WebAssign is an on-line homework system used in Math 112, 113, 115, 115B, 140, 140, 140H, 141, 141H, 220 and 221. 

Please read through the directions below before logging into WebAssign.

Web Assign information
Mathematics Department, University of Maryland, College Park
(updated Fall 2020)

Greetings!

Please read this entire message carefully.  For a downloadable copy, follow this link.

Please read this entire email message carefully.

The following is some important information about your Math class this semester.

There are two kinds of homework: textbook Practice and WebAssign.
[IMPORTANT: If you transfer from one section to another within the same course, you must follow the instructions below. Scroll down to them.]

Practice Homework is listed on the course schedule and is from the textbook. Some of these exercises are included in WebAssign, and will be counted as part of your grade. The others are not going to be computed in your grade. However, this does not mean they are not important! These exercises are the practice that will help you to learn the material. Do the practice homework after the Lecture on that section and before tackling WebAssign. You need to be able to correctly answer all of the assigned problems. You’ll also have the opportunity to focus on these textbook practice questions in your discussion section. [During Stat 400 discussions, TAs will not cover questions included in WebAssign. During Math 140 and Math 141 discussions, TAs will be able to answer questions about WebAssign that are past the due date and time. For Math 115, your instructor will provide details about how WebAssign will be used.] Also, you should feel free to use office hours, or tutoring. The Math Dept. tutoring room should start its complete schedule by the second week of classes. Math Success should be starting up about the same time. Schedules for both can be found by following the links from undefined Undergraduate > Resources and Tutoring.

WebAssign will be activated by the day before classes start.

If you are in Math 140 or Math 141, or you are in Math115/Stat400/Stat401 and this is your first time using WebAssign, by the end of the second week of classes you will need to purchase an access code. (See IMPORTANT NOTES below!) The cheapest and easiest way is to purchase the access code online—follow the prompts. For the first two weeks of the semester you can click on the “Continue without entering an access code” link toward the bottom. You will need to purchase an access code before the free-use time runs out—either in the bookstore or online by clicking the “Purchase an access code online” link. (Hint: The cost is cheaper purchasing an access code online as opposed to buying it from the campus bookstore.) Please wait to enter your access code until you are sure you are in the section where you will remain all semester—transferring access codes can get complicated.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
For Math 140 and Math 141, you will not need an “enhanced version” access code for WebAssign. You do have options for purchasing a WebAssign access code

1.  Purchase Cengage Unlimited which gives you access not only to Ellis/Gulick in electronic form, but also all titles in Cengage's library. The cost varies according to time period – there are one-semester, one-year, and two year plans. (Math140 students who plan to do the full 140-141-241 sequence would need the two-year plan; Math 140 students who plan on only 140-141 courses could get by with the one-year plan assuming they pass Math 140.
2. Purchase a one-semester access code which only gives you access to the Homework Assignments. An e-book is not included. You would need to purchase a new access code for each semester, whether your re-take Math 140 or move on to Math 141. This might be less expensive than Cengage Unlimited, depending on your cost for a used copy or rental copy of the text.

For Math 115, Stat 400 and Stat 401, you’ll need the “enhanced version” access code for WebAssign. For these classes, online homework also includes access to the text in e-book format, as well as other resources, from within WebAssign. If you are content with using the e-book, you will not need to have a paper copy of the text. (A paper copy is usually available from the reserve desk in McKeldin Library. During Fall 2020 selected sections will be scanned.) You will only need to purchase the enhanced version WebAssign access code once – as long as you are using the same text, your access code will be recognized, whether your re-take Math 115 or Stat 400, or move on to Stat 401 from Stat 400.

For all classes using WebAssign, you will access WebAssign from within ELMS/Canvas. [See instructions below for transferring from one section to another within the same course.]

1. Go to the ELMS/Canvas page for your class, then click on the “Assignments” link in the navigation menu on the left-hand side.
2. On the page that opens up, scroll down to find, and then click on the name of the WebAssign you want to work on.
3. You should see “This tool needs to be loaded in a new browser window”; click on the “Load WebAssign in a new window” link.
4. If you already have a WebAssign account, enter your Username and Password in the appropriate dialog boxes. (Institution should already have “umd” in place.) Then click on the “Link Account” button.
   • If you don’t already have a WebAssign account, click on the “I don’t have a WebAssign account” link.
     You’ll be given three choices: “purchase access online”, “enter an access code” and “continue my trial period”. (Purchasing access online is usually less expensive than purchasing from a third-party vendor.)

After this process has been done the first time, steps 1) through 3) will take you to your WebAssign assignment page.

