MATH 545 History of Mathematics

This course covers major events in the evolution of mathematical thought from ancient times to the present.

A study of the History of Mathematics provides students an opportunity to study the historical development of mathematics, develop an appreciation of mathematics, and discover how mathematical structure and exactitude have developed over time.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Discussions give students the opportunity to debate issues arising from our historical survey, including the relevance of ancient contributions and the interplay of culture and mathematics.  Specifically, students are asked to consider and evaluate the impact of a Christian worldview on historical developments. Each thread should be 100-300 words, in accordance with the prompt given, and each reply should be 30-50 words each. (CLOs: CLO 2, 3, 4FSLOs: TSQR 4).

Homework Assignments (8)

The student will complete a homework assignment in each module that is associated with the course textbook. Typically, assignments will cover 2 or 3 chapters from the textbook, depending on the chapter’s length and difficulty.  (CLOs: CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; FSLOs: TSQR 1, 2).

Mathematician Report Assignment

Students will select a mathematician and write 4 – 5 page papers that give a brief biographical sketch of their subject.  Besides providing the highlights of their life, the paper will summarize their mathematical (and other) contributions.  Finally, each paper will include a mathematical section illustrating the genius of the subject of their report.  (CLOs: CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; FSLOs: TSQR 1, 2).

Research Paper Assignments (2)

Students will write a topic-oriented paper that delves more deeply into a mathematical area of interest.  Primarily, the goal will be to develop and explain a topic at the level of an advanced high school class.  It should include mathematics beyond basic high school math, but should include illustrations and examples that make the subject understandable.  Secondarily, the paper needs to include a significant historical narrative of how and why the mathematics were originally developed.  (CLOs: CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; FSLOs: TSQR 1, 2).

Research Paper Outline Assignment

Prior to completion, an outline will be submitted to give the student preliminary feedback and direction from the professor. 

Research Paper Assignment

The student will create a 6 – 10 page paper in APA format on their chosen topic, supported by 3 resources.

Period Overview Video Assignments (4)

Each presentation will summarize the flow of the historical developments of mathematics over the course of 2 course modules.  Students will balance comprehensiveness with brevity to bring out the truly impactful contributions of each era.  Video presentations will present these summarys in an engaging fashion to make the mathematical narrative relevant and fascinating.  Students will also prepare brief slide presenations that integrate mathematical developments with the story of the larger societies within which these were made.  (CLOs: CLO 2, 3, 4; FSLOs: TSQR 1, 2).