“What Shall I Take Now?” -- Courses beyond MA095
June 20, 2002
Five courses satisfy the University Studies Logical Systems Requirement:
MA 134. College Algebra. Includes the study of functions and graphs, polynomial and rational
functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and the binomial
theorem. MA134 is a prerequisite for several other mathematics courses and for some courses in other
departments.
MA155. Statistical Reasoning. Introduces statistical ideas to students, enabling student to deal critically
with statistical arguments, and gain an understanding of the impact of statistical ideas on public policy
and in other areas of academic study. MA155 is not a prerequisite for any other course.
MA 123. Survey of Mathematics. Provides a sampling of topics which mixes mathematics history, its
mathematicians, and its problems with a variety of real-life applications. This course would be best for a
liberal arts approach to mathematics. MA123 is not a prerequisite for any other course.
MA 118. Mathematics I. Provides an introduction to problem solving strategies, sets, whole numbers
and their operations and properties, number theory, numeration systems, computer usage, informal
geometry, and the historical significance and applications of these topics in the K-9 mathematics
curriculum. For students who have declared an education major in elementary, early childhood,
exceptional child, middle school, or secondary mathematics.
PL 120. Symbolic Logic I. A formal study of argument and inference, emphasizing the application of
symbolic techniques to ordinary language. This course is taught in the Department of Philosophy.
Comparison of the Courses.
MA118 Mathematics I is for certain education majors, and non-education majors are not admitted.
MA134 College Algebra is the course taken by most students after MA095. However, MA134 is not a
required course for many majors, and for students in those majors, good alternative courses are MA123
Survey of Mathematics or MA155 Statistical Reasoning. MA134 is not designed to be a terminal
course, and if a student needs only one mathematics course, MA134 may not the best one to take.
MA134 includes significant coverage of specific algebraic skills and understandings needed in higher
courses, and involves a certain amount of abstract thinking. By contrast, MA123 and MA155 are
designed specifically as possible terminal courses, to provide students with more immediate applications,
more directly relevant ideas and less abstraction than MA134. MA134 is still the best course for people
who are considering more mathematics courses, for those unsure of their major, for those who might be
transferring to another university, or for those who may consider graduate studies in the future. Students
should always check with their major advisors before choosing MA123 or MA155 over MA134.
Comparison of the Courses.
MA118 Mathematics I is for certain education majors, and non-education majors are not admitted.
MA134 College Algebra is the course taken by most students after MA095. However, MA134 is not a
required course for many majors, and for students in those majors, good alternative courses are MA123
Survey of Mathematics or MA155 Statistical Reasoning. MA134 is not designed to be a terminal
course, and if a student needs only one mathematics course, MA134 may not the best one to take.
MA134 includes significant coverage of specific algebraic skills and understandings needed in higher
courses, and involves a certain amount of abstract thinking. By contrast, MA123 and MA155 are
designed specifically as possible terminal courses, to provide students with more immediate applications,
more directly relevant ideas and less abstraction than MA134. MA134 is still the best course for people
who are considering more mathematics courses, for those unsure of their major, for those who might be
transferring to another university, or for those who may consider graduate studies in the future. Students
should always check with their major advisors before choosing MA123 or MA155 over MA134.
Five courses satisfy the University Studies Logical Systems Requirement:
MA 134. College Algebra. Includes the study of functions and graphs, polynomial and rational
functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and the binomial
theorem. MA134 is a prerequisite for several other mathematics courses and for some courses in other
departments.
MA155. Statistical Reasoning. Introduces statistical ideas to students, enabling student to deal critically
with statistical arguments, and gain an understanding of the impact of statistical ideas on public policy
and in other areas of academic study. MA155 is not a prerequisite for any other course.
MA 123. Survey of Mathematics. Provides a sampling of topics which mixes mathematics history, its
mathematicians, and its problems with a variety of real-life applications. This course would be best for a
liberal arts approach to mathematics. MA123 is not a prerequisite for any other course.
MA 118. Mathematics I. Provides an introduction to problem solving strategies, sets, whole numbers
and their operations and properties, number theory, numeration systems, computer usage, informal
geometry, and the historical significance and applications of these topics in the K-9 mathematics
curriculum. For students who have declared an education major in elementary, early childhood,
exceptional child, middle school, or secondary mathematics.
PL 120. Symbolic Logic I. A formal study of argument and inference, emphasizing the application of
symbolic techniques to ordinary language. This course is taught in the Department of Philosophy.