Algebra for the Sciences

MATH 1543

This is an interdisciplinary general education quantitative reasoning course that will use algebra to answer questions from science. The development of this course is supported by an NSF-CCD grant # DUE - 9652867. Faculty from three departments (Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Physical Sciences) are helping to develop this course. The goal of the course is to enhance student's understanding of mathematics, science, and their interactions and relevance to students. Objectives of the course are to increase scientific literacy, student awareness of connections between mathematics and science, critical thinking and problem solving skills, and ability of future teachers to incorporate mathematics into their classrooms.

The contents of the course include estimation, unit conversion, sampling techniques, geometry, lines, quadratics, exponentials, logarithms, systems of equations, and regression. Topics are approached from a mathematical viewpoint and a data driven viewpoint. Each major topic is introduced by a demonstration from a scientific discipline. Students are assigned projects developed in conjunction with faculty from other scientific disciplines. For links to other web pages that discuss specific science issues that are either discussed in the course or used in the projects, click here.

The course uses hands-on activities, demonstrations and guest lectures from faculty members in the sciences, group work, computer work, and projects. Students are expected to write up their projects in report form.

If you are interested in learning more about this course or have any comments or suggestions, please let Brett Elliott know.

"Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in
this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
those of the National Science Foundation."

NOTE: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these pages, errors may occur on occasion. Please verify any information obtained on these pages with the relevant department before relying on the information for anything critical.