Spring 2025 - MATH 381W D100
Mathematics Undergraduate Seminar (3)
Class Number: 3229
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Tom Archibald
tarchi@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3379
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Prerequisites:
Six units of mathematics at the 300-division or higher, or permission of the instructor. Students are strongly advised to have completed both MATH 242 and MATH 251 or equivalent.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A writing and presentation-intensive study of an area of mathematics. Students will read and prepare written and oral comments on material in the mathematics literature. Writing/Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
*Students are strongly advised to have both MATH 251 and MATH 240 or equivalent complete prior to taking MATH 381W.*
The course heading for this term is "From Calculus to Set Theory and Beyond."
In MATH 381W in Spring 2025 we will examine a number of topics in the history of mathematics, centred on issues having to do with the process of making calculus rigorous. Following several weeks of lectures on the topic to set the stage, we will move to a combination of student presentations and occasional lectures by the professor. The precise timing will depend on the number of students. Readings will be assigned from the scholarly literature. Each student will give an individual presentation according to a schedule to be determined, between February 28 and April 5 in a lecture session. A write-up on this topic is also required. In addition there will be assignments involving problems and reports on readings. Each student will also prepare a report on the presentation of another student.
Students must give a presentation and submt the major writing assignment in order to receive a passing grade in the course no matter what the other grades are.
Note that attendance at the classes in which student presentations are given is mandatory.
The grading scheme below is subject to change.
Grading
• Minor Assignments 25%
• Seminar participation and comment on the work of others 10%
• Presentation 15%
• Major writing assignment 30%
• In-class tests 20%
Grading
- Assignments 20%
- Seminar participation 10%
- Presentation and major writing assignment 40%
- In-class test 10%
- Final exam 20%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Readings will be posted or be available online.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.