# Penchants of the polymaths // The fathers of Islamic science hold lessons for students: breadth over specialisation, and never let constraints get in the way
> This semester, my students are learning about four polymaths who shaped Islamic science: al-Biruni, Alhazen, Avicenna and al-Khwarizmi
Of course this public in general should not be reminded that 'al-Khwarizmi' is the source of 'algorithm'.
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# Penchants of the polymaths // The fathers of Islamic science hold lessons for students: breadth over specialisation, and never let constraints get in the way
> This semester, my students are learning about four polymaths who shaped Islamic science: al-Biruni, Alhazen, Avicenna and al-Khwarizmi
Of course this public in general should not be reminded that 'al-Khwarizmi' is the source of 'algorithm'.