Selected Topics on Mathematics

This course offers a non-intimidating approach to learning or reviewing basic math concepts and skills essential in political and social sciences, but also necessary for IT and computing sciences. It is intended to provide students with a basic understanding on the philosophy of how scientific theories are constructed, reviewing a variety of mathematical skills and exploring their importance in the context of social studies. 

The module is designed to build students’ confidence by presenting material in a conversational tone and using a wealth of clear and applied examples. In particular, the course focuses on the use of mathematical reasoning to accomplish tasks and make decisions through the perspective of hands-on group projects.

Among others, students delve into the nature and process of mathematical thinking (inductive, deductive, and algorithmic), mathematical notation, basic set theory, mathematical logic and the notion of functions, the notion of limits and continuity, differential and integral calculus in several variables, matrix algebra, geometry and graph theory. All topics are illustrated with historical paradoxes and renowned theorems, applications and results for social sciences and identification of mathematical tools for complex socio-political scenarios.