Eugenia Cheng

We will study aspects of abstract mathematics as exemplified by Western Classical Music. We will look at classical music notation, notes and tonality, as well as the sounds that instruments and voices make, and at a broader scale the overall structure of pieces of music. Mathematics will be used to analyse, explain and clarify all these aspects of music. There will be a broad range of math topics from all the major branches of pure mathematics including algebra and group theory, number theory, calculus, fourier analysis and topology. These will be built up from the basics and unlike in a standard math class, the examples will all be aspects of music. The music will be western classical music including works by Bach, Schubert, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Wagner, Janacek, Shostakovich, Britten, Messiaen. Assignments will take the form of math problems, open book quizzes, application of math to analyse existing music, application of math to generate and transform original music, and reflective writing assignments. No memorisation will ever be required.

We will study aspects of abstract mathematics as exemplified by Western Classical Music. We will look at classical music notation, notes and tonality, as well as the sounds that instruments and voices make, and at a broader scale the overall structure of pieces of music. Mathematics will be used to analyse, explain and clarify all these aspects of music. There will be a broad range of math topics from all the major branches of pure mathematics including algebra and group theory, number theory, calculus, fourier analysis and topology. These will be built up from the basics and unlike in a standard math class, the examples will all be aspects of music. The music will be western classical music including works by Bach, Schubert, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Wagner, Janacek, Shostakovich, Britten, Messiaen. Assignments will take the form of math problems, open book quizzes, application of math to analyse existing music, application of math to generate and transform original music, and reflective writing assignments. No memorisation will ever be required.

Is there such a thing as 'new' mathematics? You can't just discover a new number after all. This course will give insights into contemporary mathematics, emphasizing how the partner processes of abstraction and generalization lead to new discoveries and insights. We will consider classical mathematics in this light, and then apply the same methods to thinking about shapes, surfaces, knots, maps. Crucially throughout we will apply the methods and way of thinking to questions of social justice and political arguments to show that abstract mathematics is highly relevant to our daily lives. Hands-on activities will emphasize the visual and structural aspects of mathematics, reshaping your view of what math means. No previous proficiency in mathematics is expected, only curiosity and an open mind about the subject. The textbook for the course is 'How to Bake Pi' by Eugenia Cheng. All content will have the aim of developing skills in logical reasoning, and appreciation of rigorous logical arguments. Assignments will take the form of math problems, open book quizzes, writing assignments and class participation. No memorization will ever be required.

Is there such a thing as 'new' mathematics? You can't just discover a new number after all. This course will give insights into contemporary mathematics, emphasizing how the partner processes of abstraction and generalization lead to new discoveries and insights. We will consider classical mathematics in this light, and then apply the same methods to thinking about shapes, surfaces, knots, maps. Crucially throughout we will apply the methods and way of thinking to questions of social justice and political arguments to show that abstract mathematics is highly relevant to our daily lives. Hands-on activities will emphasize the visual and structural aspects of mathematics, reshaping your view of what math means. No previous proficiency in mathematics is expected, only curiosity and an open mind about the subject. The textbook for the course is 'How to Bake Pi' by Eugenia Cheng. All content will have the aim of developing skills in logical reasoning, and appreciation of rigorous logical arguments. Assignments will take the form of math problems, open book quizzes, writing assignments and class participation. No memorization will ever be required.