Discrete Mathematics?

What is this and how much prior math knowledge would you need prior to taking a discrete mathematics course?

Which schools offer online courses in discrete mathematics that are transferrable to Excelsior for credit?
Is there a proficiency exam and self-study materials available?

 

I did discrete math through Athabasca University and found it to be extremely difficult. It's an upper level course that requires at least one semester of linear algebra as a prerequisite but they strongly recommend two. The calender description is shown below. You are required to do proofs so you better be very strong in math if you intend to take it.


Overview
MATH 309 explains methods of discrete mathematics that are useful in computer science. The course covers set theory, propositional calculus, predicate calculus, relations, functions, Boolean algebra, divisibility, combinatorics, graphs, directed graphs, groups, semi-groups, automata, and formal languages.

Outline
The course consists of the following eleven units.

Unit 1: Counting
Unit 2: Fundamentals of Logic
Unit 3: Quantifiers, Proofs and Mathematical Systems
Unit 4: Set Theory
Unit 5: Mathematical Induction and Number Theory
Unit 6: More Number Theory
Unit 7: Relations and Functions
Unit 8: More Relations and Functions
Unit 9: Languages, Strings and Finite State Machines
Unit 10: Relations and Orderings
Unit 11: Equivalence Relations

 

Discrete math usually incorporates a lot of different subjects, and the topics can vary quite a bit. Generally, topics covered are logic, set theory, counting problems (combinatorics), probability, math induction and theory of proofs, and even some number theory.

As for level, introductory courses usually only require solid high school algebra/trig, and maybe a course in statistics.

Discrete math is usually a requirement in computer science curriculums.

 

Excelsior's BS/CIS program also requires discrete mathematics, plus statistics or calulus.

I found a discrete mathematics course at Thomas Edison State College that appears to have fewer prerequisites than Athabasca University and may also cost less.
Maybe there is another school that has fewer prerequisites yet and is still acceptable for transfering units to Excelsior.
The highest level of math I have taken was Algebra 2 and I completed that course about 10 years ago. Since I have forgotten about 90% that math, these math requirements for the CIS degree look like they are going to hold up progress on degree completion more than anything else. This is because I will need to spend semesters refreshing/repeating lower level math for no credit before I will be ready for the required courses.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Excelsior accept algebra and trigonometry for credit. Even if it is not part of the degree requirments it can still be used as an elective towards the required 120 credits.

 

This requirement troubles me too. I have looked at Athabasca course and it looks difficult with pre-reqs. Is there any alternative ?

Also can CLEP Mathematics or DANTES Statistics satisfy any of these requirements. Total 12 credits in Maths/Natural Science are required.

 

They will probably take the Dantes statistics, but since there is a specific requirement for "discrete mathematics" for the CIS degree, a general CLEP math exam is not going to do it. If there was a proficiency exam for discrete math, then they could accept that instead of a course.

So, if I want to fulfill Excelsior's math requirements for the BS/CIS program via courses from Thomas Edison, it looks like I will need to "only" take College Algebra as a prereq for discrete math, then take discrete math and statistics. However, I am not prepared to take College Algebra, so I still need to refresh algebra I and algebra II to prepare for college algebra, which is not required for the degree, but is the prereq for discrete math.
Is there a faster route?


The reason why I would not get credit for refreshing algebra now is because they already gave credit for the original 10 year old courses that I need to refresh on again now.

 

I took MATH 208 from UND - Dr Metzger. Here is the link:

http://www.conted.und.edu/creditcorre/intros/math208.html


Via US Postal Mail. Loads of fun that way. Dr Metzger was GREAT ! I got a B

This was 5 years ago. Since then they accept email submissions i think.


jim

 

Discrete Math from SWT

Take a look at the link below for MATH2358 Discrete Math from Southwest Texas. I'm enrolled in it now and it looks to be pretty easy and less expensive than TESC.

http://www.ideal.swt.edu/correspondence/descriptions/math.html

I would have preferred a more rigorous course myself so it looks like I probably should have taken the one from Athabasca (I have taken 2 semesters of calc, 1 semester of multivariate calc with linear algebra, and 1 semester of diff equations so have the necessary background).

There are several posts here in degreeinfo about the course from SWT which you can find be using the search utility.

 

Is this course from SWT independent learning course ? I mean does it include tutor support. I am sure in a course like this you would need support from your tutor in case you have questions and course confusion ( which I am sure there will be), specially for a Math challenged student ?

If not does anyone know if there is any such DL/online Math course (including the pre-req Algebra) which includes support from your tutor/instructor ?

 

SWT MATH2358 Discrete Math

Yes, it's a traditional correspondence course and includes contact with a live instructor.

 

Re: SWT MATH2358 Discrete Math

Thanks calidris !.

rancho1 maybe this is the one to try.

 

this course also has many pre-reqs (Math1315, 1311 etc..) that will have to be done in order to do Discrete maths. I am not sure if they would take course credits taken at other colleges or even CLEP Maths or Algebra towards the pre-reqs, so one could enrol in the Discrete Maths directly ?

 

Many pre-reqs? Too bad. I can probably refresh Algebra I and Algebra II on my own with self-study books and software, then take College Alegbra and statisctis at a local community college in the fall. However, no local colleges offer discrete math, so I would need to do that via correspondence no matter what.
Maybe I will consider changing my major to MIS instead of the BS/CIS so I can bypass so many math requirements, but the MIS degree won't accept IT certs for core credit.

 

I took discrete math a few years ago at my local CC without having taken any advanced math (anything beyond precalculus, which was the listed prereq) and did just fine (B). I certainly hadn't taken any matrix theory or linear algebra.

Read the syllabi for the various discrete math classes that are out there and find a class that you are comfortable with. SNHU has a class (MAT 230) this spring that 1) only requires finite math as a prerequisite and 2) (IIRC) doesn't require proctored exams:

http://www.snhu.edu/Home_Page/Academics/UG_Course_Descriptions/UG_Courses_MAT.html

DJ

 

Unfortunately even the precalculus classes I have seen require you to be up to speed on algebra and trigonometry before you even take that class. They are not for someone who hasn't taken any math classes in 10 years.

 

Well, isn't precalculus (or above) required even for the MIS degree at Excelsior? So you're going to need to get up to speed on it at some point, regardless.

Most DL classes/exams that I've encountered tend to be pretty flexible on prerequisites. So don't worry so much about getting algebra and/or trig on your transcript, just make sure you are comfortable enough with them to be able to take the math class you need. And shop around for courses that don't require proctored exams (CCCO, SNHU), or have open-book exams (TESC's calculus exams are open book).

DJ

 

The link I gave above for University of North Dkota has NO PRE-REQ

Jut take the course

It is HARD however, and very challenging !


Jim

 

You can go with MIS but that will be a business degree and not a technology degree. If you are ok with that then go for MIS. personally I think Excelsior's BSCIS degree should have been titled BSCS degree. atleast that will give it more value with all the work that is needed to get it but unfortunately all you end up with is a BSCIS not a BSCS

 

When I searched on the site some more, it says the prereq is College Algebra and that has its own prereqs:

http://dce.und.edu/conted/index.php?mpage=http://www.conted.und.edu/creditcorre/correspondence.html

I'm sure some school will take my money and "let me" enroll in the class without the prereqs, but if I expect to pass, I will have to spend a lot of time on self study to review old math or else take remedial math courses for no credit first.