If you transfer from one section to another within the same course, send an email to your new instructor requesting that your previous WebAssign work and access code be transferred to the new section. Include your full name, email, and the numbers of the sections you are transferring from and to. Your instructor will forward your request to the WebAssign coordinator. Do not access WebAssign from your new section’s ELMS page until you have received a “go-ahead” from the WebAssign coordinator. If you fail to follow these instructions, your prior work and access may not be transferred. (Please put your course number [Math 115, Math 140, Math 141, Stat 400, Stat 401] in the Subject line of any WebAssign emails.)

For the first two weeks of the semester you can click on the “continue my trial period” link toward the bottom. You will need to have an access code before the free-use time runs out—either in the bookstore or online by clicking the “purchase access online” link. (Hint: The cost is usually cheaper purchasing an access code online as opposed to buying it from the campus bookstore.) Please wait to enter your access code until you are sure you are in the section where you will remain all semester—transferring access codes can get complicated.

If you recently took the Math Dept. Placement test online, you may see it still listed on WebAssign. You can ignore it—it will go away shortly.

Please check the syllabus for your class for when your WebAssign homeworks are due. For Math 140 and Math 141, in general (but not every time), WebAssign will be due on a discussion day at 7:30 am.

For all students, due dates given within WebAssign are definitive – it is your responsibility to keep track of due dates and times. The ELMS/Canvas calendar and course schedule may not match, especially when adjustments to due dates are made.

WebAssign will be activated by the day before classes start. The first few graded assignments will already be listed. These are due shortly after the beginning of the semester. Future assignments will show up about a week before they are due.

If you have any problem logging in or have any other questions, email your instructor, who will forward it to the WebAssign coordinator.
(Please put your course number [Math 115, Math 140, Math 141, Stat 400, Stat 401] in the Subject line of any WebAssign emails.)

• Math Problem of the Week
• Ask Dr. Math
• The Prime Pages
• Wallpaper Groups
• Mega-Math!
• The Geometry Center
• History of Mathematics Archive

{slide= MATH 003 (Developmental Mathematics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 010 (Algebra for MATH 110)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Intermediate Algebra Review, a Small Group Approach, by Debra Gray Franklin. Custom Published by Thomson, 2002. ISBN: 0759336245 (Current) (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09) (Sp10) (F10) (Sp11) (F11)
Finite Mathematics , by Waner and Costenoble. Published by Thomson Learning, 2004. ISBN: 111629447 (New Custom Edition - Fall 2010) (Current) (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 011 (Algebra for MATH 111)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Intermediate Algebra Review, a Small Group Approach, by Debra Gray Franklin. Custom Published by Thomson, 2002. ISBN: 0759336245 (Current) (F06) (Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09) (F09)(Sp 10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Introduction to Probability,by S.T. Tan. Custom Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 1133397514 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011) (Current) (F06)(Sp07) (F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 013 (Algebra for MATH 113)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Intermediate Algebra Review, a Small Group Approach, by Debra Gray Franklin. Custom Published by Thomson, 2002. ISBN: 0759336245 (Current) (F06) (Sp07)(F07) (Sp08) (F08) (Sp09)(F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
College Algebra, by Robert Blitzer. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 05558470114 (New Custom Bundle Set) (Current) (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Supplement: Resource Manual, MATH 113, College Algebra with Applications, 3rd Edition, by J. Stone. Published by Kendall Hunt. ISBN: 9780757541582 (F06) (Sp07) (F07) (Sp08) (F08) (Sp09) (F09) (Sp10) (F10) (Sp11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 015 (Algebra for MATH 115)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Intermediate Algebra Review, a Small Group Approach, by Debra Gray Franklin. Custom Published by Thomson, 2002. ISBN: 0759336245 (Current) (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Pre-Calculus: Mathematics for Calculus, by J. Stewart, L. Redlin and S. Watson. Published by Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 1133393845 (New Custom Bundle Set Fall 2011) (Current) (F06) (Sp07) (F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10) (Sp11) (F11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 110 (Elementary Mathematical Models)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Finite Mathematics -by Waner and Costenoble. Published by Thomson Learning, 2004. ISBN: 111629447 (New Custom Edition - Fall 2010) (Current) (F06)(Sp07) (F07)(Sp08)(Sum08)(F08)(Sp09) (Sum09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 111 (Introduction to Probability)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Introduction to Probability, by S.T. Tan. Custom Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 0495214442 (F06)(Sp07) (F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (Sp09) (Sum09)
Introduction to Probability, by S.T. Tan. Custom Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 1133397514 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011)(Current) (F09) (Sp10) (F10) (Sp11) (F11)
Finite Mathematics Student Solution Manual, by S.T. Tan. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 1133363075(New Custom Edition 2011 (Current) (F09)(Sp10)(F10) (Sp11) (F11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 112 (College Algebra with Applications and Trigonometry)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Algebra & Trigonometry, (New Custom Bundle Set Edition) by Robert Blitzer. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0558216447 (Current) (F06) (F07) (F08)(Sp09)(F09) (Sp10) (F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Supplement: Resource Manual, MATH 113, College Algebra with Applications, 3rd Edition, by J. Stone. Published by Kendall Hunt. ISBN: 9780757541582 (Current) (F06) (F07)(F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11)
{/slides}{slide= MATH 113 (College Algebra with Applications)|noscroll|closed} Text(s): College Algebra, 4th Edition, by Robert Blitzer. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-0536502094(Bundle Set) (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) College Algebra,by Robert Blitzer. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0558470114 (New Custom Bundle Set Edition)( Current) (F09)(Sp10) (F10)(Sp11) (F11) Supplement: Resource Manual, MATH 113, College Algebra with Applications, 3rd Edition, by J. Stone. Published by Kendall Hunt. ISBN: 9780757541582(F06) (Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08)(F08)(Sp09) (Sum09)(F09)(Sp10) (F10) (Sp11) {/slides}  {slide= MATH 115 (Pre-Calculus)|noscroll|closed}

