MATH-200 Modern Mathematics and Career Exploration
This one credit course aims to help freshmen and sophomore students form an idea of the scope of the vast and rapidly growing field of mathematics and the many career options, and begin to map out steps toward a potential career path. Mathematics is a diverse discipline that is constantly evolving. It ranges from applied mathematics (tailored to specific real world problems), to mathematical physics (which crafts the mathematical basis for the understanding of physical phenomena), to pure mathematics (which is studied for its intrinsic interest). As the study of such varied concepts as quantity, structure, space and change, mathematics has something for everyone; and valuable applications to many other fields, from business and finance to meteorology, chemistry, ecology and biology, among many others. This module aims to move beyond the foundational math generally taught in freshmen and sophomore year by presenting several areas of recent development and application. In this team-taught seminar-style course, two or three different professors will introduce students to their research areas and related topics. Some of the areas represented among the faculty include fractal geometry, number theory, algebraic geometry, and probability. Students will also be introduced to resources provided by national mathematical communities on mathematical career paths and backgrounds needed.
Prerequisite
Freshman or Sophomore Status