Courses

2024-2025 Academic Year

Prerequisites for MATH 1102, 1113 and 2500 the Mathematics Placement Test
The Mathematics Placement Test is designed to ensure that students begin their university mathematics study at a level appropriate to their background. Students who plan to take MATH 1102, MATH 1113 or MATH 2500 must write the placement test unless they have a university credit prerequisite—high school Precalculus Mathematics alone is not sufficient. Topics covered by the placement test are available on the Mount’s website under Academics>Mathematics. Students are required to contact MSVUmath@msvu.ca to register for the Placement Test. Depending on their performance on the test, students may be given permission to register for MATH 0027, 1102, 1113 or 2500. Placement test assessments are valid for up to one year, and the test may be written only once per term. Placements may be appealed to the department Chair; whose decision is final. Further information, including sample questions and test schedules, is available from the department website.

Prerequisites for MATH 2208
The prerequisites for this course are grade XI or grade XII Mathematics, or MATH 0017 with a grade of C or higher or MATH 0020 with a grade of C or better, or MATH 0027 with a grade of C or better, or any 1000 level Mathematics course, or Statistics Placement Test. Since mathematical skills deteriorate over time, students who have been away from mathematics for a while often need to review basic mathematics beforehand in order to succeed in MATH 2208. An online self-test is available on the Mount’s website under Academics > Mathematics.

Topics covered by the Statistics Placement Test are available on the Mount’s website under Academics>Mathematics. Depending on their performance on the test, students may be placed into MATH 0027 or 2208. Placement test assessments are valid for up to a year, and the test may be written only once per term. Placements may be appealed to the department Statistics Coordinator, whose decision is final. Further information, including sample questions and test schedules, is available from the department. The course MATH 0027 provides an intensive review for those who need it. Students unsure of their mathematical preparation should consult the Mathematics Department for advice.

Courses

Note: Students who do not meet the formal prerequisites for the courses listed below, but think they may qualify due to special circumstances, should consult the department.

MATH 0027
Statistics and Mathematics Preparation Equivalent of 0.5 but is NON credit
A preparatory course for students who are not yet ready for university mathematics. In particular it will prepare those who plan to take MATH 2208 (Introduction to Statistics I) and/or MATH 1102 (Precalculus I). Note: Students may not challenge this course to fulfill any course prerequisite or program requirements.

MATH 1102
Precalculus I: Algebraic Functions 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): grade XI and grade XII academic mathematics and mathematics placement test or MATH 0020 or 0027 passed in the last three years with a grade of C or higher or equivalent
A first course to prepare students for calculus. Linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, and piecewise functions will be studied numerically, graphically, and algebraically. Conic sections and limits will also be introduced. There will be an emphasis on problem solving and applications.

MATH 1103
Precalculus II: Transcendental Functions 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1102
A second course to prepare students for calculus. Trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions will be studied numerically, graphically, and algebraically. Finite sequences and series and mathematical induction will also be introduced. There will be an emphasis on problem solving and applications.

MATH 1113
Introductory Calculus I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): high school precalculus mathematics and mathematics placement test, or MATH 1103
An introduction to differential and integral calculus for algebraic and transcendental functions. Topics include: limits, continuity, differentiation, curve sketching, implicit differentiation and applications. Laboratory sessions demonstrate examples and applications from various disciplines. Laboratory required (75 minutes/week)

MATH 1114
Introductory Calculus II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1113
An introduction to integral calculus. Topics include: the Fundamental Theorem, techniques of integration, improper integrals, polar coordinates, parametric equations, and applications. Laboratory sessions demonstrate examples and applications from various disciplines. Laboratory required (75 minutes/week)

MATH 2206
Introduction to Probability 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1114
A calculus-based introduction to probability theory. Topics include sample spaces, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, expectation, functions of a random variable, sums of random variables and the Central Limit Theorem. May include an introduction of the theory to statistical applications.

