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Harbourne's Fall 2010 Math 203J Section 2
Required ACE statement
ACE Outcome 3: This course satisfies ACE Outcome 3. You will apply mathematical reasoning and computations to draw conclusions, solve problems, and learn to check to see if your answer is reasonable. Your instructor will provide examples, you will discuss them in class, and you will practice with numerous homework problems. The quizzes/exams will test how well you've mastered the material.
Instructor: Brian Harbourne Class Room: Military & Naval Bldg 203
Office: 331 Avery Hall Time: 1:30 -- 2:20pm MWF
Tel.: 402-472-4476
Email: bharbour@math.unl.edu Web: http://www.math.unl.edu/~bharbour/
Office Hours: 12:20-1:20 MWF, and other times by appointment, but feel free to drop
by my office anytime. If I'm busy, we can make an arrangement for later.
Text: Excursions in Modern Mathematics,
by Peter Tannenbaum.
Bring the book to class each day.
Calculator: You will need a calculator with a square root key on it.
- Philosophy: This course will go beyond mechanical
mathematical skills (like adding columns of numbers
or doing algebra), and explore the thinking and
attitudes that are an even more important (but sometimes
neglected!) component of mathematics.
I hope you will find that much of
what we'll do is interesting,
relevant, and different from what you've done before,
but most of all that it's fun! M203J
has a focus adapted to CoJMC students, so we will have more of an
emphasis on math in the media than the other sections of M203.
- Goals:
- to work hard but have fun learning
- to develop problem solving and logical thinking skills
- to better appreciate and enjoy math
by seeing it in real world contexts
- to develop and practice writing skills
- Quizzes:
There will be five quizzes, each covering 1 or 2 chapters.
Three of the quizzes will be given in the evening; I will make an accommodation for those who
have a conflict with an evening exam.
Each quiz is worth 40 points. If you miss a quiz or two or if you want to improve your
scores, you can take make-ups for up to 2 quizzes. These make ups will be
given during the final exam time slot (1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15).
Your score on a make-up will replace your
original score, if the make up score is higher.
- Writing assignments: One of the adaptations for CoJMC students
is an emphasis on writing assignments, which will
be commented on by the instructor. There will be at least 7
writing assignments; the top 6 will count.
Each writing assignment should be one or two pages
(at least 400 words long), and will be
worth 20 points each, weighted as follows:
5 points for correctness of mathematical content, 5 points for
grammar, 5 points for spelling (please use a spell-checker!) and 5 points for length,
thoughtfulness and quality.
Writing assignments can be turned in early but not late without special permission.
- Reading Homeworks: Reading homeworks are short (1 or
2 problems) assignments due daily, based on the reading to be
completed for that day. Each reading homework will be graded on a
3 point basis -- 3 points means that you turned it in and it's
correct, 2 points means that you turned it in and it's more correct
than not, 1 point means that you turned it in and it's more incorrect
than correct, and 0 points means that you did not turn it in.
Your reading homework average counts as extra credit.
It will not be accepted late except under special circumstances.
- Grades:
5 hour quizzes, worth 200 points (40 points each)
6 writing assignments, worth 120 points (20 points each)
Reading homework average (on 10 point scale) (10 points of extra credit)
___
Total 320 points total
- Departmental Grading Appeals Policy: Students who
believe their academic evaluation has been prejudiced or capricious
have recourse for appeals to (in order) the instructor, the
departmental chair, the departmental appeals committee, and the
college appeals committee.