Matthew Coppenbarger
Associate Professor
School of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Science
585-475-5887
Office Hours
Monday 3-4pm<br> Wednesday 11am-noon<br> Friday noon-1pm
Office Location
Matthew Coppenbarger
Associate Professor
School of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Science
Education
BS, University of Arizona; MA, Ph.D., University of Rochester
Bio
Dr. Coppenbarger received a BS in Math and Physics at the University of Arizona before going to the University of Rochester to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics studying quantum mechanics on graphs. He has taught at RIT since 2001. In addition to the lofty-sounding topics that you might expect a mathematician to study (differential equations, discrete mathematics, combinatorics), Matt shows a particular fondness for puzzles, games, and other things that an eight-year old might find of interest.
585-475-5887
Areas of Expertise
Combinatorics
Game Theory
Set Theory
Recreational Mathematics
Mathematical Modeling
Select Scholarship
Journal Paper
Coppenbarger, Matthew E. "Iterations of a Modified Sisyphus Function." The Fibonacci Quarterly 56. 2 (2018): 130-141. Print.
Coppenbarger, Matthew E. "Iterations of the Words-to-Numbers Function." Journal of Integer Sequences 21. (2018): 1-26. Web.
Currently Teaching
MATH-181
Calculus I
4 Credits
This is the first in a two-course sequence intended for students majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering. It emphasizes the understanding of concepts, and using them to solve physical problems. The course covers functions, limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of the derivative, Riemann sums, definite integrals, and indefinite integrals.
MATH-190
Discrete Mathematics for Computing
3 Credits
This course introduces students to ideas and techniques from discrete mathematics that are widely used in Computer Science. Students will learn about the fundamentals of propositional and predicate calculus, set theory, relations, recursive structures and counting. This course will help increase students’ mathematical sophistication and their ability to handle abstract problems.
MATH-200
Discrete Mathematics and Introduction to Proofs
3 Credits
This course prepares students for professions that use mathematics in daily practice, and for mathematics courses beyond the introductory level where it is essential to communicate effectively in the language of mathematics. It covers various methods of mathematical proof, starting with basic techniques in propositional and predicate calculus and set theory, and then moving to applications in advanced mathematics.
MATH-322
Combinatorial Game Theory
3 Credits
Combinatorial games are two-player games with perfect information and no randomness or element of chance (such as Go, Chess, and Checkers). The course covers basic techniques of game theory, outcome classes, sums of games, the algebra of games, and top-down induction. Analyses will emphasize no-draw games terminating in a finite number of moves such as Nim, Domineering, Hackenbush, Chomp, and Amazons.
MATH-495
Undergraduate Research in Mathematical Sciences
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed project that could be considered original in nature. The level of work is appropriate for students in their final two years of undergraduate study.
MATH-498
Independent Study in Mathematical Sciences
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-guided investigation into appropriate topics that are not part of the curriculum.