ALGEBRAIC PROBLEM SOLVING

Catalog description

Prerequisite: Open only to freshmen who have fulfilled the math competency requirement. Credit will not be given to students with credit for GEN 1135, GNM 1125, GNM 1126, GNM 2310 or any MATH-acronym course. This course is intended for students who are interested in learning how to become better mathematical problem solvers. Throughout the term, we will examine a series of situations and systems, mostly from the sciences, which allow for the posing of questions. After refining the questions, we will generate and test hypotheses, selecting suitable mathematical models to represent these situations. The ability of these models to accurately represent "real-life" systems will be examined critically. Algebraic concepts and procedures will be introduced as they are needed in developing, selecting and working through these mathematical models.