MATHS 298: Undergraduate Colloquium (1)

Syllabus

1.     Prerequisite:  None

 

2.     Catalog Description:  A series of brief introductions to the mathematical landscape including glimpses of mathematics in the workplace. Topics are drawn from all areas of the mathematical sciences. 

 

3.     Course Objectives:  Students who take this course should gain some sense of possible career options for mathematicians, come to understand that mathematics is diverse and continually developing, see that mathematics is a discipline to which they will be able to make a contribution, and become part of the “social structure” of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. 

 

4.     Course Rationale:  This course is designed to provide students with an overview of mathematics as a discipline in the “real world”. Mathematical science majors need to see how ideas in the classroom are actually used to study real problems.  The course provides the venue by which alumni, faculty, students, and guests can share their experiences.

 

5.     Course Content:  Each semester contains a mix of career-oriented talks, introductions to topics that will be examined closely in later coursework, and glimpses of interesting mathematical ideas that are not routinely covered in the undergraduate curriculum.

 

6.     Course Format:  The course is a series of independent lectures of an introductory nature, coordinated by a designated faculty member.  Speakers include alumni, faculty, students, and guests.  A brief question and discussion period follows each twenty-five minute presentation.

 

7.     Methods of Evaluating Student Performance:  Students who enroll for credit will be expected to write a short one to two page reaction paper for each talk.  Course grade is based on these papers, with method of evaluation at the discretion of the faculty coordinator.

 

8.     Evaluation of the Course:  Students will provide an evaluation of the course at the end of each semester using an instrument prepared by the course organizer.  The instruction of the course is evaluated by departmental student evaluations and peer evaluation.  The course is reviewed and revised periodically by the Departmental Undergraduate Programs Committee.

 

Revised by M. Karls, Fall 2005