Course syllabus

Praktisk kunskapsteori för matematik
Applied Epistemology of Mathematics

TFRP80, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: Single courses at LTH spring 2023
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED F/Pi
Date of Decision: 2022-04-20

General Information

Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The course aims to give students an introduction to the philosophy of mathematics from a practical  perspective, and to make students aware of some important questions concerning the culture of mathematics, such as good scientific practice, reproducibility and diversity.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe and use some basic theories in the philosophy of science, in particular their application to mathematics
• be able to describe and have practised the recovery and usage of primary and secondary sources of knowledge, especially scholarly research published in international journals
• be able to describe and have practised methods for evaluating scholarly work
• be able to give an account of relevant historical and current research questions
• be able to describe current challenges in university culture, e.g. to ensure equal opportunities and diversity.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to apply the working methods of philosophy of science in order to identify and analyse common types of argument
• be able to write a referee report
• be able to give an account of recently acquired knowledge and insights in both written and oral form, as part of a group or individually
• through a project have been given an introduction to research on different aspects of university research and culture.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to argue the value of both philosophical and personal critical reflection, regarding various forms of human knowledge and science
• be able to formulate relevant criticism of both individual philosophical arguments and scientific theories.

Contents

The course introduces elements of

  1. the philosophy of science and its application to mathematics, engineering mathematics and engineering physics,
  2. the history and philosophy of mathematics, and
  3. research on diversity and equal opportunities.

It discusses some questions concerning good scientific culture practice in mathematics. This includes questions about reproducibility and diversity.

 

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U,G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment: Written project, oral presentation.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Admission

Admission requirements:

Precedence: Number of previous university credits
The course overlaps following course/s: ??055, FMAP01

Reading list

Contact and other information

Examinator: Carina Geldhauser, Carina.Geldhauser@math.lth.se
Course coordinator: Carina Geldhauser, Carina.Geldhauser@math.lth.se
Course homepage: http:// https://www.maths.lth.se/course/MathCult