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Next: MC346 Communicating Mathematics Up: Year 3 Previous: MC341 Group Theory

MC342 History of mathematics

MC342 History of mathematics

Credits: 20 Convenor: Dr. M.D.Dampier Semester: 2

Prerequisites: essential: 40 credits of level 2 mathematics
Assessment: Classwork: 10% , Essay: 30%, Project: 60%: 100% Examination: 0%

Lectures: 18 Problem Classes: none
Tutorials: none Private Study: 130
Labs: none Seminars: none
Project: none Other: 2
Surgeries: none Total: none

Explanation of Pre-requisites

Although no specific modules form definite prerequisites for this course, it will be assumed that students have a good general background in mathematics of the sort that would be obtained from two years study on the BSc Maths degree or from two years study on one of the Mathematics Combined Studies courses.

Course Description

Mathematics is a human activity with a history stretching back at least 5000 years and maybe a lot longer. In the course of its development it has received contributions from many different cultures and has decisively influenced the world we know today. This course introduces the student to the History of Mathematics through the study of representative historical examples. The 'lectures' take the form of workshops where students work together informally in small groups on selected 'texts' whose context is explained by the teacher. These classes aim to give a general orientation to the subject and to explain how to begin preparing written presentations of findings. The bulk of the student's time, however, will be taken up with researching topics for the essay and project. Guidance is given on how to proceed with this, including a special session run by the University library. Although a list of project titles is provided, students may select their own topic after discussion with the course teachers.

Aims

This course aims to show the student something of the cultural and human range of mathematics and so to enhance the value of their previous mathematical study. It is intended that skills in research and written communication be developed and that confidence in reading mathematical literature be gained.

Objectives

To 'read' historical mathematical evidence.
To understand that past ways of thinking about mathematics can differ greatly from our own.
To obtain some understanding of the contributions of different cultures to mathematics, and to form a broad picture of the development of the subject.
To learn how to use the literature to research a topic of historical mathematics.
To write clear, accessible accounts of the results of research.

Transferable Skills

Research skills using both library resources and electronic data bases. Reading and comprehending sources from different historical eras. Report writing.

Reading list

Recommended:

An extensive and detailed booklist is provided on the course, but the main text recommended for general use is: C.B.Boyer & U.Merzbach, A History of Mathematics, Wiley.

Details of Assessment

The final assessment of this module will be based on contributions of 10% from two short pieces of coursework done in the first 3 or 4 weeks; 30% from an essay of between 1600 and 2000 words done during the Spring term and marked before the Easter vacation; and 60% from a written project of between 4000 and 6000 words which has to be handed in early in the Summer term. There is no examination.

Next: MC346 Communicating Mathematics Up: Year 3 Previous: MC341 Group Theory

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Last updated: 10/4/2000
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