MAT 135 - The Heart of Mathematics
[Tentative] Syllabus (Fall 2025)
Course Description: The Heart of Mathematics considers the history, mathematical beauty, and real world applications of a wide variety of topics. This discussion-based course encourages “out-of-the-box” thinking to explore the connections between mathematics and the world around us. Topics may include: patterns in nature, infinity, topology, geometry, networking, fractals, and chaos theory, among others.
Course Timeline and Notebooks
Below is a tentative timeline for our course. This is truly tentative and we may change pace pending student interest, current events, or for unexpected reasons.
| Week(s) | Topic | Assignments and Due Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 - 3 | Acclimating, Individual Meetings, and Discussions of Prior Math Experiences | Mathematical Autobiography due Friday of Week Three |
| Weeks 4 - 6 | Gerrymandering and Game Theory | Fair and Gerrymandered Maps and risk assessments along with individual Highpoints and Hardships reflections due Friday of Week Six |
| Weeks 7 - 9 | Randomness and Games of Chance | Game prototype along with individeual Highpoints and Hardships reflections due Friday of Week Nine |
| Weeks 10 - 14 | Generative Art | No-tech Gen-Art and Gen-Art with Python pieces along with Highpoints and Hardships reflections due Friday of Week Fourteen |
| Weeks 15 - 16 | Portfolio Construction and Reflection | Portfolio due Friday of Week Sixteen |