MATH 4455 Mathematical Problem Solving

Permission of the instructor required for students outside the Lynch School of Education. This course is designed to deepen students' mathematical knowledge through solving, explaining, and extending challenging and interesting problems. Students will work both individually and in groups on problems chosen from polynomials, trigonometry, analytic geometry, pre-calculus, one-variable calculus, probability, and numerical algorithms. The course will emphasize explanations and generalizations rather than formal proofs and abstract properties. Some pedagogical issues, such as composing good problems and expected points of confusion in explaining various topics, will come up, but the primary goal is mathematical insight. The course will be of particular use to future secondary math teachers.

Course overview

Department
Mathematics
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically in the Spring

Catalog details

Prerequisites
MATH2216 and MATH2202 or MATH2203 and MATH2210 or MCMA2210 or MATH2211

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • Mathematics B.A.: 4000-level Mathematics elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Mathematics B.S.: 4000-level Mathematics elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Computer Science B.S.: Upper-level mathematics option (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

4.27 / 5

Based on 73 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Juliana Belding
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025 · Official rating 4.75/5
  • Brian Lehmann
    Fall 2024, Fall 2023 · Official rating 4.60/5
  • Chi-Keung Cheung
    Spring 2022 · Official rating 4.00/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Juliana Belding · Stokes Hall 111S MWF 11:00AM-11:50AM · Offered