Course Syllabus

In the area below, provide basic, standard course information ahead of registration period to help students make informed course choices. Click the EDIT button and input your responses by over-writing the field description below each bolded heading. Consult the IT Help knowledge base or reach out to FAS Academic Technology at atg@fas.harvard.edu for assistance.

Course goals:

Mathematics in the world is a rather panoramic view over mathematics. We will each week have an overview over a field of mathematics and solve key puzzles in that area, that are relevant to how the world works.  What is mathematics? Why does it work? Who are the people who are behind the discoveries. 

Course format:

Mostly presentation, heavily also on stories and history and applications.  Each lecture also will feature a key puzzle in that area. In each subject we hike through the subject from the beginnings to the latest discoveres. Is more like a tourist various parts of the world.

Typical enrollees:

Whoever wants to have a broad overview over all fields of mathematics. Whoever wants  know more about the history of mathematical discoveries. Whoever likes more down to earth, less technical math. Note that "non-technical" does not mean easy. Some of the toughest unknown problems in mathematics are very simple to state. 

When is course typically offered?

Spring.

What can students expect from you as an instructor?

I want the classes to be motivational and entertaining. 

Assignments and grading:

There are weekly psets. There is an in-class midterm which checks the engagement with the course. The weekly pset of the midterm week is a second part of the midterm and needs to be completed alone. The final also has an inclass knowledge and basic skills component as well as a final paper. 

Sample reading list:

 Sample reading. 

Enrollment cap, selection process, notification:

No enrollment cap

Past syllabus:

Look at my other 100 level courses taught here. 

AI Policy:

Click the AI Policy link in the navigation menu at left and follow the instructions to select your course's AI policy. Once complete, students will be able to view your finalized policy by clicking the same navigation item.

Course policies:

Class attendance is expected. We keep strict HW deadlines.