MT450 Advanced Linear Algebra (Professor Ash, MW 4:00-5:15) continues the study of linear algebra and is available to anyone who has completed MT210 and MT310. It covers many beautiful and deep results that are useful in further abstract mathematics as well as applications.
MT453 Euclid's Elements (Professor Reeder, MWF 11:00-11:50) is a small seminar class with active participation by the students, and follows a close reading and presentation of Euclid's Elements by the students. As such, it's more hands-on than a typical math course. This is a good choice for a student interested in geometry and the experience of developing conjectures and proofs as well as presenting these to a small group.
NEW! MT455 Mathematical Problem Solving (Professor Rosen, M 4:30-6:50) is of interest to students planning on teaching mathematics in secondary schools. It revolves around solving math problems, generalizing them, and explaining the results to students. This course is open to LSOE math majors and graduate students, and also to A&S math majors with department permission (and subject to available seats).
MT460 Complex Variables (Professor Keane, MWF 12:00-12:50) covers many of the topics in calculus but in the domain of the complex numbers. One of the beauties of the subject is the exploration of the similarities and the differences in the domains. The course is a good mixture of pure and applied topics and is essential in the natural sciences at higher levels.
MT470 Mathematical Modeling (Professor Landraitis, MWF 1:00-1:50) is open to students who have completed a minimum of MT202 and MT210.
Comments on 300-level Courses
MT310 and MT320 are required courses for all majors and form the basic core of theory that every major should know.
- These courses can be taken in either order or even concurrently, and each should be completed no later than the end of junior year.
- MT216 is a prerequisite for each of these courses.
- Our scheduling scheme is to favor Analysis in the Spring by offering just one section of MT310 and two sections of MT320. We do the reverse in the Fall by offering two sections of MT310 and just one section of MT320. The Spring sections will be scheduled at complementary times.
MT310 Introduction to Abstract Algebra (Professor Friedberg, MWF 1:00-1:50)
MT320 Introduction to Analysis (two sections: Professor Pottharst, MWF 12:00-12:50; and Professor Keane, MWF 2:00-2:50)
Comments on 200-level Courses
MT210 Linear Algebra will be offered at three times and is logically the course that should directly follow MT202 Multivariable Calculus. Options are MWF 11:00-11:50 and MWF 12:00-12:50 (both with Professor Reed), and MWF 10:00-10:50 with Professor Jenson.
MT216 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics (two sections: MWF 9:00-9:50; and MWF 11:00-11:50) is a required course for the major. It should be taken as soon as possible after completing at least one of MT202 Multivariable Calculus and MT210 Linear Algebra. It's reasonable to take this course concurrently with MT210 Linear Algebra.
MT216 is prerequisite for essentially all but two of our electives, as well as prerequisite for the major-required MT310 and MT320 courses. Majors should complete this course no later than the end of sophomore year, and sooner is always better than later.