In linear algebra, students learn about systems of linear equations and their solutions, which correspond to lines, planes, and other linear spaces. In Algebraic Geometry, students build on their understanding of linear algebra, learning about systems of polynomial equations and the geometric objects called algebraic varieties to which they correspond. Examples of algebraic varieties include circles, hyperbolas, cones, and their higher dimensional generalizations.

This course covers various cryptosystems and the number theory required to understand them. Topics include substitution ciphers, the Viegenere cipher, public-key cryptography, RSA, modular arithmetic, the Extended Euclidean algorithm, and Fermat’s Little Theorem. Additional topics may include the Diffie-Hellman cryptosystem, the knapsack cryptosystem, the infinitude of primes, and techniques for finding large primes.

This scheduled weekly interdisciplinary seminar provides the context to reflect on concrete experiences at an off-campus internship site and to link these experiences to academic study relating to the political, psychological, social, economic and intellectual forces that shape our views on work and its meaning. The aim is to integrate study in the liberal arts with issues and themes surrounding the pursuit of a creative, productive, and satisfying professional life. Students receive 1.0 unit of academic credit for the academic work that augments their concurrent internship fieldwork.

Independent study is available to those students who wish to continue their learning in an area after completing the regularly offered courses in that area.

Independent study is available to those students who wish to continue their learning in an area after completing the regularly offered courses in that area.

A senior thesis allows students to explore areas of mathematics that are new to them, to develop the skill of working independently on a project, and to synthesize and present a substantive work to the academic community. Thesis proposals are normally developed in consultation with the student’s research committee, which consists of the student’s faculty supervisor and two other faculty members. This committee is involved in the final evaluation of the project. The results of the project are presented in a public seminar and/or written in a publishable form.

A senior thesis allows students to explore areas of mathematics that are new to them, to develop the skill of working independently on a project, and to synthesize and present a substantive work to the academic community. Thesis proposals are normally developed in consultation with the student’s research committee, which consists of the student’s faculty supervisor and two other faculty members. This committee is involved in the final evaluation of the project. The results of the project are presented in a public seminar and/or written in a publishable form.

This course continues the rigorous study of abstract algebra, with an emphasis on writing proofs. It continues where MATH 490 leaves off and may include topics such as extension fields and Galois theory.

This course presents a rigorous study of abstract algebra, with an emphasis on writing proofs. Modern applications of abstract algebra to problems in chemistry, art, and computer science show this is a contemporary field in which important contributions are currently being made. Topics include groups, rings, integral domains, field theory, and the study of homomorphisms. Applications such as coding theory, public-key cryptography, crystallographic groups, and frieze groups may also be covered.

This course continues the rigorous study of the theory behind calculus, focusing on scalar- and vector-valued functions of several variables. Additional topics may include differential geometry of curves and surfaces or vector calculus.