Math 320, Spring 2015

Term Paper

 

The main aim of the term-paper project in Math 320 is to provide an opportunity for the students to explore a subject of importance in linear algebra or its applications on their own and to develop their writing skills.

 

Rules and Procedure:

 

1. Choose one of the suggested term-paper projects from a list given in Term-Paper Topics or any subject of your interest that is acceptable by the instructor. In case more than one student chooses a topic, the instructor will assign the term-paper projects for these students. The deadline for notifying the instructor about the topic of your choice is Monday, March 23, 2015. The results of the final assignment of the term paper project will be announced by Friday, March 27, 2015.

 

2. Search the library for literature on this topic starting from the available books.

 

3. Meet with the instructor to discuss the suitability of the reading material you have selected.

 

4. Write a paper trying to emphasize the most important aspects of the subject. This should include both the theoretical aspects and the applications of the ideas. Try not to include all the details unless they are indispensable for understanding the subject. In discussing an example only explain how a calculation is done and then include the end result. You should however do all the calculations on your own and include the details in a readable appendix.

 

5. The term paper should consist of the following parts:

a.      Title page which includes the title, name of the author, and the abstract (a short paragraph stating the content of the paper)

b.     The body of the paper which should be divided into sections and subsections if necessary and be limited to a maximum of 5 typed pages

c.      Appendix or appendices (if necessary)

d.     List of references. 

6. The deadline for handing in the first draft and the final version of the term-paper are respectively Monday May 11, 2015 and Monday May 25, 2015. Students who fail to hand in the first draft of their term paper by the deadline will not receive the input from the instructor. They should only submit their paper’s final version. The penalty for the late term-papers is a deduction of 10% from the grade for the term-paper for each day passed the deadline of May 25, 2015.

7. Including a copy of a text written by others or a part of such in your term-paper will be considered as cheating and you will be punished according to KU regulations. In suspicious cases, the student will be required to take a written and/or an oral exam on the subject.