You will choose two topics. I recommend sections from chapters 9-11, with the exception of the following sections which are disallowed: 11.1, 11.5, 11.7, 11.8, 11.13. For the first topic, you will write a formal paper and give a talk to the class. For the second topic, you will just give a talk.
| Monday 1/27 | Choice of both topics | |
| Monday 2/3 | Topic 1 outline | |
| Monday 2/17 | Topic 1 rough draft | |
| Monday 2/24 | Topic 1 paper due and talks begin | |
| Monday 3/31 | Topic 2 outline of talk | |
| Friday 4/25 | Topic 2 talks begin |
Each paper should be written with suitable software. Mathematica can serve as both calculator, math formatter, and word processor. I understand that Matlab will help with calculations, but may not serve as a word processor. Word is acceptable, and has an equation editor. It should be 5-10 pages, typed, single spaced, with 12-pt type and 1" margins. The paper should contain your own title, introduction, conclusion, references, and other labeled sections as needed. You will hand in a hard copy. You are encouraged to include pictures, computer output (not input), and an outside reference. Please use the accepted Math Referencing Style. The paper counts 5% of your semester grade. The topics and due dates are:
The three papers from last semester are available below in electronic form. They contain Mathematica code that you may find useful, and each is an example of an acceptable paper for this class. See also my tutorial Introduction to Mathematica.
Feel free to cut and paste examples of my code or text formatting that you want to use in your own paper. But please do not copy text content from these or any other sources. Keep in mind the policy on Academic Honesty, outlined in the Connections Handbook, designed to help you avoid plagiarism and other forms of cheating. Also see Ethics in Mathematics Courses.
To save one of the files below to your computer, right click on the link and choose Save Link As.... Then open the file from Mathematica. You must be in the Elizabeth Hall 205 lab to read and execute Mathematica files.
Introduction to Mathematica (11 Jan 03, 23 kb)
Matrices and Game Theory (11 Jul 02, 27 kb)
Curve Fitting with Splines (3 Oct 02, 619 kb)
CAT Scans (16 Aug 02, 169 kb)
I knew very little about game theory before I started that paper, so perhaps my experience will be somewhat like yours.
All talks must rely mostly on Power Point or overhead slides. Your talk should take 15-20 minutes. I will need to get time estimates from you so I can schedule the talks.
Create a complete outline as if you were writing a paper. Decide which material to display on the screen, which to put in handouts (optional), and which to present orally.
Design the talk for your audience - other students in this class. Imagine talking to them as you write the talk. Include background information that is probably new to them, but do not spend time on information they learned in this or previous courses. Some items may warrant a quick reminder.
Make the writing on the slides very large (at least 24 pt font), and keep to summaries, key words, and pictures. In most cases, do not write complete sentences. What you say can fill in the blanks, with the slides remaining as reminders.
Most talks contain some new definitions, some theorems (with or without proofs), and some examples to illustrate the ideas. Choose your examples carefully. One example can illustrate several things, and you need not illustrate anything more than once.
PRACTICE. With all your slides and the equipment you plan to use.
PRACTICE AGAIN. Time yourself.
PRACTICE AGAIN with me or a friend. Ask for criticism.
Do not go over your allotted time, and keep to your script.
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