Spring 2008 Mathematics Electives

• Click on the course number to get a catalogue description. Note that in the most recent revision catalogue the course description may include two course numbers and will be in a green font. For the renumbering schedule see this list.
  

MA190 Contemporary Mathematical Problems (2 credits)
Period 8 TF - David Finn
Co-requisite: MA113 Recommeded only for freshmen and sophomores, required of freshman math majors
A seminar-style course consisting of an overview of selected contemporary problems and areas in the mathematical sciences. Problems to be discussed will be selected from recent publications in research and applications, famous problems, and outstanding problems of great significance.
See this web page for more details.

MA325/CSSE325 Fractals and Chaotic Dynamical Systems (4 credits)
Period 5 MTRF - Matt Boutell
Prerequisite: MA222 and CSSE220
This course is cross listed with CSSE325, and taught by CS and MA faculty in alternate years, this year by the CSSE department. For more info see this webpage.

MA330 Vector Calculus, Period 4 MTRF - Andrea Dziubek
Prerequisite: MA113
Calculus of functions of several variables. Topics include differentiation (divergence, gradient, curl) and integration (line, and surface integrals). Green's theorem, Stokes' theorem, and the divergence theorem are also covered. This course in vector calculus is an excellent companion course to the study of electromagnetic fields. 

MA336 Boundary Value Problems (4 credits)
Period 4 and 7 MTRF - Michael Barg and Steve Galinaitis
Prerequisite: MA222
MA336 is at the heart of classical applied mathematics.  Learning to speak the language of boundary value problems allows you to understand aspects of wave motion, heat transfer, potential theory, and electromagnetics.

MA348 Continuous Optimization (4 credits)
Period 2 MTRF - Jeff Leader
Please email course instructor or visit this web page for more details.
Please note that this is only offered every second year.

MA353 Problem Solving Seminar III (1 credit)
Period 4 W- Tanya Jajcay
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
An exposure to mathematical problems varying widely in both difficulty and content. Students will be expected to participate actively, not only in the solution process itself but also in the presentation of finished work, both orally and in writing. A student may earn a maximum of six credits in MA 351-6.

MA367 Functions of a Complex Variable (4 credits)
Period 9 MTRF - John Rickert
Prerequisite: MA 113
Elementary properties of analytic functions including Cauchy's theorem and its consequences, Laurent series, the Residue Theorem, and mapping properties of analytic functions.
Please email course instructor for more details.

MA371 Linear Algebra I (4 credits)
Periods 5 & 7   MTRF - Diane Evans and Roger Lautzenheiser
Prerequisite: MA221 or permission of instructor
Elementary linear algebra. Vector spaces, matrices, systems of equations, linear transformations. Applications. If you are only going to take one math elective, and you have already taken statistics you should probably take this one (or MA373 described next). Of the two courses MA371 and MA373, MA371 is more theoretical and MA373 is more applied. No student can take both MA371 and MA373 for credit.

MA373 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineers (4 credits)
Period 6 MTRF - Yosi Shibberu
Prerequisite: MA221 or permission of instructor
Many similarities to MA 371, but with more emphasis on applications. This course is intended for engineering and science students students that need an understanding of the basic concepts but also see more applications than MA371 offers. Of the two courses MA371 and MA373, MA371 is more theoretical and MA373 is more applied. No student can take both MA371 and MA373 for credit.
See this web page for more details.

MA375 Discrete and Combinatorial Algebra II (4 credits)
Period 5 MTRF - Tanya Jajcay
Prerequisite: MA 275
A continuation of MA 275. Relations. An introduction to finite state machines. More advanced enumeration techniques including recurrence relations, generating functions and the principle of inclusion and exclusion.

MA376 Abstract Algebra (4 credits)
Period 5 MTRF - Ralph Grimaldi
Prerequisite: MA275
This is our newest addition to the Algebra/ Discrete Math/ Number theory area of courses. The emphasis on topics will depend on the instructor shifting the balance of topics more towards group theory or ring (polynomials) algebra.
For further detail, email the instructor: Professor Grimaldi

MA378 Number Theory (4 credits)
Period 8 MTRF - Bill Butske
Prerequisite: consent of instructor
Divisibility, congruences, prime numbers, solutions of equations in integers, quadratic residues, reciprocity, multiplicative, and other important functions of elementary number theory.
Please email course instructor for more details.

