8/08 WALTON
MATHEMATICS
G MATHEMATICS FOR THE LIBERAL ART STUDENT 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
M,W
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/ianf08mathg.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 (December 10).
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, September 19
Turn in written Midterm
/ Presentation Monday, October 27 - preliminary draft due October 20
Last Date to Drop with
a "W" Friday, November 21
Turn in written Final
Paper Monday, December l
- preliminary draft due November 24
Last Date to turn in
any material for your grade Wednesday, December 10
Final Week Meeting - Wednesday
December 17 - you must attend! (no class on Monday Dec 15)
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.