Harbourne's Spring 2007 Math 203

Instructor: Brian Harbourne      Class Room: Oldfather Hall 308
Office: 331 Avery Hall           Time: 9:30 -- 10:20pm MWF
Tel.: 402-472-4476
Email: bharbour@math.unl.edu      Web: http://www.math.unl.edu/~bharbour/
Office Hours: 10:30-11:30 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.
      Cell phones are not allowed to be used in place of a calculator.

• 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!
• 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 six quizzes, each covering 1 or 2 chapters. Each quiz is worth 30 points. The final exam time slot is 10:00 to 12:00 noon, Monday, April 30. 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 scores on the make-ups will replace your original scores.
• Writing assignments: This course meets Integrated Studies requirements, so a significant part of the course involves writing assignments which will be commented on by the instructor. There will be a writing assignment for each chapter. Each one should be typed on one sheet of paper (front and back), at least 300 words long, and will be worth 12 points (3 points each for grammar, length, content and spelling please use a spell-checker!). Your 10 top writing assignment scores will count. Writing assignments can be turned in early but not late.
• 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.
• Homework: We all learn by doing, so homework will be assigned almost every day. It won't be collected, but the beginning of most class periods will be spent going over homework.
• Grades:

        6 in-class quizzes, worth           30 points each
        10 writing assignments, worth       12 points
        Reading homework average out of 30  30 points of extra credit
  
        Total                              300 points
  

• 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.