Introduction to Abstract Mathematics—Website is the first step in the development of a mathematics department interactive instructional website with an intended audience including University of Pittsburgh undergraduates, as well as any other interested teachers or students who have access to the World Wide Web.  This is the overall goal of the project directed by Henry Cohen and co-directed by Greg Constantine of the Department of Mathematics.       Dr. Cohen said this prototype would teach students about the creation of math proofs, along with preparing students for math competitions.  He added, “The ‘Proof’ component will extend the good results I am achieving on campus with the face-to-face coaching of our own students.” In his system of instruction, Dr. Cohen has the students learn about the logic and structure of mathematical proofs by actively engaging them in the proof’s construction in a way that emulates how a mathematician would perform the proof.  In this proposal he wants to create an interactive multimedia program that allows the students to manipulate the components of a proof so they can be guided in the proper construction of one.

Henry Cohen

      When asked about the second aspect of the proposal, Cohen remarked, “The competition’s component will build on the successes of our undergraduates in the prestigious William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition.”  He explained that this part of the proposal will “sketch a syllabus of fundamental mathematics every competitor must know, classify problem types, provide problems to solve, and link to archives of past competitions.” It would feature problems that would be solved interactively online.

      Cohen has been at the University since 1963, serving in various capacities, from faculty to directorships. He won the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award in 1997. He also has distinguished himself in the field with numerous grants and in the use of his “puzzle play” methodology in which puzzles are used for the understanding and appreciation of mathematics.

      Constantine, in addition to his teaching duties, helps to coach the University’s William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition team, which boasts a national ranking of 13 (of 160 colleges) and the co-first place in individual rankings.

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