Two Course Offerings for Spring

Dear fellow Mathematics and Computer Science Students,
            My name is Brian Sammons and I’m a mathematics student. For the past few semesters, the course “Numerical Analysis” (MATH 300) has been offered as an elective to those who have completed Matrix Algebra or Linear Algebra and Calculus 2. Unfortunately, each semester it is dropped because of enrollment in the class being too low. I am strongly urging you to take MATH 300 this Spring if you have the time.
            It is one of the few classes that directly involves the use of technology/computing in a Mathematics course. In Numerical Analysis, we understand, use and design computational algorithms to solve problems.
            There are many real world problems that rely heavily on the use of computing algorithms to arrive at an answer that would be impossible or very expensive to do ourselves. The normal distribution in Statistics is just one such example (along with t-tables and z-tables) of the need for Numerical Analysis. Numerical Analysis is used in Biology, Physics, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Operations Research, etc.
            If you plan on using your mathematics background in any of these areas, you should seriously consider taking MATH 300 this spring. I truly believe that this course is very important to the Mathematics student who spends much of his/her time understanding theory and abstract ideas. This is a chance to address and prepare for real world problems!!

Thank you,
Brian Sammons

Please consider taking MATH 447 Combinatorial Analysis in Spring 2011. This course is challenging and a lot of fun. We may cover any of the following topics depending on students’ interests: Solving Sudoku puzzles using combinatorial algorithms, features of the Fibonacci numbers and Lucas numbers, finite games, finite geometries, using generating functions to make change, and computer algorithms for permutations and combinations. Instructor: Professor M. Erickson