Models and Data

Coordinator: Associate Professor Paula Russo (Mathematics)

This minor emphasizes the interplay between theoretical abstraction formulated in a mathematical model and data obtained from measurements in the real world. The minor gives the student an opportunity to study the construction of models and the analysis of data.

Course requirements:

• Calculus course (MATH 132), to allow access to a vast number of models that describe dynamic processes.
• One semester of statistics (MATH 107 or MATH 207), to provide background necessary for rigorous data analysis.
• One semester of computing (CPSC 115L), to provide the ability to create and implement a computer model without reliance on software packages.
• One of the following courses, to expose the student to accepted methods of data collection:
  • BIOL 140L, 182L
  • CHEM 111L, 112L
  • ECON 318L
  • ENGR 212L, 221L
  • PHYS 101L, 102L, 131L, 231L
  • PSYC 221L
  • SOCL 201L
• The capstone course (MATH 252 or MATH 254), to teach mathematical formulation of real-world problems and to teach basic modeling principles applicable to a variety of fields. (Prerequisites: one year of calculus and one semester of computing.)

Mathematics majors who automatically satisfy the calculus requirement are required to take two sequential laboratory courses in one of the physical sciences or two related introductory courses, together with one upper-level laboratory course in biology, engineering, or one of the social sciences.