Quantative and Symbolic Reasoning (QS)
These courses focus on solving problems within quantitative or symbolic abstract structures. Students will learn to translate real world problems into the language of these structures, perform and interpret quantitative or symbolic manipulations, employ abstract methods of analysis to develop conclusions, and create and communicate logical arguments based on this analysis.

Rationale

Quantitative and symbolic reasoning is a habit of mind and competency in working with numerical data and abstract symbolic structures. The inclination and ability to use quantitative and symbolic methods is a key facet of a liberal arts education, and crucial for students' future success in an increasingly data-dense world. Knowledge gained from these courses provides students with the analytical skills necessary to investigate and solve a wide range of problems in their scholarly work, civic activities, and personal and professional lives.

Goals

This requirement aims to develop students' ability to solve problems within quantitative or abstract symbolic structures; translate real world problems into the language of these structures; perform and interpret manipulation within these structures; employ abstract methods of analysis to develop conclusions; and create and communicate logical arguments based on this analysis. QS courses will increase students' appreciation for the power of quantitative and symbolic reasoning, and more broadly contribute to their ability to think rationally.

Explain how the course meets the goals of the Quantative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement.

Course Criteria

A course must meet the following criteria in order to be designated as fulfilling the Quantative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement.
  1. Courses must provide significant opportunities for students to solve problems within quantitative or symbolic abstract structures.

    Explain how the course meets this criterion.

  2. Courses must focus a significant portion of content on one or more of the following:
    ⛿ To include a criterion for this course, click the check box next to the number and then answer the question for that criterion.
    1. Mathematical problem-solving, which typically involves the development of, and deductive reasoning from, theoretical models.

      Explain how the course meets this criterion.

    2. Computational problem-solving that involves algorithmic design and implementation using a symbolic language.

      Explain how the course meets this criterion.

    3. Deductive reasoning that follows from symbolic manipulation within a formal structure.

      Explain how the course meets this criterion.

    4. Organizing, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data via quantitative methods.

      Explain how the course meets this criterion.

Learning Outcomes

Students will meet one or more of the following learning outcomes.
⛿ To include an outcome for this course, click the check box next to the number and then answer the question for that outcome.
  1. Students will be able to develop and deductively reason within theoretical mathematical models to solve a variety of problems.

    Explain how the course meets this learning outcome.

  2. Students will be able to design, implement, and critically analyze algorithmic solutions to a wide range of problems.

    Explain how the course meets this learning outcome.

  3. Students will be able to use symbolic manipulation within a formal abstract structure to reason deductively.

    Explain how the course meets this learning outcome.

  4. Students will be able to organize, analyze, and interpret numerical data via quantitative methods.

    Explain how the course meets this learning outcome.

⛿ Be sure to complete the required information for each General Education requirement selected for this course, which are organized into separate tabs along the top of the page.