COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Number: MATH3010
Course Title: HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: MH 1620 or departmental approval.
Corequisite: 

Objectives: 
To enhance the student's mathematical perspective through a discussion of the evolution of mathematical concepts and the contributions of outstanding mathematicians, and to enhance the student's appreciation for and facility with deductive reasoning through exercises related to these mathematical concepts and contributions.

Course content:  
Numeral systems , Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics (1 week).

Ancient Greek geometry and number theory; deductive reasoning (2 weeks). 

Chinese, Hindu, and Arabian mathematics (before global communication merged them with European mathematics) (2 weeks).

European mathematics in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries: translation of Arabic works and the ancient Greek texts; universities established; contributions of Fibonacci. (2 weeks).

European mathematics of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries: Beginnings of algebraic symbolism, solutions of the general cubic and quartic, logarithms, beginnings of number theory, analytic geometry, projective geometry, and probability, and the discovery of the calculus.  Some mathematicians of this period: Fermat, Descartes, Pascal, Leibniz, Newton. (3 weeks).

Mathematics of the 18th and 19th centuries: further development of calculus and it's evolution into analysis.  Infinite series including Fourier series, the notion of a limit, the notion of a function, the Riemann integral.  Non-Euclidean geometry.  Abstract algebra and the impossibility of solution by radicals of 5th degree equations.  Impossibility of certain constructions by straightedge and compass such as trisecting an angle and squaring a circle.  Some mathematicians of this period: Bernoulli brothers, Lagrange, Euler, Gauss, Riemann, Galois, Abel, Cauchy, Fourier. (3 weeks).

Mathematics of the 20th century.  Evolution of the axiomatic method.  Set theory and logic, Russell paradox, Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms, axiom of choice, continuum hypothesis.  Godel's incompleteness theorem and other contributions.  Topology, measure theory, dynamical systems and chaos, computers and computer science.    Solutions of famous problems such as the four color problem and  Fermat's Last Theorem. (2 weeks).

Text: 
Howard Eves, An Introduction to the History of Mathematics, 6th Ed.


Sample Grading and Evaluation Procedures

Students will be expected to have prepared the daily homework assignments.  Homework will occasionally be collected. This will be part of the participation grade.  Reading the text and working the exercises are an important part of this course.  A paper will be assigned; it should be on the history of some mathematician (with emphasis on his mathematical discoveries) or on some mathematical concept; check with the instructor about the topic.

Grade Calculation
Participation grade 
(includes: blackboard presentation and classwork, attendance, homework or projects):	10%
Reading Quizzes 
(quizzes are approximately 10-minutes long and may be announced or unannounced):	10%
Term paper										15%
Hour Tests (three tests):									35%
Final Exam:										30%

Tentative Test Schedule
Hour tests are given at the end of appropriate units and will be announced a week ahead of time.  Quizzes may or may not be announced; at least four quizzes will be given in the course of the semester.  Friday is typically a good day for quizzes. 

Sample Statement Re: Accommodations

	Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting during office hours the first week of classes, or as soon as possible if accommodations are needed immediately.  If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can, be arranged.  To set up this meeting, please contact me by E-mail.  Bring a Copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting.  If you do not have an Accommodation Memo but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096 (V/TT).  (Note: Instructor office room, office hours and email address will be made available on the course syllabus and on the first day of class.)

JUSTIFICATION
	Education majors specializing in mathematics are required to take a History of Mathematics course.  This course satisfies this requirement.  The course can also be used as a free elective by mathematics majors.