Course Descriptions

First semester of the two-semester sequence MATH 101-102. Detailed, in-depth review of manipulative algebra; introduction to functions and graphs, including linear, quadratic, and rational functions.

The trigonometry topics of MATH 104.

Fundamental and relevant mathematics for prospective elementary school teachers, including whole numbers and place value operations with whole numbers, number theory, fractions, ratio and proportion, decimals, and percents. For Pre-Early Childhood and Pre-Elementary Education majors only.

Linear equations and inequalities, matrices, linear programming with applications to business, probability and discrete random variables.

Honors section of Math 127.

Continuity, limits, and the derivative for algebraic, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, and inverse functions. Applications to physics, chemistry, and engineering.

The definite integral, techniques of integration, and applications to physics, chemistry, and engineering. Sequences, series, and power series. Taylor and MacLaurin series. Students expected to have and use a Texas Instruments 86 graphics, programmable calculator.

Techniques of calculus in two and three dimensions. Vectors, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, line integrals. Theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss. Honors section available. (Gen.Ed. R2)

Basic concepts of linear algebra. Matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, and eigenvalues.

Introduction to ordinary differential equations. First and second order linear differential equations, systems of linear differential equations, Laplace transform, numerical methods, applications. (This course is considered upper division with respect to the requirements for the major and minor in mathematics.)

The goal of this course is to help students learn the language of rigorous mathematics. Students will learn how to read, understand, devise and communicate proofs of mathematical statements. A number of proof techniques (contrapositive, contradiction, and especially induction) will be emphasized. Topics to be discussed include set theory (Cantor's notion of size for sets and gradations of infinity, maps between sets, equivalence relations, partitions of sets), basic logic (truth tables, negation, quantifiers), and number theory (divisibility, Euclidean algorithm, congruences). Other topics will be included as time allows. Math 300 is designed to help students make the transition from calculus courses to the more theoretical junior-senior level mathematics courses.

Essentially all serious mathematics is written using some variant of the LaTeX software, and developing proficiency with this tool is an important part of the course. We will cover a variety of types of writing related to mathematics, such as: critique of seminar presentations and written articles; (auto)biography of mathematicians; expository writing about mathematical topics; aspects of writing a research article; opinion pieces; precise short communications (e.g. abstract, memo, tweet, blog post, newspaper headline); essays about aspects of mathematical culture (e.g. jokes, songs, anecdotes, sociological aspects).

Satisfies Junior Year Writing requirement.

Essentially all serious mathematics is written using some variant of the LaTeX software, and developing proficiency with this tool is an important part of the course. We will cover a variety of types of writing related to mathematics, such as: critique of seminar presentations and written articles; (auto)biography of mathematicians; expository writing about mathematical topics; aspects of writing a research article; opinion pieces; precise short communications (e.g. abstract, memo, tweet, blog post, newspaper headline); essays about aspects of mathematical culture (e.g. jokes, songs, anecdotes, sociological aspects).

Satisfies Junior Year Writing requirement.

This course is about how to write and use computer code to explore and solve problems in pure and applied mathematics.  The first part of the course will be an introduction to programming in Python. The remainder of the course (and its goal) is to help students develop the skills to translate mathematical problems and solution techniques into algorithms and code.  Students will work together on group projects with a variety applications throughout the curriculum.

Introduction to groups, rings, fields, vector spaces, and related concepts. Emphasis on development of careful mathematical reasoning.

An introduction to functions of a complex variable. Topics include: Complex numbers, functions of a complex variable and their derivatives (Cauchy-Riemann equations). Harmonic functions. Contour integration and Cauchy's integral formula. Liouville's theorem, Maximum modulus theorem, and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. Taylor and Laurent series. Classification of isolated singularities. Evaluation of Improper integrals via residues. Conformal mappings.

This is a rigorous introduction to some topics in mathematics that underlie areas in computer science and computer engineering, including graphs and trees, spanning trees, and matchings; the pigeonhole principle, induction and recursion, generating functions, and discrete probability proofs (time permitting). The course integrates learning mathematical theories with applications to concrete problems from other disciplines using discrete modeling techniques. Student groups will be formed to investigate a concept or an application related to discrete mathematics, and each group will report its findings to the class in a final presentation. This course satisfies the university's Integrative Experience (IE) requirement for math majors.

