Preparing for class

A physicist's view of mathematics

Knowing mathematics

Understanding mathematics

Success in Mathematics (link)

Common errors (link)

Classic fallacies (link)


Fall '08 Classes

Math 531

CRN 13003

11:30--12:20 MWF 336 JB

View the syllabus.

View the research paper schedule.
Visit the "extras" page.

Final Exam Period (paper exchange)
Monday 15 December
10:00am in 336 JB


This link is a little too advanced for Calc tests
and a little too elementary for grad work,
but you should all look at it anyway --
every student who has to write math, be it exams or proofs,
will find something you should keep in mind.
If you can't say it with precision,
you don't understand it.
---Jim Green (physics prof)

Imprecise language is the mark of
a master of persuasion and a novice of mathematics.
---Rebecca Weber (math student)


Math 725

CRN 15496

1:30--2:20 MWF 372 JB

View the syllabus.

List of recommended exercises.
List of assignments..

Final Exam Period (if needed)
Wednesday 17 December
1:00pm in 372 JB

Some of the links above and below may help with writing proofs.


Spring '09 Classes

Math 525

CRN 25523

11:30--12:20 MWF 336 JB

View the syllabus.

List of recommended exercises.
List of assignments..

Final Exam period (if needed)
Monday 18 May
10:00 am 336 JB

Some of the links above and below may help with writing proofs.


Math 713

CRN 25525

1:30--2:20 MWF 336 JB

View the syllabus.

List of recommended exercises.
List of assignments.

Final Exam Period (if needed)
Monday 18 May
1:00 pm in 336 JB

Some of the links above and below may help with writing proofs.


Download PDF files of these graduate-level handouts:


Studying mathematical texts

Reading definitions

Reading theorems

Tests with proofs

Interpreting models


The ultimate guide to reading mathematics,
Charles Wells's Handbook of Mathematical Discourse,
has been extensively revised, is now officially published,
and can be purchased here.

The old, shorter, preliminary version
in hypertext form as a PDF file
is still available to my students
by special arrangement with the author.

If you do not have the free
Acrobat or GSview/Ghostscript reader
for PDFs, you will have to download and install it.


History of mathematics

Geometers' birthdays

Some History of Geometry

Links page
With brief reviews of some
by my Math History classes.


And now a word from a sponsor...

Prelude to physics


Just for fun

The Mathematics Student's Psalm

Beastly humor (PDF)

Student musings at St. Cloud State U. (link)

Kasman's database of mathematical fiction (link)


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