Syllabus

Math 4820/5820: History of Mathematical Ideas, Spring 2026

Syllabus

Catalogue description:
Examines the evolution of a few mathematical concepts (e.g., number, geometric continuum, or proof), with an emphasis on the controversies surrounding these concepts. Begins with Ancient Greek mathematics and traces the development of mathematical concepts through the middle ages into the present.

Requisites:
Prereq. courses of MATH 2001 or MATH 2002 and one of the following: MATH 3001, 3110, 3120, 3140, 3170, 3210, 3430, 3450, 3510, 3850, 4000, 4001, 4120, 4140, 4200, 4230, 4330, 4440, 4510, 4520, 4540, 4650, or 4660 (all min grade C-).

Text:
Mathematics and Its History (Undergraduate Texts in Mathematics) 3rd ed., by John Stillwell (2010).
You can freely download the PDF for the book from Springer through our library by following this link.

Homework, Quizzes and Exams:
During the semester there will be regularly assigned homework and quizzes, one midterm and a final exam. Your course grade will be computed according to the formula:

Grade = HW(30%) + Quiz(20%) + Mid(20%) + Final(30%).

You must take the final exam to pass the course.

Late homework will not be accepted and missed quizzes cannot be made up. However, I will not count your two lowest homework scores nor your two lowest quiz scores.

Grading:
You will be graded only on your written work. This work will be judged on the basis of correctness, completeness and legibility. Strings of formulas without explanation will not be accepted. Paragraph organization (where appropriate), complete sentences and correct punctuation are expected.

Dates:
Homework: Usually due Wednesday
Quiz: Usually on Monday
First Day of Class: January 9
Martin Luthor King Day: January 19 (No Classes; University Closed)
Midterm Reading Day: February 26 (No Classes; No Exams)
Midterm: February 27 (in class)
Spring Break: March 16-20
Last Day of Class: April 24
Reading Days: April 25-26 (No Classes; No Exams)
Final Exam: April 27, 4:30-7pm.

Getting Help:
Don't wait until it is too late if you need help. Ask questions! I am available during the office hours listed here and also at many other times. If you can't see me during office hours, then make an appointment with me to see me at a different time. I will also give short answers to questions sent by email. It is also possible to get help in the Math Academic Resource Center (MARC).

WWW:
Information concerning our class will be posted on my teaching web page under the link for Teaching. A copy of any document I hand out in class will be accessible from this page.