MATH1900 Art and Science of Math
Course Outline

W 4–4.50pm Walker 5113 Fall 2011

Instructors:

Chjan Lim Amos Eaton 409x6904limc at rpi dot edu
John MitchellAmos Eaton 325x6915mitchj at rpi dot edu

Description: A weekly seminar for first-year mathematics majors. The student-faculty discussions are centered around concrete mathematical problems. Some examples of topics from previous years include countability and the arithmetic of the infinite, topology and the concept of dimension, fractals, probability, Fibonacci numbers, the Towers of Hanoi problem, and topics related to calculus.

Grades: Your grade will be determined by class attendance and participation.

Textbooks: There will be a suggested book in the bookstore. We may also suggest other books during the semester, or place books on reserve. This book is to give you ideas for topics for the course. The book is:

What is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods, by Richard Courant, Herbert Robbins, and Ian Stewart. Oxford University Press, 1996.

The World Wide Web: This outline, the homeworks, and other information about the course are available at:

http://www.rpi.edu/~mitchj/math1900

Office hours:

Chjan Lim: To be announced.
John Mitchell:Tuesday 12–2pm, Wednesday, 2–4pm.

You are also welcome to make an appointment to see either of us at a different time.