Math 400 / COLL 400 Mathematical Connections, Fall 2020
Instructor: Chi-Kwong Li
Meeting time: TR 11:00 - 12:20 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Room ID available at Blackboard or by request.
Office: Jones 128, Tel: 221-2042
E-mail: ckli@math.wm.edu
http://cklixx.people.wm.edu
Office hours: By appointments
Course description
Topics concerning how one can connect mathematics to other areas including biology, chemistry,
physics, business, finance, political science, sports, music, literature, education, etc.
Format
Instructor and students will take turn to discuss material related to the connection of mathematics
to other areas. Speakers are responsible to introducing audience how mathematics is connected to
the topic. Audience are responsible to take active part in the discussion and evaluation of the speakers.
Each student will do two presentations and lead the discussions, and submit a written
report on each presentation.
The discussion can based on any material from textbook, websites, etc.
The speaker should organize the material to get a
coherent presentation, and prepare reports including the feedback
of audience and additional findings after the presentations.
Objectives of the course/expected learning outcome
Students will gain the experiences to
- to see connections between mathematics and other disciplines;
- to find useful resource to analyse problems;
- to read, understand, and explain mathematics;
- to communicate interesting/useful mathematical ideas in the formats of
presentation, discussion, and writing;
- to stimulate and lead discussion in a seminar setting;
- to work in teams and co-ordinate efforts
to prepare presentations;
- to keep an open mind to suggestions and use them to
improve their work;
- to think critically and provide
constructive feedbacks to classmates.
Some references
-
For All Practical Purposes: Mathematical Literacy in Today's World
by COMAP, any editon.
- Calculus Gems: Brief Lives and Memorable Mathematics (Spectrum) 1st Edition
by George F. Simmons.
-
Mathematical Expeditions: Exploring Word Problems across the Ages
by Frank J. Swetz
-
Pythagorean Proposition.
by Elisha Scott Loomis
- Mathematical People, Profiels and interviews, by D.J. Albers and G.L. Alexanderson.
- Wikipedia.
Assessment
Participation and discussion 380 points
Evaluation (assigning scores to speakers) 100 points
Presentation/Leadership of discussion
(evaluated by instructor and audience)
Presentation 1 (30 min.) 130 points
Presentation 2 (30 min.) 130 points
Papers associated with presentation 1 130 points
Papers associated with presentation 2 130 points
Extra credits (inspiring ideas/problems/solutions) 50 points
Letter grades out of the total points:
0 - 600 - 650 - 700 - 750 - 800 - 830 - 870 - 900 - 930 -
F D C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A
Due date for second paper, discussion board comments, evaluation scores: November 30, 2020.
Talk schedules