1/02 WALTON

MATHEMATICS G MATHEMATICS FOR THE LIBERAL ART STUDENT

This course satisfies the General Education requirement and the Math Proficiency requirement for associate degrees and the ELM requirement for SJSU. Talk to your counselor.

TIME: M W 5:00 - 7:00 S1-401 plus 1 hour/week on campus by arrangement

INSTRUCTOR: DR. IAN G. WALTON

OFFICE: N2 403 PHONE (408) 855-5323 Office Hours M,W 4:00 - 5 and 7 - 7:30

email: ian_walton@wvmccd.cc.ca.us

Ian's Web Page: http://www.wvmccd.cc.ca.us/mc/depts/math/ftbios/ianwalton.html

Class Web Page: http://www.wvmccd.cc.ca.us/mc/depts/math/classes/ians02mathg.htm

HOME: 430 Hampstead Way, Santa Cruz CA 95062 (831) 462-3398 - emergency!

TEXT REQUIRED : MILLER,C & HEEREN,V MATHEMATICAL IDEAS 9/E

RECOMMENDED: COMAP For All Practical Purposes 5/e

BERLINGHOFF/GRANT A Mathematics Sampler 4/e

PREREQUISITES: MATH C Intermediate Algebra

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 15).

GRADES There will be no formal exams in this class. Most of your grade will come from research projects which may require an additional hour per week activity at the college, 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 may require on campus preparation activity.

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 in 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.

Tutoring help is available free in the Math Lab S2-301. (Jeff Bunch or Melissa Aguilar)

DEADLINES

Last date to drop with no record - Saturday, February 9

Turn in written Midterm - Monday, March 18 - first draft due March 11

Turn in written Final Paper - Monday, April 29 - first draft due April 22

Last Date to Drop with a "W" - Saturday, April 27

Last Date to turn in any material for your grade - Wednesday May 15

Final Week Class Meeting - you must attend! - Monday, May 20

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 Dean. See the college cheating policy on page 188 of 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 Ian’s website:

http://www.wvmccd.cc.ca.us/mc/depts/math/classes/ians02mathg.htm

Available in the bookstore: Comap For all Practical Purposes, Freeman

Berlinghoff & Grant A Mathematical Sampler Ardsley House

Videotapes available at the Instructional Material Center W2-501:

For all Practical Purposes ( a PBS Series ) Against All Odds ( Statistics)

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 and articles are available in Ian's office at office hours. Come by and browse for ideas.

You can also check out books from the Mission College Library. These may

be used at home. Some call numbers which contain interesting math material are:

QA1 - QA37 QA90 - QA150 QA241

Or check out your local city library, internet or daily newspapers and magazines.