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Arts & Sciences | School of Education | School of Humanities | School of Sciences | School of Social Sciences Department of Biology | Department of Chemistry and Physics | Department of Mathematics and Computer Science | Department of Psychology Mathematics | Computer Science 
Department of Mathematics
and Computer Science Vision: To support the visions of the university and School of Sciences by pursuing teaching excellence that encourages each student to engage in a critical, independent search for mathematical knowledge important to a successful life and career. Purpose: To provide a supportive and challenging environment where students are encouraged to develop independence, creativity, and excellence in mathematics and computer science. Goals: To help our students:
Mathematics (MTH)
Mathematics Placement Test The Mathematics Faculty of the School of Sciences periodically administers a placement test in mathematics. Scores on the test help determine the student’s placement in the appropriate mathematics course. The test is particularly important for placement in MTH 90 Basic Algebra, MTH 111 College Algebra, MTH 113 Precalculus Mathematics, MTH 117 Calculus for Business, Life, and Social Sciences, or MTH 121 Calculus I. It may also aid in placing students in MTH 115 Elementary Statistics or MTH 214 Quantitative Methods in Business. All students must take the Math Placement Test. Questions about which courses taken at other colleges and universities may be substituted for math requirements at Belmont should be asked of the Math Department or Associate Dean, School of Sciences.
Mathematics Courses (MTH) MTH 90. Basic Algebra* (3). Designed to assist any student whose algebra background is inadequate for College Algebra. Covers basic algebraic properties and operations and emphasizes algebraic skills. Does not satisfy the mathematics requirement for any degree program. MTH 102. Basic Concepts of Mathematics* (3). Prerequisite: High school algebra and geometry are recommended. This course is designed to provide some insight into the nature of mathematics by examining various mathematical structures. Topics include some of the following: sets and their properties, symbolic logic, mathematical patterns, inductive reasoning, number systems and their properties, geometry, probability, counting techniques, and descriptive statistics. MTH 103. Statistical Concepts* (3). Prerequisite: High school algebra or MTH 90. A basic introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include organizing and displaying data, measures of central tendency and variability, elementary probability concepts and distributions, confidence intervals and tests of hypotheses. MTH 105, 106. Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I, II* (3 each). Prerequisite: MTH 105 is a prerequisite for MTH 106. Topics include properties of numbers and sets, systems of numeration, arithmetic operations, informal geometry, problem solving, and appropriate applications. Credit given only to education majors. MTH 111. College Algebra* (3). Prerequisite: The equivalent of two years of high school algebra and a qualifying score on the Mathematics Placement Test; MTH 90 or consent of the instructor. Topics include linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, equations, inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, and their applications. MTH 112. Trigonometry* (3, Spring). Prerequisite: MTH 111 or consent of the instructor. Covers the trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, identities, and complex numbers. MTH 113. Precalculus Mathematics* (4). Prerequisites: The equivalent of two years of high school algebra, one year of geometry and a qualifying score on the Mathematics Placement Test; or consent of instructor. An intense treatment of elementary functions including exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and polynomial functions. MTH 115 - Elementary Statistics (3 hrs). Prerequisite: A grade of C in MTH 111 or higher level mathematics course, or consent of the department chair. An introduction to statistical reasoning. Topics include descriptive measures, elementary probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample inferences on means and proportions, simple linear regression, and correlation. Case studies of real data will relate to various fields of interest. Special emphasis will be placed on communication of statistical results through projects using computer software. MTH 116 B. Biostatistics Lab* (1). Prerequisite: MTH 111; Corequisite: MTH 115. Students will collect data from actual biological experiments or surveys and will analyze the data using techniques being studied. Appropriate use of computers and software will be integrated into the laboratory and data analysis experience. Must be taken concurrently with MTH 115. MTH 116 P. Psychology Statistics Lab* (1). Prerequisite: MTH 111; Corequisite: MTH 115. Students will analyze data from psychological experiments or surveys using statistical techniques. Emphasis will be placed on experimental design, ethics in research, and the use of statistical computer software. Must be taken concurrently with MTH 115. MTH
117. Calculus I for Business, Economics, and the Social and Life Sciences
* (3). Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in MTH 111 or
MTH 112 or MTH 113 or a qualifying score on the Math Placement Test, or
consent of the department chair. A survey of limits, continuity and
the differential and integral calculus with applications in business,
