Academic Departments and Programs

Mathematics and Physical Sciences

The Mathematical & Physical Sciences Department provides an engaging and pragmatic curriculum that fosters student understanding of the nature, simplicity and structure of mathematics and physical sciences and encourages exploration in the areas of computational methods and mathematical applications. The Mathematical & Physical Sciences Department promotes a supportive learning community and offers an exciting opportunity for students and faculty to learn and grow personally and intellectually. In the liberal arts tradition, our faculty help and encourage students to develop critical skills necessary for understanding a changing, diverse and technological world. The department is strongly committed to giving its majors a solid and broad-based mathematical and physical science foundation that is tailored to students who seek professional careers after graduation as well as those who choose further studies in graduate school.

By successfully completing a major or minor in the mathematical and/or physical sciences, a student will be able to:

  • Discover and utilize effective analysis and problem solving skills in mathematics and mathematical applications.
  • Effectively express discipline-specific content and articulate broad connections among disciplines verbally, mathematically and through written works.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the role of mathematics, mathematical applications and technology in the larger community including, but not limited to; a knowledge of ethical standards, the ramifications of technological advances and activities and the role of all mathematics in society.

Entry into the mathematical & physical sciences curriculum is determined by previous coursework. Typically, students with a strong interest and a good background in mathematics begin with Calculus. Some students with very strong high school backgrounds may begin in second-year level courses, while others might begin with Pre-calculus or College Algebra.

Note: Generally, an understanding of first-year calculus is assumed for mathematics courses numbered 231 or higher.

Majors

Mathematics Major

The Mathematics and Physical Sciences Core encourages all majors and minors in our Department to experience similar theoretical, analytical, and algorithmic viewpoints. This collection of courses incorporates programming, problem-solving, abstract analysis, and applications.

Major Requirements:

Note: Students interested in graduate work in mathematics are strongly encouraged to take MAT-451 Real Analysis and/or MAT-461 Algebraic Structures.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Discover and utilize effective analysis and problem solving skills in mathematics and mathematical applications.
  • Effectively express discipline-specific content and articulate broad connections among disciplines verbally, mathematically and through written works.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the role of mathematics, mathematical applications and technology in the larger community including, but not limited to: a knowledge of ethical standards, the ramifications of technological advances and activities, and the role of all mathematics in society.

Mathematics - Physics Major

The Mathematics and Physical Sciences Core encourages all majors and minors in our Department to experience similar theoretical, analytical, and algorithmic viewpoints. This collection of courses incorporates programming, problem-solving, abstract analysis, and applications.

Major Requirements:

Note: Students interested in graduate work in physics are strongly encouraged to take PHY-240/240L, all upper-division physics courses (300 and 400 level) and MAT-431 Complex Variables. Some facility with general-purpose programming is strongly urged.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Communicates effectively, using the language, concepts, and processes of mathematics and physics.
  • Uses the methodologies of mathematics and physics to define and solve problems independently and collaboratively.
  • Uses a wide variety of laboratory techniques with accuracy and precision.
  • Finds, selects, and uses appropriate scientific and mathematical information to support his/her work.
  • Uses different strategies to analyze and synthesize physical data.
  • Critiques the data, strategies, and models used in mathematics and physics.

Minors

Dual-Degree Engineering Minor

Engineering gives students the opportunity to be simultaneously creative and practical. They can combine the principles learned in science and mathematics with the methods and techniques of engineering to develop theory, models and applications. The Dual-Degree Engineering Minor is meant to develop a foundation preparing the student for further study and a career in engineering.

Engineering schools require that many general science and mathematics courses be completed at The College of Idaho before a student transfers under the dual-degree engineering program. Therefore it is recommended that students complete a mathematics or mathematics-physics major if interested in the dual-degree engineering minor. (Note: Choosing a major other than mathematics or mathematics-physics will likely result in the student spending four years at the College of Idaho to complete their major. Upper-level coursework from the engineering institution will transfer back to The College of Idaho to fulfill the mathematics or mathematics-physics major requirements. Please see the dual-degree Engineering requirements for affiliated institutions.) Students can fulfill two PEAKS upon completion of this minor: Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Professional Studies.

Minor Requirements:

  • Completion of at least 9 upper-level (above 300) credits in mathematics or physics.
  • Acceptance to an approved engineering program. 

The required courses specific to the dual-degree engineering minor depend upon the engineering field and the engineering institution. Every student completing this minor should closely consult with a dual-degree engineering advisor to choose appropriate College of Idaho courses. 

The following courses are required for most fields of engineering and most computer science programs:

Suggested courses for different engineering fields are included below.

 
 
 
 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will gain skills and concepts necessary to understand the principles and practice of engineering.
  • Students will develop problem solving and analysis skills appropriate for the field.
  • Students will communicate science and engineering ideas both orally and in writing.

Mathematics Minor

In order to pursue a Mathematics Minor the following courses or their equivalents are prerequisites for all upper level mathematics courses:
 

Minor Requirements (21 credits):

  • 18 credits of mathematics (MAT)
    • Up to four credits of computer science (CSC) may be counted towards the 18 credit total.
    • Six upper-division (300-, 400-level) credits in mathematics (MAT) must be included in the 18 credit total.
  • Three credits from one of the following sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics. Mathematics is often called the language of science. Therefore, a study of mathematics is not complete without experiencing its use in science.

Students who wish to satisfy the requirements for a second teaching field in Secondary education must complete 20 credits of mathematics (MAT) courses including the following courses:

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Discover and utilize effective analysis and problem solving skills in mathematics and mathematical applications.
  • Effectively express discipline-specific content and articulate broad connections among disciplines verbally, mathematically and through written works.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the role of mathematics, mathematical applications and technology in the larger community including, but not limited to: a knowledge of ethical standards, the ramifications of technological advances and activities, and the role of all mathematics in society.

Physics Minor

The fundamental nature of physics makes an understanding of its principles, techniques and limitations important in the acquisition and extension of knowledge in all the sciences. In addition, it has historical connections to metaphysics and natural philosophy, which makes it an integral part of a balanced liberal arts curriculum. This minor satisfies the state requirements for the secondary education second-teaching field in physics. Physics minors should recognize and gracefully accept that an ability to acquire and use mathematical tools is an assumed part of their minors.

Completing this minor and one additional credit in physics satisfies the state requirements for the secondary education second-teaching field in physics.

Students are expected to complete:

Minor Requirements (19 credits):

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will gain skills and concepts necessary to understand modern physics and physics laboratory methods.
  • Students will develop an understanding of modern physics theories
  • Students will develop problem solving and analysis skills appropriate for the field.
  • Students will communicate physical ideas both orally and in writing.

Computer Science Minor

Computers are a part of almost aspect of our society from the cars we drive to the way we purchase goods. The study of computing requires a creative imagination and develops multidimensional problem solving skills. Students should recognize and gracefully accept that an ability to acquire and use mathematical tools is an assumed part of their minors.

In order to pursue a Computer Science Minor a student must prepare by taking the following preparatory courses or their equivalents:

Minor Requirements (20 credits):

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Problem Solving