MATHEMATICS 11200-11300
It has generally been assumed that after completing high school math, students continuing their mathematics education should begin the study of calculus. This assumption is implicitly made each time we refer to basic algebra, Euclidean geometry, trigonometry, etc. as "precalculus." Students often have the impression that advanced math is synonymous with calculus.While calculus forms the basis for a large part of mathematics and is very important to scientists and engineers, there are several limitations involved in teaching calculus to non-scientists, who do not wish to continue to study mathematics. First, calculus is a difficult, technical subject. To give a complete rigorous treatment of calculus often requires more time than is available. Second, calculus is only one part of modern mathematics. Studying only precalculus and calculus gives students a distorted view of what mathematics is and what mathematicians do. Finally, while calculus has an interesting history, it is almost always taught from a modern point of view, leaving students with no understanding of how great an accomplishment the development of calculus was.
With this in mind, it became clear that an alternative to calculus should be offered. Math 11200 is such an alternative. A somewhat non-traditional one-quarter course, Math 11200 attempts to give students an understanding of what mathematics is, what mathematicians do, and the subject's history. Math 11200 addresses number theory along with symmetry and geometry. The course emphasizes the understanding of ideas and the ability to express them through mathematical arguments.
The course Math 11200 is at the level of difficulty of the core calculus courses. Structured like Math 13100-13200-13300, the course has tutorials twice each week in addition to the lectures. No special permission is necessary to register for the course; students should carefully check their concentration requirements to be sure that they may take this course instead of calculus to fulfill the core requirement in mathematics.
