Mathematics

Requirements for the Major

(50 credits)

Major Requirements:
MTH 210
MTH 211
MTH 212
Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Calculus III
12
MTH 240Linear Algebra3
MTH 250Differential Equations3
MTH 308Advanced Calculus3
MTH 315Modern Geometry3
MTH 340Probability & Statistical Analysis I3
MTH 401Modern Algebra3
MTH 410Complex Analysis3
Three 400-level mathematics electives (excluding MTH 490) or one 300-level and two 400-level mathematics electives (excluding MTH 490)9
Physics
PHY 200General Physics I4
PHY 201General Physics II4
Total Credits50

Note:

  1. Mathematics majors must attain a “B” average in Calculus I and II in order to take advanced mathematics courses.

Requirements for the Minor

(24-25 credits)

MTH 210Calculus I4
MTH 211Calculus II4
MTH 212Calculus III4
Select four (4) mathematics courses above the MTH 212 level12-13
Discrete Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Advanced Calculus
Modern Geometry
Probability & Statistical Analysis I
Probability & Statistical Analysis II
Modern Algebra
Topics in Advanced Mathematics
Complex Analysis
Number Theory
Introduction to Topology
Real Analysis
Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression
Total Credits24-25

Academic Plan of Study

The following educational plan is provided as a sample only.  Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation.  Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Fall SemesterCredits
CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric 3
MTH 210 Calculus I 1 4
HIS 150 Pre-Modern World: Evolution to Revolution 3
Social Perspectives (1 of 2) 3
Foreign Language 1 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research 3
MTH 211 Calculus II 4
HIS 151
World in the Modern Era: Exploration to Globalization
or Contemporary World: Historical Perspectives
or Cold War: A Global History
3
Foreign Language 3
Social Perspectives (2 of 2) 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall Semester
MTH 212 Calculus III 4
MTH 240 Linear Algebra 3
PHY 200
200L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
MTH 250 Differential Equations 3
MTH 315 Modern Geometry 3
PHY 201
201L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature 3
Elective Course Credits 2 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall Semester
MTH 308 Advanced Calculus 3
MTH 340 Probability & Statistical Analysis I 3
Philosophical Perspectives 3
Elective Course Credits 2 6
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
MTH 410 Complex Analysis 3
Math Elective 3
Elective Course Credits 2 9
 Semester Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall Semester
MTH 401 Modern Algebra 3
Math Elective 3
Elective Course Credits 2 9
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
Math Elective 3
Elective Course Credits 2 10
 Semester Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours for Graduation120
1

For course placement information see https://www.rider.edu/student-life/first-year-experience/orientation/placement-testing

2

Please note that elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or minor.

Courses and Descriptions

MTH 102 Finite Mathematics 3 Credits

This mathematically rigorous course begins with a review of the rational numbers, repeating decimals, irrational numbers and non-repeating decimals. The elementary theory of sets is discussed with applications to surveys and data mining. This is followed by a discussion of the cardinality of infinite sets. An introduction to elementary number theory includes various applications. The Cartesian plane and the idea of a function and its graph are introduced with applications. Counting theory then precedes an elementary discussion of probability.

MTH 105 Algebra and Trigonometry 4 Credits

The course is an in depth and rigorous study of functions and graphs, equations and inequalities, polynomial and rational functions, exponential, and logarithmic functions, basic trigonometric functions and their inverses, trigonometric identities.

Prerequisite(s): A mathematics SAT score of 570, departmental placement or MTH 100 with a grade of C or higher.

MTH 210 Calculus I 4 Credits

Introduces analytic geometry, functions, limits, and derivatives; differentiation of algebraic and trigonometric functions, curve sketching, maxima and minima, and higher derivatives.

Prerequisite(s): Math SAT 650 or higher or Math ACT score of 28 or higher or MTH 105 or MTH 106 with a grade of C or higher.

MTH 211 Calculus II 4 Credits

The definite integral, differentiation of transcendental functions, methods of integration and approximate integration, determination of area, volume, and surface area.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 210 with a grade of C or higher.

MTH 212 Calculus III 4 Credits

Infinite series; functions of two and three variables, vectors and tangent planes, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, determination of volume and density.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 211 with a grade of C or higher.

