The culminating product in the capstone is a 7-11 page LaTeX paper which satisfies the rubric and the guidelines in the template. The idea is to research, analyze and reflect. You'll incorporate different levels and areas as appropriate to investigate mathematical knowledge from MAT 4140 in order to recognize the development of mathematical ideas from the past and the breadth of mathematics covered in MAT 4140, its impact on mathematical study, and its relation to the global mathematical community.

Paper template LaTeX code and pdf version
Note: You can wait to work on section 3 until after the relevant assignments in 4140.

Here are two prior student papers from a different capstone: The Euclidean Algorithm by Deniz Gurel and The Beauty of Analytic Hierarchy Process by Huy Q. Tu

I've set up benchmarks in order to help you succeed, whose dates are on ASULearn and the Syllabus. I'll also provide you with LaTeX templates that you can modify.
  1. Choosing a topic
    Unless you have prior experience with differential geometry, the topic you'll choose will connect to assignments in 4140 so that the capstone project in 4141 and work in 4040 will complement each other. Thus, much of the work for the project will be done in concert with MAT 4140 and the focus is on preparing the formal project.
  2. Collecting and analyzing information, and recognizing scholarly versus other types of sources. Library databases, books in the library, or books in my [Dr. Sarah's] office contain a wealth of historical information. Scholarly peer-reviewed sources have usually been critically evaluated by other experts who do not know who the author is (called a blind review). This process attempts to ensure that the source is judged by its quality and not by the reputation of the author. They often document their sources via footnotes and/or a bibliography. It may be hard to tell at first glance what is a scholarly peer-reviewed work. Another issue to consider is whether a quality source is a primary, secondary or tertiary source, especially for historical information.
  3. Part 1 of the capstone project
    Your topic
    Your name and if you had any prior experience with the topic
    Search and report back on one interesting item related to prior progress (it could be someone who laid groundwork on the topic, or peripheral but connected research or history). Include the date and the name of the person and their contribution.
    Search MathSciNet or other Library Databases for recent scholarly journal articles related to your course project topic and write down one item that you find, including the date and the journal, as well as the title.
    Begin searching for other library and scholarly sources for the project.
  4. Part 2 of the capstone project
    Add a preliminary bibliography to Part 1 of the course project and revise and add to Part 1
  5. First Draft is due to your partner (Peer Activity)
  6. Peer Review of your partner's draft (Peer Activity)
    Write comments to let them know what they are doing well and to help their writing and comments improve.
  7. Read your peer's comments and use them to improve your draft (Peer Activity)
  8. Second Draft due as a printed copy
  9. Capstone Project that satisfies the rubric is due as a printed copy by Tuesday May 5 at 11am