MS-E1000 - Crystal Flowers in Halls of Mirrors: Mathematics Meets Art and Architecture D, Lecture, 7.1.2025-27.5.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students gain tools to study and present mathematical ideas via artistic methods. Through site-specific thinking in terms of e.g. scale, proportion and materials, students are encouraged to assess and control the variables of visual expression. Consequently, the students develop an intuitive and visual approach to the study of mathematical phenomena. They learn how to develop their thinking and plans in multidisciplinary teams, how to set and achieve common goals, allocate roles and responsibilities, break the project down into separate tasks and determine the final outcomes. Scheduling, budgeting, documenting skills are enhanced.

 

Credits: 5 - 15

Schedule: 07.01.2025 - 27.05.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Kirsi Peltonen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    During the course student groups will build a prominent, mathematically themed art exhibition targeted to a wide audience. Through the art projects students deepen their understanding of various geometric and topological phenomena, and find new interpretations of them.

    Various topics especially from low dimensional topology and geometry. Symmetries and tilings through classifications. Euclidean, spherical and hyperbolic models for geometry. Polyhedrons in low dimensions, geometry of surfaces and orbifolds. Minimal surfaces, ruled surfaces, projections, Hopf fibration and other structures. Ideas from fractal geometry and dynamics.  Topics from Kleinian groups and knot theory. Origami and its connections to diverse fields. Algorithmic Architecture. Artists and architects in related fields from past to present.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Students must participate in 80% of the contact teaching. The course consists of project work completed in groups of at most six people at Aalto Design Factory. All steps of the project: planning, implementation, documentation and presentations will have an impact on grades. Individual input is also taken into account by reflections, portfolios, exercises and essays. Optional forms of completing the course can be provided, if required. A complete evaluation and monitoring of learning is performed during the course.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching: 6h/week x 12 weeks=72h, exhibition 36h, independent study: 150h

     

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    To be determined at the beginning of the course.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III - V
    2025-2026 No teaching

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof