In order to fulfill an upper division GE requirement, I’m taking a class called Environmental Math Modeling. The class teaches rudimentary calculus, and is geared towards non-science majors. I, however, am a math major, and mastered what’s being taught in this course long ago.
On the first day of class we were told in place of a final exam there will be a final group project/presentation. Right then and there I had what I thought was a great idea: come up with a model to show why a European swallow can or cannot carry a coconut. Perhaps address “a simple question of weight ratios,” show why an African swallow could do the job, etc.
On Wednesday the instructor officially assigned this project. In the sheet he handed out:
[QUOTE=My Professor]
The intent of this project is to have you apply the techniques and concepts we have covered in class to an environmental topic of interest to you. There will be some latitude in determining what an “environmental topic” is. Feel free to propose and justify your choice, but I will exercise final judgment.
[/QUOTE]
Damn. I’ve been trying to come up with some slant on how to sell this idea to him as an “environmental topic,” but so far I’ve got nothin’. Any ideas?