MATH 300
Fall 2025
PROF. Laura P. Schaposnik
Passcode for zoom room: laura2025
TA Lexie Wheeler
University of Illinois at Chicago
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Course Description
Math 300: Writing for Mathematics is an undergraduate course designed to develop students’ ability to communicate mathematics clearly and effectively in both professional and public contexts. The course fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement and is intended for majors in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
Over the semester, students will:
Practice clarity, precision, and coherence in mathematical writing.
Learn to use LaTeX as a professional writing tool.
Explore the role of AI tools in scientific communication, with emphasis on their strengths and limitations.
Write essays and shorter assignments analyzing mathematical ideas, arguments, and applications.
Prepare and deliver presentations, both in-person and online, to practice communicating mathematics to diverse audiences.
Course Structure
Weekly lectures and workshops introduce topics such as accessibility in mathematics, avoiding fallacies, writing scientific bios, using images and quotes, and strategies for evaluation and self-assessment
Students will complete homework assignments, progressively draft an essay, and participate in presentations.
The semester culminates in final presentations where students showcase their ability to present mathematical ideas in a polished, engaging format.
Learning Goals
By the end of the course, students will:
Critically analyze and evaluate mathematical arguments.
Write high-quality scientific and expository mathematical content.
Gain fluency in LaTeX and experience with AI-assisted writing tools.
Develop professional presentation and communication skills tailored to mathematics.
Grading Breakdown
Essay: 20%
Homework: 20%
Presentation participation: 20%
Final Presentation: 40%
MATH300-Fall 2025-Schaposnik_Syllabus.pdf
Lectures: Lectures will be in person, whilst homework and assignments will be submitted online through Overleaf and Blackboard. See schedule in the link above for what work to complete each week.
Grades: The class will be passed with 40% (C=40-60%, B=60-70%, A=70-100%).
The grades will be entered on Blackboard.
Work to be submitted or done in class: During the semester, students will have to prepare the following:
(I) 6 homework assignments: 5 required, 1 optional for extra credit.
Graded: Pass/Fail, worth 20% of final grade.
(II) 2 writing assignments:
Final Essay, worth 20% of final grade.
Final presentation, worth 40% of final grade
(III) Participation in class during in-person lectures (grading and discussing other student's assignments), worth 20% of final grade. This portion of the grade can also be obtained with the extra homework.
First day links:
LaTeX links:
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