The story of maths
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| 1 Computer-marked assignment (CMA) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This 10-week online course follows the BBC Four programme The story of maths presented by Professor Marcus du Sautoy. It traces the development of mathematics – from its origins in Egypt and Mesopotamia 4000 years ago to twentieth-century Europe and the US. You’ll explore mathematical ideas in an historical and cultural context that are explained in an entertaining and accessible way. The television programmes on DVD are accompanied by downloadable printable commentaries, and Anne Rooney’s book The Story of Mathematics. This course can be studied as a one-off, and could be an excellent introduction to further study in mathematics and the sciences.
Course content
This course is intended for anyone interested in how mathematics has evolved in an historical and cultural context from the cradle of civilisation to the present day. It brings everyday mathematical concepts to life, showing why and how they were invented and the problems that had to be overcome to develop them. Also contained are many less well-known ideas and results that can be surprising and fascinating. The course illuminates the humanities and the sciences, and is a rich source of knowledge and insight for both.
The course consists of four two-week blocks, punctuated by a computer-marked assignment after Block 2 and an end-of-course assessment (which includes two short historical essays) after Block 4.
Block 1: The Language of the Universe covers the mathematical achievements of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
Block 2: The Genius of the East looks at the mathematical achievements of ancient China, India and the Islamic world and early-Renaissance Europe.
Block 3: The Frontiers of Space examines the mathematical achievements of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries in Europe.
Block 4: To Infinity and Beyond considers the mathematical achievements and aspirations of 20th-century Europe and the US.
Each block involves two weeks of study (16–20 hours), during which you will watch the associated one-hour DVD from the BBC TV series The Story of Maths and work through the historical commentary and mathematical exercises, referring to the course book as necessary. Although this course is taught online you can print the course materials from the website if you wish.
Entry
The course, for which there are no formal entry pre-requisites, should be accessible to anyone with GCSE mathematics or its equivalent; in particular, it will be accessible to anyone who has studied Discovering mathematics (MU123), and much of the requisite background is also included in the Openings course Starting with maths (Y162). Specifically, we assume that you are familiar with most of the following topics; however, since this may have been some time ago, we have tried to reintroduce them gently in the written material:
- addition and multiplication of whole numbers, negative numbers and fractions
- the ability to manipulate algebraic symbols (such as x and y) and solve equations such as 3x + 4 = 10
- the number π and the fact that the circumference and area of a circle with radius r are 2πr and πr2
- geometrical terms such as point, line, angle, triangle, square and parallel lines.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
This course can count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
The course is taught entirely online and students will spend a considerable amount of time using a computer, particular software and accessing the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software you are strongly recommended to check that these will be compatible before you register for the course.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Access to the course website, four DVDs, printed course commentary, course book, access to the OU library.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
The course is taught entirely online. You will not have an individual tutor, but you can use the online forum to ask for help and advice about any aspect of the course. The forum will be overseen by experienced academic moderators. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the forum, because it is an excellent source of support and information.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eCMA system to submit your mid-course computer-marked assignment (CMA) and the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
The CMA consists mainly of mathematical questions. The ECA consists of some further mathematical questions and two short historical essays.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May and October 2010. We expect it to be available twice a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Mathematics and Statistics.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
Enthralling. This is not for the teaching of maths to beginners, but a course on real mathematics, as used from ...
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I really enjoyed this course. I only saw one of the programmes on BBC4, and wanted to know more, so ...
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