24 graduate courses in Waterloo’s course catalog for Winter 2024, from UW Open Data. uwloo can’t read that term’s Graduate Calendar, so this stands in for it; the calendar itself is in Waterloo’s archive.
MATH 600Introduction to Mathematical Software for Teachers
This course exposes students to the technical tools that professional mathematicians use. The software presented in the course will enhance each student's communication, presentation, visualization, and problem-solving skills. The course will also take a brief look at the history of mathematical communication and its impact on the development of the subject.
This course will explore the basic properties of probability focusing on both discrete and continuous random variables. Topics include: Laws of probability, discrete and continuous random variables, probability distributions, mean, variance, generating functions, Markov chains, problem solving, history of probability.
This course discusses some of the mathematical and scientific aspects of empirical, or data-based, problem solving. Topics will include methods for the design of experiments and surveys, and the analysis of data using statistical models. Examples will illustrate the application of these methods to data-based problems in science, health, business and industry.
This course explores the foundations of linear algebra and some of its applications. An emphasis will be placed on the development of mathematical thinking and the importance of proof in mathematical teaching. Topics include: matrices, linear mappings, vector spaces, determinants, diagonalization, inner products, the Fundamental Theorem of Linear Algebra, and the method of least squares.
This course explores the many fascinating properties of the natural numbers. Topics include: the Euclidean algorithm, congruences and modular arithmetic, primitive roots and quadratic residues, sums of squares, multiplicative functions, continued fractions and Diophantine equations.
This course explores the intersection between mathematics and computer science by examining general methods for solving problems efficiently. We will study a variety of algorithm design techniques for problems in diverse application areas and use mathematical models to compare algorithms. Students will be introduced to "big ideas" from computer science, such as the generalization and reuse of previous solutions, and the notion of limits to the power of computation.
MATH 642Introduction to Computer Science: A Mathematical Perspective
The connections between mathematics and computer science are varied and deep. This course will introduce students to foundational ideas in computer science and their relationship to foundational ideas in mathematics through the use of a functional programming language designed for education. No prior experience with programming is required, though students with exposure to popular programming languages will also benefit from this alternate approach.
This course will use mathematics to study the foundations of problem solving and computation. A decision problem (answering "yes" or "no") can be characterized as a set of strings of characters encoding inputs that yield "yes" answers, and a computer can be characterized as a simple mathematical machine model that processes strings of characters. By studying properties of classes of problems of increasing complexity, we will be able to establish relationships among classes, membership in classes, and hard problems for classes. The course will culminate in the examination of classes and models that correspond to the power of computers, and the demonstration that there exist problems that cannot be solved.
This course will explore the foundations of differential calculus, the role of rigour in mathematics, and the use of sophisticated mathematical software. Topics include: A brief primer on logic and proof, axiom of choice and other ideas from set theory, convergence of sequences and the various forms of the completeness axiom for R, detailed study of limits, continuity and the Intermediate Value Theorem, fundamentals of differentiation and the importance of linear approximation, role of the Mean Value Theorem, the nature and existence of extrema, Taylor's Theorem and polynomial approximation, MAPLE as a tool for discovery.
This course explores the foundations of integral calculus and the use of series in approximating the basic functions of mathematics. Topics include: Understanding the Riemann Integral and its flaws, the idea of Lebesque, the geometric meaning of the Riemann-Stieltjes integral, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, numerical integration, numerical series, uniform convergence of functions and the extraordinary nature of power series, Fourier Series.
MATH 650Mathematical Modeling with Differential Equations
Solving and interpreting differential equations motivated by a variety of systems from the physical and social sciences. Analytical solutions of standard linear and non-linear equations of first and second order; phase portrait analysis; linearization of non-linear systems in the plane. Numerical and graphical solutions using mathematical software.
This course explores the Euclidean geometry of triangles and circles from elementary to advanced settings. The course also briefly discusses three-dimensional geometry. An emphasis is placed on proof, on problem solving, on problem creation in a geometric context, and on aspects of teaching geometry. Where possible, problems that combine multiple areas of mathematics are used.
MATH 674Special Topics in Mathematical Connections
This course is intended to give the student insight to an important area of mathematics and how it connects with problems in the real world. Each topic consists of one six-week module. The emphasis will be on how the mathematics is used in a real world context.
We explore the who, where, when and why of some of the most important ideas in mathematics. Topics include: William T. Tutte and Decryption, Euclid and the Delian Problem, Archimedes and his estimate of Pi, Al Khwarizmi and Islamic mathematics, Durer and the Renaissance, Descartes and Analytic Geometry, and Kepler and Planetary Motion.
MATH 681Problem Solving and Mathematical Discovery
This course aims to develop the student's mathematical problem solving ability. Common heuristics such as patterning, trying a simpler problem, considering cases, and thinking inductively will be examined. A wide range of challenging problems from various branches of mathematics will provide the medium through which these important principles and broad strategies are experienced.
This course examines the history of mathematics through the prism of a particular person working on a particular problem in a particular geographical and temporal place. Topics may include: Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics, Chinese mathematics, mesoamerican mathematics, Euclid and the Delian Problem; Archimedes and an estimate of Pi; Apollonius and conic sections; Al Khwarizmi and Islamic mathematics; and the transmission of works of antiquity to Europe.
MATH 683History of Mathematics II: Early Modern Period
This course examines the history of mathematics through the prism of a particular person working on a particular problem in a particular geographical and temporal place. Topics may include: Durer and projective geometry; Cardano and the solution of quartics; Fermat and probability; Descartes and analytic geometry; and Kepler and planetary motion.
Following a brief introduction to Peace Studies, the social implications of math and computer science are explored through a lens of peace theory. We examine how math and computer science can influence poverty, democracy, policing, environment, health and more. Participants in this course will articulate how to help their own students see math and computer science as a tool for good or evil. Only offered online.
This course provides the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other students, to synthesize key takeaways from other courses, and to bridge the gap between educational theory and practice. Course activities may include problem-solving, discussion, analysis of mathematics education research, presentations, and peer review. The course includes a limited number of synchronous meetings, and may include optional in-person participation in a CEMC conference for mathematics teachers.
Objectives: To develop the vocabulary, techniques and analytical skills associated with reading and writing proofs, and to gain practice in formulating conjectures and discovering proofs. Emphasis will be placed on understanding logical structures, recognition and command over common proof techniques, and precision in language. Topics Include: rules of formal logic, truth tables, role of definitions, implications, sets, existential and universal quantifiers, negation and counter-example, proofs by contradiction, proofs using the contrapositive, proofs of uniqueness and induction.
MATH 699Master of Mathematics for Teachers Capstone
The capstone course is designed to give students an opportunity to showcase the knowledge they have gained and to provide a forum for bringing that knowledge into their own classroom. As part of this course students will design a mini-course on an approved subject in mathematics.
MATH 900University Mathematics Teaching Techniques
Course description: The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to teaching mathematics at the postsecondary level. Students will learn about effective course design, lecture delivery, assessment design, active learning, and how to handle common situations in the classroom. Multiple opportunities to gain practical teaching experience will be provided.
Prereq: Open to Math grad students only. Not open to MMT students.