Math
1143 - Math Concepts: Mathematical Structures
Fall
2006
GENERAL
COURSE INFORMATION
Math Concepts: Math Structures is a course of problems designed to investigate the structures that make up mathematics. As such, the problems deal with number theory, the real number system, finite algebras, and logic. But beyond these common threads, the course is about the mathematical way of thinking.
Textbook: There is no text for this course. The in-class exercises and homework problems can be found on the internet on Blackboard.
Instructor: Dr. V. Lee Turner
Office: S202D Science Hall
Phone: 491-6364
E-mail: lturner@snu.edu
Office Hours: Whenever the door is open
In Class Work: The in-class time will not be primarily spent in lecture. Most of the time you will be working in groups of two or four on a series of questions designed to solve a given problem. As you work, you will be involved in discussions with other group members and will make sketches and do computations. At the end of each class, each group is to turn in a summary of their work during that period. This will include the sketches and computations done during the class as well as a written description of the discussions. This should be in paragraph form using complete sentences. These summaries are to be signed by each participating group member and will be used for both attendance and in-class grade. If a class is missed, it is your responsibility to obtain a copy of the in-class questions and complete them within one week. The in-class work will contribute 280 points toward the final grade.
Attendance: Because of the way in which class time is to be used, it is absolutely imperative that you attend every class. To encourage you, attendance at each class will be worth three points, with a bonus of four points for attending all classes in a given week. Finally, perfect attendance for the entire semester will earn a bonus of 40 points.
Homework: There will be a set of exercises for each class period. These will consist of problems related to the questions discussed in class. They will be due the class period following their assignment. The homework will be worth a total of 360 points.
Tutoring: The Math Department provides tutors for this class at no cost to the students. The tutors are available in the Math office, Science 202, afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday and Friday afternoon. A schedule will be posted the first full week of classes and will be on the course web site. To encourage you to take advantage of this help, you will receive 3 points for each hour you are working with the tutor, with a maximum of 6 points per day and 15 points per week. If you have accumulated more tutoring points by the end of the semester than your lowest exam score, the tutoring points will be used in place of the exam score when the final grade is determined.
Calculators: Calculators may be used on in-class exercises, homework, and exams. A graphing calculator is not necessary. Laptop computers will not be used in class. You will need a hand-held calculator (no phone calculators) instead during classes.
Exams: There will be three exams and a final. The dates of the exams will be announced at least one week prior to the exam. The final exam will be comprehensive. Each exam will have a possible 150 points and the final will have a possible 250 points.
Grading: The following is a breakdown of the possible points:
|
In-Class Work |
260 |
|
|
Attendance |
90 |
(possible bonus = 100 pts) |
|
Homework |
520 |
|
|
Exams |
700 |
|
|
Total |
1570 |
|
Here is a tentative grade scale, but I reserve the right to adjust it as the course progresses.
|
A |
1350+ |
|
B |
1150 - 1350 |
|
C |
950 - 1150 |
|
D |
750 - 950 |
|
F |
- 750 |
"Plus" and "Minus" grades will be assigned to students whose points lay near the grade breaks. An update on your grade will be given after each test and before the final exam.
The Academic Integrity Policy of SNU will be followed in this class. It can be found at http://www.snu.edu/?p={595B0E32-523C-4950-BC96-2AABC0CD8A78}
If you need assistance with a learning, physical or
psychological disability that may affect your academic progress, I
encourage you to contact the