Honors
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This semester, Spring 2011, the SAS Honors section of Topics in
Mathematics for the Liberal Arts will cover quite different subject
matter than in previous semesters. In its current format it will
investigate many of the same topics as the non-honors sections of Math
103, but in greater depth, and focusing on topics of political and
philosophical interest.
Every section of Math 103 is intended to offer an engaging
introduction to how mathematics is applied in a variety of real world
contexts. The hope is that the course will cohere well with students'
overall programs of study, even if the mathematical or natural
sciences are not their primary interest.
The SAS Honors section of the course will cover the mathematics of social choice (the formal
study of the merits and flaws of different systems for a group to
choose among several alternatives, such as candidates in an election),
manipulability of voting systems, weighted voting systems (how much
power does each party really have in a parliamentary system?),
electing the president, fair division of goods (if siblings inherit an
estate, what is a fair way to divide it?), apportionment (e.g. of
congressional districts to states following a census), and game theory
(mathematical aspects of cooperation and competition). Students will not be
left wondering, "what does this have to do with real life?"
Not usable as an elective toward the Math major or minor.
Syllabus
Sample: Fall 2006
Upcoming Semester: Fall 2009
Instructor: Wesley Pegden. (course website)
See schedule on 103 course page.
Previous semester resources
- Spring 2009:Wesley Pegden
- Fall 2008: Dr. M. Weingart
- Fall 2007: Prof. R. Bumby
- Fall 2006: Prof. S. Miller.
- Fall 1999: Prof. S. Greenfield
Frequently used textbook:
Thomas H. Barr;
Invitation to Cryptology,
Prentice-Hall,
2002 (396 pp.); (ISBN: 0-13-088976-8).
The textbook will not be used in the Fall 2009 semester. The course packet will be handed out in class. (See the course website for details.)
Regular sections of Math 103 (Topics in Mathematics)
Disclaimer: Posted for informational purposes only
This material is posted by the faculty of the Mathematics Department at Rutgers New Brunswick for informational purposes. While we try to maintain it, information may not be current or may not apply to individual sections. The authority for content, textbook, syllabus, and grading policy lies with the current instructor.
Information posted prior to the beginning of the semester is frequently tentative, or based on previous semesters. Textbooks should not be purchased until confirmed with the instructor. For generally reliable textbook information—with the exception of sections with an alphabetic code like H1 or T1, and topics courses (197,395,495)—see the textbook list.