This is the syllabus for History of Mathematics
Instructor
Classroom
Your daily attendance is required. You are expected to come to class daily, to be fully awake, to pay attention to and participate in the class discussion. I will do my part to make class something you look forward to rather than dread.
Prerequisites
You need to be able to read, think and have some mathematical curiosity.:
Textbooks
We will read the book Journey through Genius, roughly one chapter per week. The Burton text will only be used as a starting point for papers and projects.
Office Hours
Grading
Assignments
There will be weekly problem sets. In many of the problems you will be writing proofs. As in any higher-level mathematics class, your proofs should be written in complete sentences. The goal of the proof should be to explain not to verify. Pictures and diagrams are encouraged. A selection of problems will be graded.
Exams
The exams will be in class during our usual time. The exams will be closed book, closed notes, closed friends and open-brained.
Final Project
In lieu of a final exam, you will complete a final project. Here are details of the project.
(A list of sources (at least two), with descriptions of why you're using them)
- 10 points : Submitted paper topic on time
- 15 points : Submitted annotated bibliogrphy on time
- 25 points: Paper exposition
- 50 points: Paper content
Laptops & Phones
Do not use your laptop, phone or electronic media device in class unless instructed to do so.
Other Resources
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
Evaluation of these learning outcomes will be done through a mix of assignments, class exercises, projects, research papers, group work, written & oral quizzes and exams.
Course Description
We will cover the first 7 chapters of the textbook, and various parts of chapters 8-14.
Natural Sciences Requirement
This course satisfies the Foundation of Natural Sciences/Mathematics requirement. Students who complete this course should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of mathematical logic; use mathematics to solve scientific or mathematical problems in college classes; express relationships in the symbolic language of mathematics; and appreciate the role of mathematics in analyzing natural phenomena.
University Policies
Academic Honesty: Cheating is not only unethical and pathetic, but is a violation of the Northern Michigan University Student Code and University Policy and grounds for your dismissal from the University.
Discrimination & Harassment: Northern Michigan University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, height, weight, martial status, handicap/disability, sexual orientation or veteran status. If you have a civil rights inquiry, contact the Affirmative Action Office at 906-227-2420.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock Building (227-1737 or disserv@nmu.edu). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and University guidelines.
The Registrar: Withdrawing from any course or any matters relating to registration are the responsibility of the student. For more information regarding this topic, check out the Registrars Website.