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Spring 2021

 

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Mathematics (MATH)
202 Fenton, 541-346-4705
College of Arts & Sciences
Course Data
  MATH 397   Hst & Applicat of Calc 4.00 cr.
Historical applications of calculus. Topics may include volumes by the method of exhaustion, Archimedean spiral, Kepler problem, calculus of variations, brachistochrone problem, spread of infectious disease, analysis of savings.
Grading Options: Optional; see degree guide or catalog for degree requirements
Instructor: Matherne J Office:   1 University Hall
Phone:   (541) 346-4700
Office Hours: 1800 - 1900 TR  
See CRN for CommentsPrereqs/Comments: Prereq: MATH 253; one from MATH 232, MATH 262, MATH 307.
Course Materials
 
  CRN Avail Max Time Day Location Instructor Notes
  33490 4 25 1100-1200 mwf 00 REMOTE Matherne J !
Academic Deadlines
Deadline     Last day to:
March 28:   Process a complete drop (100% refund, no W recorded)
April 3:   Drop this course (100% refund, no W recorded; after this date, W's are recorded)
April 3:   Process a complete drop (90% refund, no W recorded; after this date, W's are recorded)
April 4:   Process a complete withdrawal (90% refund, W recorded)
April 4:   Withdraw from this course (100% refund, W recorded)
April 5:   Add this course
April 5:   Last day to change to or from audit
April 11:   Process a complete withdrawal (75% refund, W recorded)
April 11:   Withdraw from this course (75% refund, W recorded)
April 18:   Process a complete withdrawal (50% refund, W recorded)
April 18:   Withdraw from this course (50% refund, W recorded)
April 25:   Process a complete withdrawal (25% refund, W recorded)
April 25:   Withdraw from this course (25% refund, W recorded)
May 16:   Withdraw from this course (0% refund, W recorded)
May 16:   Change grading option for this course
Caution You can't drop your last class using the "Add/Drop" menu in DuckWeb. Go to the “Completely Withdraw from Term/University” link to begin the complete withdrawal process. If you need assistance with a complete drop or a complete withdrawal, please contact the Office of Academic Advising, 101 Oregon Hall, 541-346-3211 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). If you are attempting to completely withdraw after business hours, and have difficulty, please contact the Office of Academic Advising the next business day.

Expanded Course Description
The aim of this course is to give students a deeper understanding of calculus, beyond what is covered in MATH251–253. Our focus is on how calculus is used to solve concrete application problems, rather than on the theoretical underpinnings of the subject. We will be interested in how problems arose historically, and in how calculus contributes to their solution. For example, we will begin the course in ancient Greece—studying how the Greeks computed volumes of pyramids via a strange technique called the “method of exhaustion”. This was an early precursor to the infinitesimal methods of calculus, and we will examine how the two methods compare.

Our readings will bounce back and forth between historical applications and more modern ones. After leaving ancient Greece we will spend some time looking at a variety of modern applications. We will analyze these models abstractly, but we will also learn to use a computer algebra system to do some of the necessary numerical and graphical work.

In the second half of the course, in-class topics will be supplemented with students pursuing individual projects that explore a specific mathematical model of their own choosing. Students will use the computer algebra system to develop workbooks related to their model and write a final paper.

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Release: 8.11