Math 101 Syllabus
Course: An Introduction to Problem Solving
Term: Spring 2009
Time: T-Th: 6:00-7:15
Location: STT314
Instructor: Dr. Ken Monks
Office: STT163A
Phone: (570) 941-6101
Email: monks@scranton.edu
Office Hours: T-Th 5:15-6:00, 7:15-7:45 and by appointment
or email
[Note: Office hours may be held in either STT314 or STT163A.
Check both locations.]
Prerequisite: High school mathematics only. Students cannot have taken any math course numbered above Math 101, nor can they be currently enrolled in such a course. This course is not intended for science, mathematics, or engineering students. (Science, math, and engineering students who wish to take a course on Problem Solving should contact the instructor to ask about other options). A basic familiarity with computers to send email and browse the web will also be necessary.
Course Objective: To introduce the student to the beauty, magic, and wonder of Problem Solving mathematics. This will accomplished primarily by hands-on problem solving in the classroom, guided and augmented by material in the lectures presented by the instructor.
Attendance Policy: You will be expected to both attend and participate in every scheduled meeting of this course. As the primary requirement of this course is hands-on participation in the classroom, your course grade will be highly dependant on your attendance and participation in class.
Email and the Web: All students in this course are required to have a university email account and are expected to check their email frequently for announcements and other information I may send to you. I may use email and the internet quite extensively in the course. If you prefer to check your home email instead of your university email you can forward your university email to you home account by following these instructions. I will not change your email address in my email address book from its default university account so you must either read your university email or forward it to your home account. Each student is also expected to be able to access any information that I post on the world wide web which is related to your course (which you apparently can do since you are reading this!).
Homework: I will post your homework assignments here. Due to the large volume of homework I assign and the large number of students in all of my courses, I must insist that all homework satisfies the following criteria:
- All homework must be done on 8.5"x11" paper or the paper handout that you are given. The paper must have straight smooth edges, not the jagged edges that are obtained when paper is removed from a "spiral bound" notebook. The paper should not be folded.
- All homework that consists of more than a single sheet of paper must be stapled in the upper left hand corner. Corners should not be folded or "dog eared".
-
All homework must have the following
information written legibly in the upper right hand corner of
the first page:
- Name
- Course and time
- Assignment number (this is the assignment number given on the assignment sheet, not the number of assignments you handed in).
Thus, the first page of every homework assignment should look like this:
Any homework that does not conform to the above format may be discarded!
If you are handing in more than one Assignment number on a
single day, each assignment must be stapled and labeled
separately. Failure to follow these procedures may result in
you not getting credit for all of your assignments.
Late Assignments: Don't even think about it. I have yet to
accept one and don't want to spoil my record. You will receive
no credit for late assignments. There are NO
exceptions.
Grading: We will take a nontraditional approach to grading in this course, because it is a nontraditional course. Your grade will be determined according to the following rules.
Attendance: Attendance and class participation are a major component of this course. There are 27 classes in this course. In order for a class to count towards your attendance you should arrive and leave on time, and participate in the day's activities (e.g. no sleeping, participating in group activities, etc). You may miss up to two classes dues to sickness or conflicts without penalty, but will be penalized one letter grade (A to A-. A- to B+, etc) for each class you miss after that.
Assignments, Exams, and Projects: There will be numerous assignments, projects, and quizzes, both in class and out of class. Your grades on these activities will be recorded and weighted accordingly by me. Assuming you have attended all classes during the semester, your final grade will be determined from these grades.
Remember that the only way to really learn mathematics is by doing it yourself. This is the best way to prepare for your exams.
I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand
- Chinese Proverb
Adaptability: I retain the right to modify or change any of the policies stated in this syllabus during the term if I feel it is in the best interests of the students and the course.
