Divisibility, prime numbers, perfect numbers, modular arithmetic, linear Diophantine equations, and related topics.
This is a number theory course. Number theory primarily deals with integers, the four operations (+,-,×,÷), and properties. (There are very few non-integer rational numbers (fractions) in this course.) Digging in and getting a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts of how numbers work is very interesting. Some of the aspects of the course can be used directly elementary and middle school math classrooms.
Course title: Number Theory Concepts in School Mathematics
Course number: Math 407(G). 'G' means this course can be taken for graduate credit.
Instructor: Jim Olsen
STAR Number: 50379
Day/Time: This is an online course. As a general rule, course materials, readings, discussion topics, and assignments for the week will be posted regularly each week. Each week participants will engage with the materials and discussions on their own (asynchronously). Assignments will be due throughout the semester.
Location: online using WesternOnline https://westernonline.wiu.edu/ (Log in with your ecom username and password.)
Credit hours: 3 SH
Intended audiences: This course is intended for (a) undergraduate students in the Middle Level Education major and in the Middle Level Mathematics Teaching minor, (b) graduate students seeking a masters degree in education, and (c) in-service teachers seeking professional development.
To Enroll: This course requires special permission to enroll. If you'd like to enroll in this course discuss it with your W.I.U. Education Adviser or email Dr. Olsen and provide your W.I.U. ID number. Your Education Adviser or myself (Dr. Olsen) will forward your name and WIU ID number to our department secretary who will enroll you. You should check the STARS system a couple days later to confirm you are enrolled in the course.
Textbook: I'm 95% sure I will be using: An Introductory Course in Elementary Number Theory by Wissam Raji. This is a free, online, PDF book. Getting stuff free of the Internet is nice, but dangerous, for a variety of reasons -- including Murphy's Law. It will very useful, and highly encouraged, to get a printout of the pages of the book we will be using. More on how to use this book will be coming. Here's the link.
University: Western Illinois University
Pre-requisite: MATH 123 or 128 or 502 or equivalent.
Instructor: James Olsen. Information about Jim. Jim Olsen's homepage
Instructor's Phone: 309/298-2317
The WIU Curriculum and Instruction Department has an excellent Master of Science in Elementary Education degree program. It has a number of Areas of Specialization, including Math Education and Elementary Curriculum. This Math 407G course can work in these areas of specialization. This degree program is an award-winning program (WIU-news).
For information on our Graduate School and costs, see wiu.edu/vpas/business_services/tuition/ or wiu.edu/vpas/business_services/tuition/graduate_non-degree/planQ.php. For specific questions about costs contact the School of Graduate Studies; Sherman Hall 116; Macomb, IL 61455 (877-WIU Grad or 309-298-1806) Email: Grad-Office@wiu.edu.