INTRODUCTION TO NUMBER THEORY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: MATH 234 , 320 , 340 , 345 , 375 , or ( MATH 222 and COMP SCI/MATH 240 ) Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Natural Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand and use the standard methods and tools of mathematical argument (e.g. direct and indirect methods, the construction of examples and counterexamples, induction arguments). Audience: Undergraduate 2. State and describe the formal definitions of the mathematical objects and their properties used in elementary number theory (e.g., divisibility, prime numbers, congruences, etc.). Audience: Undergraduate 3. State and apply the main theorems in elementary number theory (e.g. theorems related to modular arithmetic, divisibility, prime numbers, Fermat's Little Theorem). Audience: Undergraduate 4. Prove or disprove statements and evaluate the validity of arguments related to the definitions, properties, and theorems of elementary number theory. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand and use the standard methods and tools of mathematical argument (e.g. direct and indirect methods, the construction of examples and counterexamples, induction arguments). Audience: Undergraduate 2. State and describe the formal definitions of the mathematical objects and their properties used in elementary number theory (e.g., divisibility, prime numbers, congruences, etc.). Audience: Undergraduate 3. State and apply the main theorems in elementary number theory (e.g. theorems related to modular arithmetic, divisibility, prime numbers, Fermat's Little Theorem). Audience: Undergraduate 4. Prove or disprove statements and evaluate the validity of arguments related to the definitions, properties, and theorems of elementary number theory. Audience: Undergraduate