MATH 2208
Introduction to Statistics I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): grade XI or grade XII academic mathematics or equivalent, or MATH 0017 with a grade of C or higher or MATH 0020 with a grade of C or higher, or MATH 0027 with a grade of C or higher or any 1000 level mathematics course, or Statistics Placement Tests
An introduction to statistical methods. Topics include graphical presentations of data, summary statistics, the normal curve, least-squares regression, correlation, two-way tables, survey and experimental design, probability, random variables, distribution of sample proportions, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for one and two population proportions. Laboratory sessions demonstrate applications from various disciplines. Laboratory required (75 minutes/week)

MATH 2209
Introduction to Statistics II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2208
A continuation of MATH 2208. Topics include: distribution of the sample mean, one-sample, two-sample and paired t procedures, the chi-square test, inference for simple and multiple regression, one-factor and two-factor Analysis of Variance. Laboratory sessions demonstrate applications from various disciplines. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 2207 may not take this course for credit. Laboratory required (75 minutes/week)

MATH 2211
Intermediate Calculus I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1114
A third course in calculus. Topics include ordinary differential equations, sequences, series, functions of several variables, partial derivatives and an introduction to double intergrals. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 2210 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 2212
Intermediate Calculus II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2211
Vector functions, directional derivatives, double integrals with polar co-ordinates, line integrals, Green’s theorem and applications. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 2210 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 2221
Linear Algebra I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): at least 1.0 unit of university mathematics completed. If this unit does not include MATH 1113, then MATH 1113 must be taken concurrently.
An introduction to linear algebra, with applications. Topics include systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, Euclidean n-space, spanning, linear independence, basis and dimension, dot products, orthogonality, and orthogonal projections.

MATH 2222
Linear Algebra II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1114, 2221 and 2225 (MATH 1114 may be taken concurrently)
A continuation of MATH 2221 with an emphasis on theory. Topics include real and complex vector spaces and subspaces, linear transformations, kernel and range, inner product spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and orthogonal diagonalization.

MATH 2225
Mathematical Proof 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1103 or 1113
An introduction to writing and analyzing formal proofs in mathematics. Topics include: logic, direct proof and proof by contradiction, mathematical induction, set theory, relations and functions, partitions and equivalence relations.

MATH 2245
History of Mathematics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 0.5 unit of university MATH credit
A course on the historical advancement of mathematics, focused on tracing the concept of numbers as they arose and were studied in various cultures, to the development of modern number theory. Topics covered may include historically significant mathematicians, important conjectures and reproducing computations using historical techniques.

MATH 2277
Topics in Mathematics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): permission of the instructor
An opportunity for students to examine a topic or topics in mathematics.

MATH 2283
Introduction to Nonparametric Statistics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209
An introduction to nonparametric statistical methods. Topics include rank-based tests; the sign test; randomization and permutation tests; and developing confidence intervals and hypothesis tests for means, proportions and in regression with the bootstrap.

MATH 2284
Survey Design 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209
A practical course in designing surveys and analysis of survey data. Topics include questionnaire design, conducting a survey, ethical considerations, types of sampling, selecting samples, inference for random sampling, stratified random sampling and cluster sampling, and power calculations. The emphasis is on practical applications, using appropriate software. Note: Students who have received credit for CMPS 2284 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 2289
Applied Numerical Analysis 0.5 unit
Prerequisites(s): CMPS/INTE 1153 or CMPS 1155, and MATH 1114, and either MATH 2283 or 2222
An introductory course in simple numerical analysis techniques (root finding, matrix inversion, integration, etc.). Additional topics which may be included are floating point arithmetic, error analysis, approximation theory and algorithm design for numerical methods. Implementation will be in a procedure-oriented language such as FORTRAN. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 2239 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 2462/EDUC 2462
Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 1 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): any 5.0 units successfully completed at the university level
A study of the fundamental concepts of mathematics, focusing on elementary and middle school mathematics. Topics include counting, whole number operations, fractions, decimals, rates and proportions, measurement, and geometry. This course focuses on problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and multiple approaches as applied to these topics
This course and MATH 2463/EDUC 2463 are recommended primarily for pre-education students and will not be acceptable for the mathematics major or minor. Students who have received credit for MATH 2243/EDUC 2461 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 2463/EDUC 2463
Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 2 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2462/EDUC 2462 (or MATH 2243/EDUC 2461)
A study of the fundamental concepts of mathematics, focusing on elementary and middle school mathematics. Topics include the integers, real and rational numbers, number theory, introductory algebra, functions, graphing, probability, statistics, and sampling. This course focuses on problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and multiple approaches as applied to these topics.

