Central Washington University - Department of Mathematics : Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Completion of a prerequisite course at the college level with a C (2.0) or better will allow a student to enroll in mathematics courses. If you wish to enroll in a course but do not have the prerequisite course, you may place into the following courses using a scores on placement tests. For the particular test and score you need, please refer to the information below.

Entry Level Courses

Enrollment in MATH 100C, MATH 101, MATH 130, MATH 164 requires one of the following scores. The scores on the SAT or ACT tests must have been acheived within the last three years before math placement.

Pre-Calculus I

Pre-Calculus II or Intuitive Calculus

Calculus I

Placement Tests

COMPASS

The COMPASS test is offered at the CWU Testing Center as well as colleges and universities across the nation. If you take the COMPASS Math Placement test, you may receive scores for PreAlgebra, Algebra, College Algebra, and Trigonometry (depending on where they start you and how well you do). If you take the test off campus, you will need to have your test scores sent to CWU. More information about test fees and testing times can be found at the CWU Testing Center website.

Math Placement Test (MPT)

The Math Placement Test is administered by the UW Testing Center and is offered at various colleges and universities in Washington (however, it is not offered at CWU). You will need to decide which version of the test to take prior to signing up for the test. There are currently three versions: General, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Course Descriptions

All course descriptions can be found in the Online Electronic Catalog. All course outcomes are filed in the Office of the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies. The information below is unofficial and provided only for informal purposes only. The information on this page was updated on Oct 27 2009 @ 2:00:42 pm.

MATH 100–199 Course Descriptions

Math 100A: PreAlgebra

Credits: 5
Description: This course is designed to prepare students for college mathematics. Symbolic, graphical, and numeric representations will be studied to understand and apply the concepts underlying algebra.
Notes: Credits will not be allowed toward meeting Bachelor's degree requirements.

Math 100B: Introductory Algebra

Credits: 5
Description: This course is designed to prepare students for college mathematics. Symbolic, graphical, and numeric representations will be studied to understand and apply the concepts of algebra.
Notes: Credits will not be allowed toward meeting Bachelor's degree requirements.

Math 100C: Intermediate Algebra

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: please see the Placement Information
Description: This course is designed to prepare students for college level precalculus mathematics.
Notes: Credits will not be allowed toward meeting Bachelor's Degree requirements.

Math 101: Mathematics in the Modern World

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: please see the Placement Information
Description: Selected topics from the historical development and applications of mathematics together with their relationship to the development of our present society.

Math 102: Mathematical Decision Making

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 100B
Description: Selected topics from probability, statistics and mathematical decision making with real world application.

Math 130: Finite Mathematics I

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 100C or equivalent, or permission of Department Chair or see the Placement Information
Description: The language of sets, counting procedures, introductory probability and decision-making, introductory descriptive statistics.
Notes: Meets General Education “reasoning” requirement and prepares student for introductory statistics courses in various departments. Formerly MATH 130.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 153: Pre-Calculus Mathematics I

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: please see the Placement Information
Description: A foundation course which stresses those algebraic and elementary function concepts together with the manipulative skills essential to the study of calculus.
Notes: Formerly MATH 163.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

Math 154: Pre-Calculus Mathematics II

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 153 or equivalent, or permission of Department Chair or see the Placement Information
Description: A continuation of MATH 153 with emphasis on trigonometric functions, vectors, systems of equations, the complex numbers, and an introduction to analytic geometry.
Notes: Formerly MATH 163.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

Math 164: Foundations of Arithmetic I

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: please see the Placement Information
Description: Structure of the real number system. Properties of and operations on integers, rationals, decimal representations, percentages, proportion, graphing and elementary problem solving. Recommended for the prospective elementary school teacher.
Notes: Formerly MATH 164.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 170: Intuitive Calculus

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 153, or permission, or see the Placement Information
Description: An intuitive approach to the differential and integral calculus specifically designed for students in the behavioral, managerial, and social sciences.
Notes: Not open to students with credit for MATH 172 or higher.

