Which Math? Dan Yasaki Department of Mathematics and Statistics - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Which Math? Dan Yasaki Department of Mathematics and Statistics The University of North Carolina at Greensboro December 3, 2018 Coffee and Conversation Event Dan Yasaki Which Math? 1 / 45

Things to consider when selecting a math course Mathematical maturity Mathematical training Previous math courses Math Placement Test (MPT) score AP Exam score Time since last math course Goals Interests and strengths Program requirements Skills (job, life) Dan Yasaki Which Math? 2 / 45

Things to consider when selecting a math course Mathematical maturity Mathematical training Previous math courses Math Placement Test (MPT) score AP Exam score Time since last math course Goals Interests and strengths Program requirements Skills (job, life) Dan Yasaki Which Math? 2 / 45

GMT courses STA 108: Elementary Intro to Probability and Statistics CSC 110: Computational Problem Solving MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics MAT 115: College Algebra MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications MAT 150: Precalculus I MAT 151: Precalculus II MAT 190: Precalculus MAT 191: Calculus I MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures MAT 292: Calculus II Math Placement Test (MPT) below 60%; AP Calculus score below 2; AP Statistics score below 3. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 3 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites STA 108: Elementary Intro to Probability and Statistics CSC 110: Computational Problem Solving MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics MAT 115: College Algebra MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications MAT 150: Precalculus I MAT 151: Precalculus II MAT 190: Precalculus MAT 191: Calculus I MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures MAT 292: Calculus II Math Placement Test (MPT) below 60%; AP Calculus score below 2; AP Statistics score below 3. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 3 / 45

GMT courses MPT/AP MAT 112 STA 108 MAT 150 MAT 115 MAT 190 MAT 151 MAT 120 MAT 191 MAT 253 Dan Yasaki Which Math? 4 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites MPT/AP MAT 112 STA 108 MAT 150 MAT 115 MAT 190 MAT 151 MAT 120 MAT 191 MAT 253 Dan Yasaki Which Math? 5 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: STA 108 STA 108: Elementary Introduction to Probability and Statistics A statistical literacy course. Best for students who plan to take only one math/stat course; and will never do any statistical analyses but may need to be “knowledgeable consumers” of statistics. STA 108 exposes students to the basic statistical rudiments necessary to be an informed member of society in today’s data-driven world. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 6 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: STA 108 STA 108: Elementary Introduction to Probability and Statistics A statistical literacy course. Best for students who plan to take only one math/stat course; and will never do any statistical analyses but may need to be “knowledgeable consumers” of statistics. STA 108 exposes students to the basic statistical rudiments necessary to be an informed member of society in today’s data-driven world. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 6 / 45

STA 108: Elementary Intro to Probability and Statistics Additional notes Likely a terminal statistics course. Not “easy” GMT course, but starts from scratch. Does not assume fluency high school algebra. Includes some “different” mathematics (outside the scope of what is typically taught in high school). Dan Yasaki Which Math? 7 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 112 MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics A mathematical literacy course. Best for students who plan to take only one math/stat course; and have interest or will work in areas that value structure and exactness. MAT 112 exposes students to precise formulations and logical reasoning, demystifying certain mathematical constructions that are relevant for the digital age. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 8 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 112 MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics A mathematical literacy course. Best for students who plan to take only one math/stat course; and have interest or will work in areas that value structure and exactness. MAT 112 exposes students to precise formulations and logical reasoning, demystifying certain mathematical constructions that are relevant for the digital age. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 8 / 45

MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics Additional notes Terminal math course. Not “easy” GMT course, but starts from scratch. Does not assume fluency in high school algebra. Includes some “different” mathematics (outside the scope of what is typically taught in high school). Dan Yasaki Which Math? 9 / 45

STA 108 versus MAT 112 STA 108 is good for future consumers of statistics. MAT 112 develops skills in logic and dealing with structured languages. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 10 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 115 MAT 115: College Algebra An introductory algebra course. Best for students who will work in areas that need a mastery of basic algebraic skills; or intend to take MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications. MAT 115 introduces standard algebra techniques, training students to be able to perform basic algebraic manipulations that may arise in other contexts. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 11 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 115 MAT 115: College Algebra An introductory algebra course. Best for students who will work in areas that need a mastery of basic algebraic skills; or intend to take MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications. MAT 115 introduces standard algebra techniques, training students to be able to perform basic algebraic manipulations that may arise in other contexts. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 11 / 45

MAT 115: College Algebra Additional notes Assumes some fluency in high school algebra. Primarily for students whose program requires it. Not recommended as “generic” GMT course. C is required to progress to MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 12 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 150 MAT 150: Precalculus I An introductory precalculus course. Best for students who will work in areas that need a mastery of basic algebraic skills; or intend to take MAT 191: Calculus I, after also completing MAT 151: MAT 150 covers similar topics to MAT 115. It is the first semester of a two semester sequence of precalculus. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 13 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 150 MAT 150: Precalculus I An introductory precalculus course. Best for students who will work in areas that need a mastery of basic algebraic skills; or intend to take MAT 191: Calculus I, after also completing MAT 151: MAT 150 covers similar topics to MAT 115. It is the first semester of a two semester sequence of precalculus. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 13 / 45

MAT 150: Precalculus I Additional notes Assumes some fluency in high school algebra. Primarily for students whose program requires it. Goes into more depth than MAT 115. Not recommended as “generic” GMT course. C is required to progress to MAT 151: Precalculus II. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 14 / 45

MAT 115 versus MAT 150 MAT 115 is more computation than theory. MAT 150 goes into more depth, with an additional focus on writing and explaining concepts. MAT 115 leads to MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications. The MAT 150–151 sequence leads to MAT 191: Calculus I. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 15 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 253 MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures An introductory discrete math course. Best for students who are more mathematically mature; like mathematics; and want to see “different” mathematics (outside the scope of what is typically offered in high school). MAT 253 is an introduction to discrete structures and rigor. Topics may overlap some with MAT 112. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 16 / 45

GMT courses without prerequisites: MAT 253 MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures An introductory discrete math course. Best for students who are more mathematically mature; like mathematics; and want to see “different” mathematics (outside the scope of what is typically offered in high school). MAT 253 is an introduction to discrete structures and rigor. Topics may overlap some with MAT 112. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 16 / 45

MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures Additional notes Assumes higher level of mathematical fluency. Introduction to mathematical rigor. Includes an introduction to programming in Python. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 17 / 45

MAT 112 versus MAT 253 MAT 112 assumes less comfort with math. MAT 253 can be part of a mathematics minor. MAT 253 develops the theory alongside the computations, allowing for deeper understanding of discrete structures. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 18 / 45

GMT courses STA 108: Elementary Intro to Probability and Statistics CSC 110: Computational Problem Solving MAT 112: Contemporary Topics in Mathematics MAT 115: College Algebra MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications MAT 150: Precalculus I MAT 151: Precalculus II MAT 190: Precalculus MAT 191: Calculus I MAT 253: Discrete Mathematical Structures MAT 292: Calculus II 1 or 0 semester preparation before goal of MAT 120: Calculus with Business Applications. Dan Yasaki Which Math? 19 / 45