MATH 450: GUIDELINES FOR FINAL PAPER

Due Tuesday April 18

     In this paper you are to explore in depth a topic in mathematics. This should not be something from a previous course, though a previous course may suggest a good topic to explore. You are expected to seek out references and to learn about this topic. But the paper is to be more than a synthesis of what you find in your references. You should go beyond that, to contribute something of yourself and show that you have deeply understood the topic.

     What are some ways you could demonstrate this deep understanding? It will vary considerably, depending on your topic and on yourself. An actuarial student might apply financial mathematics to a specific situation and discuss the implications for the customer or for the company. Another student might explore engineering applications of a particular theory or technique from differential equations or from stochastic methods. A secondary education student could choose a mathematical subject and plan in detail how to teach it over a term. Perhaps you might examine the use of group theory in factoring large prime numbers and how this has transformed cryptography in recent years. Finding a suitable topic is the first, and perhaps the hardest, part of the paper.

Calendar

• Jan. 10 – Feb. 13: Think about a possible topic. Discuss this with your instructor.
• Tuesday Feb. 14: Submit a one-page proposal. This should give a tentative title, a paragraph describing what you plan to write about, a brief outline of possible contents, at least one reference you intend to consult, and which professor has agreed to be your advisor for the paper.
• March 1 – April 17: Meet with your advisor and with me to work on your paper.
• Tuesday March 14: Submit a list of at least five references, properly cited.
• Tuesday April 18: Paper due in class.
• April 19– May 1: Prepare your presentation.
• Tuesday May 2: Final presentations, 8:00 a.m.

Some details:

a.  The paper should be 10-15 pages, double-spaced in 12 pt. font with numbered pages.

b.  The paper should be written for an audience of your peers, i.e. for senior mathematics majors.

c. There should be an introduction that informs the reader of where the paper will take them and a conclusion that summarizes the work.

d. There should be considerable non-trivial mathematical content beyond what you have learned in other classes.  The mathematics must be correctly and clearly explained for your audience. Bear in mind that not everyone has taken the same courses you have.

e. Turn in TWO copies.

f.  Presentation and organization are major concerns.

g. Style, grammar, and spelling are important and will be included in your grade.

h.  References must be cited within the paper.

i.  You should include complete bibliographic information, with several appropriate sources.

Remember that this paper counts for 35% of your course grade.