Capstone Project

The culminating products in the capstone are a LaTeX paper which satisfies both of the following:
  • the capstone paper rubric
  • the guidelines in the paper template LaTeX code and PDF version
    and a final presentation in 4140 which satisfies both of the following:
  • differential geometry final project presentation
  • the guidelines in the presentation template LaTeX code and PDF version

    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. Here is a prior paper from a different capstone with somewhat different criteria: The Euclidean Algorithm by Deniz Gurel, who, as of last note, is Senior Systems Engineer at Fidelity Investments.

    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 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 paper and presenting on it back in 4140.
    2. Collecting and analyzing information and recognizing scholarly versus other types of sources. Library databases and books in the library contain a wealth of historical information and current connections and applications. Scholarly peer-reviewed sources will hopefully have been critically evaluated by other experts who do not know who the author is (called a double-anonymous or double-blind review). This process attempts to ensure that the source is judged by its quality and not by the reputation of the author. Authors of scholarly works 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
    6. Peer review
    7. Modify your first draft and use prior feedback to improve it
    8. Second Draft
    9. Final Presentation in 4140's assigned time at finals. You will create a presentation that relates to your capstone project.
    10. Final Paper is due by the end of finals. Sometimes it is only after we present and see other models that we have ideas for improvement on our work and there is time for this between the presentation and when the final paper is due.