Description: MATH 115 is a preparation for Calculus, either MATH 220 (for which Math 113 is an alternate prerequisite) or MATH 140, with a focus on functions and graphs and algebraic techniques preparatory to calculus.  The functions studied include polynomials, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions.

Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on Math Department placement exam, completion of the appropriate module of MATH 003, or completion of Math 113. 

Textbook: Pre-Calculus: Mathematics for Calculus,  by J. Stewart, L. Redlin and S. Watson. Published by Brooks/Cole.  ISBN: 1133393845

Topics: 

Algebra 

        Inequalities 
        Absolute value inequalities 
        Table of signs for polynomial and rational inequalities 
Functions 
         Domain 
         Operations including compositions 
         Inverses 
         Graphs 
         Symmetry 
         Transformations:  Shifts, reflections, stretching and shrinking 
Quadratic functions and equations 
          Applications involving quadratic equations 
          Parabolas 
          Extreme value problems 
          Quadratic related equations including radical equations 
Polynomials 
          Shape of graph 
          Writing polynomial functions with specific properties 
          Using a graphing calculator to draw complete graphs 
Rational functions 
          Finding intercepts and asymptotes 
          Graphing with and without calculator 
Conic sections 
          Standard equations for parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas, shifts of conic sections  
          (if time allows) 
Exponential and Logarithmic functions 
          Definition 
          Graphs 
          Exponent rules 
          Laws of logarithms 
          Exponential and logarithmic equations 
          Exponential growth and decay 
Trigonometry 
        Angles 
        Radian and degree measurement of angles 
        Arc length and angular speed 
Trigonometric functions 
        Circle, point, and right-triangle definitions of functions 
        Graphs of trig functions 
        Sinusoidal graphs 
Solving triangles 
        Right triangles 
        Law of Cosines 
        Law of Sines 
Trigonometric identities 
        Reciprocal identities 
        Pythagorean identities 
        Negative-angle identities 
        Periodicity identities 
        Sine and cosine addition and subtraction identities 
        Double-angle identities 
        Power-reducing identities 
Trigonometric equations 
        Finding algebraic solutions 
        Finding calculator solutions

(A graphing calculator such as the TI- 83, is required for Math 115.  It is used in exploring the graphs of functions and equations and in solving problems.

{/slides} {slide= MATH 130 (Calculus for Life Sciences I)|noscroll|closed} 

WEBSITE: Pilachowski's Spring 2012 Class

TEXTBOOKS: Calculus with Applications for the Life Sciences, by R. Greenwell, N. Ritchey, M. Lial.  Published by Addison Wesley.  ISBN: 0201745828

Solutions Manual for Calculus for the Life Sciences - (OPTIONAL) by R. Greenwell, N. Ritchey, M. Lial.  Published by Addison Wesley.  ISBN: 0201770172

DESCRIPTION: This is a first-semester course in calculus with applications in biology and life-sciences.

PREREQUISITES: A grade of C or better in MATH 112, MATH113, or MATH115; or permission of department based on 3 1/2 years of college preparatory mathematics (including trigonometry) and satisfactory performance on the MATHEMATICS PLACEMENT EXAM

TOPICS

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and Applications (Growth and Decay)

Trigonometric Functions

Limits, Continuity and Rates of Change

Definition of the Derivative

Techniques for Finding Derivatives, Derivatives of Products and Quotients

The Chain Rule

Derivatives of Exponential, Logarithmic and Trigonometric Functions

Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Relative Extrema

Higher Derivatives and Concavity

Curve Sketching

Absolute Extrema and Applications of Extrema

Implicit Differentiation

Related Rates

Anti-derivatives

Substitutions

Area and Definite Integral

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Integrals of Trigonometric Functions

