Math 666
Seminar in Geometry
Important Announcement: Math 666, Summer 2007 edition, is
open early for business for your convenience. Participants will
access the course via
OnlineLearning. Click
first on "Texas A&M University" and then on "Log In". Use your
NetID and Neo password for access.
Geometry is one of the oldest human intellectual creations. Yet now
in modern times, geometry is one of the most active fields of
mathematical research and one of the critical tools in many practical
applications. While a casual lay person might believe that there is
only one geometry (Euclidean plane geometry), there are in fact many
geometries, both practical and fanciful. Math 666 is a graduate
course in geometry including axiomatic systems, geometric
transformations and modern geometry. The broad purpose of the course
is to expand understanding of the variety and importance of modern
geometries. Several viewpoints for studying geometries will be
considered.
Math 666 is web-based with an accompanying text. Math 666 is part of
the Texas A&M University
Masters in Mathematics with a Teaching Option
under the auspices of the Texas A&M University Mathematics Department
and Distance Education Program. The material in Math 666 is
Copyright © 2001-2007 by Jon T. Pitts.
Academic prerequisites for the course are high school geometry, Math
423 (Linear Algebra II), and Math 409 (Advanced Calculus I), or
equivalent, or consent of the instructor. Students who have questions
about their course preparation are encouraged to contact Dr. Pitts
(j-pitts@tamu.edu).
The course is entirely web based. Students will wish to have ready
access to a personal computer with access to the Internet, and normal
peripheral hardware and software, including access to a printer and a
reasonably modern browser and word processor. There will be some file
sharing and adjustments may be required for compatibility.
Math 666 (Seminar in Geometry) will be administered through
Vista at Texas A&M University. There
is an extensive (password protected) web site for Math 666 that will
normally be accessed through Vista.
The text is Modern Geometries, 5th ed. by James R. Smart,
Brooks/Cole, 1998, ISBN 0-534-35188-3. The text will be supplemented
by other resources including web-based resources. The text can be
purchased any place (locally or on the net) that stocks the 5th
edition.
Math 666 is web-based. Course materials are available at all hours.
Web based contact hours will be determined in consultation with the
class. There are three sections to be taught as one course.
- Section 140: Web based for in-state, on-campus audience.
- Section 700: Web based for in-state, off-campus audience.
- Section 720: Web based for out-of-state/country, off-campus
audience.
Jon Pitts
FAX: (979) 845-6028
URL: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~Jon.Pitts
Email: j-pitts@tamu.edu
The course grade will be based on graded written assignments,
including regular homework assignment assignments and one or more
papers, some potentially web-oriented. Students will often work in
groups and submit work on that basis. Homework and papers will
normally be submitted through
Vista.
Course grades will be awarded as follows.
| A - Excellent performance in all aspects of the course. |
| B - Satisfactory completion of all course requirements. |
| C - Passing.
|
A
printable version
of this document is available in PDF format.
Math 666: Seminar in Geometry
Created April 5, 2007. Last modified May 24, 2007.
Copyright ©2007 by
Jon T. Pitts