This course is an introduction to mathematical modeling. The main goal of the class is to learn how to translate real-world problems into quantitative terms for interpretation, suggestions of improvement and future predictions. Since this is too broad of a topic for one semester, this class will focus on linear and integer programming to study real world problems that affect real people. The course will culminate in a final modeling project that will involve optimizing different aspects of a community partner. This course satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Math and BS-Math majors.

Basic properties of the positive integers including congruence arithmetic, the theory of prime numbers, quadratic reciprocity, and continued fractions. Some additional topics may be discussed as time permits. To help learn these materials, students will be assigned computational projects using computer algebra software.

This class is designed to help students review and prepare for the GRE Mathematics subject exam, which is a required exam for entrance into many PhD programs in mathematics. Students should have completed the three courses in calculus, a course in linear algebra, and have some familiarity with differential equations. The focus will be on solving problems based on the core material covered in the exam. Students are expected to do practice problems before each meeting and discuss the solutions in class.

This course is an introduction to mathematical analysis. A rigorous treatment of the topics covered in calculus will be presented with a particular emphasis on proofs. Topics include: properties of real numbers, sequences and series, continuity, Riemann integral, differentiability, sequences of functions and uniform convergence.

This course is an introduction to the mathematical models used in finance and economics with particular emphasis on models for pricing financial instruments, or "derivatives." The central topic will be options, culminating in the Black-Scholes formula. The goal is to understand how the models derive from basic principles of economics, and to provide the necessary mathematical tools for their analysis.

Basic concepts (over real or complex numbers): vector spaces, basis, dimension, linear transformations and matrices, change of basis, similarity. Study of a single linear operator: minimal and characteristic polynomial, eigenvalues, invariant subspaces, triangular form, Cayley-Hamilton theorem. Inner product spaces and special types of linear operators (over real or complex fields): orthogonal, unitary, self-adjoint, hermitian. Diagonalization of symmetric matrices, applications.

Basic concepts (over real or complex numbers): vector spaces, basis, dimension, linear transformations and matrices, change of basis, similarity. Study of a single linear operator: minimal and characteristic polynomial, eigenvalues, invariant subspaces, triangular form, Cayley-Hamilton theorem. Inner product spaces and special types of linear operators (over real or complex fields): orthogonal, unitary, self-adjoint, hermitian. Diagonalization of symmetric matrices, applications.

Introduction to computational techniques used in science and industry. Topics selected from root-finding, interpolation, data fitting, linear systems, numerical integration, numerical solution of differential equations, and error analysis.

This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of statistical science.  It does not rely on detailed derivations of mathematical concepts, but does require mathematical sophistication and reasoning.  It is an introduction to statistical thinking/reasoning, data management, statistical analysis, and statistical computation.  Concepts in this course will be developed in greater mathematical rigor later in the statistical curriculum, including in STAT 515, 516, 525, and 535. It is intended to be the first course in statistics taken by math majors interested in statistics.  Concepts covered include point estimation, interval estimation, prediction, testing, and regression, with focus on sampling distributions and the properties of statistical procedures.  The course will be taught in a hands-on manner, introducing powerful statistical software used in practical settings and including methods for descriptive statistics, visualization, and data management.

For graduate and upper-level undergraduate students, with focus on practical aspects of statistical methods.Topics include: data description and display, probability, random variables, random sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing, one and two sample problems, analysis of variance, simple and multiple linear regression, contingency tables. Includes data analysis using a computer package (R)

This course provides a calculus based introduction to probability (an emphasis on probabilistic concepts used in statistical modeling) and the beginning of statistical inference (continued in Stat516). Coverage includes basic axioms of probability, sample spaces, counting rules, conditional probability, independence, random variables (and various associated discrete and continuous distributions), expectation, variance, covariance and correlation, probability inequalities, the central limit theorem, the Poisson approximation and sampling distributions. Introduction to basic concepts of estimation (bias, standard error, etc.) and confidence intervals.

