The Mathematics of Patterns

Catalog description

This course focuses on mathematics as the science of identifying, understanding and describing patterns. Patterns that occur in nature and empirical studies can be identified and modeled using fundamental ideas such as functions (mathematical rules), probability (long term behavior), exploratory data analysis (statistics) and geometry. Through a series of guided investigations students will master the reasoning used to identify the patterns, the mathematical model used to describe the pattern and the computational techniques necessary to further explore and apply the pattern in new situations. This course is designed specifically for students intending to become elementary or middle school teachers.