MM550: Perspectives on Mathematics
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N300040112, N300040102
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N300040101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 25-10-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
13015001(former UVA) is identical with this course description.
The course cannot be followed by students who have passed NAT504.
The course will be offered for the last time in the spring of 2022 with exams in June (first test attempts), second test attempt in august and third test attempts in January 2023.
The course cannot be followed by students who have passed NAT504.
The course will be offered for the last time in the spring of 2022 with exams in June (first test attempts), second test attempt in august and third test attempts in January 2023.
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of the various fields of mathematics algebra, analysis and statistics.
Course introduction
The course introduces central themes from the Philosophy of
Mathematics and discusses ethical problems that are relevant to
mathematics and the natural sciences.
Mathematics and discusses ethical problems that are relevant to
mathematics and the natural sciences.
The course presupposes a
broad knowledge in mathematics as obtained through the bachelor-degree
in mathematics as the course’s aim is to discuss mathematics.
Furthermore some themes build on the knowledge of basic logic as
obtained in for example MM537.
broad knowledge in mathematics as obtained through the bachelor-degree
in mathematics as the course’s aim is to discuss mathematics.
Furthermore some themes build on the knowledge of basic logic as
obtained in for example MM537.
If the student takes further courses in this area, it is possible to write a master thesis in this area.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give the competence to reflect on mathematics as a subject and mathematics role in the society
- Give skills to reason and argue about themes in the philosophy of mathematics
- Give knowledge and understanding of positions in the philosophy of mathematics
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- reproduce central parts of the literature of the course.
- use the notions and concepts from the course correctly.
- relate relevant issues about the students subject to the theories presented in the course.
- Argue for independent points of view relevant for this course.
Content
Themes are:
- Role of university and mathematics in society.
- Methods in mathematics (epistemology).
- Theory and Reality (ontology).
- Ethics.
Literature
Examination regulations
Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a)
Timing
Spring
Tests
Project
EKA
N300040112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
An approved project is a prerequisite for participation in the exam element a)
Exam element a)
Timing
June
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam element a) | N300040101, MM550: Perspectives on Mathematics |
Tests
Oral exam
EKA
N300040102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
30 minutes
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The themes listed will be introduced in lectures and will afterwards be discussed in relation to mathematics in smaller classes. The exercises will sometimes have lectures by the responsible teacher but mostly they will be based on active participation. During the course all students will be giving a presentation of chosen topic in a group. Based on this presentation the group will then write a report that will be the starting point of the oral exam. Note that a presentation as well as a passed project is a prerequisite to go to the final exam.
Educational activities
The study phase is mainly used to prepare presentations and write reports.