MATH 2465/EDUC 2465
Fundamental Concepts of Geometry 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): any 5.0 units successfully completed at the university level
A study of the fundamental concepts of geometry, focusing on topics taught in public schools. These include coordinate, axiomatic, constructive and transformational geometry. This course focuses on problem solving, mathematical reasoning and proofs using multiple approaches.

MATH 2500
Statistical Modeling and Data Analysis 0.5 unit
Prerequisites: Mathematics placement test or MATH 1102 with a grade of C-or higher
An introduction to statistical modeling with an emphasis on statistical computing. Topics include: data visualizations and numerical summaries, probability, statistical inference with confidence intervals and hypothesis tests, correlation, and linear regression. Statistical software is used throughout the course. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 2209 may not take MATH 2500 for credit.

MATH 3303
Intermediate Applied Statistics I: Linear Models 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209
A continuation of MATH 2209 with a focus on linear models: simple, polynomial and multiple regression, with continuous and categorical explanatory variables; indicator variables and contrasts; transformations, diagnostics, and variable selection; bootstrap methods for inference; odds ratios and an introduction to logistic regression. The emphasis is on practical applications, using appropriate software.

MATH 3304
Intermediate Applied Statistics II: ANOVA ad Experimental Design 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209
A continuation of MATH 2209. Topics include one-way and two-way ANOVA; factorial and nested designs; residual analysis; transformations; and analysis of covariance. This course emphasizes practical applications, rather than theory, using appropriate software.

MATH 3307
Intermediate Mathematical Statistics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209, 3407 and permission of the department
Intermediate theory of statistical inference based on the likelihood function. Topics will include the likelihood function for single and multiple parameter families, likelihood intervals and their relationship to confidence intervals, and likelihood ratio tests. Further topics may include sufficiency, Fisher information, comparison of frequentist, likelihood and Bayesian approaches to inference. Note: Students may not take both MATH 3307 and MATH 4407 for credit.

MATH 3311
Analysis I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2211, 2222, and 2225 (MATH 2211 may be taken concurrently)
An introduction to analysis. Topics may include sets, functions, the real numbers, limits, sequences and series, continuity, derivatives and mean value theorems. This course stresses mathematical proofs.

MATH 3312
Analysis II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 3311
A continuation of MATH 3311. Topics may include uniform continuity, fixed point theorems, sequences of functions, approximation theorems, the Riemann integral, and an introduction to metric spaces and topology.

MATH 3314
Introduction to Differential Equations 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2212 and 2222
A study of differential equations arising in many areas of science. Topics may include first and second order linear equations, classical partial differential equations, series solutions, systems of linear equations, Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier series and the Poincaré-Bendixson Theorem.

MATH 3325
Abstract Algebra I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2222 and 2225
An introduction to the theory of groups, rings, and fields. Topics include: groups, subgroups, Lagrange’s theorem, isomorphism, Cayley’s theorem, rings, ideals, ring homomorphism theorems, finite fields, irreducible polynomials over a field, and the division algorithm theorem.

MATH 3326
Abstract Algebra II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 3325
One or two advanced topics in algebra will be treated in depth.