MTH 230 Discrete Mathematics 4 Credits

An introduction to topics in Discrete Mathematics. This course covers methods of proof, induction and recursion, and other topics in discrete mathematics. Topics may include graph theory, trees, and symmetry groups.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 102, MTH 105 or MTH 210.

MTH 240 Linear Algebra 3 Credits

Systems of linear equations; vector spaces; linear independence; determinants; orthogonality; linear maps; eigenvectors.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 210 or as corequisite; sophomore standing; or permission of instructor.

MTH 250 Differential Equations 3 Credits

First order differential equations, separable and exact; integrating factors; second order linear differential equations; series solutions of second order linear differential equations; higher order equations; existence and uniqueness theorems; systems of linear differential equations. Prerequisite(s): MTH 240, MTH 211.

Corequisite(s): MTH 212 or as prerequisite.

MTH 308 Advanced Calculus 3 Credits

Vectors, gradients, and directional derivatives, Lagrange multipliers, Taylor’s theorem, multiple integrals, change of variables, line and surface integrals, Stokes’ theorem.

Prerequisite(s): “B” average in MTH 210 and MTH 211; MTH 212, MTH 240.

MTH 315 Modern Geometry 3 Credits

Covers geometry from a modern point of view, with emphasis on non-Euclidean geometry, particularly projective geometry.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 211, MTH 240.

MTH 340 Probability & Statistical Analysis I 3 Credits

Theory of sets and probability; discrete and continuous random variables and probability distributions. Emphasizes foundations and utilizes the techniques of the calculus.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 212 or MSD 111.

MTH 341 Probability & Statistical Analysis II 3 Credits

Continuation of MTH 340. Foundations of mathematical statistics: normal distributions, estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; topics chosen from student’s t- test, chi-square tests, analysis of variance and regression analysis. Emphasizes foundations and utilizes the techniques of the calculus.

Prerequisite: MTH 340. Spring.

MTH 401 Modern Algebra 3 Credits

Provides an introduction to modern abstract algebra. It emphasizes the axiomatic method to analyze the major algebraic systems. The instructor will choose the topics to be studied from among the following algebraic structures: integral domains, fields, complete ordered fields, groups, polynomials, rings, ideals and modules.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 240.

MTH 402 Topics in Advanced Mathematics 3 Credits

Chosen from advanced pure or applied mathematics. Topics vary, depending on instructor.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 212 and MTH 240.

MTH 410 Complex Analysis 3 Credits

Analytic functions, conformal mapping, power series, Cauchy’s theorem, calculus of residues.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 212 and MTH 240.

MTH 420 Number Theory 3 Credits

Covers topics including divisibility theory, the prime numbers, the theories of congruences and of quadratic reciprocity, and Fermat’s Last Theorem. Other topics may also include applications to cryptography, Pell’s equations, continued fractions, and the theory of partitions.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 240 or permission of instructor.

MTH 430 Introduction to Topology 3 Credits

A comprehensive introduction to elementary topology. The concepts of topological spaces and metric spaces will be introduced. Connectedness, compactness and properties of subsets of the real numbers rooted in topology will also be considered. The quotient topology will be used to construct surfaces as identification spaces, and tools will be developed to distinguish one surface from another.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 212.

MTH 440 Real Analysis 3 Credits

Covers the theory of sets, the real number system and its properties, convergence of sequences and series of numbers and functions, and the theory of integration, including: measure theory, the Riemann integral, and introduction to the Lebesque theory of integration.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 212 and MTH 240.

MTH 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression 1-4 Credits

Immerses the student in research and mathematical literature. If possible, the student will publish the results or present them at a scientific meeting.

PHY 200 General Physics I 4 Credits

Introductory classical physics; Newtonian mechanics, including the conservation laws, wave motion, gravity, thermodynamics. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 210 or concurrent enrollment

Corequisite(s): PHY 200L.

PHY 201 General Physics II 4 Credits

A continuation of the concepts developed in Physics 200. Electricity, electrical circuits, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations. Light and optics, including lenses, interference, and diffraction. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite(s): PHY 200, MTH 211 or concurrent enrollment.

Corequisite(s): PHY 201L.