Math 400 / COLL 400 Mathematical Connections, Spring 2024
Instructor: Chi-Kwong Li
Meeting time and place: TR 11:00 am. - 12:20 pm. Jones 113
Office: Jones 128, Tel: 221-2042
E-mail: ckli@math.wm.edu,
http://cklixx.people.wm.edu
Office hours: TWTW 9:30 a.m. - 10:30, or by appointments
Course description
Topics concerning how one can connect mathematics to other areas including biology, chemistry,
physics, business, finance, political science, sports, arts, music, literature, education, qunatum
computing, AI, etc.
Format
- Instructor and students will take turn to lead discussion,
and do presentation on materials related the connections of mathematics
to other areas.
- The discussion will be on some presentations on youtube, presentations prepared
by students and instructors.
- Speakers should lead the discussion
and share experience of the topics.
- 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.
- We may also discuss open AI softwares, and examine the performance of
such software to mathematics related topics.
- We may also produce youtube clips on mathematics related topics.
Objectives of the course/expected learning outcome
Students will gain experiences in the following.
- see connections between mathematics and other disciplines;
- find useful resource to analyse problems;
- read, understand, and explain mathematics;
- communicate interesting/useful mathematical ideas in the formats of
presentation, discussion, and writing;
- stimulate and lead discussion in a seminar setting;
- work in teams and co-ordinate efforts
to prepare presentations;
- keep an open mind to suggestions and use them to
improve their work;
- think critically and provide
constructive feedbacks to classmates;
- help develop
software to mathematics related topics;
- contribute development of open resources such as youtube videos
on mathematical related material.
Some references
- Wikipedia, and other online material.
- Youtube clips on mathematical topics.
- Open AI resources such at Chat GPT, Sparrow.
-
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.
Assessment
Participation/blackboard discussion etc. 30 points
Presentation 1 (30 min.) 17 points
Presentation 2 (50 min.) 18 points
Papers associated with presentation 1 17 points
Papers associated with presentation 2 18 points
Extra credits (inspiring ideas/problems/solutions) 5 points
Letter grades out of the total points:
0 - 60 - 65 - 70 - 75 - 80 - 83 - 87 - 90 - 93 - 105
F D C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A
Activity schedules