Math 172: Calculus I

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 153 and MATH 154 or see the Placement Information
Description: Theory, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration of the elementary functions.
Notes: Formerly MATH 172.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

Math 173: Calculus II

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 172
Description: Theory, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration of the elementary functions.
Notes: Formerly MATH 172.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

MATH 200–299 Course Descriptions

Math 250: Intuitive Geometry for Elementary Teachers

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 164
Description: An intuitive approach to the geometry topics relative to the elementary school curriculum.

Math 260: Sets and Logic

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 173, or CS 301 and MATH 172, or equivalents
Description: Essentials of mathematical proofs, including use of quantifiers and principles of valid inference. Set theory as a mathematical system.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 265: Linear Algebra I

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 173, or permission of instructor.
Description: Vector spaces, linear systems, matrices and determinants.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 272: Multivariable Calculus I

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 173
Description: Differential and integral calculus of multivariable functions and related topics.
Notes: Formerly MATH 272.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

Math 273: Multivariable Calculus II

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 272
Description: Differential and integral calculus of multivariable functions and related topics.
Notes: Formerly MATH 272.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version
Outcomes: Department of Mathematics version

Math 298: Special Topics

Credits: 1–6
Description:

Math 299: Seminar

Credits: 1–5
Description:

Math 299A: Seminar: Actuarial Science Problems I

Credits: 2
Prerequisites: MATH 273, or permission of instructor
Description: Students discuss and present problems using techniques from calculus and linear algebra important for actuaries.

Math 299E: Orientation Seminar: Secondary Mathematics

Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education
Description: Introductory seminar for new mathematics education students focusing on problem solving, technical presentation of solutions, and electronic portfolio preparation.

MATH 300–399 Course Descriptions

Math 310: Discrete Probability

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 153
Description: A precalculus course in the axiomatic foundations of probability. Sample spaces and events. Probability spaces, Conditional probability and independence. Binomial, Poisson and hypergeometric distributions and applications. Mathematical expectation. Finite Markov chains and applications.

Math 311: Statistical Concepts and Methods

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 130, or MATH 310, or basic knowledge or probability and counting techniques
Description: Hands-on activities for exploring data. Surveys, planned experiments and observational studies. Modeling, sampling distributions and statistical inference. MINITAB statistical computing language introduced and used extensively.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 320: History of Mathematics

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 260
Description: A study of the development of mathematics and the personalities involved.

Math 323: Teaching Middle School Mathematics and Science

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 324, or EDEL 323 or SCED 324, or SCED 322
Description: Prospective teachers will learn and use the methods and materials needed to teach middle school students mathematics and science with emphasis on the use of experiments, manipulatives, problems solving, cooperative learning, and communication of understanding.
Notes: MATH 323 and SCED 323 are equivalent courses. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 324: Methods and Materials in Mathematics-Secondary

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 355, MATH 265, EDSC 311, and permission of instructor
Description:

Math 330: Discrete Mathematics

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 260 and permission
Description: Topics from logic, combinatorics, counting techniques, graph theory and theory of finite-state machines.
Notes: Formerly MATH 230. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 332: Discrete Models

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Permission and Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education
Description: Discrete models, including graph theory, difference equations, and the models of social choice, and the inherent logic combinatorics, and algebra.

Math 355: College Geometry I

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: permission and Tier II Secondary Mathematics Educations
Description: An inductive and deductive approach to intuitive geometry, modern Euclidean geometry, history of geometry, and axiomatic systems in geometry.

Math 360: Algebraic Structures I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: permission and Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education
Description: First Course in the structure of algebraic systems includes the study of real number systems and other algebraic systems in the development of group theory.

Math 361: Algebraic Structures II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: permission, Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education, and MATH 360
Description: The second course in the structure of algebraic systems, including rings, modules, and fields, and their associated morphisms.

