We are the Cambridge University History of Mathematics Society. We exist to promote the study of mathematical history and related topics.
Our committee may be contacted at hom@srcf.net.
To access recent lecture recordings, please follow this link.
History of Mathematics
Dr P. Bursill-Hall
W. F. 4, Location TBC, concurrently streamed on Zoom
History of Science for Mathmos
Dr P. Bursill-Hall
Th. 4, Location TBC, concurrently streamed on Zoom
Lectures start Wednesday 26th January.
For up-to-date information about these lectures, join the associated mailing list.
This is a fairly relaxed overview of the history of mathematical ideas, from (western) ancient civilisations to the Enlightenment; a separate set of lectures (inevitably a little bit more technical) are occasionally given in Easter Term on some aspects of 19th century mathematics.
The course presumes no particular or strong mathematical background (but I do assume most of the students are mathmos or equivalent), and is more about mathematical ideas and styles, and the historical influences on, and influences of mathematics on its contemporary world. A good sense of humour is required. The traditional requirement that students bring food and drink to my lectures is maintained for Zoom lectures.
See here for a more detailed course introduction.
This year’s History of Science lectures will be on early Islam, Islamic science, technology & mathematics.
This is not particularly a course about Islamic religion, its doctrines, beliefs and faith (although inevitably these do come up a bit), but more about how the religion came to be formed, and then how Muslim societies and Muslim attitudes to science developed, and why. I will tell some of the story of the origins and development of Islam and the Islamic world from the time of the Prohpet Mohammed to about the 11th or 12th centuries, and then look at some of the influences of early Islamic science beyond the Muslim world.
Which sounds like a fair amount to keep us busy for far more lectures than we have scheduled, but alas we shall have to make do.
See here for a more detailed course introduction.
The society has a Discord.