1/09 Rev WALTON
MATHEMATICS G MATHEMATICS FOR THE LIBERAL
This course satisfies
the General Education requirement and the Math Proficiency requirement for
TIME: M W
INSTRUCTOR: DR. IAN G. WALTON
OFFICE: N2 403 PHONE (408) 855-5323 Office Hours - but see web
site for variations
M
email: ian_walton@wvm.edu
Ian's Web Page:
http://www.missioncollege.org/depts/math/ftbios/ianwalton.html
Class Web Page: http://www. missioncollege.org/depts/math/classes/ians09mathg.htm
HOME:
TEXT REQUIRED: BURGER & STARBIRD, HEART OF MATHEMATICS 2/E
PREREQUISITES: MATH C Intermediate Algebra, MATH B, ENGLISH 108A
CLASS PERIODS: Class periods will be a mixture of lecture and problem solving. It is required that you attend all classes since we will have group discussions on many things that are not in your textbook. Active Participation will count in your grade.
HOMEWORK: Home work problems will be assigned at most class meeting and will be due as specified. Late homework may be accepted with reduced credit for your grade, in special circumstances. Ask me. Last date for any homework is last regular class day (May 20).
GRADES: There will be no formal in-class exams in this class. Most of your grade will come from research projects which may require additional activity at the college in addition to scheduled class time, and from presentations in class, as follows:
15 % of your grade will come from active participation in class including surprise group activities. Make sure you sign the attendance sheets each time you are in class. Absences will not be "excused" for this part of your grade. You may be dropped for non-attendance. If your grade for this portion drops below a "C" you may be required to pass a supplementary final exam.
10 % of your grade will come from homework assignments from your book. They must be turned in on time but will not be graded for correct answers. They must show all steps and explanations, not just answers.
15 % of your grade will come from other homework assignments (takehomes). These will be graded for correct answers and explanations and overall quality of presentation. You must be able to explain your own work - in person if necessary.
20 % of your grade will come from book or video or computer reports consisting of library research and/or communication during a class presentation. These will require on campus activities.
20 % of your grade will come from a midterm project and presentation in class. This should be a 5 - 10 page presentation of some mathematical idea. You will probably want to consider some topic related to material covered in class, or which is an application of material we have discussed. Research it, then write it up in words, pictures, graphs, in a way that your classmates can understand and learn something new from you. Be prepared to give a five minute in-class presentation.
20 % of your grade
will come from a final project. This should be similar in concept to your
midterm project but on a different subject, and
written only. It should be longer (10 -
15 pages ).
Both projects must contain complete, detailed references to all material
including internet sources that you use in their preparation.
In grading all your
work I will be looking for evidence of time and effort spent in discovering
mathematical ideas and applications that are new to you and your classmates,
and in presenting them in an understandable, enjoyable attractive format. Extra credit assignments are not available
for this class.
Letter grades will be assigned from your final total percentage score as follows:
90-100 A; 80-89 B; 65-79 C; 50-64 D; 0-50 F If your grade for the participation portion drops below a "C" you may be required to pass a supplementary final exam.
If you stop coming to class the instructor may assign a NC or F grade, or may drop you.
A CR/NC grade is available in this class but must be arranged in advance - and may not transfer.
Tutoring help is
available free in the Math Lab S2-301. (Jeff Bunch or Melissa Aguilar) Also ask about financial aid, scholarships
and counseling help.
DEADLINES
Last date to drop with no record - Friday, February 20
Turn in written Midterm / Presentation Monday, April 6 - preliminary draft due March 23
Last Date to Drop
with a "W" Friday, May 1
Turn in written Final Paper Monday, May 11 - preliminary draft due May 4
Last Date to turn in any material for your grade Wednesday, May 18
Final Week Meeting - Wednesday May 27 - you must attend! (no class on Monday May 25)
CHEATING & BEHAVIOR POLICY You must not cheat on assignments or conduct yourself in such a manner that any suspicion is raised, or in a manner disruptive to other students - turn off all electronic devices in class. You may receive zero score on the first suspect assignment, or be given an F grade for the class, or be dropped from the class by the Vice President. See the college cheating policy in the college catalog. Also see additional instructions for term papers and drafts.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES In the event of a fire alarm you should collect your personal belongings and immediately leave the building for the assembly area outside. Stay clear of access roads. An evacuation map is posted in the classroom. Then wait for instructions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES We should cover selected topics from your text book and other areas that are of interest. You should gain an appreciation for the beauty and usefulness of many new areas of mathematics, be able to solve assigned problems and be able to present material to your classmates. I should gain an awareness of your difficulties in time to help.
!! AND LET'S HAVE FUN WHILE WE'RE AT IT !!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Be sure to check out
the Math G page on Ians website address on front page.
Books with possible
topics for papers available in
Comap For all Practical Purposes, Freeman / Berlinghoff & Grant A Mathematical Sampler, Ardsley House
Videotapes available in the Library: For all Practical Purposes; Life by the Numbers; Against All Odds
Several past midterm and final papers for this class are on reserve
in the Math Lab S2-301 and may be checked out for use in the lab (Ask Jeff or Melissa).
Several other textbooks / articles are available in Ian's office at office hours. Come and browse for ideas.
You can also check
out other books from the
be used at home. Some call numbers which contain interesting math material are:
QA1 - QA37 QA90 - QA150 QA241. Or use the Library's electronic resources.
Or check out your local city library, internet or daily newspapers and magazines.
Math G (Math for Liberal Arts Students)
Student Learning Outcome Statements
Course Outcomes
Students completing this course will be
able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, and
appreciation for the rich history of mathematical thought and reasoning.
2. Understand and apply the role of
mathematics in critical thinking and problem solving.
3. Communicate to a
non-mathematical audience their understanding of mathematics history,
techniques and applications.
4. Apply a selected variety of mathematical
techniques and solve problems at the transfer level.
5. Understand and describe a selected variety
of more recent and more advanced mathematical topics using mathematical skills
at the transfer level.
Assessment Methods
1. Individual
and group in-class activities
2. In-class
student presentations
3. Research
and written term papers or portfolios
4. Homework
problems
5. Personal
reflections on the subject and what they have learned