History of Mathematics (MAT240)

The subject is an introduction to the development of mathematical ideas and methods throughout human history.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

MAT240

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The historical development of central notions within number theory, algebra, geometry and analysis; notation, computational techniques and axiomatic systems.

A wide selection historical sources and persons, such as early number notation and calculations from Mesopotamia and Egypt; Greek geometry and number theory as described in Euclid's Elements, Ptolemeios' Almagest, Diophantus Arithmetica etc.; Indian (Brahmagupta), Chinese ("Nine chapters") and Arabic (al-Khwarizmi) sources. Furthermore, European developments from the Renaissance and beyond with central works and persons such as Cardano (Ars Magna), Descartes (La Géometrie), Fermat, Newton and Leibniz. Selected topics from more recent history may also be included, such as non-Euclidean geometries or Cantor's cardinal numbers and countability.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course the candidate is able to

  • explain the development of mathematical notions within number theory, geometry and analysis in a historical context,
  • interpret and discuss the content of a mathematical source text, and
  • through computational examples demonstrate techniques from a selection of mathematical sources and compare such techniques from various epochs.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

MAT100 Mathematical Methods 1, MAT120 Discrete Mathematics

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades No printed or written materials are allowed. Approved basic calculator allowed

Written exam is with pen and paper

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Alex Bentley Nielsen

Course coordinator:

Martin Gunnar Gulbrandsen

Course teacher:

Alexander Ulanovskii

Head of Department:

Bjørn Henrik Auestad

Method of work

6 hours per week - lectures and problem solving.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
The History of Mathematics (ÅMA240_1) 10

Open for

Battery and Energy Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Biological Chemistry - Biotechnology - Bachelor's Degree Programme Civil Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science - Bachelor in Engineering, Part-Time Electrical Engineering, Vocational Path - Bachelor's Degree Programme Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme, part-time Electrical Engineering - Bachelor's Degree Programme Energy and Petroleum Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Geosciences and Energy Resources - Bachelor in Engineering Environmental Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Mechanical Engineering - Bachelor in Engineering Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering Medical Technology - Bachelor in Engineering - part time Environmental Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Industrial Economics - Master of Science Degree Programme Industrial Economics - Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Year Advanced teacher education for level 8-13 in science Mathematics and Physics - Five Year Integrated Master's Degree Programme Marine and Subsea Technology, Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Years Petroleum Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Years Mathematics - One-Year Programme Science and Technology - one-year programme

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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