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Up: Year 3
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MC342 History of mathematics
| Credits: 20 |
Convenor: Dr. G. Rousseau |
Semester: 2 |
| Prerequisites: |
|
|
| Assessment: |
Classwork: 10% Essay: 30% |
Project: 60% |
| Lectures: |
18 |
Classes: |
none |
| Tutorials: |
none |
Private Study: |
130 |
| Labs: |
none |
Seminars: |
none |
| Project: |
none |
Other: |
2 |
| 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
students 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.
Note: this module may not be taken in conjunction with MC346.
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 a broad grasp 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.
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: MC344 Abstract Algebra
Up: Year 3
Previous: MC341 Group Theory
Roy L. Crole
10/22/1998