Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

See  SF2719 and SF2725 for the official course syllabi.

The preliminary plan on the Course Content page shows lecture by lecture what we will cover in class. 

Examination

As last year, there will be no final written exam. Instead, there will be an oral examination at the end of the course.

Examination of the course during HT21 is by a final oral exam and continuous examination during the course and is divided into four parts:

  • Part A is assessed by four in class quizzes given during the course. They will contain basic questions about mathematicians and their contributions, historical periods, and developments of mathematical ideas. This knowledge is acquired through lectures and reading of literature.
  • Part B is assessed through two essays, Essay 1 and Essay 3, and consists of  analysis of historical mathematical texts with respect to some specific questions. This knowledge is acquired through lectures, writing of essays and peer review during the course as well as group work with mathematical texts.
  • Part C is assessed through two essays, Essay 2 and Essay 4, and consists discussions based on questions about claims that should be argued for or against, based on historical knowledge, or the sketching of a mathematical development. This knowledge is acquired through the writing of essays, feedback during the course, discussions, and role play.
  • Part D is an oral exam taken at the end of the course and consists of a synthetic discussion with the examiner based on the submissions in parts A, B and C.

Each part gives up to 12 points and a minimum of 4 points is needed on each part in order to pass. Moreover, the minimum points for each grade are:

  • E: at least 20 points
  • D: at least 25 points
  • C: at least 30 points
  • B: at least 35 points, of which at least 8 on part B and at least 8 on part C
  • A: at least 40 points, of which at least 10 on part B and at least 10 on part C.

Students achieving at least 4 points on every part, but only 18 or 19 points in total, obtain the grade Fx with the possibility of completion to grade E.

For the course SF2725, you also need to submit an extended essay (PRO1, 1.5 hp) which requires more substantial, independent, and original work than the course essays. Your final grade will be the weighted average of 25% extended essay, 75% course work/exam (TEN2, 6 hp).

Plagiarism

When writing the essays, copying sources without proper referencing is considered as plagiarism and is not permitted. Please see the page Cheating and plagiarism at the KTH web site for more information on plagiarism and how to avoid it. 

Previous exams

The pre-covid assessment in this course is a written exam with some continuous assessment giving bonus points. The course was structured in a different way in 2017, without bonus points, so there are differences in the structure of the exams (in particular in part A). The exams from 2017 are in Swedish only. 

Grading criteria

In the course SF2719:

For grade E, a student must be able to:

  • in broad strokes, sketch the development through history of some mathematical ideas, mathematical subjects, and frameworks in which mathematics was done;
  • in broad strokes, sketch important contributions, biographies and the social context of some prominent historical mathematicians;
  • read and understand some aspects of a historical mathematical text and write a coherent analysis of such a text, addressing questions about its content or context.

For grade C, a student must be able to:

  • with some precision, sketch the development through history of several mathematical ideas, mathematical subjects, and frameworks in which mathematics was done;
  • with some precision, sketch important contributions, biographies and the social context of several prominent historical mathematicians;
  • read and understand the main points of a historical mathematical text and write a well-structured analysis of such a text, addressing questions about its content or context
  • come up with relevant historical questions based on the reading of a text
  • discuss in written form controversial claims, arguing based on historical knowledge.

For grade A, a student must be able to:

  • with authority and precision, sketch the development through history of several mathematical ideas, mathematical subjects, and frameworks in which mathematics was done;
  • with authority and precision, sketch important contributions, biographies and the social context of several prominent historical mathematicians;
  • read and understand a historical mathematical text in its entirety and write a well-structured analysis of such a text, addressing questions about its content or context;
  • come up with relevant and creative historical and societal questions based on the reading of a text
  • discuss in written form controversial claims, arguing with precision based on historical knowledge, with good structure and a logical and easy to follow train of thought.

Grades D and B are awarded when the requirements of grades C resp. A are fulfilled to a certain degree, but not fully.

In the course SF2725:

In addition to the above, a student must be able to write a longer historical text which requires literature search and a combination of the abilities mentioned above. 

Course analysis

Here is the course analysis for the course given in 2018 and here is the course analysis for the course given in 2019.

For students with disabilities

Students with disabilities can obtain additional support. This may include changes in the examination.
KTH has coordinators for students with disabilities, Funka,  who deal with issues relating to functional disabilities. You should turn to Funka at funka@kth.se for information about support. 
Compensatory support for in-class quizzes is limited. Similarily, extended time for essay-writing cannot be granted as this would obstruct the peer review and rebuttal module.  If, due to a disability, you cannot demonstrate your learning in quizzes or essays (the continuous examination) in a way comparable to a student without disabilities, you may have the right to additional time or other support at the final oral exam, which allows you to make up for any shortcomings in the continuous examination.
Do not hesitate to contact the examiner if you require a discussion of your individual needs.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due