WCore Mathematics and Reasoning Courses
FINC-112: How to Manage Money in Your Twenties
This course presents the student with practical solutions to the contemporary issue of a debt laden society whose populace lacks the financial skills to properly manage their finances. The course discusses the key components of financial planning - wealth protection, accumulation, and distribution. Practical application and experimentation of financial principles will be applied to money management, insurance, credit, investing, and the financial marketplace. Implementation of the principles taught and skills learned in this course will allow students to find success in their personal finances. (WCore: WCSAM, QE, WCMAR)
CMPT-150: Math and Tech of Entertainment Arts
Explore the math and technology behind computer animation and video game design. Ever wonder while watching a movie: "How did they do that?" Students will learn the mathematical and computational theory behind image processing, 2D and 3D computer graphics and special effects. This seminar will discuss the progress of computer graphics research over the last fifty years. (WCore: WCSAM, QE, WCMAR)
DATA-110: Explorations in Data Science
Data Science is on the forefront of the Big Data Revolution. Governments, companies, nonprofits, and health care providers are collecting, storing, and analyzing vast amounts of data to extract information about us and make predictions about our lives. The mathematical and technological aspects of data science have been central to its success, yet they cannot exist in isolation. The context in which data is collected and used, and potentially misused, shape the impact on individuals and society as a whole. Therefore, the study of issues involving data collection, analysis, and its communication from multiple contexts involving different disciplines-including but not limited to economics, psychology, sociology, biology, medicine and chemistry-will be a central theme of this class. (WCore: WCSAM, QE, WCMAR)
DATA-150: Data and Society
Quantitative literacy is increasingly important in our world of information. The primary goal of this course is to learn about data and how it's used. Along the way, we will learn how to develop basic tools to analyze and visualize data, read and evaluate research claims, and report research findings in honest and ethical ways. (This course may not be taken for credit if a student already has credit for DATA 220.) (WCore: QE, WCMAR)
FINC-200: Investing for Everyone
In this course, students focus on understanding basic investment options and being able to think critically about the risk and return tradeoffs of each asset class. The investment options included are stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and real estate. Key investment concepts include risk and return, and the variety of ways investment return is calculated. Students will review market cycles and volatility cycles so that they have a broad perspective on investment performance and risk over time. There is a strong focus on learning to think critically about the sources of information in this space. There is currently no other course that introduces students to the basics of investing within a framework of learning to be a critical consumer in the financial services marketplace. (WCore: WCSAM, WCMAR)
MATH-101: Fundamentals of Algebra
Algebra is the alphabet of college math courses. Sharpen your algebra skills in an active, inquiry-based environment, and apply them to real-world mathematical models. (WCore: WCMAR)
MATH-103: Counting Votes
After eighteen years of waiting, you finally have the right to vote! But just what does voting mean? There are actually many methods of expressing voting preferences via ballots. Which is the best method? How is a state's number of representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives actually determined? What other methods are there, and what results would they produce? How might that change the political landscape of our country? Which states have real power within the Electoral College? We will take a mathematical look at all of these questions by studying Arrow's Impossibility Theorem, exploring various apportionment methods and their implications, and learning about power within weighted voting systems. (WCore: WCSAM, QE, WCMAR)
MATH-113: Probability, Risk, and Reward
An engaging introduction to probabilistic thinking through the exploration of games of chance, cognitive biases, applications in business, health, and science, and fascinating episodes in the history of probability. (WCore: WCSAM and QE, WCMAR)
MATH-206: Making and Breaking Secret Codes
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the complex and exciting world of secret communication. Starting with the ciphers used by Julius Caesar, we will trace the development of cryptography (the science of enciphering messages) and cryptanalysis (the science of breaking ciphers and decoding secret messages) through the medieval period, the Enigma machine and WWII, and the computer age. We will develop a hands-on understanding of the computer-based encryption that keeps our credit card numbers safe online and allows us to transmit information securely over great distances. (WCore: WCSAM, QE, WCMAR)
MATH-210: Discrete Mathematics
How do mathematicians define "truth", and how do we argue that a mathematical fact is true? Discrete mathematics is an "introduction to proof" course. We will learn basic proof techniques and apply them to "discrete" mathematical objects like sets, sequences, and graphs. We'll also study combinatorics, propositional logic, and functions and relations. We hope to help you learn to communicate mathematics effectively and to explore what happens in a discrete world. (WCore: WCMAR)
MATH-211: Linear Algebra
Linear algebra is a foundational subject for almost all areas of pure and applied mathematics. This course will include systems of linear equations and their representations as matrices, matrix algebra, vector spaces and subspaces in Rn, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, least squares, and the simplex method. There will be a heavy emphasis on applications and numerical techniques, implemented with standard scientific programming languages. This course emphasizes critical, analytical, and integrative thinking as well as writing and other communication skills. This course does not have a specific prerequisite, but students enrolling in this course need to be ready for college-level mathematics. (WCore: WCSAM, WCMAR)
MUSC-209: A Mathemusical Offering
This course will explore topics in the intersection of mathematics and music, including acoustics, tunings, harmonies, rhythm, and form. There are no strict prerequisites; however, it would be helpful for students to have some background in either music or math (but not necessarily both). (WCore: WCSAM, WCMAR)
PHIL-102: Critical Thinking
This foundational course teaches the skills involved in clear thinking, logical reasoning, and analytic reading applicable to all academic studies. It provides a brief treatment of deductive logic, covers how to identify logical fallacies in another person's argument, and includes the practice of reading skills necessary to get the most from your college education. This course is a required prerequisite for all upper-division philosophy offerings. (WCore: WCFAH, WCMAR)