There are several choices of term paper topics:

biography of a mathematician

Include a sketch of how the person changed mathematics and/or made an impact on society.

Note: Albert Einstein is a physicist, not a mathematician.

mathematics literacy

What basic mathematics should an educated person know? Is being able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers sufficient?

numeracy

How familiar should a person be with a general "feel" for numbers, estimation, and how to compute simple functions.

numerology

Some numbers are rather entertaining: examples include 42, 666, and other.

changes in math education because of technology

We no longer teach how to use a slide rule, log or trig tables, or to take a square root. What about long division? Can technology such as computers and calculators change math education? Should it?

the difference between mathematics and arithmetic

Most mathematicians deal with other concepts than simply numbers. What is the essence of mathematical research?

history of pi

the relationship of logic to computer arithmetic

how other people and civilizations count

Roman numerals represent a much different way of representing numbers than our familiar positional notation. Other examples are present in other cultures.

the history of zero

other topics by prior approval

Possible sources include the text, encyclopedias, biographies, books on the history of mathematics, articles in such general journals and magazines such as Scientific American, American Scientist, etc.

Your term paper should conform to the guidelines given in the course syllabus:

It should be typed, double-spaced, a 10 to 12 point font, standard margins, following a professional format and style. It should include a cover page and the text pages numbered.

The length should be four to six pages of text.

There should be bibliographic references (at least 3) listed on a separate bibliography page and appropriate footnotes or endnotes for specific information and quotes.

The final paper should represent your unique work and approach to the material. Any quotes that are included should be explicitly referenced.

paper due: at time of the final examination