Mathematical Investigations is an introduction to various branches of mathematics, including number theory, functions and modeling, geometry, and probability and statistics. The course will focus on some of the most interesting ideas in the history of mathematics and various applications, including the infinitude of the primes, the non-denumerability of the real numbers, different sizes of infinity, golden rectangles, non-Euclidean geometry, and measuring risk. Students will complete research projects in areas such as cryptography, platonic solids, topology, chaos and fractals, and different voting methods. The course emphasizes mathematical thinking, habits of the mind, and problem solving. These strategies will allow you to apply mathematics to real-life situations. Along the way, you will confront issues that challenge your intuition and even experience mathematical questions that have remained unsolved for hundreds of years. The course is student centered and focuses on activity-based instruction that integrates technology. Prerequisites: (1) SAT Mathematics Score ≥ 530 OR (2) SAT Mathematics Score ≥ 450 with required mathematics workshop OR (3) Successful completion (with a grade of “C” or better) of Fundamentals of Mathematical Literacy or Fundamentals of Mathematical Literacy for STEM Fields OR (4) written permission of mathematics advisor.
This is a CCSNH Access course and will display on transcripts, count as credits attempted, and count towards the cumulative grade point average for all seven colleges: Great Bay, Lakes Region, Manchester, Nashua, NHTI, River Valley, and White Mountains. Students cannot receive credit for more than one of the CCSNH Access courses or equivalents and the most recent course on the college transcript will be used in the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) calculation. For graduation residency purposes, only Access courses owned by the campus where the student is matriculated will be used to meet the requirements.