Mathematics
The College of Arts & Sciences has a 3 credit mathematics (MA) requirement as part of its distribution requirements. Students should not feel they must take a calculus course to satisfy this requirement!
The only majors in our college that absolutely require calculus are the those in the Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Joint International Relations and Economics, Mathematics, Physics, and the B.S. programs in both Earth and Environmental Science and Cognitive Science. The Phi Beta Kappa profile also includes calculus.
In general, students leaning toward Social Science majors or those in the Arts and Humanities can pursue a non-calculus course to satisfy their Math requirement. In all cases, students should consult the current catalog (catalog.lehigh.edu) to determine the mathematics course(s) that are required and recommended by different degree programs.
Non-Calculus Mathematics Courses
MATH 005: Introduction to Mathematical Thought (3 credits) spring semester only
This course introduces students to the meaning, content, and methods of mathematical thought. The course considers mathematical topics of interest for their own sake, rather than for specific applications. Topics used for illustration will vary. Students do not need a strong high school math background. Math 005 is well suited to students majoring in the humanities. The math content is ‘real,’ and students should expect to perform math.
MATH 012: Basic Statistics (4 credits) fall & spring
This course provides a foundation for the statistical description and analysis of data, which are fundamental issues in the social sciences. Students in the natural sciences also benefit from studying statistics, although calculus might be a higher priority early.
MATH 043: Survey of Linear Algebra (3 credits) fall semester only
This course introduces students to linear algebra. This is the mathematics underlying Google search engine; Markov chains, which have applications in many areas of science and social science; the analysis of big data; as well as many other areas of application.
Many students in the sciences will take a different linear algebra course, MATH 205 or MATH 242 but MATH 043 can be used to satisfy math requirements for majors in Biochemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Psychology as well the BA degrees in Computer Science and Chemistry.
PHIL/MATH 014: Symbolic Logic (4 credits) fall semester only
This course is an introduction to logical theory. Our primary goal is to study the notions of logical consequence and provability. The central question that we will try to answer is this: What exactly does it mean to say that some conclusion is a logical consequence of or is provable from a certain collection of premises? To answer this question as clearly and rigorously as possible, we will develop three symbolic logical systems: Term Logic, Sentence Logic, and Predicate Logic.
PHIL/MATH 114: Metalogic (4 credits) spring semester only, sophomore status
This is a course on the metatheory of First-Order Predicate Logic. It offers expositions of some of the most important results of this metatheory, such as the Soundness and Completeness Theorems, Gödel’s first and second Incompleteness Theorems, Tarski’s Indefinability Theorem, and Church’s Undecidability Theorem. It also offers introductory expositions of set theory, computability theory, and Second-Order Predicate Logic. The course is structured to serve the needs of a mixed audience, including students with no background in symbolic logic.
Introductory Calculus Courses
Please review the Calculus Placement page for information about calculus.
Should I take a math course this semester?
