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Course Details

Course Department: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Course Code: MAS 007
Course Title: History of Mathematics
Number of ECTS: 5
Level of Course: 1st Cycle (Bachelor's Degree) 
Year of Study (if applicable):
Semester/Trimester when the Course Unit is Delivered: Spring Semester 
Name of Lecturer(s):  
Lectures/Week: 2 (2 hours per lecture) 
Laboratories/week: -- 
Tutorials/Week: -- 
Course Purpose and Objectives: Familiarization with the concept of infinity and the difficulties that human
intellect has overcome with it over time, as well as the way it has been
understood. The limits of the Sciences, the concepts of provable and nonprovable. The beauty of the prime numbers. The mathematics of ancient
Greeks and the way they influenced the evolution of Philosophy and
Science. Utopian searches in Mathematics. Heroes and demigods of
Mathematics. Introduction to the Philosophy of Mathematics.  
Learning Outcomes: Understanding the way in which Mathematics have influenced (and still
influences) Sciences, Letters and Arts, and Philosophy.  
Prerequisites: Not Applicable 
Co-requisites: Not Applicable 
Course Content: The understanding of infinite and the destiny of Cantor. Foundations: Lost
and Found. Prime Number Theorem and Riemann Hypothesis. Roots of
equations: The search for a non-existent formula. Archimedes, Newton and
Gauss. The mathematics of ancient Greeks. The non-existent "Nobel Prize
in Mathematics" and other prizes. Recent sensational developments.  
Teaching Methodology: Important mathematical concepts and biographical data are introduced, and
then the audience is involved in a discussion for understanding both the
concepts and how they have influenced since developments in human
thinking. 
Bibliography:
  1. P.J. Davis and R. Hersh, The Mathematical Experience, Pelican, 1986
  2. Singh, Fermat's Last Theorem, 4th Estate, 1997
  3. M. Kline, Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times, OUP, 1972
  4. S. Hollingdale, Makers of Mathematics, Pelican Books, 1989
 
Assessment: Mid-term Examination 4/10, Final Examination 6/10 
Language of Instruction: Greek
Delivery Mode: Face-To-Face 
Work Placement(s): Not Applicable