Mathematics for Liberal Arts & Science

Faculteit—

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

After completing this course students are able to:

investigate and visualize functions of one or two variables,
use inverse trigonometric functions and logarithms,
differentiate a broad set of standard functions, using product, quotient and chain rules,
solve (systems of) linear and nonlinear equations,
perform basic matrix calculations, including 2x2 inverses and arbitrary determinants,
optimize functions of one or more variables, with and without constraint,
integrate linear combinations of standard functions including linear substitutions,
work with probabilities and some basic discrete and continuous probability distributions,
communicate effectively about mathematical modeling applications.

Relationship between assessment and learning goals

The final grade for this course is based on: two in-class written exams, hand-in exercises and active class participation. These assessments are related to the learning goals as follows:

Written in-class midterm exam: this tests your ability to solve problems related to topics A, B, C, D, E and F (for functions of one variable only).
Written in-class final exam: this tests your ability to solve problems related to concepts covered after the midterm break: A, C, D and F (for functions of several variables), G and H. Skills related to B and (to a lesser extent) E may still be included in so far as they are necessary to solve problems related to the core topics of this exam.
Assignments: these test both your active class participation and your ability to communicate about your calculations effectively (I), in addition to the respective mathematical contents.

Content

In this course, you will learn a large number of elementary but important mathematical concepts and techniques that have a wide range of applications in natural and social sciences. The focus is on the calculus skills required for further study in life sciences, earth sciences and economics, amongst others. Topics include basic and discrete mathematics, matrices, graphs and derivatives, functions of multiple variables and (constrained) optimization and basic integration, with applications to probability distributions.
Format:

In addition to the four class hours a week spent on guided practical work and explanations, you are expected to work for ten hours a week on average on self-study:

study the theory by watching knowledge clips,
practice problem-solving applying the theory they learned,
work out take-home assignments to be handed in about once a week,

Required for SCI majors and students continuing in Economics who did NOT take IB Math HL, IB Analysis & Approaches HL, Dutch VWO "Wiskunde B" or similar "Calculus and Algebra" courses from a foreign high school. If in doubt, contact the teacher before you enroll for this course.

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