Upcoming Courses

The following online courses are offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Visiting students not affiliated with JHU are welcome to apply.

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College Algebra (110.102)

Syllabus

This introductory course will create a foundational understanding of topics in Algebra. An emphasis will be on applications to prepare students for future courses like Precalculus or Statistics. After a review of elementary algebra concepts, topics covered include: equations and inequalities, linear equations, exponents and polynomials, factoring, rational expressions and equations, relations and functions, radicals, linear and quadratic equations, higher-degree polynomials, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3 credits
Required Text: College Algebra, by Larson, 11th Edition. Online Homework Platform⁠—WebAssign ISBN-13: 9780357454404

Note: This textbook is offered through WebAssign to pair with the online assignments. It includes seamless access to the eBook as well as study tools to use throughout the course⁠. If you would like to purchase a physical copy of the textbook you are more than welcome to do so, however WebAssign access is still required.

Precalculus (110.105)

Syllabus

This course provides students with the background necessary for the study of calculus. It begins with a review of the coordinate plane, linear equations, and inequalities, and moves purposefully into the study of functions. Students will explore the nature of graphs and deepen their understanding of polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and will be introduced to complex numbers, parametric equations, and the difference quotient.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: PreCalculus, by Faires and DeFranza., 5th Ed., ISBN-13: 978-0-84006862-0 ISBN-10: 0-8400-6862-X

Calculus II – Biological and Social Sciences (110.107) (Summer Only)

Syllabus

This is a second course in the calculus of functions of one independent variable. However, instead of continuing with standard calculus topics, this semester includes an introduction to differential equations, the basic structure of functions of several variables, an introduction to linear systems and linear algebra, and applications for systems of linear differential equations and probability distributions. Applications to the biological and social sciences will be discussed, and the course is designed to meet the needs of students in these disciplines.
This course is part of a two course sequence and succeeds AS.110.106 Calculus I (Biology and the Social Sciences). Students planning to take this course must demonstrate a proficiency in some form of first semester university calculus, either through the AP system resulting with an AB score of 5 or a BC score of 3 or better, or a course like AS.110.106 Calculus I. It is possible to gain access to this course via an adequate score on the Placement Exam II offered by the Mathematics Department, but that also requires permission form the department. This sequence of courses are considered terminal and are typically not to be considered adequate preparation for higher mathematics. This sequence satisfies a core requirement of two semesters of single variable calculus for both the major and minor in mathematics.
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text:  Calculus for Biology and Medicine4th Edition, C. Neuhauser and M. Roper, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, January 2018, ISBN-10: 0134070046, ISBN-13: 978-0134070049

Calculus I – Physical Sciences and Engineering (110.108)

Syllabus

This is the first of a two course sequence in the differential and integral calculus of single variable functions. Topics include the basic analytic geometry of graphs of functions, and their limits, integrals and derivatives, including the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Also, some applications of the integral, like arc length and volumes of solids with rotational symmetry, are discussed. Applications to the physical sciences and engineering will be a focus of this course, as this sequence of courses is designed to meet the needs of students in these disciplines. 4 credits

The calculus course sequence is considered foundational to all higher-level courses in mathematics. This course satisfies the core requirement for the first of two semesters of single variable calculus for both the major and minor in mathematics.

Prerequisite: Students planning to take this course must demonstrate a proficiency in pre-calculus, either through the successful completion of a prior course in pre-calculus (such as AS.110.105 or similar) or by achieving an adequate score in the Placement Exam I offered by the Mathematics Department.

Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals, by James Stewart, 8th Ed., ISBN: 978-1-305-27033-6.

Calculus II – Physical Sciences and Engineering (110.109)

Syllabus

This is the second of a two course sequence in the differential and integral calculus of single variable functions. Topics include techniques of integration, applications of integrals, polar coordinates, parametric equations, Taylor’s theorem and applications, infinite sequences and series. Some applications to the physical sciences and engineering will be discussed, as this sequence of courses are designed to meet the needs of students in these disciplines. 4 credits

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Calculus AB, Calculus I, or equivalent.
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Single Variable Calculus: Early Transcendentals, by James Stewart, 8th Ed., ISBN: 978-1-305-27033-6.

Foundational Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence (110.110)

As artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT become increasingly capable and part of our everyday life, the need to understand their inner workings intensifies. This course introduces the mathematical and statistical principles behind machine learning and AI technologies. Students will assimilate basic concepts including math models and performance measurement. They will apply software to build machine learning applications that serve as AI building blocks including linear regression, classification trees, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Participants will be challenged to assess the quality of their analyses to better understand the opportunities for, and the limitations of AI.

Prerequisites: None
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence: Volume 1 (Introduction to Artificial Intelligence), by Talagala, Nisha and Ghanta, Sindhu, ISBN: 979-8795777597.

Introduction to Data Analysis (110.125) (Summer Only)

Syllabus

This online course introduces students to important concepts in data analytics across a wide range of case studies. Students will learn how to gather, analyze, and interpret data to drive strategic and operational success. They will explore how to clean and organize data for analysis, and how to perform calculations using Microsoft Excel. Topics include the data science lifecycle, probability, statistics, hypothesis testing, set theory, graphing, regression, and data ethics.