Math 365: Linear Algebra II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 265 or permission
Description: Vector spaces, linear transformations, bilinear and quadratic forms, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, similarity, inner products and norms.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 376: Elementary Differential Equations I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 265 and MATH 272 or permission
Description: Elementary methods of solutions of ordinary differential equations. Some numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations with applications.
Notes: Formerly MATH 376.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 377: Elementary Differential Equations II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 376
Description: Elementary methods of solutions of ordinary differential equataions. Some numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations with applications.
Notes: Formerly MATH 376.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

MATH 400–499 Course Descriptions

Math 410A: Advanced Statistical Methods I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 311
Description: A thorough treatment of regression and correlation. Chi-square and other enumeration statistics. Non-parametric statistical principles of experimental design. Examples will be from a variety of fields.
Notes: Formerly MATH 410.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 410B: Advanced Statistical Methods II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 410A
Description: A thorough treatment of regression and correlation. Chi-square and other enumeration statistics. Non-parametric statistical principles of experimental design. Examples will be from a variety of fields.
Notes: Formerly MATH 410.2. Students may no receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 411A: Introduction to Probability Theory

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 273 or permission
Description: Principal topics include: combinatorial theory, conditional probability, random variables, expectation and moments, generating functions, various discrete and continuous distributions, law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Notes: Formerly MATH 411.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 411B: Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 411A
Description: Derived distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression theory. Distribution free methods. Bayesian inference.
Notes: Formerly MATH 411.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 411C: Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 411B
Description: Derived distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing. Correlation and regression theory. Distribution free methods. Bayesian inference.
Notes: Formerly MATH 411.3. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 412: Applied Numerical Methods

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 272 and MATH 265 or permission
Description: Linear systems and their solutions; error analysis; iteraion; interpolatio0n; numerical integration; splines.

Math 413: Introduction to Stochiastic Processes

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 411A
Description: The Wiener Process, conditional probability and conditional expectation. Stationary and evolutionary processes. Various Poisson processes. Renewal counting processes. Discrete parameter chains.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 414: Time Series Analysis

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 410B
Description: Model building, parameter estimation, diagnostic checking of time series data; ARIMA models and forecasting. Analysis of seasonal models.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 416A: Actuarial Science Problems II

Credits: 1–2
Prerequisites: MATH 411A or concurrent registration
Description: Students discuss and present problems in probability and mathematical statsics important for actuaries.
Notes: Formerly MATH 499.1 and MATH 416.1. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.

Math 416B: Actuarial Science Problems III

Credits: 1–2
Prerequisites: MATH 410B or concurrent registration
Description: Students discuss and present problems in probability and mathematical statsics important for actuaries.
Notes: Formerly MATH 499.2 and MATH 416.2. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.

Math 417A: Loss Models I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 411A
Description: Modeling process, calibration and evaluation. Analyzing data, determining suitable model including parameter values, and providing measures of confidence for decisions based upon the model.
Notes: Formerly MATH 417.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 417B: Loss Models II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 417A
Description: Modeling process, calibration and evaluation. Analyzing data, determining suitable model including parameter values, and providing measures of confidence for decisions based upon the model.
Notes: Formerly MATH 417.2. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 417C: Loss Models III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 417B
Description: Modeling process, calibration and evaluation. Analyzing data, determining suitable model including parameter values, and providing measures of confidence for decisions based upon the model.
Notes: Formerly MATH 417.3. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 418A: Theory of Interest I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 173 and permission
Description: Applications of discrete and calculus-based methods to simple and compound interest, force of interest, bonds, annuities, amortization and sinking funds.
Notes: Formerly MATH 418.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 418B: Theory of Interest II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 418A and permission
Description: Applications of discrete and calculus-based methods to simple and compound interest, force of interest, bonds, annuities, amortization and sinking funds.
Notes: Formerly MATH 418.2. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 419A: Actuarial Mathematics I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 411A and permission
Description: Mathematics of analyzing and pricing insurance, annuities and pension products. Life contingencies, risk theory, and techniques in reserving and valuation.
Notes: Formerly MATH 419.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 419B: Actuarial Mathematics II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 419A and permission
Description: Mathematics of analyzing and pricing insurance, annuities and pension products. Life contingencies, risk theory, and techniques in reserving and valuation.
Notes: Formerly MATH 419.2. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 419C: Actuarial Mathematics III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 419B and permission
Description: Mathematics of analyzing and pricing insurance, annuities and pension products. Life contingencies, risk theory, and techniques in reserving and valuation.
Notes: Formerly MATH 419.3. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 430: Introduction to Theory of Numbers

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 260
Description: Euclidean algorithm, fundamental theorem of arithmetic, diophantine equations, primitive roots and indices and other number theory topics.