{/slides} {slide= MATH 131 (Calculus for Life Sciences II)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus with Applications for the Life Sciences, by R. Greenwell, N. Ritchey, M. Lial. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0201745828 (Current) (Sp09)(F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Solutions Manual for Calculus for the Life Sciences - (OPTIONAL) by R. Greenwell, N. Ritchey, M. Lial. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0201770172 (Current) (Sp09)(F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Modeling the Dynamics of Life, by Frederick R. Adler. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 0534404863 (F08) (Sp09)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 140 (Calculus I)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-1-1-3343675-1 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011) (Current) (F11)
Calculus Student Solutions Manual, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5933177-8 (OPTIONAL) (Current)
(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus, 6th Edition, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5931379-8(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 140H (Calculus I Honors)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-1-1-3343675-1 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011) (Current) (F11)
Calculus Student Solutions Manual, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5933177-8 (OPTIONAL) (Current)
(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus, 6th Edition, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5931379-8(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 141 (Calculus II)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-1-1-3343675-1 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011) (Current) (F11)
Calculus Student Solutions Manual, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5933177-8 (OPTIONAL) (Current)
(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus, 6th Edition, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5931379-8 (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08)
(F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 141H (Calculus II Honors)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-1-1-3343675-1 (New Custom Edition Fall 2011) (Current) (F11)
Calculus Student Solutions Manual, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by CENGAGE Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5933177-8 (OPTIONAL) (Current)
(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08) (F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus, 6th Edition, by R. Ellis and D. Gulick. Published by Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0-7-5931379-8 (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08)
(F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 206 (Introduction to MATLAB)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 212 (Elements of Numbers and Operations)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, (New Custom 3rd Edition) by Beckmann, Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321654277 (New Custom 3rd Edition Bundle Set) (Current) (F10) (Sp11) (F11)
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, (Bundle Set) by Beckmann, Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321447174 (F06)(Sp07) (F07)(Sp08) (Sum08)(F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09)(Sp10)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 213 (Elements of Geometry and Measurement)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, (New Custom 3rd Edition) by Beckmann, Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321646967 (Current) (Sp11) (F11)
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, (Bundle Set) by Beckmann, Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321447174 (F06) (Sp07)(F07) (Sp08) (Sum08)(F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09)(Sp10)(F10)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 214 (Elements of Probability and Statistics)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Intro Stats, 3rd Ed., by Deveaux, Velleman & Bock. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321500458 (New Custom Ed.) (Current) (F08) (Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers Activities Manual, (New Custom 3rd Edition) by Beckmann. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321449762 (Current) (Sp11) (F11)
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers Activities Manual, (New Custom Edition) by Beckmann. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0321449762 (F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (F08)(Sp09)(F09)(Sp10)(F10)
Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life, 2nd Ed., by Bennett, Briggs, Triola. Published by Addison Wesley. ISBN: 0201771284(F06) (Sp07)(F07)(Sp08)
Student Solutions Manual for Statistical Reasoning, etc. ISBN: 020183846X (F06)(Sp07) (F07) (Sp08)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 220 (Elementary Calculus I)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus and its Applications, (New 12th Edition Bundle Set) by Goldstein, D. Lay and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0321643658 (Current) (F09) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus and its Applications, 11th Edition, by Goldstein, D. Lay, and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice Hall, 2004. ISBN: 0131746251 (Current)(F06)(Sp07)(F07)(Sp08) (Sum08)(F08) (Sp09) (Sum09)
Study Guide with Selected Applications and Visual Calculus, 11th Edition, by D. Lay and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice-Hall, 2004. (bundle with textbook) (Current)(F06)(Sp07)(F07) (Sp08) (Sum08)(F08)(Sp09) (Sum09)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 221 (Elementary Calculus II)|noscroll|closed} Text(s):

