By Alex Halverson
Western students will learn how to use geometric constructions, proofs and graphs all within an art and design environment in Math 160, a new General University Requirement (GUR) in the upcoming spring quarter.
Math 160, Mathematics and Art, is a GUR focused on connecting math and design with geometric applications.
“We’ll definitely be doing some of the classic math-art topics like perspective drawing, trying to draw things the same way your eyes see them, that’s a classic collaboration between mathematicians and artists,” professor Teresa Downard said.
Downard will teach the class for the second time, having previously taught it spring quarter of 2016.
"...we started working on art-related math problems together and griped about how we wished could do these in our classes but we didn't have time.”
Teresa Downard
“The class is new so [Western] tried it out last spring and there weren’t many people for it,” Downard said. “But it just takes time for the word to really get out.”
Mathematics and Art will be a Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR) requirement and fulfill the same requirements Math 114 does, assuming the student scored the minimum prerequisite algebra score on the math placement test.
A final grade of a C- or better in Math 112 is required for the class.
The class was created and spearheaded by Downard and former Western professor Dina Buric.
“I found a colleague here, Dina Buric, and we started working on art-related math problems together and griped about how we wished could do these in our classes but we didn't have time,” Downard said. “People higher up in the math department suggested that we should make a class.”
The class won’t replace any existing classes, but will accompany current Math GURs.
The class becomes available spring quarter and will be taught by Downard from 2-3:20 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
