Ithaca College

An article published by David Brown (Professor, Department of Mathematics) was recently cited by the American Mathematical Society Blog, “What is an Experimental Math Course and Why Should We Care?”.  

Referencing Brown’s article, “Experimental Mathematics for the First Year Student,” (PRIMUS: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies, Volume 24, 2014, Issue 4), the AMS blog lists Ithaca College, along with Dartmouth and Grinnell, in a growing group of colleges that offer experimental math courses.

According to Brown, “Courses in experimental mathematics allow students to experience the joy of discovering mathematical ideas for themselves by experimenting, conjecturing, and reasoning. Experimentation emphasizes the process of exploration in search of new ideas and exposes students to mathematics beyond textbook exercises.” Brown adds, "At IC, we introduce students to this approach in their first year in order to set the stage for deep and meaningful engagement with mathematics in subsequent courses and research experiences."  

For more information on experimental mathematics courses, see the links below:

Read David Brown’s full article:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10511970.2013.870264?needAccess=true

Read the American Mathematical Society Blog:
http://blogs.ams.org/matheducation/2017/01/23/what-is-an-experimental-math-course-and-why-should-we-care/#sthash.vQLnkk0x.DeNZEGKz.dpbs