courses of instruction - Lafayette College

356. Introduction to Real Analysis. A rig
orous development of the calculus of func
tions of one real variable including the to
pology of the real line, limits, continuity,
differentiation and integration. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 275 or permission of instruc
tor. Offered in spring semester.
358. Topology. The main topics are set theo
ry, the separation axioms, connectedness,
compactness, and the continuity of func
tions. Classical general topological spaces
are studied including regular spaces, normal
spaces, first or second countable spaces, and
merrizable spaces. Prerequisite: Mathematics
356 or permission of instructor. Offered in
spring semester of odd-numbered years.
372. Mathematics Seminar. This course
offers a major branch of mathematics not
covered by the regular offerings of the
department. Course descriptions are sent to
potential students and are available in the
department office. Prerequisites: Depend
on subject matter. Usually, completion of
the calculus sequence constitutes a minimal
prerequisite. Offered as needed.
375-379. Advanced Special Topics. Chosen
from among a wide range of mathematical top
ics accessible to junior and senior mathematics
majors. When offered, the special topic to be
studied will be listed in the Semester Course
and Hour Schedule and course descriptions
will be available in the department office.
391-394. Independent Study. Study by an
individual student, under the supervision of
a mathematics faculty member, of a mathe
matical subject not covered by courses offered
by the department. The program of study
must be drawn up by the student and the
faculty supervisor and approved by an ad
hoc committee of the department.
400. Senior Seminar. A course in which each
student undertakes a thorough and indepen
dent study of one or more topics in mathe
matics. Students are required to make oral
presentations on their work and to prepare
written reports on their topics. Prerequisites:
Senior standing and satisfactory completion
of at least two 300-level courses in mathemat
ics. Offered in spring semester. [W]
MATHEMATICS AND ECONOMICS
495,496. Thesis. Students desiring to take
Honors in Mathematics should inform their
department advisers early in the second
semester of the junior year. Honors work
involves a guided program of independent
study culminating in a thesis on a topic to be
selected by the student in consultation with
his or her adviser and approved by the de
partment. [496: W]
MATHEMATICS AND ECONOMICS
In today's world, mathematical models pro
vide the means for making business decisions
and for building economic theories. Mathe
matical analysis, operations research, and sta
tistics are the tools used to formulate and ana
lyze those models. This interdisciplinary ma
jor gives mathematically talented students
with career plans in economics or business a
wide range of mathematical skills and signifi
cant experience with the fundamental ideas
of economics and business. It also distin
guishes them from the thousands of students
around the country who major in economics
and business. The capstone experience in
the senior year is a distinctive feature of the
major. Students follow a one-semester course
of study that is designed to integrate their
study of mathematics, economics, and busi
ness. They meet this requirement through a
course in modeling, independent study, or
honors work.
Requirements for the major: Mathematics
161,162,263,272,282,306,335,336; Eco
nomics and Business 101,211,212,218,365,
and two electives numbered 300 or higher;
a capstone experience in the form of a one-
semester course, taken during the senior
year, designed to integrate the ideas and
techniques students have encountered in
their work in mathematics and economics.
(The capstone experience may consist of
Mathematics 301 or appropriate work on an
independent study basis.) Computer Science
102 is recommended as an elective for stu
dents in this major. Administration of the
Joint Major in Mathematics and Economics
and advising of students in the program is
done by the Department of Mathematics.
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