Mathematics for Poets, Thinkers and Doers (2007)

Teachers: F.Beukers, J. van Maanen

This course is a mathematics course for non-science majors. There are many aspects of mathematics that appeal to a much wider audience than just scientists. Think of puzzles (such as the recent Sudoku rage), mathematics in art and all philosophical matters about which mathematics has something mind-expanding to say, such as the infinite, the geometry of our world and the secrets of numbers. Those are the topics that we shall deal with in this course.

Our approach towards mathematics is that it can be understood, if one is willing to invest some thought into it. That is why active participation is important during this course. We shall not go into the technical parts of mathematics and thus avoid the use of formulas. This course is not the beginning of a regular training in mathematics. After having followed it you will still have a hard time reading an average math book. In order to be able to do that, one has to follow regular math courses. As for this course, our philosophy is that there is much to enjoy and learn from mathematics without having the technical skills. In the same way as one can enjoy a good game of soccer. without being a professional player.

As our guide we use the book by
E.B. Burger & M. Starbird,
The Heart of Mathematics. An invitation to effective thinking.
Key College Publishing, Emeryville, California, 2005 (2nd edition). ISBN: 1-931914-41-9.


Classes take place on Mondays 16:00-18:00 and Thursdays 9:00-11:00
Homework assignments must be made and handed in by each student individually. Assignments will always be graded; these grades will partly determine the overall grade for the course.

Material covered: