The History of Maths



Overview

In this course we will traverse history as we look back at some of the most important discoveries in the field of Mathematics.

From the use of Numbers in Ancient Egypt, to the Geometry of the Ancient Greeks, via the invention of Calculus by Newton and Leibniz simultaneously in the 17th Century – each discovery yielded a new way of viewing the universe.

In this course we will not only look at the Maths itself, but the stories of the Mathematicians that discovered it.

No specific mathematical knowledge is required, but a familiarity with school maths would be helpful.

This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.

Programme details

Seminars

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.

Sunday

Seminar 1 and 2

Ancient Egypt: Number systems and Calendars

We will translate hieroglyphs to uncover the Ancient Egyptian number system and explore how their calendar was determined by the flooding of the River Nile.

Monday

Seminar 3 and 4

Ancient Greece: Geometry and Proof

We will look at the ‘cult of Pythagoras’, the incredible work of Euclid and his seminal text ‘Elements’ which became the basis of mathematical knowledge for the next 2000 years, and some examples of mathematical proof via Plato and Hipassus.

Tuesday

Seminar 5 and 6

Astronomy across India and Europe

We will explore the work of astronomers throughout history and the great strides made across the world with the development of telescopes and other measuring devices. We will study Indian Astronomers, alongside the famous names of the Renaissance period such as Galileo and Kepler.

Wednesday

Seminar 7 and 8

From Mathematical Duels to ‘actual’ Duels

From the ‘mathematical duels’ of Italian Mathematicians, to the more traditional pistols at dawn and the tragic story of Galois, the competition between mathematicians has always been fierce. Here, we take a look at how it led to the creation of two important areas of the subject with Imaginary Numbers and Abstract Algebra.

Thursday

Seminar 9 and 10

Calculus: Newton and Leibniz

Calculus is perhaps the most important tool we have for understanding the laws of our universe, and its history is fascinating. Discovered independently by both Newton and Leibniz, it led to many arguments about the ‘right’ way to do mathematics - but which approach survives today?

Friday

Seminar 11 and 12

The Million-Dollar Equations

The 7 greatest unsolved problems facing mathematicians today, each with a $1-million prize. What led to the development of such problems? And what areas of maths are they related to?

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturday

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sunday – Friday

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2050.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2100.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1680.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1250.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify, more information can be found here.

Unfortunately we do not offer any specific scholarships or funding opportunities for OUSSA programme, but you can visit our departmental funding webpage, where you may be able to find a particular source of funding that matches your requirements alongside meeting the funding criteria.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential and non-residential options available.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
  • If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date

Cancellations and Refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or by post to OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.
  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2025 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2025 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2025 - no refunds will be made.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in the course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2025. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2025, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Oxford Experience course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance 

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check cancellation policies carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Tom Crawford

Tutor

Dr Tom Crawford is the Public Engagement Lead at the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and the host of the award-winning YouTube channel ‘Tom Rocks Maths’. With over 25 million online views, his approach to maths is both enlightening, exciting, and entertaining in equal measure. He has degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge, and an uncanny ability to share his enthusiasm for the subject of maths with anyone that will listen - and often those who were actively trying not to!

Course aims

This course aims to provide an overview of some of the most important milestones in the History of Mathematics - both the detail of the equations being discussed, and the stories of the mathematicians that worked on them.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Video recordings

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be expected to understand:

  • The Egyptian number system and calendar, and how they were shaped by the natural environment
  • The geometrical discoveries of Ancient Greece and the concept of a ‘mathematical proof’
  • A brief history of Astronomy and how our understanding of the universe has been shaped by mathematics
  • The key events of Renaissance Mathematics which led to the growth of new subject areas such as Imaginary Numbers, Abstract Algebra and Calculus
  • The unsolved problems currently being undertaken by modern-day mathematicians

Assessment methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. Participants will attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4. Learn more about CATS points.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education.

Study when and where it suits you by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, weekly classes and OUSSA, and build your way to an Oxford University award. This part-time undergraduate programme lasts between two and four years depending on how intensively you want to study.  

Find out more about the Certificate of Higher Education.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Those who do not wish to register online or who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

More information about our accommodation can be found here.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support