MM859: History of Mathematics
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to have knowledge of basic concepts within core areas of mathematics such as elementary geometry and concepts such as continuity, limit, differentiability, infinite series from mathematical analysis.
Furthermore it presupposes that the student is able to by him/herself read mathematical texts at BA-level.
Course introduction
- To give students an overview of the history of mathematics from ancient civilizations to the 20th century. The overview helps students to achieve comprehensive understanding on how mathematic knowledge has been produced over time and in various cultures and how mathematics has been developed to one of disciplines and professions in modern society.
- To facilitate students to deepen understanding on mathematical thinking, historical facts, and related contextual knowlege through times. This also encourages students to use history of mathematics as a resource and method to enrich teaching practice in history of mathematics, mathematics, and other science disciplines in Danish high schools.
- Provide knowledge of the development of mathematics through times.
- Give the competence to use history as methods and produce materials for teaching courses on history of mathematics, mathematics, and science in Danish high schools.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Place a piece of mathematics in an internal and external historical context
- Present certain methods that were used by previous mathematicians
- Analyze and present historical source material
- Apply historical source and methods in current teaching practice
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course: Mathematics in Early Civilisation, Greek Mathematics, Numbers and Equations, Pre-History of Analysis, Discovery of Calculus, Mathematics Analysis (18th-19th Century), Non-Euclidean Geometry, and Mathematics in 20th Century. Methods of using history in mathematics education will be also involved in in relation to different themes in lectures.
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Tests
Oral exam
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Examination aids
ECTS value
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
- Intro Phase (Lectures): 20 Hours
- Training Phase (Student Exercise): 18 Hours
The Intro mainly focuses on lectures with different themes shown in Content; the Training Phase focuses on student exercises including reading after lectures, discussions, and group work. The Study Phase focuses on reading before lectures, preparing for weekly exercises individually or in groups, and preparing for examination. Additionally, student projects are assigned to groups or individuals that are allocated in Training Phase and Study Phase.