Calculus and its Applications, (New 12th Edition Bundle Set) by Goldstein, D. Lay and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0321643658 (Current) (Sp10)(F10)(Sp11) (F11)
Calculus and its Applications, 11th Edition, by Goldstein, D. Lay, and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice-Hall, 2004. ISBN: 0131746251 (Sp07)(F07) (Sp08) (Sum08)(F08)(Sp09)(Sum09) (F09)
Study Guide with Selected Applications and Visual Calculus, 11th Edition, by D. Lay and D. Schneider. Published by Prentice-Hall, 2004. (bundle with textbook) (Sp07) (F07) (Sp08) (Sum08) (F08) (Sp09) (Sum09) (F09)
{/slides} {slide= MATH 240 (Introduction to Linear Algebra)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 241 (Calculus III)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 241H (Calculus III)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 242 (Numerical Techniques in Engineering)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 246 (Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 274 (History of Mathematics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 307 (A Condensed Introduction to Analysis)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 310 (Introduction to Analysis )|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 340 (Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra & Differential Equations I: Honors)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 341 (Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra & Differential Equations II: Honors)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 350 and 351 (Honors Analysis I and II)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 400 (Vectors and Matrices)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 401 (Applications of Linear Algebra)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 402 (Algebraic Structures)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 403 (Abstract Algebra)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 404 (Field Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 405 (Linear Algebra)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 406 (Introduction to Number Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 410 (Advanced Calculus I)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 411 (Advanced Calculus II)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 412 (Advanced Calculus with Applications)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 414 (Ordinary Differential Equations)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 416 (Applied Harmonic Analysis: An Introduction to Signal Processing)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH/AMSC 420 (Mathematical Modeling)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 424 (Introduction to the Mathematics of Finance)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 430 (Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 431 (Geometry for Computer Graphics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 432 (Introduction to Topology)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 436 (Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces I)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 437 (Diffential Forms and their Applications) (previously "Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces II")|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 445 (Elementary Mathematical Logic)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 446 (Axiomatic Set Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 447 (Introduction to Mathematical Logic)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 450 (Logic for Computer Science)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH/AMSC 452 (Introduction to Dynamics and Chaos)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 456 (Cryptology)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 461 (Linear Algebra for Scientists and Engineers)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 462 (Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 463 (Complex Variables for Scientists and Engineers)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 464 (Transform Methods for Scientists and Engineers)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 470 (Mathematics for Secondary Education)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 475 (Combinatorics and Graph Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH 489 (Research Interactions in Mathematics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides}

STAT (Probability/Statistics) Courses

{slide= STAT 100 (Elementary Statistics and Probability)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 400 (Applied Probability and Statistics I)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 401 (Applied Probability and Statistics II)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 405 (Stochastic Models for Queues and Networks)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 410 (Introduction to Probability Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 420 (Introduction to Statistics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 430 (Introduction to Statistical Computing with SAS)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 440 (Sampling Theory)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 450 (Regression and Variance Analysis)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 464 (Introduction to Biostatistics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= STAT 470 (Actuarial Mathematics)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides}
AMSC (Applied Math) Courses

{slide= MATH/AMSC 420 (Mathematical Modeling)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= MATH/AMSC 452 (Introduction to Dynamics and Chaos)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= AMSC 460 (Computational Methods)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= AMSC 466 (Introduction to Numerical Analysis)|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides} {slide= AMSC 477 (Optimization)[No longer offered]|noscroll|closed} Stuff in slide {/slides}

What is Actuarial Science
On choosing the Actuarial track
Actuarial advising
Overview of actuarial exams and related courses
Campus course selection
General plan of study
Actuarial FAQs
Further information, including Web links

What is Actuarial Science?

Actuarial Science is the subject at the interface of mathematics and business relating to the valuation of risks and Insurance. Actuaries find employment in the Insurance industry, as professionals and consultants employed to certify the financial soundness of pension and insurance plans, and in government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The training of Actuaries heavily involves mathematical undergraduate coursework, as well as a solid grounding in business and economics. Actuarial certification, by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society, is accomplished through a battery of  ETS-type examinations with a prescribed syllabus, which for the first  several examinations are primarily mathematical and statistical.

There now exists an undergraduate minor program  in Actuarial Mathematics, available only to non-math majors, documenting that students have taken a package of courses covering parts of the actuarial examination syllabi, and have prepared themselves to take several of the actuarial exams.

On choosing the Actuarial track

The general advice to students is that without at least a strong B in the calculus courses Math 140-141-240-241, Actuarial Science is probably not as desirable a career as advertised because so much of the potential for advancement depends upon competitive examinations which are initially VERY quantitative. However, if you have strong interests in business and other practical applications of mathematics, you should at least consider continuing with the same collection of: calculus, Probability/Statistics, computing, numerical analysis and Operations Research courses, with a view toward majoring in a field such as Operations Research or Statistics. [Operations Research (OR) has to do with optimal-allocation problems in business, scheduling and inventory management, etc.; Statistics has to do with the analysis and description of data to explain relationships and forecast trends.] At College Park, both OR and Statistics can be pursued within the  BMGT College; and Statistics can be chosen as a concentration within the Mathematics major. For any quantitative major, you are well-advised to take the full calculus sequence and then some probability and statistics.

Actuarial advising

Actuarial advising is offered in the Math Department is offered through math-ugadvisor [AT] umd [DOT] edu, Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising. Students who are not math majors can obtain a minor in Actuarial Mathematics.

The Mathematics Department does not currently offer an Actuarial degree program, but does offer the Actuarial Mathematics course Stat 470, as well as many courses which heavily overlap the actuarial examination syllabi. In some cases, the courses exactly mirror the syllabi for specific exams.