This course provides a calculus based introduction to probability (an emphasis on probabilistic concepts used in statistical modeling) and the beginning of statistical inference (continued in Stat516). Coverage includes basic axioms of probability, sample spaces, counting rules, conditional probability, independence, random variables (and various associated discrete and continuous distributions), expectation, variance, covariance and correlation, probability inequalities, the central limit theorem, the Poisson approximation and sampling distributions. Introduction to basic concepts of estimation (bias, standard error, etc.) and confidence intervals.

This course provides a calculus based introduction to probability (an emphasis on probabilistic concepts used in statistical modeling) and the beginning of statistical inference (continued in Stat516). Coverage includes basic axioms of probability, sample spaces, counting rules, conditional probability, independence, random variables (and various associated discrete and continuous distributions), expectation, variance, covariance and correlation, probability inequalities, the central limit theorem, the Poisson approximation and sampling distributions. Introduction to basic concepts of estimation (bias, standard error, etc.) and confidence intervals.

Continuation of Stat 515. The overall objective of the course is the development of basic theory and methods for statistical inference from a mathematical and probabilistic perspective. Topics include: sampling distributions; point estimators and their properties; method of moments; maximum likelihood estimation; Rao-Blackwell Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis testing; contingency tables; and non-parametric methods (time permitting).

Continuation of Stat 515. The overall objective of the course is the development of basic theory and methods for statistical inference from a mathematical and probabilistic perspective. Topics include: sampling distributions; point estimators and their properties; method of moments; maximum likelihood estimation; Rao-Blackwell Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis testing; contingency tables; and non-parametric methods (time permitting).

Regression analysis is the most popularly used statistical technique with application in almost every imaginable field. The focus of this course is on a careful understanding and of regression models and associated methods of statistical inference, data analysis, interpretation of results, statistical computation and model building. Topics covered include simple and multiple linear regression; correlation; the use of dummy variables; residuals and diagnostics; model building/variable selection; expressing regression models and methods in matrix form; an introduction to weighted least squares, regression with correlated errors and nonlinear regression. Extensive data analysis using R or SAS (no previous computer experience assumed). Requires prior coursework in Statistics, preferably ST516, and basic matrix algebra. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Math and BS-Math majors.

This course will introduce computing tools needed for statistical analysis including data acquisition from database, data exploration and analysis, numerical analysis and result presentation. Advanced topics include parallel computing, simulation and optimization, and package creation. The class will be taught in a modern statistical computing language.

Classical theory of ordinary differential equations and some of its modern developments in dynamical systems theory. Topics to be chosen from: Linear systems and exponential matrix solutions; Well-posedness for nonlinear systems; Floquet theory for linear periodic systems. Qualitative theory: limit sets, invariant sets and manifolds. Stability theory: linearization about equilibria and periodic orbits, Lyapunov functions. Numerical simulations will be used to illustrate the behavior of solutions and to motivate the theoretical discussion.

Mostly point set topology including product and quotient topologies, continuity, compactness, connectedness, and complete metric spaces. Introduction to algebraic topology, specifically the fundamental group. Grade will be based on homework problems and exams.

This course is the group project that is required for the MS program in Applied Mathematics. Each academic year we undertake an in-depth study of select applied science problems, combining modeling, theory, and computation to understand it. The main goal of the course is to emulate the process of teamwork in problem solving, such as is the norm in industrial applied mathematics.

Valuations, rings of integral elements, ideal theory in algebraic number fields of algebraic functions of one variable, Dirichlet unit theorem and Riemann-Roch theorem for curves.

This course is a one semester introduction to the theory and methods of linear partial differential equations at the beginning graduate level. The most basic and important linear PDEs that arise in mathematical physics--namely, the wave equation, heat/diffusion equation and Laplace/Poisson equation--will be derived from first principles and their key properties will be exhibited. This approach will make the course accessible to students with a strong mathematics background who have not already studied PDEs. The second half of the course will develop the essential features of the modern theory of PDEs for elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic equations. Analysis topics will be introduced as needed, including distributions and generalized functions, Fourier analysis, Sobolev spaces and analytic semigroups.