MA381 Introduction to Probability and Statistics With Applications (4 credits) 
Periods 2,3 & 6 MTRF - Ralph Grimaldi and John Massman
Prerequisite: MA 113
Introduction to probability theory; axioms of probability, sample spaces, and probability laws (including conditional probabilities). Univariate random variables (discrete and continuous) and their expectations including these distributions: binomial, Poisson, geometric, uniform, exponential, and normal. Introduction to moment generating functions. Introduction to jointly distributed random variables. Univariate and joint transformations of random variables. The distribution of linear combinations of random variables and an introduction to the Central Limit Theorem. Applications of probability to statistics.

MA385 Quality Methods (4 credits)
Periods 8 and 9 MTRF - Diane Evans
Prerequisite: MA223
Introduction to various aspects of statistical quality control and statistical process control to include the following topics: importance of variance reduction and probability concepts influencing product quality and reliability; development and application of control charts (P-charts, NP-chart, C-charts, U-charts, Individuals Charts, moving range charts, X-bar and R as well as X-bar and S charts); process capability indices (their use and misuse); introduction to acceptance sampling. Other topics to be included as time allows: 6 sigma thinking, gauge reproducibility and repeatability, and total quality management with the philosophies of Deming, Juran, and Crosby. Review of fundamental prerequisite statistics will be included as necessary. Same as CHE 385.
See the stats web page for scheduling of statistics courses.

MA445 Stochastic Models in Operations Research   (4 credits)
Period 8 MTRF - Dave Rader
Prerequisite: MA 223 or MA 381
Introduction to stochastic mathematical models and techniques that aid in the decision-making process. Topics covered include a review of conditional probability, discrete and continuous Markov chains, Poisson processes, queueing theory (waiting line problems), and reliability.
See course description page for more details.
Please note that this is only offered every second year.

MA450 Math Seminar (1 credit) 
Period 9 W - Roger Lautzenheiser
Prerequisite: none
This course is designed to encourage students to attend department mathematics seminars and make a presentation of their own. Students must attend nine seminars and make presentation of their own on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. A student will be allowed two consecutive quarters to complete all requirements

MA461 Topics in Topology (4 credits)
Prerequisite: MA 366 or consent of instructor - Steve Carlson
Introduction to selected topics from point-set topology or algebraic topology from a rigorous point of view. Possible topics include metric spaces, general topological spaces, compactness, connectedness, separation axioms, compactification and metrization theorems, homotopy and homology, and covering spaces. Intended for mathematics majors planning to pursue graduate studies in mathematics.
Please email course instructor for more details or look at this webpage.
Please note that this course is offered infrequently.

MA471 Linear Algebra II
Period 3 MTRF - Roger Lautzenheiser
Prerequisite: MA 371 or 373
A study of the algebraic and geometric structure underlying linear transformations on Rⁿ and Cⁿ. Topics will include the diagonalization theorem for Hermitian matrices, the Jordan canonical form, and the singular value decomposition.
See course web page for more details. (old page)
Please note that this is only offered every second year.

MA477 Graph Theory (4 credits)
Period 9 MTRF - Tanya Jajcay
Prerequisite: MA 375 or consent of instructor - Tanya Jajcay
An introduction to the theory and applications of directed and undirected graphs. Possible topics include the following: Connectivity, subgraphs, graph isomorphism, Euler trails and circuits, planarity and the theorems of Kuratowski and Euler, Hamilton paths and cycles, graph coloring and chromatic polynomials, matchings, trees with applications to searching and coding, and algorithms dealing with minimal spanning trees, articulation points, and transport networks

MA479/CSSE479 Cryptography (4 credits)
Period 3 MTRF - Josh Holden
Prerequisite: CSSE220 and MA215
For further detail, email the instructor: Professor Holden or visit this web page.

MA482/BE482 Bioengineering Statistics (4 credits)
Period 3 MTRF - Michael DeVasher
Prerequisite: MA223
Contact  Mike DeVasher. See the stats web page for information on scheduling.

MA490-01 Set Theory and Logic (4 credits)
Period 7 MTRF - Steve Carlson
Prerequisite: consent of instructor
For further information contact the instructor Steve Carlson or visit this web page.
Contact  .

MA490-02 Introduction to SAS Programming (4 credits)
Period 6 MTRF - Mark Inlow
Prerequisite: consent of instructor
For further information contact the instructor Mark Inlow or visit this web page.

MA490-03 Tensor Analysis (2 credits)
Period 8 MR - Dave Finn
Prerequisite: consent of instructor
See this web page for further information or contact  Dave Finn.

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