MAT 336: History of Mathematics

Course Schedule - Lecture 3 - Fall 2026

Note: This schedule may change as needed. Check regularly for updates.

# Date Topic Quizzes - HW Paper/Presentation
1Mon, Aug 24Math History Introduction – Info about the course
2Wed, Aug 26Reliable Sources / Counting FoundationsInfo and topic choice form
3Mon, Aug 31Cultural Counting Methods / Number Systems
4Wed, Sep 2Mathematics in Ancient EgyptQuiz 1: Foundations: Sources and the Beginnings of Counting and Numbers
Labor Day - Mon Sep 7 (no class)
5Wed, Sep 9Mathematics in Ancient EgyptQuiz 2. Number Systems.PDF of Slides.
6Mon, Sep 14Egypt/MesopotamiaPresentations start
7Wed, Sep 16Mathematics in Ancient MesopotamiaQuiz 3 Egypt
8Mon, Sep 21Mesopotamian Mathematics: Plimpton 322
9Wed, Sep 23Hellenic Mathematics Before EuclidQuiz 4 Mesopotamia (except Plimpton 322)
10Mon, Sep 28Hellenic Mathematics Before Euclid
11Wed, Sep 30Hellenic Mathematics Before Euclid/Euclid's ElementsQuiz 5: Plimpton 322
12Mon, Oct 5Euclid's Elements
13Wed, Oct 7Euclid's ElementsDraft 1 Paper (500 words) with excerpts/screenshots.
Fall Break - Mon Oct 12 to Tue Oct 13 (no class Mon Oct 12)
14Wed, Oct 14Euclid's ElementsQuiz 6 Earliest Hellenic.Draft 2 Paper (750 words)
15Mon, Oct 19Archimedes
16Wed, Oct 21Apollonius, Eratosthenes, Ptolemy, DiophantusQuiz 7 EuclidDraft 3 Paper (1000 words)
17Mon, Oct 26Mathematics in China
18Wed, Oct 28Mathematics in ChinaQuiz 8 ArchimedesDraft 4 Paper (1250 words)
19Mon, Nov 2Mathematics in India
20Wed, Nov 4Mathematics in IndiaQuiz 9. ChinaDraft 5 Paper (1500 words)
21Mon, Nov 9Mathematics in the Islamic Golden Age
22Wed, Nov 11Mathematics in the Islamic Golden AgeQuiz 10 IndiaPaper due.
23Mon, Nov 16Mathematics in the European Renaissance
24Wed, Nov 18Mathematics in the European RenaissanceQuiz 11 Islamic Golden Age.
25Mon, Nov 23Calculus origins and first steps
Thanksgiving Break - Wed Nov 25 to Sun Nov 29 (no class Wed Nov 25)
26Mon, Nov 30Calculus origins and first steps
27Wed, Dec 2Review/Selected TopicsQuiz 12: Renaissance. Review and reflection.
28Mon, Dec 7TBD—official last day of classes

Presentation topics: See Topics - Lecture 3 for suggested presentation topics by date.