Special Mathematics Classes: Capstones
MTH 396 and MTH 496 Prerequisites:
Completion of MTH 309, MTH 310, and MTH 320 (or the honors equivalent), cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, average of at least 2.0 across MTH 309, MTH 310 and MTH 320 and approval of the capstone instructor. Note: e-mail notification will be given once your override has been issued.
Fall Semester 2012: MTH 496 - An Elementary Introduction to Knot Theory taught by Effie Kalfagianni
Description: This course will be an elementary introduction to the mathematical theory of knots with emphasis in some developments that occurred in the last twenty five years. We will describe the different classifications of knots, their properties, various ways for measuring their complexity and some applications of knot theory to biology and physics. Since some open problems in this area can be explained at an elementary level, students will also have the opportunity to get a taste of what it is like to do research in mathematics.
Spring Semester 2013: MTH 496 - A Mathematical Description of Quantum Mechanics taught by Jeff Schenker
Description: The physical theory of quantum mechanics, which provides a fundamental description of matter at the atomic level, is based on some very interesting mathematics related to infinite dimensional linear algebra and partial differential equations. This capstone will be an introduction to these topics and their relation to quantum mechanics. We will discuss the geometry of Hilbert spaces; theory of linear operators on Hilbert spaces; spectrum and eigenvalues and their relation to the evolution of quantum systems; scattering theory; basic theory of the linear operators describing atoms and molecules.
Spring Semester 2013: MTH 396 - High School Mathematics from and Advanced Viewpoint. Instructor to be announced.