MM859: History of Mathematics
The Study Board for Science
Teaching language: English
EKA: N310065102
Assessment: Second examiner: External
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N310065101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 12-03-2025
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Internal Course Code
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
The aim of the course is
- 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.
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 such as in Danish High Schools
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
Portfolio exam
EKA
N310065102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
Oral exam - 20 minutes, preparation 40 minutes
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The portfolio exam consists of a project report and oral exam. The project report counts 30% of the overall assessment.
Re-exam is changed to oral if there are 10 or fewer students enrolled
Re-exam is changed to oral if there are 10 or fewer students enrolled
The duration of the oral re-exam is 20 minutes, with 40 minutes preparation. Possible topics are given before the exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
Planned lessons
Total number of planned lessons: 38
Hereof:
Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 38
The lessons consists of lectures with different themes shown in Content; and student exercises including reading after lectures, discussions, and group work.
Other planned teaching activities:
Reading before lectures, preparing for weekly exercises individually or in groups, and preparing for examination. Additionally, student projects are assigned to groups or individuals.
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.