MATH 3330 - The Mathematics of Origami

Prerequisite: Instructor consent.
Credits: 4

This course explores the profound mathematics underlying origami, from axiomatic foundations to modern engineering applications. Students will master geometric theorems of paper folding, including the Huzita-Hatori axioms, flat-foldability conditions, and modular constructions, while investigating how origami solves classical geometric impossibilities. The course is situated in Japan, where origami originated and where mathematical folding theory continues to evolve. Through visits to research institutions, museums, and traditional workshops in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagoya, students will experience firsthand how mathematical thinking intersects with Japanese artistic and engineering traditions. The course balances rigorous mathematical proof with hands-on folding, culminating in student-designed projects that demonstrate deep understanding of origami mathematics.