New Program: Master of Arts in Teaching

 

 

Graduate course for Summer 2013

MA 556 - Introduction to the Theory of Numbers

Major topics include divisibility theory, Euclidean Algorithm, prime numbers, congruences, Fermat's little theorem, number theoretic functions, and quadratic reciprocity. Other topics include cryptography and perfect numbers, as time permits.

Text: Elementary Number Theory, 6th edition, by David M. Burton.

Prerequisite: Any mathematics course where proofs were given in class or expected of the students. See the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Matthew Walsh, Ph. D.

Matthew Walsh studied at the University of Waterloo and at Auburn University, receiving his doctorate from the latter in 2002. He has published multiple research papers on diverse topics in graph theory
and related subjects. He is a fellow of the Institute for Combinatorics and its Applications, and was awarded their Kirkman medal for promising young researchers in 2005.

Time and location: MTWR 5:30-7:15 p.m. in Kettler G47, July 1 to August 9.

Graduate courses for Fall 2013

MA 511 - Linear Algebra with Applications

This is a second course in linear algebra, with applications. The course starts with a quick review of matrix algebra, then covers vector spaces, linear transformations, and a variety of topics related to eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Text: Linear Algebra, 4th edition, by Friedberg, Insel, and Spence.

Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in linear algebra, such as MA 351.

Instructor: Safwan Akkari, Ph. D.

Safwan Akkari joined the IPFW faculty in 1988. He has a B.S. from the Lebanese University and an M.S. from the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He received a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in 1988. His research interests are in matroid theory and graph theory.

Time and location: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-5:45 p.m., beginning August 27, in Kettler 119.

MA 523 - Introduction to Partial Differential Equations

In this course, we discuss 1st and 2nd order PDEs, including transport equations, heat equations, wave equations and Laplace equations. We will mainly focus on solutions and the corresponding properties (uniqueness, maximum principle etc) of solutions. Since PDEs are derived directly from models in physics and engineering, the understanding of solutions can be used to explain various physical phenomena.

Text: Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers.
Author: Stanley Farlow. ISBN-13: 978-0486676203

Partial Differential Equations: An introduction (optional)
Author: Walter Strauss. ISBN-13: 978-0-470-05456-7

Prerequisite: a first course in differential equations, such as MA 363. See the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Yuan Zhang, Ph. D.

Yuan Zhang received a Ph. D. from Rutgers University. Her current research interest is several complex variables and the corresponding PDEs.

Time and location: Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7:15 p.m., beginning August 26, in Kettler G44.

MA 553 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra

This course presents the basic theory of some algebraic structures of importance in modern mathematics: groups, rings, and fields. The theory will be applied to the solution of polynomial equations and other problems from geometry.

Text: Abstract Algebra, 3rd edition, by John A. Beachy and William D. Blair.

Prerequisite: A first course in abstract algebra, such as MA 453, or consent of instructor. Some background in linear algebra is also helpful.

Instructor: Adam Coffman, Ph.D.

Professor Coffman received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and has taught upper-level courses in algebra, analysis, and geometry at IPFW since 1997. His research interests are in geometry and complex analysis.

Time and location: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30-5:45 p.m., beginning August 26, in Kettler 218.

MA 571 - Elementary Topology

MA 571 is an introductory graduate course in point-set topology, covering the ideas of metric and topological spaces, continuity, connectedness, and compactness. The course will emphasize both proofs and examples, and it will relate topology to the foundations of analysis.

Text: Introduction to Topology (3rd ed) by Bert Mendelson and Counterexamples in Topology by Lynn Arthur Steen and J. Arthur Seebach, Jr. These are both Dover paperbacks.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MA 441 (Real Analysis) or its equivalent. See the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Cecilia A. Weakley, Ph.D.

Cecilia Weakley received a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has taught at IPFW since 1989. She has published papers in measure theory and functional analysis.

Time and location: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30-5:45, beginning August 27, in Kettler 239.

STAT 512 - Applied Regression Analysis

Topics covered include inference in simple and multiple linear regression, polynomial regression, model building with real data; one-way and two-way analysis of variance, analysis of covariance; use of existing statistical computer programs.

Text: To be determined

Prerequisite: A statistics course similar to STAT 511, 517, or 528. See the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Yvonne Zubovic, Ph. D.

