MAT 135: Final Project Guidelines and Grading Guide

Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a comprehensive final paper that includes the following main components:

Introduction
Strand 1: Historical Significance
Strand 2: Mathematics
Strand 3: Real-World Applications
Conclusion

The project is divided into five milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning
and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Three, Four, Five, and Seven.

Outcomes
To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to apply what you have learned in this course and should include
several of the following course outcomes:
1. Communicate and problem solve in mathematics, without the constraints of formal mathematical notation
2. Demonstrate knowledge in fundamental areas of higher mathematics, including number theory, infinity, geometry,
topology, fractals, and other topics
3. Experiment with viewing the world from a mathematical perspective

Main Elements
Students will select and research one of the following topics (students may also propose their own topic) and submit this for
instructor approval.
MAT 135 Final Project Topic List

Logic
Mathematical Puzzles
Irrational Numbers
Prime Numbers
Number Theory

Fibonacci Sequence
Numbers in Nature
Euclidean Geometry
Non-Euclidean Geometry
Tessellations
Mathematical Patterns
Symmetry
Infinity
Fractals
Knot Theory
Graph Theory
Linear Algebra
Chaos Theory
Self-Selected Topic

NOTE: Instructors will approve topics for which they know sufficient research and information exists for the student to complete
the final paper. Students will research three areas of this topic and submit each strand for grading and feedback. The strands
are as follows:
1. Strand 1: The Historical Significance: Students will research the historical development of the topic from inception
through modern-day usages. Students may select the most significant developments and contributors to the topic.
2. Strand 2: Mathematics: Students will research and explain the mathematics of the topic chosen. This may include the
most significant discovery, theory, or usage. Students will fully explain the mathematics of the topic.
3. Strand 3: Real-World Applications: Students will research and make connections between the topic and the usages in
the real world. Students may make connections to other fields where appropriate.
Final Paper: Students will write an introduction to this paper, briefly outlining the topic and explaining the three strands. Students
will include all three strands as subsections to the final paper, taking into account specific instructor feedback and suggestions for
improvement. Given the nature of specific topics, students may need to consolidate repetitive sections to make a cohesive paper.
Students will write a conclusion paragraph, which will be a reflective analysis of what the student gained from researching this
topic. The final paper will include a cover sheet and reference page, using proper APA formatting. Total paper length: no less than
10 pages (exclusive of cover page and references).

The final paper should be submitted as one document with the following components:

Cover Sheet
Introduction
Strand 1: Historical Significance
Strand 2: Mathematics
Strand 3: Real-World Applications
Conclusion
References

Format
Milestone One: Topic Selection & Outline
In Task 2-2, you will submit your chosen topic to the instructor for approval and an outline of the three strands of the paper,
including potential references. The topic may come from the list provided above or it can be self-designed. For this milestone,
you will earn 50 points if it is submitted and 0 points if it is not submitted. You will also receive formative feedback
from the instructor. Apply this feedback to the strands as you complete them. The final paper will not be accepted
without topic approval.
Milestone Two: Strand 1Historical Significance
In Task 3-2, you will submit the paper for Strand 1: Historical Significance. This strand should be between 23 pages and fully
explain the history of the topic. Proper APA citations and references are expected. This milestone will be graded separately
using the Strand Paper Rubric, and feedback will be provided for revisions to the final paper.
Milestone Three: Strand 2Mathematics
In Task 4-2, you will submit the paper for Strand 2: Mathematics. This strand should be between 23 pages and fully explain the
mathematics of the topic chosen. This may include the most significant theory, theorem, or finding. Proper APA citations and
references are expected. This milestone will be graded separately using the Strand Paper Rubric, and feedback will
be provided for revisions to the final paper.
Milestone Four: Strand 3Real-World Applications
In Task 5-2, you will submit the paper for Strand 3: Real-World Applications. This strand should be between 23 pages and fully
explain the real-world applications of the topic chosen. This may include common usages of the topic, applications, and/or
connections to other fields. Proper APA citations and references are expected. This milestone will be graded separately
using the Strand Paper Rubric, and feedback will be provided for revisions to the final paper.
Milestone Five: Final Paper