Overview of actuarial exams and related courses

• Course P covers calculus through multivariable calculus (Math 140-141 and Math 241) plus one semester of linear algebra (Math 240) plus multivariable-calculus-level probability (Stat 410). The probability part of the syllabus no longer coincides exactly with our Stat offerings: the probability topics definitely include joint distributions, moment generating functions, conditional expectations, but not quite as much material as in Stat 410, and statistics topics are not tested directly on the first exam any more. The probability material in the union of Stat 400 and Stat 401 might be barely enough for the Course 1 exam.
• Course FM covers Economics and Finance topics mostly, but there is also mathematical problem-solving material on Theory of Interest which is covered in part in Stat 470 (Actuarial Mathematics).
• Course MLC, on Actuarial Models, contains material on probability models and stochastic processes related to life tables and insurance, including the calculation of insurance premiums from life-table data. The probability material here is definitely at the level of Stat 410, and in the current set-up there is NO purely statistical material (like parameter estimation, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals) on this exam. The relevant undergraduate course offered at College Park is Stat470 (Actuarial Mathematics). The latter course overlaps about 50% with the material of the Course MLC exam.
• VEE requirement -  For information on this requirement, please visit http://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/edu-vee.aspx .

Courses P and FM would be taken by any aspiring actuary, whether interested in Life Insurance and Pension or in Casualty/Property Insurance. The later exams are different when administered by the Society of Actuaries (Life/Pension) than when given by the Casualty Actuarial Society. These later exams, in either Society, involve a good deal of statistics, including topics in estimation, hypothesis and goodness-of-fit testing, computational and Bayesian methods, and survival analysis. Undergraduates should take either Stat 401 or Stat 420 to prepare for this later material. Other useful undergraduate courses would include Numerical Analysis, Econometrics, and Operations Research, as well as business topics in Investments, Finance, and Accounting.

Beyond the headings above, there are some relevant graduate courses, but you would be unlikely to take any of them unless you were also pursuing a graduate degree program.

If you are already graduated from college (with at least a B average), the way to take any of these courses at the University is to register as either a Special Student or an Advanced Special Student. In either case, you need to contact the Admissions Office and pay a one-time fee to obtain Special Student Status. The difference between Special Student and Advanced Special Student is that only the latter take courses which count for Graduate Credit (and accordingly,  pay the higher tuition fees for graduate courses). The courses which you would take toward actuarial exams are undergraduate courses, but many would count — here or elsewhere — toward related graduate degree programs. So if you were contemplating using the courses toward some future graduate degree program, you should consider taking the courses under Advanced Special Student status.

Campus course selection

If you are a freshman or sophomore, then the main courses you can plan on taking in the relatively near future which have a bearing on an Actuarial career — but which also can serve you well in several different majors — are the following:

• Math 140-141, 240-241: the regular calculus and linear algebra sequence is the most important component of a pre-actuarial course of study, and these courses coincide with the syllabus for the first actuarial examination.
• Operations Research, Finance & Accounting courses in BMGT: if you want to be an actuary, one of the logical plans is to become a Math Major with outside supporting area in BMGT.
• Introductory Economics courses (micro and/or macro economics) are also very useful for pre-actuarial study.
• A computer-programming course (JAVA or C). Although actuaries in insurance companies are often too senior to do much programming themselves, they will typically know and use some higher-level languages or packages (SAS, MATLAB, Mathematica, etc.) involving database operations, statistical analysis and mathematical manipulations.
• A Probability and Statistics sequence to prepare for the second actuarial exam: the syllabus coincides with Stat 410-420, but once you are finished with Math 141 you might consider taking Stat 400 as an earlier one-term introduction to Probability/Statistics.
• The Actuarial Mathematics course Stat 470. This course covers material related to at least two of the Actuarial Examinations, namely Courses FM ("Theory of Interest" topics) and MLC ("Actuarial Models"). However, it is not designed to prepare the student for any particular examination.

For campus course listings, see the Undergraduate Catalog.   Also visit the BMGT College Undergraduate Program.

General plan of study

There are in fact more courses to take, which would help you in pre-actuarial studies, than you could possibly have time for. The essential courses are: Calculus (through Math 241) and Probability & Statistics (through at least Stat 410 and 401).  The calculus sequence prepares you for the first exam, which you SHOULD then take as soon as you can make several months of study-time in which you would do MANY problems of the sort you can find in the sample actuarial exams or in actuarial practice manuals. The purpose of the additional practice is to augment your speed at working the actuaries' peculiar (and sometimes tricky) brand of multiple-choice problem. You SHOULD plan to take the first exam as a Junior (perhaps in November of your Junior year).  Ideally, you would try to take the Probability/Statistics exam (Course P) by spring of your junior year. The combination of: the two exams, a BMGT or Math (or double) major, and a summer-internship experience, will position you in the best possible way for an actuarial career.

Actuarial FAQs

Which specific courses should I take if I want to become an actuary?

To further your actuarial studies, you should complete calculus I, calculus II, calculus III and linear algebra. You should also have some basic business courses (e.g. accounting or finance) or economics courses (micro- or macro-economics). You should also have some basic programming skills (e.g. JAVA and C). Additional math courses you can consider include: STAT400, STAT401, STAT410, MATH424, STAT430 and STAT470.

Which courses here at UMD will prepare me for the actuarial exams?

The specifics of the courses versus exams are as follows:

Exam P: MATH140, MATH141, MATH241, MATH240, STAT400, STAT401, STAT410 (note: STAT410 is not absolutely essential, but is helpful as there are always a few problems, like 4 out of 50, that cover multi-variable topics in probability, mainly change-of-variable formulae and conditional expectations).

Exam FM: Theory of Interest is covered in ECON and Finance courses. Also STAT470.

ECON or Applied Stat: these exams are mostly covered under a program called Validation by Education Experience (VEE), where you would take the ECON micro and macro courses to get some exam credits. Similarly, you would take STAT430 (linear regression) for partial exam credits.

How easy is it to get an actuarial internship?

Whether you have a shot at internships depends largely on your past coursework and GPA and whether you have passed any exam. If you have taken a solid set of courses with a good GPA, and you have passed the first exam, then you will have a better chance to secure an internship.

Where can I find the syllabi for the actuarial exams?

The syllabi are available at www.casact.org and www.soa.org.

Further information, including Web links

Careers, exams and job searches  
Be-an-Actuary Website
Actuary Network
Society of Actuaries
Casualty Actuarial Society
BLS Occupational Outlook for  Actuaries
CMPS Career Services

Write for the Associateship Course Examination Catalog to either of :

Society of Actuaries, 475 N. Martingale Rd., Suite 800,  
Schaumburg, Illinois 60694

Casualty Actuarial Society, 1100 North Glebe Road,  
Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22201     (703) 276-3100

1. Haiyang
2. Andrew
3. Amir
4. Jeff
5. Eric
6. Albert
7. Lukas
8. John
9. Rachel
10. Azharul
11. Lucas
12. Joseph
13. Kaitlyn
14. Samantha
15. Henry
16. Robert
17. Mary

Haiyang

Summer Volunteer at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Involved in a NOAA funded research project "Predicting Impacts of Stressors at the Land-Water Interface". My role was to help a scientist to develop a statistical model of evaluating effects of coastal watershed characteristics on shallow water quality and submerged aquatic vegetation. My tasks included data assembling, data analyses using advanced Microsoft Excel (e.g., Macro, Pivot, etc.) and simple statistics methods, results outputs using graphs and tables. Return to Top

Andrew

This summer I worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. A description of my project is that I used computational modeling to investigate how varying mechanical properties of a modeled face, such as skin, elasticity, thickness, and compressibility, can increase accuracy of a model allowing researchers to identify areas of low and high contact pressure. Return to Top

Amir

I got a software development job with General Dynamics and have spent the last 6 months in Baghdad, Iraq, doing semi-advanced worked in vision programming for the US Army. Those MATLAB classes really helped! Return to Top

Jeff

Here is a summary of my summer REU experience at University of Illinois: I wrote for the QUEST newsletteI spent my summer doing research in applied neuroscience with the Brain-Computer Interfaces group at University of Illinois. My research group worked on developing computer interfaces and utilizing signal processing to give disabled people without the use of their limbs the ability to type on a computer. We used an electrode cap (as shown in my picture) to measure a subject's brain signals and display a keyboard on the screen with various letters flashing on it - when the letter the person wants to type flashes they are supposed to count in their head, thus releasing a specific brain signal (called a P300 signal) which we monitor for and enter the letter on screen once it is detected. I worked on optimizing the signal processing code in order to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the real-time processing of brain waves - it was definitely one of the most stimulating things I've spent a whole summer doing! Return to Top

Eric

I participated in an internship this past summer with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. I worked in the National Information Center, which is the central repository for all of the economic and regulatory information regarding the Board's activities. Specifically, I created an application and database to collect and analyze test data for their various tables. Return to Top

Albert

Hello my name is Albert. I am currently a freshman at the University of Maryland. I am currently a math major, though later I will most likely be studying both math and computer science as a double major. Over the past summer I worked here on campus as an intern over in the A.V. Williams building, working on the I-series course The Rise of the Machines, testing out the class, as well as studying basic JAVA programming. Interning over the summer really is a great opportunity for all people, no matter if you are an incoming freshmen or a rising senior, it can sometimes be a lot of work but it really pays of because of all the things you learn as well as all the people you meet (not to mention the pay checks). If I could I would recommend summer internships to all incoming freshmen, simply to get them involved ASAP. Return to Top

Lukas

I worked in the NeuroTheory (computational neuroscience) lab on aproject investigating a possible functional role of tiny eye movements in early visual processing.Is there a way I can tell whether a math course I took (or plan to take) has been evaluated by the math department? Return to Top

