Overview
The true title of this course is "The Art of Mathematical Thinking:
An Introduction to the Beauty and Power of Mathematical Ideas". In
this course we will consider some of the great mathematical ideas,
ideas comparable to the works of Shakespeare, Plato and Michelangelo.
We will experience what mathematics is all about by delving into some
beautiful and intriguing issues. There are three basic goals for this
course:
I hope you will come to see that mathematics is a human activity that requires both creativity and imagination. My goal in teaching the course is to help you learn to appreciate mathematics and to discover the power of mathematical thinking. The course will likely be quite different from mathematics courses you had in high school. There the emphasis was on technique and computational skills. I will ask you to think and analyze rather than to work routine exercises.
Prerequisites
The formal prerequisites are high school plane geometry and
algebra. In fact, the only prerequisites for this course are an open
and curious mind and the willingness to put aside any preconceived
prejudices or dislikes for mathematics.
Course web site: The best source of information about this course is available at www.gac.edu/~mmcdermo/mcs115/f02. There you will find a complete syllabus, course description, current homework assignments, and so on.
Text
The Heart of Mathematics: An invitation to effective
thinking, by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird, Key College
Publishing, 2000.
This book is intended to be read. You will find it engaging and
fun. The authors have several suggestions on how to read the book on
p. xi. which you should read.
Quizzes and Exams
We will have three quizzes/tests during the semester and a test
during final exam period.
The final exam will be given Thursday, December 19, 10:00-12:00, in
NHS 201.
Academic Integrity
You are expected to work together in an honorable
way in this course. This means that while you can discuss problems
and their solutions, each of you should make a real effort to solve each
problem by yourself, and you should give credit to any people or texts
that helped you find solutions. Needless to say, you are expected
to work completely by yourself on tests.
Cheating is not allowed in this course. If I find someone has
cheated, then I will take action ranging from flunking the assignment
in question to flunking the entire course. I also notify the Dean of
Students.
The
academic
honesty policy can be found in the 2002-2003 college catalog.
Classes
We learn by thinking and doing, not by watching and listening. Learning
is an active process: it is something we must do, not have done to
us. Classes will be used for lectures, problem solving,
discussions, and other fun activities. You should prepare for classes
by doing the reading beforehand
(reading
assignments are posted on the Web), thinking about the problems
in the text, and formulating questions of your own. You should also
participate as much as possible in class. Class meetings are not
intended to be a complete encapsulation of the course material. You
will be responsible for learning some of the material on your own.
Attendance, both physical and mental, is required.
Should you need to miss a class for any reason, you are still responsible
for the material covered in that class. This means that you will need to
make sure that you understand the reading for that day, that you should
ask a friend for the notes from that day, and make sure that you understand
what was covered. If there is an assignment due that day, you should be
sure to have a friend hand it in or put it in my departmental mailbox (in
Olin 324). You do not need to tell me why you missed a class unless there
is a compelling reason for me to know.
Homework
I hear, and I forget;
I see, and I remember;
I do, and I understand.
- Proverb
Homework will be assigned regularly from the text, collected and graded. Clarity of expression is important, and you should strive for well written, polished solutions. For the most part collaboration on homework with other members of this class is allowed, although solutions must be individually written up and collaborators should be acknowledged. It will be made clear when collaboration is not permitted. There will also be several short writing assignments throughout the semester. See the homework guidelines for further suggestions.
Research Project/Poster Session
The only way to really understand mathematics is to learn and discover
it on one's own. Thus students will select a mathematical topic
outside of those covered in our class, read and teach themselves any
necessary background to understand it and then investigate the topic.
Students will work together in groups of two or three on this
project. By working together, the individuals can learn from each
other and share the experience. Each group will write a final paper
on their findings and present a poster display during a class poster
session at the end of the semester. Also, each student will write a
short individual statement regarding the experience. Various interim
reports will be collected throughout the term. Students are invited
and encouraged to discuss all phases of the project with me.
Syllabus
Evaluation
Your final grade will be assigned using the following percentages as
a guide:
| Tests (4) (20% each, lowest counts 10%) | 70% |
| Research Project and Poster Session | 15% |
| Homework | 10% |
| Participation and class work | 5% |
Accessibility: Please contact me during the first week of class if you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations. I will do my best to facilitate the necessary arrangements. All discussions will remain confidential.
Area D: Finite Math (MCS-115) satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning criteria of Area D.
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