The General Education Foundational category of Mathematical Literacy addresses the basic mathematical skills that a student needs in order to succeed at Rutgers and to become an informed and empowered citizen. A student fulfills this requirement by passing a mathematics course (640 prefix) at the 100 or higher level in the School of Arts and Sciences or by completing a designated equivalent mathematics course in another school. The School of Business, for example, offers Quantitative Business Skills (52:620:215) as a required course for business students. Depending on the course chosen, the student will be able to demonstrate achievement of several of the following goals:
- Analyze patterns and identify whether the pattern continues and is consistent.
- Use the symbols of logical analysis to determine whether an argument based upon given premises is valid.
- Use critical thinking skills comfortably with mathematical operations involving real numbers or variables.
- Understand the properties of algebra and be able to solve real world applications.
- Enhance reasoning skills by the study of geometry.
- Strengthen the ability to compute and compare geometric quantities like distance, area, surface area and volume.
- Develop proficiency in the interpretation of facts arising from applying set theory to data.
- Mathematically model and then analyze phenomena using techniques from logic, set theory, algebra, and/or calculus.