MATH 3333
Introduction to Graph Theory 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2222, 2225, and either CMPS 1153 or 1155, or permission of the instructor
An introduction to graph theory. Topics will include graphs, digraphs and trees, connectivity, graph colouring, spanning tree and shortest path algorithms, and related additional topics. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 4333 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 3407
Theory of Probability I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2211 and either MATH 2206 or permission of the instructor
A rigorous study of probability theory, developed from the axioms of probability using calculus, set theory and combinatorics. Topics include univariate and multivariate distributions, joint distributions of discrete and continuous random variables, conditional and marginal distributions, Jacobians, and distributions of functions of random variables.

MATH 3408
Theory of Probability II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 3407
A continuation of MATH 3407. Topics include: Jacobians, transformations of several random variables, indicator variables with applications, limit theorems with applications, Poisson processes and Markov chains.

MATH 3500/PHYS 3500
Topics in Mathematics and Physics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): permission of the department
A study of one particular area of theoretical physics that applies the principles of calculus and other areas of mathematics. Examples of areas that could be studied are relativity, dynamics and fluid mechanics.

MATH 4333
Graph Theory 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 3311 or 3325, and either CMPS/INTE 1153 or CMPS 1155, or permission of the instructor
An introduction to graph theory. Topics will include graphs, digraphs, and trees, connectivity, graph colouring, spanning tree and shortest path algorithms, and related additional topics. Students will also be expected to complete independent work involving the graph theory literature. This course is intended for honours students or potential honours students; other students may prefer MATH 3333. Note: Students who have received credit for MATH 3333 may not take this course for credit.

MATH 4407
Concepts in Mathematical Statistics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2209, 3407 and permission of the department
The theory of statistical inference based on the likelihood function. Topics will include likelihood function for single and multiple parameter families, likelihood intervals and their relationship to confidence intervals, likelihood ratio tests, sufficiency, Fisher information, and a comparison of frequentist, likelihood and Bayesian approaches to inference. Students will be introduced to the concept of uniformly most powerful tests and the Neyman-Pearson Lemma. Note: Students may not take both MATH 3307 and MATH 4407 for credit.

MATH 4411
Complex Variables I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 2225, and either MATH 2212 or 3311 and permission of the department
An introduction to complex variables. Topics may include: complex numbers and functions, differentiation and integration in the complex plane, Taylor and Laurent series, residues, Cauchy’s theorem, maximum modulus principle, harmonic functions, entire and meromorphic functions.

MATH 4412
Complex Variables II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): MATH 4411
A continuation of MATH 4411. Topics may include further study of analytic functions, conformal mapping theory, Möbius maps, the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation, canonical products, and the prime number theorem.

MATH 4414
Special Topics in Mathematics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): will vary depending on the topic, but will include at least one 3000 level MATH course and permission of the instructor
An opportunity for advanced students to examine a selected topic or topics in mathematics.

MATH 4447
Directed Study 0.5 unit
MATH 4448
Directed Study 0.5 unit
MATH 4449
Directed Study 1.0 unit
Prerequisite(s): advanced standing and permission of the department
Directed study of an advanced topic in mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on the learning of new material through reading and discussion. Hours to be arranged

MATH 4498
Honours Project in Statistics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): admission to the honours program. Normally students must have received a grade of at least B- in MATH 3304 or in MATH 3407 before starting an honours project
A required course for mathematics honours students in the Statistics stream, to be taken in their final year. Each student will complete an honours project under the supervision of a faculty member, will submit a formal written report, and will give an oral presentation on the project.

MATH 4499
Honours Project in Mathematics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): admission to the honours program. Normally students must have received a grade of at least B- in MATH 3312 or MATH 3326 before starting an honours project
A required course for mathematics honours students in the Mathematics stream, to be taken in their final year. Each student will complete an honours project under the supervision of a faculty member, will submit a formal written report, and will give an oral presentation on the project.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.