Students take to the blackboard

As a joint independent study project, three undergraduates have taken on the task of teaching their own course next semester -- entitled "The History of Mathematics." The course, to be taught by College seniors Marc Leibert, Beth Morowitz and Jamie Ostrow, will explore the evolution of mathematics since the beginning of civilization, including Greek influences, medieval and Renaissance math and the invention of calculus. Although none of the students said they are interested in a career in teaching, they all agreed the Math Department should have a course focusing on the history of the subject. With that mutual interest, they came together to develop and teach the class. "Math does not exist in a vacuum -- one needs to understand history in order to progress," Ostrow said. She explained that the three students are working closely with their faculty advisor, Math lecturer Alexis Aleveras, to "supplement our material with his own knowledge." College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla said the project would demonstrate the students' complete understanding of the subject matter. "It is important that we give students the intellectual skills to understand how to convey information effectively to others," he added. Leibert said he and his co-teachers don't anticipate any problems lecturing their peers, even if their friends decide to enroll in the course. Leibert added that Aleveras will be giving the final grades. "We do expect people we are friendly with to enroll, because so far they are the only ones aware of the course," he said. The course was left out of the course catalog, although information about it is available on the World Wide Web, Leibert said. College junior Johanna Matloff said she is definitely considering taking the course. She said she knows Leibert and Ostrow and is impressed with their knowledge and enthusiasm. Given that, she said she expects the course to be successful. The prerequisites for "The History of Mathematics" include Math 140, 141 and 240, and the course will count toward both the Math major and minor. The class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays in the David Rittenhouse Laboratory. The three seniors said they hoped both majors and non-majors would sign up for their class. "We felt the Math Department needed this course in its curriculum so students could get a broader understanding of what they are learning," Leibert said.