Mathematics & Formal Reasoning

Mathematics and Formal Reasoning (MF) Course Guidelines

Regulation

One five-credit course or equivalent.

Description

Courses that carry the MF GE designation emphasize university-level mathematics, computer programming, formal logic, or other material that stresses formal reasoning, formal model building, or the application of formal systems.

These courses generally focus on one of the following:

A: mathematical reasoning and proof (at least pre-calculus or equivalent)

B. formal logic

C. computer programming

D. other formal systems (e.g., generative grammars, economic models, formal music theory)

Whichever particular approach is used, these classes aim to teach students to think with rigor and precision, using formal or mathematical models to teach the value of logical reasoning and dispassionate analysis.

Educational goals/outcomes

Students will

• Develop an ability to reason clearly within a formal system. This ability may be developed through coureses that develop the ability to manipulate and reason about symbolic information, rules of inference, validity, and so on.

• Courses may also consider the ways in which our prior emotions and beliefs tend to distort or bias reasoning.

Student’s Response GE Questions for Substitution of GE Requirements

*(after you respond obtain instructor confirmation supporting your answers)

1. Which of the above approaches to addressing the MF GE does this course offer?

2. Please identify the assignments that will develop in students an ability to reason in formal systems.  Then explain how these assignments are designed to develop this formal reasoning ability in students.  Please do not refer reviewers to the syllabus.

3. Please describe how the students' satisfaction of the educational objective for the GE requirement will be assessed.