Math 451: Introduction to Topology I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 260 and MATH 265
Description: An introduction to point-set and algebraic topology. Topics may include metric spaces, topological spaces, homotopy theory and the fundemental group.
Notes: Formerly MATH 451.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 452: Introduction to Topology II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 451
Description: An introduction to point-set and algebraic topology. Topics may include metric spaces, topological spaces, homotopy theory and the fundemental group.
Notes: Formerly MATH 451.2. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 453: Introduction to Topology III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 452
Description: An introduction to point-set and algebraic topology. Topics may include metric spaces, topological spaces, homotopy theory and the fundemental group.

Math 455: College Geometry II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: permission, MATH 355, and Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education
Description: Introduction to non-Euclidean geometry including history, deductive reasoning, and toopics in hyperbolic and elliptical geometry

Math 456: Differential Geometry

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 265 and MATH 260
Description: An introduction to geometry from the perspective of calculus.
Notes: This course is on reserve and may be offered subject to program needs.

Math 461: Abstract Algebra I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 260 and MATH 265
Description: Algebraic structures such as groupoids, groups, rings and fields.
Notes: Formerly MATH 461.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 462: Abstract Algebra II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 461
Description: Algebraic structures such as groupoids, groups, rings and fields.
Notes: Formerly MATH 461.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 463: Abstract Algebra III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 462
Description: Algebraic structures such as groupoids, groups, rings and fields.
Notes: Formerly MATH 461.3. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 464: Optimization Theory

Credits: 5
Prerequisites: MATH 265 and MATH 311 or permission
Description: Decision analysis, simulation theory, queing theory; linear and dynamic programming.

Math 471: Advanced Analysis I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 260 and MATH 273
Description: Further development of properties of calculus.
Notes: Formerly MATH 471.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 472: Advanced Analysis II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 471
Description: Further development of properties of calculus.
Notes: Formerly MATH 471.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 473: Advanced Analysis III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 472
Description: Further development of properties of calculus.
Notes: Formerly MATH 471.3. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 475: Applied Analysis I

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 376 or permission
Description: Selected topics from advanced analysis especially useful to the engineer, chemist, physicist and applied mathematician.
Notes: Formerly MATH 472.1. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 476: Applied Analysis II

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 475
Description: Selected topics from advanced analysis especially useful to the engineer, chemist, physicist and applied mathematician.
Notes: Formerly MATH 472.2. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 477: Applied Analysis III

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 475
Description: Selected topics from advanced analysis especially useful to the engineer, chemist, physicist and applied mathematician.
Notes: Formerly MATH 472.3. Students may not receive credit for both.
Outcomes: Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee version

Math 490: Cooperative Education

Credits: 1–12
Description: An individualized contracted field experience with buisness, induxtry, goverment, or scoial service agencies. This contractual arrangement involves a student learning plan, cooperating employer supervision and faculty coordination.
Notes: Prior approval required. May be repeated. Grade will be S or U.

Math 491: Workshop

Credits: 1–6
Description: The title of the workshop and the credit to be earned shall be determined at the tim ethe workshop is approved. Designed to give an opportunity for indicidual and group study of problems in mathematics.

Math 492A: Laboratory Experience in Teaching Mathematics I

Credits: 2
Prerequisites: 30 credits in mathematics
Description: Serves the purpose of providsing the opportunity for competent senior or graduate students to receive credit and experience in developing procedures and tefhniques in teaching college level mathematics.
Notes: Formerly MATH 492.1. Students may not receive credit for both.

Math 492B: Laboratory Experience in Teaching Mathematics II

Math 496: Individual Study

Credits: 1–6
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Description:

Math 498: Special Topics

Credits: 1–6
Description:

Math 499: Seminar

Credits: 1–5
Description:

Math 499E: Senior Seminar: Secondary Mathematics

Credits: 3
Prerequisites: permission, MATH 324, and Tier II Secondary Mathematics Education
Description: Individualized projects using oral presentations and written electronic portfolio to show mastery in all program outcomes for teaching secondary mathematics.