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: None

Mathematics for Sustainability (110.126)

Mathematics for Sustainability covers topics in measurement, probability, statistics, dynamics, and data analysis. In this course, students will analyze, visually represent, and interpret large, real data sets from a variety of government, corporate, and non-profit sources. Through local and global case studies, students will engage in the mathematics behind environmental sustainability issues and the debates centered on them. Topics include climate change, natural resource use, waste production, air and water pollution, water scarcity, and decreasing biodiversity. The software package R is used throughout the semester.

Prerequisite: Comfort with algebraic expressions and functions. No prior experience in coding is required.
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Mathematics for Sustainability, Roe, DeForest, JamShidi

Linear Algebra (110.201)

Syllabus

This course is an introduction to the techniques of linear algebra in Euclidean space. Topics covered include matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, complex numbers, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Diagonalization of matrices and quadratic forms, as well as applications of these topics to the biological, physical and social sciences to are also included.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Calculus I. Recommended: Calculus II.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Linear Algebra with Applications by Bretscher, Prentice, 5th Edition, ISBN9780321796974

Calculus III (110.202)

Syllabus

This is a course in the differential and integral calculus of several variables. Topics include vectors in two and three dimensions, analytic geometry of three dimensions, parametric curves, partial derivatives, the gradient, optimization in several variables, multiple integration with change of variables across different coordinate systems, line integrals, surface integrals, and Green’s Theorem, Stokes’ Theorem, and Gauss’ Divergence Theorem.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Calculus BC, Calculus II, or equivalent.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Vector Calculus by Marsden & Tromba, Freeman, 6th Ed., ISBN 9781429215084

Mathematics of Data Science (110.205)

Syllabus

This course is designed for students of all backgrounds to provide a solid foundation in the underlying mathematical, programming, and statistical theory of data analysis. In today’s data driven world, data literacy is an increasingly important skill to master. To this end, the course will motivate the fundamental concepts used in this growing field. While discussing the general theory behind common methods of data science there will be numerous applications to real world data sets. In particular, the course will use Python libraries to create, import, and analyze data sets.

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 4 credits
Required (free) text: Introduction to Statistical Learning by James, Witten, Hastie, Tibshirani

Introduction to Probability (110.275)

This course follows the actuarial Exam P syllabus and learning objectives to prepare students to pass the SOA/CAS Probability Exam. Topics include axioms of probability, discrete and continuous random variables, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem, Chebyshev’s Theorem, Central Limit Theorem, univariate and joint distributions and expectations, transformations of random variables and moment generating functions. Exam P learning objectives and learning outcomes are emphasized.

Prerequisite: Calculus II.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text:  Probability and Statistical Inference by Hogg, Tanis, and Zimmerman, 10th edition, ISBN 9780135189399

Introduction to Financial Mathematics (110.276) (Summer only)

This course is designed to develop students’ understanding of fundamental concepts of financial mathematics. The course will cover mathematical theory and applications including the time value of money, annuities and cash flows, bond pricing, loans, amortization, stock and portfolio pricing, immunization of portfolios, swaps and determinants of interest rates, asset matching and convexity. A basic knowledge of calculus and an introductory knowledge of probability is assumed.

Prerequisite: Calculus I or equivalent.

Credits: 4 credits
Required text:  Interest Theory: Financial Mathematics and Deterministic Asset Valuation by Francis and Ruckman. ISBN-13: 978-0998160405

Introduction to Proofs (110.301)

This course will provide a practical introduction to mathematical proofs with the aim of developing fluency in the language of mathematics, which itself is often described as “the language of the universe.” Along with a library of proof techniques, we shall tour propositional logic, set theory, cardinal arithmetic, and metric topology and explore “proof relevant” mathematics by interacting with a computer proof assistant. This course on the construction of mathematical proof will conclude with a deconstruction of mathematical proof, interrogating the extent to which proof serves as a means to discover universal truths and assessing the mechanisms by which the mathematical community achieves consensus regarding whether a claimed result has been proven.

Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 4 credits

Differential Equations with Applications (110.302)

Syllabus

This is an applied course in ordinary differential equations, which is primarily for students in the biological, physical and social sciences, and engineering. Techniques for solving ordinary differential equations are studied. Topics covered include first order differential equations, second order linear differential equations, applications to electric circuits, oscillation of solutions, systems of linear differential equations, autonomous systems, Laplace transforms and linear differential equations, mathematical models (e.g., in the sciences or economics).
Prerequisite: Calculus II.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Elementary Diff Equations & Boundary Value Problems by Boyce & DiPrima, Wiley, 10th edition, ISBN 9780470458310

The Mathematics of Politics, Democracy, and Social Choice (110.303)

Syllabus

This course is designed for students of all backgrounds to provide a mathematical introduction to social choice theory, weighted voting systems, apportionment methods, and gerrymandering. In the search for ideal ways to make certain kinds of political decisions, a lot of wasted effort could be averted if mathematics could determine that finding such an ideal were actually possible in the first place.

