| Unit name | Set Theory |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATH32000 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fujimoto |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Unit Aims
To introduce the students to the general theory of sets, as a foundational and as an axiomatic theory.
Unit Description
The aim is to make the course of general interest to students who are not planning to specialize in mathematical logic or the Level M/7 Axiomatic Set Theory, but of special interest to those who are.
Set Theory can be regarded as a foundation for all, or most, of mathematics, in that any mathematical concept can be formulated as being about sets. The course shows how we can represent the natural numbers as sets and how principles such as proof by mathematical induction can be seen as being built up from very primitive notions about sets.
We shall see how the pitfalls of the various early "set theoretic paradoxes" such as that of Russell ("the set of all sets that do not contain themselves") were avoided. We develop Cantor's theory of transfinite ordinal numbers and their arithmetic through the introduction of his most substantial contribution to mathematics: the notion of wellordering. We shall see how an "arithmetic of the infinite" can be developed that extends naturally the arithmetic of the finite we all know. We shall introduce the principle of ordinal induction and recursion along the ordinals to extend that of mathematical induction and recursion along the natural numbers. Cantor's famous proof of the uncountability of the real continuum by a diagonal argument, and his revolutionary discovery that there were different "orders of infinity" - indeed infinitely many such - will feature prominently in our basic study of infinite cardinal numbers and their arithmetic.
We shall see how axiom sets can be used to develop this theory, and indeed the whole cumulative hierarchy of sets of mathematical discourse. There will be discussion of the axioms system ZF developed by Zermelo and Fraenkel in the wake of Cantor's work, and about the role the Axiom of Choice plays in set theory.
Relation to Other Units
Set Theory may be regarded as the foundation for all mathematics. This course is a prerequisite for the level M/7 unit Axiomatic Set Theory.
For students interested in the philosophy of mathematics: this course is related to a number of units in the philosophy department in philosophy of mathematics. It should thus be of interest to any joint Maths/Philosophy degree students, and to those on the MA in Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics.
Learning Objectives
The student should come away from this course with a basic understanding of such topics as the theory of partial orderings and well orderings, cardinality, ordinal numbers, and the role of the Axiom of Choice. He or she should also have become aware of the role of set theory as a foundation for mathematics, and of the part that axiomatic set theory has to play.
Transferable Skills
The ability to think more deeply about our basic assumptions and concepts.
The unit will be taught through a combination of
100% Timed, open-book examination
Raw scores on the examinations will be determined according to the marking scheme written on the examination paper. The marking scheme, indicating the maximum score per question, is a guide to the relative weighting of the questions. Raw scores are moderated as described in the Undergraduate Handbook.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATH32000).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
