University Bulletin 2002-03
Quantitative Reasoning

Objectives


The quantitative reasoning requirement has been established to develop students' abilities to collect, summarize, and analyze numerical data; to make abstract concepts operational; and to think critically about the accuracy and soundness of conclusions based on data or on mathematical models. Quantitative reasoning courses usually embed methodological training in their subject matter. These courses vary widely in the skills that are emphasized, but they usually include one or more of the following:

A. Learning to read, construct, interpret, and evaluate tables, graphs, and charts.

B. Developing quantitative measures of physical, behavioral, or social phenomena.

C. Using mathematical models to express causal relationships and to explore the implications of changed assumptions or proposed solutions to problems in the physical or social world.

D. Collecting and organizing numerical data from archives, surveys, lab experiments, or other sources.

E. Testing hypotheses, using experimental or statistical controls.

F. Assessing the limitations of research, such as the reliability and validity of measures, adequacy of experimental design, sample size and quality, and alternative hypotheses and interpretations.

Each Brandeis undergraduate is required to take one course from the approved list of quantitative reasoning courses. This list may change, so students should consult the most recent list of approved courses in the Course Schedule to assure that they will receive requirement credit. (Naturally, students will not be denied credit retroactively if a course taken to fulfill the requirement is later dropped from the list.)

Courses with an asterisk (*) satisfy the quantitative reasoning requirement only when they are taken with the corresponding lab.


Courses of Instruction



Anthropology

ANTH 110a
Introduction to Human Evolution


Biochemistry

BCHM 100a
Introductory Biochemistry


Biology

BIOL 22a* (formerly BIBC 22a*)
Genetics and Molecular Biology


Chemistry

CHSC 3a
The Planet as an Organism: Gaia Theory and the Human Prospect

CHSC 5a
The Magnitude of Things and How on Earth They Matter

CHSC 6a

Forensic Science: Col. Mustard, Candlestick, Billiard Room

CHSC 8b

Chemistry and Art

CHEM 10a
Basic Chemistry

CHEM 10b
Basic Chemistry

CHEM 11a
General Chemistry: Principles of Material Evolution

CHEM 11b

General Chemistry: Principles of Material Evolution

CHEM 15a
Honors General Chemistry, Lectures

CHEM 15b
Honors General Chemistry, Lectures

CHEM 150b
Special Topics in Chemistry


Computer Science

COSI 21a*
Data Structures and the Fundamentals of Computing

COSI 21b*
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs


Economics

ECON 2a
Introduction to Economics

ECON 83a
Statistics for Economic Analysis

ECON 135a
Industrial Organization

ECON 184b
Econometrics


History

HIST 127b
Household and Family in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe (1300-1800)


Legal Studies

LGLS 138b
Science on Trial


Mathematics

MATH 8a
Introduction to Probability and Statistics

MATH 36a
Probability

MATH 36b
Mathematical Statistics


Near Eastern and Judaic Studies

NEJS 170b
Analyzing the American Jewish Community


Physics

PHSC 2b
Introductory Astronomy

PHSC 4a
Science and Development

PHSC 7b
Technology and the Management of Public Risk

PHSC 9b
Introduction to Physics

PHYS 10a
Physics for the Life Sciences I

PHYS 10b
Physics for the Life Sciences II

PHYS 11a
Basic Physics I

PHYS 11b
Basic Physics II


Psychology

PSYC 51a
Statistics

PSYC 152a
Experimental Psychology


Sociology

SOC 106a
Issues in Law and Society

SOC 115a
Class Structure and Consciousness

SOC 181a
Quantitative Methods of Social Inquiry

SOC 183a
Evaluation of Evidence in Quantitative Research

SOC 190b
On the Caring of the Medical Care System