Mathematics
115
Mathematics
through its History
It
is a well-kept secret that doing mathematics really is fun---at least for
mathematicians---
and I am amazed
at how often we use the word "beautiful" to describe work that
satisfies us. I am reminded of a remark
by a mathematician . . . who was talking with some anthropologists about early
human experiments with fire. One
anthropologist suggested that these humans were motivated by a desire for
better cooking; another thought they were after a dependable source of
heat. [The mathematician] said he
believed fire came under human control because of their fascination with the
flame. I believe that the best
mathematicians are fascinated by the flame, and that this is a good thing . . .
[b]ecause, fortunately for society, their fascination
has, in the end, provided the good cooking and reliable heat we all need. - Phillip A. Griffiths, Director of Institute for Advanced Study
Instructors: Dr. Janet Beery (instructor of record),
Jody Cochrane, Sasha Mariscal
Instructor
Office Hours: Professor Beery
usually will have office hours Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. and from 4 to 5 p.m. and Friday afternoons (exact times to be announced
each week), and will be happy to meet with you by appointment as well, in Hentschke 203D (x3118).
The other instructors will lead study sessions, most often in the
evenings (exact times and locations to be announced).
Class
Meetings: Monday through Thursday,
Text:
of
Also
required: Calculator, scissors, compass, and
straightedge (ruler)
Prerequisites: MATH 100/101 (or higher) placement from
Mathematics Placement Exam
(but you need not have taken MATH 100/101 yet). If you need to take or
re-take the Math Placement Exam, please see the Mathematics
Department
secretary, Mrs. Janine Stilt, right away.
LAF: MS 3
Course
Objectives:
- To understand mathematics as a significant
and central human endeavor motivated as much by human curiosity as by practical
application;
- To
understand several historical developments in mathematics, to include the
invention of counting, number systems, arithmetic, fractions, geometry,
algebra, and infinite sequences and sums in various civilizations;
- To
understand how mathematics influences culture and how culture shapes the
development and practice of mathematics;
- To
become acquainted with mathematicians and practitioners of mathematics from
various places and times;
- To
improve your ability to read both mathematics and history;
- To
improve your ability to solve mathematical problems;
- To
improve your ability to think logically, analytically, and abstractly; and
- To
improve your ability to communicate history and mathematics, both orally and in
writing.
Grading: Quizzes, 50%; in-class activities, 25%;
homework, 25%
Final % Grade Final % Grade Final
% Grade
94-100 4.0/A 79-81 2.7/B- 63-66 1.3/D+
90-93 3.7/A- 75-78 2.3/C+ 60-62 1.0/D
86-89 3.3/B+ 70-74 2.0/C 55-59 0.7/D-
82-85 3.0/B 67-69 1.7/C- 0-54 0.0/F
Quizzes and
Examinations: There will be a quiz
at the start of every class period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 9. Quizzes will range in value from 10 points to
100 points, with most quizzes worth 20 points.
There will be two 50-point quizzes, one during the week of January 14
and one during the week of January 21 (we'll decide on exact dates
beforehand). The final quiz will be
worth 100 points and will be held in class on Thursday, January 31.
Quizzes will include both mathematical
calculations and short essays about mathematics and its history. They may be comprehensive, but usually will
focus on your most recent reading and coursework. The final quiz will be comprehensive (meaning
it covers EVERYTHING!). Quizzes and
examinations cannot be made up, however your 40 lowest
quiz points will not be included in your final quiz average.
Daily
Classroom Activities: There will be
individual and group activities (written and oral) during each class period and
group presentations during some class periods.
These activities may not be made up, but your two lowest activity scores
will not be included in your classroom activity average.
Daily Homework
Assignments: A homework
assignment consisting of reading and exercises (from the text or distributed in
class) will be given during every class meeting. Assignments are due at the start of the next
class period. Late homework will not be
accepted without prior permission, but your two lowest daily homework scores
will not be included in your homework average.
Homework
exercises will include both mathematical calculations and short essays about
mathematics and its history. You may
discuss strategies for solving homework exercises and ideas for essays with
instructors, tutors, and classmates, and you should check answers to
computational exercises with your classmates.
However, while you are encouraged to work with others on homework, the
work you hand in must be essentially your own.
A good way to ensure this is to write up your solutions and your essays
on your own, making sure you understand each step or argument as you write it
out.
Time
Commitment: In any college
course, you should expect to spend at least two hours studying outside of class
for every hour spent in class. For each
of our 2 hour, 50 minute class sessions, this translates to 5 hours, 40 minutes
of quality time studying outside of class.
How much time you actually spend studying outside of class will depend
on how fast you read (with comprehension) and how fast you do mathematics, but,
if you wish to earn a good grade, plan on studying a lot!
Tutors: Your best bet is to get help from one of the
instructors for the course during their daily office hours and/or study
sessions. You also may sign up for a
tutor through Student Services, located in Library 112 (west side of the
basement of Armacost Library). To obtain your very own tutor, go to Student
Services and ask to sign up for a MATH 115 tutor. They'll give you a form you and I both must
sign, and which you'll then return to them.
After you return the form, they'll give you the name of a tutor with
whom you may set up an appointment.
Notice that this process will take some time, so don't wait until the
last minute to sign up for a tutor.
Student Services tutors are free.