Department of Mathematics and Statistics
MATH 3052.06 Exploring Geometries Fall Winter 2019/20
Course Coordinator: Dr. Varvara Nika
- Office hours: Ross N 609, Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Please email me ahead of time.
- Email: vnika@yorku.ca
- Days/ Time: Wednesday, 6:00 p.m– 9:00 p.m
- Location: S 525 Ross (Math Stat Lab), See the campus map
- Dates: September 4th, 2019 to April 1st, 2020
- Location: S 525 Ross (Math Stat Lab) (Please note the change in location)
- Course Moodle Site: https://moodle.yorku.ca/moodle/course/view.php?id=154809
- Tutorial: Wednesday 5-6 in Ross S 525
- Tutor: John Campbell
Text: David Henderson and Daina Taimina: Experiencing Geometry: Euclidean, Non-Euclidean with Strands of History (Prentice Hall), 2004. [The second edition can also be used if you find a used copy.]
Prerequisites: The formal prerequisites are minimal: familiarity with linear algebra (vector spaces, matrices, linear transformations, and eigenvectors) and some mathematical maturity (it is a 3rd year course). All other background will be developed as needed.
Expectations: You are expected to:
- join in group work regularly in class and some group work outside of class;
- work with and build physical models in class (such as plastic spheres for spherical geometry, plastic "polyhedron" for polyhedral models, kaleidoscopes), and use these for reasoning and communication;
- work with a dynamic plane and spherical geometry program, i.e., The Geometer's Sketchpad, Spherical Easel, GeoGebra, etc;
- explore the use of visual material in the learning and communication of mathematics (including geometry);
- develop your own geometric questions, conjectures, and projects:
- prepare and present some material in class, and in a written project; while the topic of this project must be discussed with the instructor, we encourage you to take your own questions and ideas seriously. Propose a project that is significant to your own learning and possible career plans!
Evaluation: Graded work will include
- Autobiography 5%
- Five assignments 40%
- Class Participation 10%
- Peer Report 10% (Reports on peers’ Presentations)
- Final Project 30% (Oral presentations and written projects)
- Final Reflections 5%
