Harbourne's Spring 2009 Math 203J

Instructor: Brian Harbourne      Class Room: Oldfather Hall 308
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: 12:30-1:20 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: A Mathematical View of Our World, 
      by Parks, Musser, Trimpe, Maurer and Maurer.
      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! This section of M203 has a focus adapted to CoJMC students, so we will have more of an emphasis on math in the media than the other sections.
• 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. Each quiz is worth 40 points. The final exam time slot is 1:00 to 3:00 pm Thursday, May 7. This time slot will be reserved for retaking up to two quizzes. Thus 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 during the final exam time slot. 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 9 to 11 writing assignments; the top 8 will count. Each written assignment should be typed on one sheet of paper (front and back), at least 400 words long, and will be worth 15 points (5 points each for: grammar; length, thoughtfulness and content; and spelling - please use a spell-checker!). Writing assignments can be turned in early but not late without special permission.
• Reading Homeworks: Reading homeworks are short (1 or 2 problem) 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 in-class quizzes, worth                    200 points (40 points each)
        8 writing assignments, worth                 120 points (15 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.