Syllabus for Math 234 (Foundations of
Mathematics)
Spring 2013 Semester at Lycoming College
Course Content
Topics
regularly included are the nature of mathematical systems, essentials of
logical reasoning, and axiomatic foundations of set theory. Other topics frequently included are
approaches to the concepts of infinity and continuity, and the construction of
the real number system. The course
serves as a bridge from elementary calculus to advanced courses in algebra and
analysis. Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH 129 or MATH 130.
Course Goals
Goals
for this course include developing critical thinking skills, and the abilities
to apply at least moderately sophisticated deductive logic, to assess the
validity of a mathematical argument, to construct proofs for a variety of
results, and to write an expository paper presenting a mathematical result.
Who Should be Taking This Course
This
course is a requirement for the mathematics major and the actuarial mathematics
major, and also counts toward the mathematics minor. It is taught as a writing intensive course
and designed for students who need to learn to read and write about abstract
mathematical topics including mathematical proofs. Students who do not satisfy the course
prerequisite will have their names removed from the roster.
|
|
Instructor(s)
|
Name |
Office Location |
Office Hours * |
Office
Phone |
|
Dr. Gene Sprechini |
Academic
Center D311 |
Mon 4:00-4:30pm (B302) Tue 10:00-10:30am (D311) Wed 4:00-4:30pm (B302) |
(570) 321-4288 |
*You may of course also see your instructor by
appointment
Tutoring
General
Tutoring in this course is not
available for this semester.
Required Materials
Each
student must have
·
a copy of the
textbook: A Transition to Advanced
Mathematics, 7th edition, by Douglas Smith, Maurice Eggen,
and Richard St. Andre (ISBN 13: 978‑0‑495‑56202‑3)
·
a three-ring
binder containing copy of this syllabus, the course schedule, class notes, completed
assignments, etc. (Note: Since students will need to use this binder
every day in class and will be allowed to use this binder for exams, the
binders should be kept up-to-date and complete.)
·
a calculator
(preferably a TI-84 calculator, but almost any calculator will be satisfactory)
Course Links
Grading
|
Item |
Point
Values and Policies |
|
Homework Assignments and Writing Assignments |
Homework
assignments and/or writing assignments are given at the end of each class; the assignment(s) due for the following class is announced
and is posted in red the course schedule. The total
number of possible homework assignments points for the semester is 250, and
the total number of possible writing assignments points for the semester is
250. Since this is a W
(writing-intensive) course, there will be several formal writing assignments
(at least 10 pages) and informal writing assignments (at least 15 pages)
throughout the semester. Due dates and
assignment descriptions are available from the course schedule. Late work is never accepted for any reason. If within 24 hours a student gives a
legitimate reason (as judged by the instructor) for not submitting an
assignment on time, an alternative assignment and due date may be given to
allow student to earn the missed points; assignments not submitted should be
completed for practice and answers checked with a classmate, a tutor, or the
instructor. A
student who misses submitting more than 10 homework assignments or 10 writing
assignments automatically fails the course. |
|
Semester Tests |
Four
semester tests are given, one about every three or four weeks; specific dates
are available from the course
schedule. Each semester test is worth 100 points, so
that the total number of possible test points for the semester is 400. For each missed test, a grade of zero is
recorded, unless (1) the instructor is presented with documented evidence of
a medical reason for not completing the test at the scheduled time, and (2)
arrangements to make up the test are made within 24 hours of the originally
scheduled exam time. While each test
covers primarily the course material for the two or three weeks prior to the
test, test questions may come from any previously covered material (i.e.,
each test could be considered cumulative). |
|
Final Exam |
The
final exam (administered during final exam week) is worth 200 points. |
|
Attendance |
The
final course grade percentage is reduced by 4% for each unexcused absence
after the third unexcused absence; an absence is considered to be excused
when the instructor accepts an email from the student explaining the reason
for the absence. It is the student’s
responsibility to find out what was missed in class and keep up with the coursework. Students can get a copy of class notes from
the instructor, from a tutor, or from a classmate. A
student with more than 10 unexcused absences automatically fails the course. |
|
There
is a total of 1100 points that can be earned.
The final course grade percentage is the percentage of points earned
out of the total number of points that can be earned. The final course letter grade is determined
from the following: A
= above 93.33% A–
= 90% to 93.33% B+ = 86.67% to 90% B = 83.33% to 86.67% B– = 80% to 83.33% C+ = 76.67% to 80% C = 73.33% to 76.67% C– = 70% to 73.33% D+ = 66.67% to 70% D = 63.33% to 66.67% D– = 60% to 63.33% F
= below 60% |
|
Tips for Success in This Course
(1)
Keep up with the homework - understanding every homework assignment as
completely as you can is the key to grasping the course material. Even though there will be some homework
assignments that you may not be required to submit, do them anyway, since they
will help you master the material. Check
all your homework answers with a tutor before submitting an assignment.
(2)
As part of your preparation for tests and the final exam, do all exercises
suggested for practice by the instructor, and start working on these early;
don't wait for the night before the test or exam.
(3)
Get your questions answered quickly by the tutor, the course instructor, or a
classmate.
(4)
Keep your binder up-to-date and well-organized.
General Standards and Policies
All work submitted must be of
professional quality. All paper must be
neat, without ragged edges, rips, tears, smudges, stains, etc. All answers must be clear, complete, and concise;
handwriting must be legible. If the
instructor can't read it, it's wrong.
Assignments may be down-graded if these standards are not met.
It can be very helpful for some
students to work together on daily assignments and to study together; this is
encouraged when it does not result in one student simply copying another's work
with no understanding. Acts of academic
dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course, and a letter to the
Provost describing the circumstances. If
you are having problems in the course, talk to the instructor; don't involve
yourself in academic dishonesty. With each assignment submitted, students are
expected to write a short note at the end of the assignment indicating from
whom help was received and to whom help was given (but this does not affect the
grade for the assignment). The following
is from the FACULTY HANDBOOK in the section titled Student Course Load:
"It
is expected that students will spend, in preparation for courses, two hours of
study time outside the classroom for every hour of credit in the
classroom."
This
means that you should be prepared to spend, on average, eight hours per week
outside of class working on a four-credit course; however, this will vary from
student to student and from course to course.
Your time will be spent reading the text, reviewing class notes, and
completing homework exercises.
If you encounter a problem while
working on assignments, do not spend more than 20 or 30 minutes trying to solve
the problem; if you cannot solve a problem in 20 or 30 minutes, even with the
help of a tutor or classmate, work on something else and show the problem to
the instructor of the course as soon as possible.