COURSE INFORMATION:

Students will be enrolled in the following course:

MATH 320: An Indian Mathematical Tour: From Vedas to Ramanjuan and North to South (3 credits)


PROGRAM INFORMATION:

This course will cover some of the basic mathematical ideas from Vedas (the oldest known literature from ancient time) to the astonishing results obtained by one of the most renowned Indian mathematicians Ramanujan (the hero of the book and the movie titled: The Man Who Loved Infinity). While historical in nature, we will examine mathematical procedures from Vedas to solve simple equations and conduct fast calculations as part of vedic arithmetic. India contributions, including the discovery of zero, in trigonometry, and Comginatorics, e.g., magic squares, will be discussed. Further, we will look at applied mathematics from the point of view of "astronomy" and how concepts of calculus were entrenched in it. Lastly, we briefly sketch the development of mathematics of Srinivas Ramanujan.

We will also visit some places, such as Delhi, Jaipor or Ujjain, where we will see jantarmantar - Delhi Jantar Mantar consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments - and Kumbhakonam, where Ramanujan lived and obtained his initial results as well as wrote part of his famous diary.

The lectures will be held in the cozy and peaceful city of Sangli at two institutes: Walchand College of Engineering. Topics well-established in the mathematical textbooks will be taught by Professor Santosh Joshi of Walchand College of Engineering and by Dinesh Sarvate while scholars who practice ancient mathematical methods to calculate sunrise and sunset as well as the time for an eclipse will be guest speakers. Similarly guest mathematicians will demonstrate and teach Vedic sutras with the help of Joshi and Sarvate.

Students should be aware that travel will occur during rainy season, though some parts may still be very hot. Travel delays are expected and students must be flexible with arrangements.


PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Dr. Dinesh Sarvate
Department of Mathmatics
sarvated@cofc.edu
843-953-5736

Dr. Sarvate has taught for 28 years the mathematical contents of this course at the College of Charleston and abroad. He has also worked as a honorary priest for the Charleston Hindu community for the last 15 years and helped to establish local temples. He has taught in Uganda as a Fulbright scholar and has also taught in Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and India.

Note: For questions regarding on-site program details and course content, please contact Dr. Sarvate. Any inquiries regarding application processing, billing, or scholarship opportunities can be directed to the Center for International Education (contact information listed above).