In Task 7-2, you will submit the final paper. Include an introduction outlining the topic and what the reader can expect within
each of the three strands. This paper will then consist of the three strands of research that has been conducted over the course of
the term. Finally, write a conclusion, which will be a reflective analysis of what you learned from the research you conducted. The
final paper should be cohesive and polished and take into consideration feedback provided by the instructor throughout the term.
The paper should be no less than 10 pages, excluding the cover sheet and references page. Proper APA citations are expected.
This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Deliverable Milestones
Milesto
ne
1

Deliverables
Topic Approval & Paper Outline

Module
Due
Two

Strand 1Historical Significance

Strand 2Mathematics

Four

Strand 3Real-World
Applications
Final Product: Final Paper

Five

Three

Seven

Grading
Graded: 50 points if submitted, 0 points if not submitted;
paper will not be accepted without topic approvalfeedback
will be provided
Paper will be graded (100 points total) with Strand Paper
Rubricfeedback will be provided
Paper will be graded (100 points total) with Strand Paper
Rubricfeedback will be provided
Paper will be graded (100 points total) with Strand Paper
Rubricfeedback will be provided
Graded separately; Final Project Rubric (200 points total)

Final Project Rubric

Requirements of submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double
spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations. Final paper should be no less
than 10 pages, excluding coversheet and references page; proper APA formatting is expected.
Instructor Feedback: Students can find instructor feedback in the Grade Center.
Critical
Elements
Communication

Knowledge of
Fundamental
Areas

Integration and
Application

Main Elements

Writing
(Mechanics/Cita
tions)

Exemplary

Proficient

Needs Improvement

Not Evident

Value

Demonstrates
comprehensive
communication of
mathematical issues and
ideas using accurate
mathematical language
and proper terminology
(18-20)
Demonstrates knowledge
of multiple mathematical
issues through extensive
collection and in-depth
analysis of evidence to
make informed
conclusions
(18-20)

Demonstrates moderate
communication of
mathematical issues and
ideas using accurate
mathematical language
and proper terminology
(16-17)

Demonstrates minimal
communication of
mathematical issues and
ideas using accurate
mathematical language
and proper terminology
(14-15)

Does not demonstrate

communication of
mathematical issues and
ideas using accurate
mathematical language
and proper terminology
(0-13)

20

Demonstrates knowledge
of some mathematical
issues through collection
and in-depth analysis of
evidence to make
informed conclusions

Demonstrates minimal
knowledge of
mathematical issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence to
make informed
conclusions

Does not demonstrate

knowledge of
mathematical issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence and
does not make informed
conclusions

20

All of the mathematical

concepts are correctly
applied and integrated
with supporting evidence
in a real-world context
(18-20)

Most of the mathematical

concepts are correctly
applied and integrated
with supporting evidence
in a real-world context
(16-17)

(0-13)
Does not correctly apply
or integrate
mathematical concepts

Includes almost all of the

main elements and
requirements and cites
multiple examples to
illustrate each element
(23-25)
Student meets all
requirements for
submission. No errors
related to organization,

Includes most of the main

elements and
requirements and cites
many examples to
illustrate each element
(20-22)
Student meets most
requirements for
submission.
Minor errors related to

(14-15)
Some of the
mathematical concepts
are correctly applied and
integrated with
supporting evidence in a
real-world context
(14-15)
Includes some of the
main elements and
requirements

(16-17)

(18-19)
Student meets some
requirements for
submission. Some errors
related to organization,

20

(0-13)
Does not include any of
the main elements and
requirements

25

(0-17)
Student does not meet
requirements for
submission. Major errors
related to organization,

15

grammar and style, and

citations
(14-15)
Comments:

organization, grammar
and style, and citations
(12-13)

grammar and style, and

citations
(11)

grammar and style, and

citations
(0-10)
Earned Total

100%