Class project suggestions
(Based on Andrejs Treibergs's webpage)

The class project is a short paper or other original creative work on any topic of dynamical systems, chaos or fractal geometry related to this course. For example, you could make a physical model of a chaotic waterwheel, or another mechanical model that is discussed in the text; or you could choose to do an artistic project based on fractals.

If you choose to write a paper, a good place to start is the sections of the book we did not cover or covered only partially, and then, possibly, follow up on one of the references in that chapter. You could also decide to pick a research paper that uses methods similar to those we covered in class and prepare a report on their model, approach and findings. Here, for example, is a website with a list of potentially suitable papers at the bottom (they are clickable).

Your report should be written to be readable by any student taking the course. This paper gives you an opportunity to explore an interesting topic in more depth. It also provides a chance to practice writing.

FOCUS! Since the paper is short it should develop one single idea. Formulate your main point and develop it.

WRITE MATHEMATICS! The paper should provide some history of the problem and motivate the results. It should include some theorems and their proofs or models and their analyses. Provide sufficiently large diagrams and tables where appropriate. Summarize and interpret the results.

BE SCHOLARLY! Support your writing with attributable references, such as mathematics books and articles from mathematics journals. Internet sources should be referenced by the author and should include a complete URL and the date accessed.

WRITE WELL! Your paper should have good technical writing style and not be chatty.

By submitting this assignment, you are representing that it is your own work and that you have followed the rules associated with the assignment. Incidents of academic misconduct (including cheating, plagiarizing, research misconduct, misrepresenting ones own work, and/or inappropriately collaborating on an assignment) will be dealt with severely, in accordance with the Student Code (http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.html).