Math Connections in Finance and Science  – (Grade 8-10 Students)

Vision:  

To inspire a generation of budding Mathematicians through exposure to a wide range of Math Applications in Finance and Science, potentially leading to a career in a field related to Finance (e.g. financial or business analyst, investment advisor, accountant, risk management actuary) or Science (e.g. engineer, medical practitioner, pharmacologist, geophysicist, geneticist).

Course Outline:

Finance and Science abound with applications of mathematics, and each week, in class, we will cover stimulating material in these two areas.

In revealing the connections to math, diverse tools will be used, including Algebra, Exponents, Logarithms, Geometry, Trigonometry, Combinatorics, Topology, Probability, Statistics and some introductory elements of Calculus. These will all be introduced in an intuitive and practical manner, accessible to any enthusiastic student in Grade 8, 9 or 10. A major focus will be in-class experiments, demonstrating the various science applications, as well as a visit by a senior financial advisor.

The course will include numerous mathematical brain-teasers to sharpen the wits, and there will be modest assignments each week, to be completed on a voluntary basis. Attendance will be taken—and enthusiastic involvement encouraged. There will be no formal evaluations, tests or exams.

A Certificate of Accomplishment or a Certificate of Attendance will be awarded, at the end of the course, to reflect each student’s participation.

A tentative syllabus includes the following topics in Finance and Science:

Finance:

Basics of Banking and Investments:

  • Key Market Terminology Explained
  • Lending and Borrowing
  • Mortgages, Leases and other Annuities
  • Types of Investments (Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, etc.)
  • Risk and Return
  • Tracking Market Fluctuations of a Range of Investments (ongoing team activity

Cost, Revenue and Profit (including case studies):

  • Interest and Inflation (Time Value of Money)
  • Financial Projections
  • Net Present Value Calculations

International Finance:

  • Gross Domestic Product and Other Indicators
  • Exchange Rates
  • Surplus vs. Deficit

Science:

Algebra, Exponents and Logarithms:

  • Key Algebraic Concepts
  • Algebraic Paradoxes
  • The Richter Earthquake Scale and Decibel Scale
  • The Mathematics of pH (Hydrogen Ion Concentration)
  • Exponential Growth and Decay Applications

Geometry, Trigonometry and Topology:

  • Applications of Geometry to Flat and Curved Mirrors
  • The Geometry of Origami
  • Origins and Applications of Trigonometry
  • Applications of Trigonometry to Vectors
  • Sinusoidal Motion Related to Waves
  • Applications of Topology

Combinatorics, Probability and Statistics:

  • Combinatorics and Chance
  • Experiments in Probability
  • Applications of Statistics
  • Mathematics and Probability applied to Card Tricks

Introduction to Calculus:

  • Ballistics and the Parabola
  • Optimization Applications
  • Differentiation and Integration Techniques
  • Newton’s Law of Cooling
  • Centre of Mass

2024/25 Course Information

This course will be offered September 2024 – April 2025 on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Instructor: David Salusbury math.connections.beyond@gmail.com

Maximum enrollment is 40 students per class. We reserve the right to cancel the course with a full refund if minimum enrollment is not reached.

2023/24 Course Information

This course will be offered September 2023 – April 2024 on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Class location is the same for the Winter term: Richcraft Hall, room RB 1201.

Registration Information

Registration fee: $515.

REGISTRATION FORM

For students with limited financial resources fee waivers may be available.
If you intend to apply for a fee waiver, please do NOT complete the regular registration. If you register for a course and then get approval for a fee waiver, there will be a non-refundable administration fee of $25 per registration.


Fee Waiver Information and Application

Refund Policy

100% refund prior to August 31st
95% refund prior to September 30th
75% refund prior to October 31st
50% refund prior to November 30th

To request refund, please complete this form before the deadline.

Inquiries

For more information, please write to math.connections.beyond@gmail.com

**Please note we are unable to answer any enquiries by phone.**

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