This course provides an introduction to complex networks, their structure, and function, with examples from applied mathematics and social sciences. Topics include spectral graph theory, notions of centrality, random graph models, Markov chains and random walks, cascades and diffusion.  We will also introduce wavelet transformation on signals, as well as spectral graph wavelet transform that captures abrupt changes of signals on a network. Students will be able to learn fundamental tools to study networks, mathematical models of network structure and for network data analysis, as well as the theories of processes taking place on networks.

The first part of a two-semester graduate level sequence in probability and statistics, this course develops probability theory at an intermediate level (i.e., non measure-theoretic - Stat 605 is a course in measure-theoretic probability) and introduces the basic concepts of statistics.
Topics include: general probability concepts; discrete probability; random variables (including special discrete and continuous distributions) and random vectors; independence; laws of large numbers; central limit theorem; statistical models and sampling distributions; and a brief introduction to statistical inference. Statistical inference will be developed more fully in Stat 608.
This course is also suitable for graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines and will give strong preparation for further courses in statistics, econometrics, and stochastic processes, time series, decision theory, operations research, etc.
You will be expected to read sections of the text book in parallel with topics covered in lectures, since important part of graduate study is to learn how to study independently.

Regression is the most widely used statistical technique. In addition to learning about regression methods this course will also reinforce basic statistical concepts and introduce students to "statistical thinking" in a broader context. This is primarily an applied statistics course. While models and methods are written out carefully with some basic derivations, the primary focus of the course is on the understanding and presentation of regression models and associated methods, data analysis, interpretation of results, statistical computation and model building. Topics covered include simple and multiple linear regression; correlation; the use of dummy variables; residuals and diagnostics; model building/variable selection, regression models and methods in matrix form. With time permitting, further topics include an introduction to weighted least squares, regression with correlated errors and nonlinear (including binary) regression.

This course is designed for students to complete the master's project requirement in statistics, with guidance from faculty. The course will begin with determining student topics and groups. Each student will complete a group project. Each group will work together for one semester and be responsible for its own schedule, work plan, and final report. Regular class meetings will involve student presentations on progress of projects, with input from the instructor. Students will learn about the statistical methods employed by each group. Students in the course will learn new statistical methods, how to work collaboratively, how to use R and other software packages, and how to present oral and written reports.

This course is intended as an introductory course in statistical machine learning with emphasis on statistical methodology as it applies to large-scale data applications. At the end of this course, students will be able to build and test a latent variable statistical model with companion inference algorithm to solve real problems in a domain of their interest. Course topics include: introduction to exponential families, sufficiency and conjugacy, graphical model framework and approximate inference methods such as expectation-maximization, variational inference, and sampling-based methods. Additional topics may include: cross-validation, bootstrap, empirical Bayes, and deep learning networks. Graphical model examples will include: naive Bayes, regression, hidden Markov models, principal component, factor analysis, and latent variable/topic models.

Linear models are at the heart of many statistics techniques (linear regression and design of experiments), are closely related to many other important areas (multivariate analysis, time series, econometrics, etc.) and form the basis for many more modern techniques dealing with mixed and hierarchical models, both linear and nonlinear. Stat 705 is the first of two semester sequence covering the theory of linear models and related topics, but can also be taken as a stand-alone course. Coverage includes i) a brief review of important definitions and results from linear and matrix algebra and then what is assumed to be some new topics (idempotency, generalized inverses, etc.) in linear algebra; ii) Random vectors, multivariate distribution, the multivariate normal, linear and quadratic forms including an introduction to non-central t, chi-square and F distributions; iii) development of basic theory for inferences (estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, power) for the general linear model with "application" to both full rank regression and correlation models as well as some treatment of less than full rank models arising in the analysis of variance (one and some two-factor models). The applied part of the course is not directed towards extensive data analysis (which is available in many other applied courses). Instead, the emphasis with applications is on understanding and using the models and on some computational aspects, including understanding the documentation and methods used in some of the computing packages. [Stat 706 will pick up some additional regression topics, do more on experimental designs settings and then address mixed models of various forms including estimating variance components, modelling and analyzing linear mixed models broadly, and repeated measures/hierarchical regression models more specifically, and cover generalized linear and nonlinear mixed models.]