Development of mathematical thought from beginning to present. Contributions from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece; from China, India, and the Arab world; as well as from medieval and modern Western civilization. Prerequisite: MATH 211. (Offered even years, spring semester.)

David M. Burton, History of Mathematics, Fifth edition, McGraw-Hill 2003.

Other references: Howard Eves, Great Moments in Mathematics Before 1650; Howard Eves, Great Moments in Mathematics After 1650; Howard Eves, An Introduction to the History of Mathematics

Lamarr C. Widmer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mathematics

Juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics.

1. This course provides an overview of the history of mathematics from earliest human mathematical activities to the present state of the discipline.
2. We intend to consider both technical and human sides of the subject and to provide each student with an in depth, individual look at one particular historical, mathematical topic.

MATH 211 Calculus III

1. Egyptian, Babylonian and Greek mathematics
2. The awakening: Fibonacci
3. Cardan, Tartaglia, Isaac Newton, Leibniz, Descartes
4. Probability Theory
5. Number Theory: Fermat, Euler, Gauss
6. Non-Euclidean Geometry: Bolyai and Lobachevsky
7. Set Theory: Cantor and Kronecker
8. Twentieth Century mathematicians and their contributions

1. The mathematics reading room (Frey 351).
2. The Library
3. A library of films and videotapes.

1. Three one-hour lecture sessions per week
2. Research project with oral presentation
3. Exams