About

What is FAM all about

"FAM" is an acronym for an undergraduate course, "Foundations of Abstract Mathematics", offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences of Stellenbosch University (FAM I and FAM II, respectively) since 2012/2011. The course consists of two year-long modules, FAM I (Mathematics 278) and FAM II (Mathematics 378), offered at the second and the third year, respectively. It is possible to enroll for only one of the two modules. Neither of the modules have any prerequisites, although note that admission to the third year module is subject to approval by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The course aims to let the students experience mathematical research, at the level corresponding to student's mathematical skills, and in this process, to uplift those skills. 

Is FAM for me?

Yes, if you are either moderately talented in mathematics or have a good work ethic (or both). The goal of FAM is to unleash the mathematician within you: it matters little what your current standing in mathematics is, what matters is if you are passionate about mathematics, or at least, keen to put in the time and effort to give a chance to the passion to develop. We are talking here about real effort -- not the kind that gets you pass an exam when you only start studying for your exam a few days before the exam. If this was a music class, we would be expecting from you to compose your own songs, and then learn to perform them, rather than to learn to perform existing songs. We give you a lot of opportunity throughout the year to develop your (mathematical) composition skills, but it takes up a lot of time (from both you and the lecturer). If you take FAM and pass it, you would have most likely spent most of your time on FAM, irrespective of what your mathematical aptitude is at the start of the year. Learning in FAM is highly individualized, where each student has their own start and finish lines. What matters is the journey, not the destination.

A bit about how FAM is delivered

Each of the two modules is offered as a series of seminars, where each "seminar" focuses on a particular mathematical topic chosen by the presenter of the seminar. Seminars are usually presented by members of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. They are aligned with research interests of the presenters. A presenter has freedom to choose the topic for the seminar as well as pedagogical approach in its delivery. There are some rules that give a broad framework within which the marks are awarded per seminar. These rules ensure that assessment in this course is aligned with the assessment policy of Stellenbosch University. 

These modules where among the first modules to transition from traditional exam-based assessment model to a more flexible model, where the final mark represents the competence of a student more than performance at a particular assessment opportunity. Current assessment policy of Stellenbosch University fully embodies this principle.

How to follow the FAM modules   

In order to follow the FAM modules, you must be registered as a student at Stellenbosch University. If your degree does not leave space for additional modules, not to worry: any student is allowed to take up to 32 credit extra than what the degree provisions for in a given year. Each of FAM I and FAM II are 32 credit modules, so you should be able to take these modules. If you want to take these modules as part of your degree credits, then there should be a special provision for this in your degree (check the yearbook of your faculty): the modules (Mathematics 278/378) must be listed as compulsory or elective modules in your programme of study. If the modules are not part of your degree and you want them to be, contact Professor Zurab Janelidze (zurab@sun.ac.za) to get some assistance from him for submitting a special request to your faculty.

To register for Mathematics 278/378 (that is, FAM I/II) when these modules are not part of your degree, you should email Mr. Bevin Abels (bpa@sun.ac.za) or Ms. Claudia Meyer (cfransman@sun.ac.za), who are part of the Academic Programme Administration for the Faculty of Science (best is to email both of them, with a copy to Professor Zurab Janelidze, zurab@sun.ac.za). If these modules are part of your degree, then you will register for them as you register for all other modules in your degree. Note however that space is limited for Mathematics 378 (FAM II), so even if you are able to register, you might be declined access (and hence will be automatically deregistered from the module) after the Department of Mathematical Sciences reviews all registrations. In the selection process, priority is given to those students for whom Mathematics 378 is one of the compulsory modules in their degree as well as those for whom there is evidence that the student indeed has special passion for Abstract Mathematics (if this is not apparent from their marks, students are encouraged to submit motivation to the course convener, Professor Zurab Janelidze at zurab@sun.ac.za).  

Timetable

The timetable for both FAM I and FAM II is set up together with the students at the start of the year and may be revised throughout the year. So you will not find the timetable in the university calendar! Usually, in FAM I (Mathematics 278), synchronous sessions take place only in the evenings (from 17:00 to 19:00). Registered students will be contacted/informed on the time of first meeting (to set up the timetable) through SUNLearn, before the start of the year.

Some History

Forerunner of FAM was Seminar in Abstract Mathematics, run by Professor Zurab Janelidze, in 2009 and 2010. Transformation of the seminar into credited modules was based on the strong enthusiasm expressed by students following the seminar, especially in the second semester of 2010. These students constituted the first FAM II class in 2011. FAM I was introduced in 2012. Since then, many colleagues in Mathematics Division have delivered seminars within the FAM modules. More history will be added at a later stage...