Mathematics 347

Section G1 Fall 2009
Lecture: MWF 3-3:50 PM
Classroom: 147 Altgeld Hall

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Instructor Isidora Milin Office: 337 Illini Hall Email: imilin [at] illinois [dot] edu Office Hours Wednesday 4-5:30PM Thursday 10-11AM Course Information Syllabus for the course Assignments (including assigned reading, homework problems) Exam Information (including practice exams) Practice Problems Handouts Official Course Listing from the course catalog

Math 347 - Fundamental Mathematics

This course gives an introduction to abstract mathematical thinking, problem solving, and exposition through the study of some interesting and beautiful topics in pure mathematics. By taking it you will:

• become familiar with various abstract objects and problem solving techniques in higher mathematics
• learn how to correctly form mathematical arguments - not just get the right answer to a problem, but to construct a logical argument which proves that a statement is true.
• learn how to communicate these arguments in way which others can follow clearly, leaving no room for doubt that what you state is correct
• engage in an act of discovery and conjecture, intuition and inspiration.
• occasionally be in a state of confusion or frustration (not because the mathematics you’re thinking of is nonsense, but because you gave it sense and now you are trying to see what your creation is up to)
• occasionaly you’ll have a breakthrough idea...

This course may differ from earlier math courses which you have taken. Most of the problems will require trying out different approaches and some creativity. You will spend a lot of time thinking about how to present your work so that it is understandable to others. You may also have to struggle with concepts which at first are unfamiliar. As a payoff, you will learn a new language, and, along the way,think creatively through many interesting and beautiful concepts.

Department of Mathematics College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 273 Altgeld Hall, MC-382 1409 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 USA Department Main Office Telephone: (217) 333-3350 Fax (217) 333-9576

© 2011 Isidora Milin.