The course will analyze data from recent US elections as well as provide historical context to modern discussions in politics, culminating in a mathematical analysis of the US Electoral College. Case studies, future implications, and comparisons to other governing bodies outside the US will be used to apply the theory of the course. Students will use Microsoft Excel to analyze data sets. There are no mathematical prerequisites for this course.

Credits: 4 credits

Elementary Number Theory (110.304)

Syllabus

This course provides some historical background and examples of topics of current research interest in number theory and includes concrete examples of some of the abstract concepts studied in abstract algebra. Topics include primes and prime factorization, congruences, Euler’s function, quadratic reciprocity, primitive roots, solutions to polynomial congruences (Chevalley’s theorem), Diophantine equations including the Pythagorean and Pell equations, Gaussian integers, and Dirichlet’s theorem on primes.
Prerequisite: Linear Algebra.
Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Number Theory, by George E. Andrews; ISBN: 978-0-486-68252-5

Methods of Complex Analysis (110.311)

Syllabus

This course is an introduction to the theory of functions of one complex variable. Its emphasis is on techniques and applications, and it serves as a basis for more advanced courses. Topics include functions of a complex variable and their derivatives; power series and Laurent expansions; the Cauchy integral theorem and formula; calculus of residues and contour integrals; harmonic functions.
Prerequisite: Linear Algebra and Calculus III.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Fundamentals of Complex Analysis (with Applications to Engineering and Science), 3rd Edition, E. B. Saff & A. D. Snider. Prentice Hall, January 2003, ISBN-10: 0139078746, ISBN-13: 978-0139078743

An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography (110.375)

An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography is an introduction to modern cryptography with an emphasis on the mathematics behind the theory of public key cryptosystems and digital signature schemes. The course develops the mathematical tools needed for the construction and security analysis of diverse cryptosystems. Other topics central to mathematical cryptography covered are: classical cryptographic constructions, Diffie-Hellmann key exchange, discrete logarithm-based cryptosystems, the RSA cryptosystem, and digital signatures.  Fundamental mathematical tools for cryptography studied include: primality testing, factorization algorithms, probability theory, information theory, and collision algorithms.

A survey of important recent cryptographic innovations, such as elliptic curves, elliptic curve and pairing-based cryptography are included as well. This course is an ideal introduction for mathematics and computer science students to the mathematical foundations of modern cryptography.

Prerequisite: Linear Algebra preferred.
Credits: 4 credits
Textbook: An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptography, by Hoffstein, Pipher, and Silverman. ISBN-13: 978-1441926746

Introduction to Abstract Algebra (110.401)

Syllabus

A first introduction to abstract algebra through ring theory and group theory, with an emphasis on concrete examples. The course will introduce basic notions (rings, subrings, groups, subgroups, homomorphisms, quotients) and prove some foundational results (Division algorithm, Lagrange’s theorem, Isomorphism theorems). Examples to be discussed include integers modulo n, matrix rings, polynomial rings, permutation groups, and dihedral groups.
Prerequisite: Linear Algebra.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Abstract Algebra, An Introduction (3rd ed.) by Hungerford; ISBN: 978-1111569624

Real Analysis I (110.405)

Syllabus

This course is designed to give a firm grounding in the basic tools of analysis. It is recommended as preparation (but may not be a prerequisite) for other advanced analysis courses. Real and complex number systems, topology of metric spaces, limits, continuity, infinite sequences and series, differentiation, Riemann-Stieltjes integration.
Prerequisite: Linear Algebra and Calculus III.
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Way of Analysis, Jones & Bart, ISBN: 9780763714970

Real Analysis II (110.406)

Syllabus

This course continues AS.110.405 with an emphasis on the fundamental notions of modern analysis. Sequences and series of functions, Fourier series, equicontinuity and the Arzela-Ascoli theorem, the Stone-Weierstrass theorem, functions of several variables, the inverse and implicit function theorems, introduction to the Lebesgue integral.
Prerequisite: Real Analysis I
Credits: 4 credits
Required text: Way of Analysis, Jones & Bart, ISBN: 9780763714970

Honors Algebra II (110.412)

This is a continuation of Algebra I. Topics include: principal ideal domains, structure of finitely generated modules; introduction to field theory, linear algebra over a field, and Field extensions; splitting field of a polynomial, algebraic closure of a field; Galois theory: correspondence between subgroups and subfields. Solvability of polynomial equations by radicals.

Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: TBD

Introduction to Topology (110.413)

Topological spaces, connectedness, compactness, quotient spaces, metric spaces, function spaces. An introduction to algebraic topology including covering spaces, the fundamental group, and other topics are covered as time permits.

Credits: 4 credits
Required Text: Topology, 2nd Ed., Munkres, J., New Jersey: Prentice Hall, January, 2000, ISBN-10: 0131816292, ISBN-13: 978-0131816299