Yvonne Zubovic received a Ph. D. from The Ohio State University in 1988 and has taught at IPFW since 1991. In 1997, she received the Outstanding Teacher award for IPFW. Her main research interests are in biostatistics.

Time and location: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7:15, beginning August 27, in Kettler 218.

Graduate Courses for Spring 2013

MA 521 - Introduction to Optimization Problems

MA 521 is an introduction to optimization and its applications. The course starts with a review of some concepts from linear algebra and multivariate calculus, followed by unconstrained optimization methods, with applications to neural networks and least squares optimization. Constrained optimization is illustrated with linear programming and its nonlinear analogue, convex programming.

Text: An Introduction to Optimization, 3rd edition, by Edwin K. P. Chong and Stanislaw H. Zak.

Prerequisite: A course in vector calculus or advanced calculus, and a linear algebra course. See the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Peter Dragnev, Ph.D.
Peter Dragnev studied at Sofia State University and the Institute of Mathematics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He received a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in 1997. His research interests are in analysis, in particular, approximation theory and potential theory.

Time and location: MW 4:30-5:45 p.m. in Kettler 216

MA 575 - Graph Theory

This course is an introduction to graphs with applications. Topics include trees, connectivity, matchings, planarity, chromatic numbers, directed graphs, tournaments, and a variety of applications.

Text: Graphs and Digraphs, 4th ed., by G. Chartrand and L. Lesniak.

Prerequisite: MA 305 or 351. (A sophomore-level linear algebra course will provide the necessary level of mathematical maturity.) Please ask the instructor if you have a question about your background.

Instructor: Lowell W. Beineke, Ph.D.
Lowell W. Beineke received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is the Schrey Professor of Mathematics. He has won several teaching awards and has published more than 100 papers and several books in graph theory.

Time and location: MW 6-7:15 in Kettler 218.

STAT 528 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

This course is an introduction to mathematical statistics. Topics include distributions of functions of random variables, especially the distributions of statistics when sampling from a normal distribution; the Central Limit Theorem and other limit theorems; point estimation and confidence intervals; properties of estimators; theory of statistical hypothesis tests, including tests based on normal models; and other topics as time permits.

Text: Introduction to Probability & Statistical Inference by Roussas.

Prerequisite: STAT 519 (Mathematical Probability) 

Instructor: Yihao Deng, Ph.D. (dengy (at) ipfw.edu (260)-481-4185)
Yihao Deng joined the faculty in Fall 2006, after receiving his Ph.D. in statistics from Old Dominion University. His areas of specialization include longitudinal data analysis, regression analysis, and generalized linear models. He has done consulting work on leadership and organizational change, youth violence prevention, adolescent ADHD, and other topics.

Time and location: TR 6-7:15 in Kettler 218.

STAT 514 - Design of Experiments

Stat 514 is an introduction to statistical designs that involve planning, conducting experiments, and analyzing the resulting data. The major objective of such designs is to develop a process that is affected minimally by external sources of variability. In this course, the focus is on experiments in engineering and in the chemical sciences. Latin squares, factorial designs, and fractional factorial designs will be discussed. Some background in regression analysis is recommended. Instructor and students will use the statistical software MINITAB.

Text: Design of Experiments, 7th edition, by Montgomery.

Prerequisite: STAT 512 or instructor's permission.

Instructor: Chand K. Chauhan, Ph.D.
Chand Chauhan received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University and has taught at IPFW since 1983. She has conducted seminars and taught short courses in statistics for several area companies. Chauhan has also done consulting work for individuals as well as for companies. She has published and presented papers on the design of experiments.

Time and location: MW 4:30-5:45 in Kettler 220.

MA 510 - Vector Calculus

This course will cover calculus of functions of several variables and vectot fields in orthogonal
coordinate systems; optimization problems; Green's, Stokes', and Divergence Theorems; and some applications to engineering and physical sciences.

Text: Introduction to Vector Analysis, 7th edition, by Davis and Snider

Prerequisite: MA 261 or 263. If you have a question, call the instructor at 481-6976.

Instructor: Safwan Akkari, Ph.D.
Safwan Akkari joined the IPFW faculty in 1988. He has a B.S. from the Lebanese University and an M.S. from the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He received a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in 1988. His research interests are in matroid theory and graph theory.

Time and location: TR 4:30-5:45 p.m. in Kettler G49.