Nov 21, 2024  
2013 Summer Session Catalogue 
    
2013 Summer Session Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

HNS 377W - Great Ideas in Mathematics


Instructor: CDR Daniel S. Joseph
Location: Mallory Hall 307
Date/Time: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Credit Hours: 3

A common misconception among students is that mathematics is all about memorizing formulas and applying them to specific types of problems. They often carry this error with them throughout life. This course will shatter that misconception. We will take a journey through some of the greatest and most beautiful ideas of mathematics (and human thought in general) as we explore the theory of numbers,the concept of infinity, selected topics in geometry, topology, chaos theory, fractals, and probability. Along the way we will focus on skills and creative ways of thinking that will help solve problems in any area of life. Like all honors seminars, this course is writing-intensive. Prerequisite(s): While HNS-377W is an honors seminar, it is open to students not enrolled in the VMI Honors Program if they meet the following criteria: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and completion of WR-101 and WR-102 with at least a B.