Catalog 73 - National University

College of Letters and Sciencescourses are:ENG 375BIO 405BIO 405ABIO 450PHL 336GLS 420Nature Writing(Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)Cell & Molecular Biology(Recommended: prior completion of BIO 161, 162 & 100A,CHE 141, 142 & 101A, or equivalent)andCell & Molecular Biology Lab (1.5 quarter units)(Prerequisite: BIO 405)Natural History of CaliforniaPhilosophy of Science(Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)Ecological Revolutions(Prerequisite: ENG 240)◆ MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS (620-105)Faculty Advisor: Igor Subbotin • (310) 662-2150 • isubboti@nu.eduThe Bachelor of Science in Mathematics provides a strong foundationin mathematics and its applications. Designed to help address ournation’s increasing need for mathematical scientists, technicians andespecially teachers, the program emphasizes reflective andconceptual understanding and technique.First, it provides the fundamental mathematical knowledge toformulate and solve problems. Computer science courses areencouraged, since the use of computers has been instrumental in theexpansion of these opportunities. Students who want a basicmathematics degree can culminate their program with the projectcourses.Second, the program trains mathematics teachers who want toprovide quality mathematical instruction to students in primary orsecondary schools. The single-subject teaching concentration wascreated for this purpose.The Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is committedto the complete academic development of its students. Consequently,where practical, all mathematics and science courses are writingintensiveand incorporate a diversity component. Students areadvised that all mathematics courses encourage critical thinking bytheir very nature. Moreover, all mathematics courses require that thestudent purchase and use a scientific calculator for the operations ofthe subject matter. Some courses require a more advanced graphingcalculator and computer software.Single-subject teaching concentration was created to trainmathematics teachers who want to provide quality mathematicalinstruction to students in secondary schools.Single-Subject Mathematics Preparation ProgramThe Single-Subject Mathematics Preparation Program is approved bythe Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Students who completethe program with the Concentration in Single Subject Teaching willnot be required to take the California Subject Examination forTeachers (CSET) in mathematics in order to receive their teachingcredential. The program emphasizes a strong foundation inmathematical content together with activities designed to help futureteachers assume leadership roles in an increasingly complexeducational world.Interested students should complete the following applicationprocess:• Send a letter to the Department Chair requesting admission tothe program and copies of transcripts to the Lead MathematicsFaculty for evaluation.• Upon enrollment, submit two essays for the MathematicsPortfolio (Instructions for the development and completion of a112Mathematics Portfolio are sent upon receipt of the request letter.The portfolio is completed for review by the Department Chairor Lead Faculty two months before the last class.)• After completing the major program requirements, studentsmust complete all required courses from the single-subjectteaching concentration (MTH 304, MTH 410, MTH 460, MTH461).The study of mathematics must encompass the discipline in itsbroadest sense. The future mathematician should develop in anacademic environment that stresses scholarship, diversity, andgrowth through a rigorous and focused curriculum of advancemathematics that incorporates: problem solving, mathematics ascommunication, reasoning, and mathematical connections. TheBachelor of Science in Mathematics program is dedicated toproviding such sound preparation and training to a diversepopulation of nontraditional learners whose goal is to workprofessionally in mathematics or teach Mathematics in Californiapublic schools.Program Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:• Employ a variety of reasoning skills and effective strategies forsolving problems both within the discipline of mathematics and inapplied settings that include non-routine situations• Use language and mathematical symbols to communicatemathematical ideas in the connections and interplay amongvarious mathematical topics and their applications that coverrange of phenomena across appropriate disciplines• Use current technology tools, such as computers, calculators,graphing utilities, video, and interactive programs that isappropriate for the research and study in mathematics• Employ algebra and number theory ideas and tools as a base of afundamental language of mathematics research andcommunication• Develop fundamental knowledge in geometry• Model real world problems with a variety of algebraic andtranscendental functions in order to translate between the tabular,symbolic, and graphical representation of functions• Use advanced statistics and probability concepts and methods toanalyze and study different real-world problemsDegree RequirementsTo receive a Bachelor of Science in mathematics degree, studentsmust complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 ofwhich must be completed in residence at National University and76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In theabsence of transfer credit, students may need to take additionalgeneral electives to satisfy total units for the degree. Refer to thesection on undergraduate admission procedures for specificinformation regarding admission and evaluation.Preparation for the Major(8 courses; 36 quarter units)MTH 210 Probability and Statistics*(Prerequisites: Placement Evaluation)MTH 215 College Algebra(Prerequisite: Placement Evaluation)CSC 242 Intro to Programming Concepts(Prerequisites: CSC 200 and CSC 208)PHS 102 Survey of Physical Sciences*MTH 220 Calculus I*(Prerequisite: MTH 215, or placement evaluation)orCSC 208 Calculus for Comp Science I*(Prerequisite: Math 215)