economics, social and life sciences. MTH 121, 122, 221. Calculus I, II, III (4 each). Prerequisite: For Calculus I--A qualifying score on the Math Placement Test, a minimum grade of C on MTH 113 or MTH 111 and MTH 112, or consent of the department chair; the equivalent of four years of high school mathematics including Algebra I, II, Geometry, and Trigonometry is expected. Calculus I – an introduction to analytic geometry, limits, integration, differentiation; Calculus II – applications with trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and hyperbolic functions, and infinite series; Calculus III-parametric equations, vector calculus and multi-variable calculus. Calculus I cannot be used as part of the 30-hour major in mathematics. MTH 199-499. Special Studies (1-3). MTH 202. Intermediate Statistics* (3). Prerequisites: A grade of C in MTH 115. A continuation of statistical decision making procedures begun in MTH 115, Elementary Statistics. Topics include Two Sample Tests of Hypotheses, Multiple Regression, Time Series, Analysis of Variance, Nonparametric Statistics, Chi-square, Control Charts, and Decision Analysis. MTH 203. Topics in Statistics (3). Prerequisite: MTH 202. Topics will be selected from the following: experimental design, sampling, nonparametric methods, time series analysis, categorical analysis, multivariate analysis, and advanced regression analysis. Course offerings and topics will appear in the schedule of classes. This course may be repeated for credit for different topics. MTH 214. Quantitative Methods in Business* (3). Prerequisites: A grade of C in MTH 111 or MTH 113, or consent of the department chair. Topics covered in the first half of the course include linear, polynomial, logarithmic, and exponential functions, and applications of each type function, linear programming and matrices. Second half topics include limits and differential calculus, including maximization and minimization of functions. Applications to business and economics are emphasized. MTH 217. Mathematical Modeling for the Environmental Sciences* (3). Prerequisites: MTH 121 or corequisite 118. This course introduces the concept of modeling as a means of both understanding systems and of the making predictions about their future behaviors. It will present concepts in environmental science from a problem solving perspective and will develop the student's ability to transform realistic, qualitatively described problems into quantifiably solvable form and then to arrive at approximate solutions. Computer software will be used, but primarily emphasis will be placed on achieving a mental understanding of the relationship described within the models. MTH 224. Differential Equations (3). Prerequisite: MTH 221. An introduction to ordinary differential equations. Topics include equations of order one and degree one, orthogonal trajectories, linear differential equations, Laplace transforms, variations of parameters and applications. MTH 225. Discrete Mathematics (3). Prerequisites: CSC 111, MTH 122. An introduction to discrete mathematics with an emphasis on mathematical reasoning. Topics include sets, relations, propositional logic, basic proof structures, algorithms, functions and computability, introductory graph theory and introductory combinatorics. MTH 226. Linear Algebra (3). Prerequisite: MTH 221. Topics include matrices, vectors and vector spaces, and linear transformations. MTH 321. Probability (3). Prerequisite: MTH 118 or MTH 122. An introduction to the laws of probability, mathematical expectation, probabilistic model building, random variables, and probability distributions. MTH 322. Theory of Statistics (3). Prerequisite: MTH 321. A development of the mathematical basis for measures of central tendency and variation, sampling distributions, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, and decision theory. MTH 326. Graph Theory (3). Prerequisite: MTH 225. A continuation of the introduction to graph theory begun in MTH 225. Topics include trees, planar graphs, Hamilton cycles, Euler tours, matchings, coverings, and colorings. MTH 327. Combinatorics (3). Prerequisite: MTH 225. A continuation of the introduction to combinatorics begun in MTH 225. Topics include the principles of counting patterns by means of generating functions, recurrence relations, and Polya's Theory; the existence of patterns by means of the pigeonhole principle and its generalizations; and the optimization of patterns by means of the minimax principle. MTH 411. Modern Geometry (3). Prerequisite: 11 hours toward the major or consent of the instructor. An axiomatic approach to the study of elementary geometry. Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometries, and finite geometries are examined. MTH 412. Introduction to Analysis (3). Prerequisite: 11 hours toward the major or consent of the instructor. A theoretical study of properties of the real numbers, functions, metric sets, limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration. MTH 413. History of Mathematics (3). Prerequisites: 11 hours toward the major or consent of the instructor. An overview of the historical development of elementary mathematics including arithmetic, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Biographical and historical content will be reinforced with studies of procedures and techniques of earlier mathematical cultures. Required for all students seeking to meet secondary licensing standards in mathematics. MTH 414. Abstract Algebra (3). Prerequisite: MTH 226. Topics include sets, number theory, functions and mappings, rings, groups, and fields. MTH 415. Numerical Methods (3). Prerequisites: CSC 112; MTH 221 or MTH 225. A problem-oriented course emphasizing the solution of linear systems and nonlinear equations, curve fitting, interpolation and approximation, error analysis, and numerical integration and differentiation. MTH 417. Modeling and Simulation (3). Prerequisites: MTH 221, MTH 321. An introduction to modeling and simulation which will include experience in modeling and simulating actual systems. MTH 461. Advanced Topics in Mathematics (3). Prerequisite: See the instructor or the department chair prior to registration regarding prerequisites. Course offerings and topics will be scheduled based on student needs and interest. Topics will appear in the schedule of classes. This course may be repeated for credit for different topics. MTH 471. Senior Seminar (1). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. This one-hour capstone course will provide opportunities to assess student achievement of the department learning goals. Course content will include “topic days” using problems from the student’s portfolios related primarily to the core calculus, probability/statistics, discrete mathematics, and computer programming courses. There will be a reading and presentation component.
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