Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Study Cycle: Master

SUBJECT

Code
Subject
MMH1001 Methodology of Scientific Research in Mathematics
Section
Semester
Hours: C+S+L
Category
Type
Mathematics
3
2+1+0
complementary
compulsory
Applied Mathematics
3
2+1+0
complementary
compulsory
Didactic Mathematics
3
2+1+0
speciality
compulsory
Teaching Staff in Charge
Assoc.Prof. SERB Ioan Valeriu, Ph.D.,  ivserbmath.ubbcluj.ro
Prof. BULBOACA Teodor, Ph.D.,  bulboacamath.ubbcluj.ro
Aims
Our intention is that our students to learn to write mathematics, scientific and methodic papers, to be oriented in the generously data bases available to the internet. The student must be able to evaluate by scientifical point of view a mathematical paper and to apreciate the scientifical value of it by comparison to similar ones in the same field. The student must be influenced by the experience of well-known personalities of romanian and international mathematicians.
Content
The classification of mathematical subjects. The domains of mathematics. Actual trends in the development of mathematics. Types of novelties in mathematics. The understanding of mathematics. The communication of mathematics. Publications in the field of mathematics. The classification of mathematical subjects. (data bases on internet). The book as a messenger of mathematical news. Data bases for mathematicians. Documentation using the internet facilities. Data bases MR, ZM and ISI. The way to the research mathematics. The research subjects. The organization of the research activities. The instruments used in the research activities. Where and how we publish mathematical novelties. Acceptance criterions. The estimation of the activity of mathematicians. National and international standards. Studies of different cases. Personalities. Romanian school of mathematics. The sociology of mathematics.
References
1.I.A. Rus, E. Muntean, Matematica şi informatica. Trecut, prezent şi viitor, Promedia plus, Cluj-Napoca, 1998.
2. S. Mac Lane, Mathematics. Form and Function, Springer, Berlin, 1986.
3. H.F. Moed, Citation Analysis in Research Evaluation, Springer, 2005.
4. P. Odifreddi, The Mathematical Century. The 30 greatest problems of the last 100 years, Princeton Univ. Press, 2004.
5. S. Ramon, Y. Cojal, Drumul spre ştiinţă, Editura Politică, Bucureşti, 1967.
6. J.P. Pier (ed), Development of mathematics: 1950-2000, Birkhauser, Basel, 2000.
7. I.A. Rus, A. Petruşel, G. Petruşel, Fixed point theory: 1950-2000, Romanian Contributions, House of the book of science, Cluj-Napoca, 2002.
8.G. Şt. Andonie, Istoria Matematicii în Romania, Editura Stiinţifică, Bucureşti, 1965,1966,1967.
9.D.I. Papuc, Universul mathematic al civilizaţiei umane, Editura Marineasa Timişoara, 2003.
10.N.E. Steenrod, P.R. Halmos, M.M. Schiffer, J.A. Dieudonne, How to write mathematics, AMS, 1973
Assessment
Prezentation of five studies of the following types :

Review of papers of expository nature.
Review of a monograph.
Presentation of a remarkable mathematician.
Presentation of an open problem with an interesting history.
Presentation of a relevant notion.
Presentation of a notorious journal.
Presentation of a study of case in terms of our course.
Links: Syllabus for all subjects
Romanian version for this subject
Rtf format for this subject