Math Circus Each class will entail small group work solving various logic and puzzle problems, mathematical conundrums, and devising winning strategies for various games and challenges.  Students will present their solutions to the class and work on their own puzzles and games pamphlet to be completed by the end of the term.  Elementary mathematical, logical, game theoretic, and probability concepts will be introduced as needed with the goal of increasing everyone's problem solving and analytical thinking skills. The class will meet four days a week (2 hours per class).

Calculus II A continuation of MATH 0121, may be elected by first-year students who have had an introduction to analytic geometry and calculus in secondary school. Topics include a brief review of natural logarithm and exponential functions, calculus of the elementary transcendental functions, techniques of integration, improper integrals, applications of integrals including problems of finding volumes, infinite series and Taylor's theorem, polar coordinates, ordinary differential equations.

Advanced Number Theory A senior tutorial on some topics in advanced elementary number theory and an introduction to analytic number theory.  In this course we will review key areas of elementary number theory and abstract algebra followed by the study of integer partitions, continued fractions, rational approximations of irrationals, primes and primality testing, the average order of magnitude of several number theoretic functions, the Basel problem, Bernoulli numbers, and the Riemann zeta function.

The Game of Go within Traditional Japanese Culture The ancient East Asian game of go will be introduced, studied, and developed within the context of  Japanese history and cultural traditions – especially that of the Edo Period. Game play, careful  analysis, and problem solving will be a key component of the course. Additionally, the art and  aesthetics of Japanese gardens and woodblock prints will be studied by the class as preparation for  individual research and presentation of an East Asian art form or tradition.

Linear Algebra Matrices and systems of linear equations, the Euclidean space of three dimensions and other real vector spaces, independence and dimensions, scalar products and orthogonality, linear transformations and matrix representations, eigenvalues and similarity, determinants, the inverse of a matrix and Cramer's rule.

Complex Analysis An introduction to functions of a complex variable. Mappings of the complex plane, analytic functions, Cauchy Integral Theorem and related topics.

Pete Schumer

Reviews and ratings for Pete Schumer at Middlebury College.Pete Schumer teaches Math Circus, Calculus II, Advanced Number Theory and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Pete Schumer good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Quizlet plus is a must for this class as the homework occasionally goes beyond what is covered in class. Pete is an enthusiastic teacher and gives clear examples in class. It's relatively tough for an intro calc class but I'd say you learn a lot.

Professor Schumer is extremely lively and is constantly making jokes during class. The pace of the class is fast as you learn a different section of a unit each day. There are quizzes every Thursday but they are not that bad. Good amount of homework 3 days a week

To be fair, I am not good at math so it's no wonder this class was really hard for me. I took Calc 1 in high school during covid, and simply didn't know enough to do Calc 2 here. If you are good at math i'm sure it would be fine!