John

I did applied mathematics / numerical relativity research with Dr. Manuel Tiglio from the physics department. We analyzed the phase space of binary black hole systems with different initial configurations. We have published one article on this work, and we are working on a second one. I also presented some combinatorial optimization research with Dr. Bruce Golden from the business school at a conference in Hamburg, Germany. Return to Top

Rachel

I participated in the number theory REU at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked in a team of 4 undergraduates to generalize a previous connection between a particular birth-death process and a particular q-continued fraction to a larger family of birth-death processes and q-continued fractions. We then found in this family q-continued fractions corresponding to modular forms and used known identities between these modular forms to find new identities between birth-death processes.Return to Top

Azharul

I went to CERN this summer, part of my part time job at the Cosmic Ray Physics Group to calibrate a calorimeter which we built for NASA's 2009 Balloon Flight. We used one of the LHC beam line for our project. My job was to monitor and record data during the beam test. More info: www.cosmicray.umd.edu/cream. Return to Top

Lucas

I participated in an internship at Rutgers University, specifically the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM), where I worked for Dr. Arnold. There I helped to program an online database for the lab members to upload datasets for their crystallography experiments. I was also in a program called CABM Summer Scholars where I got an opportunity to present my research to other interns and members of the lab. It was such a special experience for me because I not only got to learn two programming languages (MySql and HTML), but also got to work under a very approachable lab members, which really created a feeling like I was part of a team. It was an amazing experience. Return to Top

Joseph

I went to Paris, France and worked on an applied math project modeling vesicles in a presynaptic neuron at Ecole Normal Superiuere. Return to Top

Kaitlyn

This summer I did an REU at Cornell University. I worked with Dr. Strichartz doing analysis on fractals. There were six of us in the fractals group, but we worked on individual research projects. In the first part we learned about fractals like the Sierpinski Gasket, and how to define functions on them and do calculus on those functions. Then I did research to find and compute orthogonal polynomials on the Sierpinski Gasket. I would highly recommend this REU, especially with Dr. Strichartz as an adviser. Return to Top

Samantha

I spent my summer interning at the Census Bureau anaylzing and reporting on the comparison of American Community Survey (ACS) language needs to language resources. The study determined, for the telephone and personal visit stages of the ACS, the estimated workloads by language spoken (based on data collected in the survey) and compared that with data on the available language skill sets (resources) in the call centers and in each of the regional offices. The summary identified areas of potential recruiting needs. Additionally, I embraced the opportunity to network with staff from all divisions within the Bureau and attended their private career fair for summer interns to learn more about different positions that I might like there. It was extremely fortunate that I assigned to the particular intern job I had because I really enjoyed the nature of the project and the work environment. I am now working at the Census Bureau part-time and will continue there after graduation in May. Return to Top

Henry

This summer, I had an internship at the Institute for Advanced Study/Park City Mathematics Institute. It is a 3-week program at which you learn advanced (but still undergraduate-level) number theory. The entire camp is about the relationship between modular curves, modular forms, elliptic curves, and the Riemann zeta function. You take 2 classes - effectively, applied and theoretical. The applied class is somewhat low-level, but the theoretical class is a very good class - it includes a decent amount of abstract algebra and complex analysis. The camp is in a beautiful place - Park City, which is right next to Salt Lake City. On the weekends there are trips to nearby (and not-so-nearby) places, such as SLC itself, and Zion National Park. Plenty of opportunities to have fun, to learn, and lots of other good math people there. I recommend everyone try to go there. Return to Top

Robert

I worked in the Image Processing branch at the U.S. Army Research Lab. My research there focused mainly on what is known as color filter array (CFA) demosaicing. The basic idea is that when a digital color image is captured, information for each of at least 3 primary colors must be sampled at each pixel. However, while three sensors, one for each color, seems like a natural idea, it is mechanically nontrivial to align them perfectly. Moreover, this sensor usually account for at least half of the camera's cost, so having a camera with three sensors would be more expensive. Thus a full color image must be captured with a single sensor. To do this, a color filter array is used, which filters out all but one color at each pixel. The typical color filter array, known as the Bayer pattern, samples data in this repeating pattern: RGR, GBG, RGR. From here, this raw data is demosaiced, wherein all missing color information is interpolated from the mosaic-patterned raw data. My research this summer focused on the many different ways an image can be demosaiced, as well as the techniques for assessing the relative quality of the reproduced images. In particular, I proposed two new quality assessment algorithms which can be performed without a reference image. Return to Top

Mary

I did an internship this summer at: Food and Drug Administration, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of Planning, Evaluation, and Management. In my internship, I have run queries on the FDA database to compute statistical data regarding accomplishment data for the agency, so that they can track how resources are being used. This also included using Excel to make graphs and sort the data. Return to Top