Math Teachers Program 656 - History of Mathematics
Fall 2011

Textbooks

Course Objectives

Projects

Homework Assignments

Solving homework problems is an essential part of any mathematics course, including this one. It is difficult to succeed in mathematics if you don't do homework regularly. Some homework problems will be collected for grading. Most assigned problems will not be collected, but you should still spend the appropriate time on these assignments, as they will form part of the basis for the midterm and final exams.

Tentative Lecture Schedule

Date Topic
Sept. 6 Survey of Ancient Systems of Arithmetic
Sept. 13 Mathematics Before Euclid
Sept. 20 Euclid's Elements
Sept. 27 Greek Geometry and Number Theory
Oct. 4 The Helenistic World
Oct. 11 Medieval Mathematics
Oct. 18 The Rise of Algebra
Oct. 25 Midterm Exam
Nov. 1 The Time of Newton and Leibniz
Nov. 8 The Birth of Calculus
Nov. 15 Analysis and Infinite Series
Nov. 22 The Time of Leonhard Euler
Nov. 29 More Number Theory
Dec. 6 To Infinity and Beyond
Dec. 13 No Class
Dec. 20 Final Exam

Assessment

Attendance Policy

Classes are an opportunity to learn from your fellow students, as well as from the readings and lectures. Consequently, your attendance and participation are important components of this course. Becuase we meet only once a week, each class represents almost 7% of our time together. Therefore, only one unexcused abscence is permitted. Beyond that, the Attendance and participation portion of your grade will be significantly affected.
Last update: September 6, 2011.