Course Outline and Schedule

Math 600 is an introductory course on mathematical software. We will spend 3 weeks on LaTeX, 2 weeks on Maple, and 1 week on GeoGebra.

• LaTeX is a tool for mathematical typesetting and communication. By learning LaTeX, you will be able to produce professional-looking notes, assignments and solutions, replete with beautiful formulas. LaTeX is also becoming a de facto standard for mathematical communication in websites such as mathoverflow.
• Maple is mathematical computation software. It can function as an enhanced calculator, a programming language, or as a tool to produce diagrams and graphs. It is able to solve many algebraic formulas both exactly and numerically, and perform symbolic manipulation. It also can interface with LaTeX. (It is somewhat similar to Matlab, Sage, and Mathematica.)
• GeoGebra is a program for interactive mathematics joining geometry, algebra, graphing and even calculus in one convenient package. You can define a compass-and-straightedge construction on your computer and then watch the derived points change as you move the initial points, or create variables to manipulate the transformations of a particular function. It can create graphics for LaTeX. (It is somewhat similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad and Cabri Geometry.)

Format

You need to spend time on this course each week for reading the material and completing the assignments. The assignments (except Assignment 0) are due Mondays at 8 AM EST but you can hand them in earlier if you like. The course staff is available for you throughout the week and weekend so we recommend that you do at least some part of your work early in the week.

All of the course notes will be located online, and all of the software other than Maple is free. Make sure you visit the Materials and Resources page for instructions on how to order Maple (if you have not already purchased it) and information on other required software.

Calendar/Schedule

Important: All times are Ontario time (EDT = UTC/GMT –4 hours). See the University Policies page. This is the revised schedule incorporating the swap of weeks 5 and 6 relative to the original proposed schedule.

Week	Topic	Assignment(s) and Due Date	Grade Value
Week 1: Sept 10-16	LaTeX, part 1	Assignment 0, Thu. Sept. 13 at 8 AM  Assignment 1, Mon. Sept. 17 at 8 AM	5% 15%
Week 2: Sept 17-23	LaTeX, part 2	Assignment 2, Mon. Sept. 24 at 8 AM	15%
Week 3: Sept 24-30	LaTeX, part 3	Assignment 3, Mon. Oct. 1 at 8 AM	15%
Week 4: Oct 1-7	Maple, part 1	Assignment 4, Tues. Oct. 9 at 8 AM	15%
Week 5: Oct 8-14	GeoGebra	Assignment 5, Mon. Oct. 15 at 8 AM	15%
Week 6: Oct 15-21	Maple, part 2	Assignment 6, Mon. Oct. 22 at 8 AM	20%

• There are no exams for this course.
• Official Grades and Academic Standings are available through Quest
• You will not have access to this course once the next term begins.