Course Description
Mathematical problems with emphasis on exploring various mathematical contexts, on posing and extending problems, and on communicating mathematical problems and solutions.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are given additional problem sets that involve
more complicated mathematical ideas and are expected to offer
multiple solution strategies for each problem and elaborate on
connections between the strategies. In addition, graduate
students' work is graded using a more stringent scale than that
used for undergraduate work.
Athena Title
Problem Solving in Mathematics
Graduate Prerequisite
MATH 2260 or MATH 2260E
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To explore problem solving in mathematics as . . . a curricular goal . . . an instructional strategy . . . the essential core of mathematics . . . a process for doing mathematics
Topical Outline
This course will concentrate on solving, or attempting solve, mathematics problems. How can one implement problems solving goals and activities in mathematics instruction without first becoming a problem solver? The emphasis is on exploration of various mathematics contexts to learn mathematics, to pose problems and problem extensions, to solve problems, and to communicate mathematical demonstrations. The problems will come from many sources and contexts. The primary ground rule is that the problem situations can be investigated with pre-calculus mathematics. We will use problem contexts to pose problems, explore mathematical relationships, examine the use of resources -- media, technology, references or colleagues -- to engage in mathematics problem solving. Inquiry, investigation, exploration will be significant descriptors of what we want to accomplish.
Syllabus
Public CV