MAT 115H: Fall 2009

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: ST 328; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu

MEETING TIME: TR 1:40-2:55, ST 251.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: A math ACT score of 18 or better, C or better in MAH 099, or placement; and an open and curious mind, and the willingness to put aside any preconceived prejudices against or dislikes for mathematics.

TEXT: Lewis Carroll in Numberland: His Fantastical Mathematical Logical Life, Robin Wilson, Norton and Company, 2008.

Please do the assigned reading before the class session in which it is discussed. Much of our time in class will be spent in discussion of ideas in the text, or in related activities. We will be using some on-line resources as well. Lewis's texts are, for the most part, in the public domain and available on the internet.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course we will consider some of the great ideas of mathematics, as filtered through the mind of Lewis Carroll. Mathematics is as much an artistic endeavor as it is a scientific one, and, as such, it requires both imagination and creativity (of which Carroll had plenty). There are three basic goals for this course:

1. To reach a better understanding of Lewis Carroll and his world;
2. To reach a better understanding of several rich mathematical ideas that Carroll invented or treated; and
3. To change the way you view mathematics (hopefully for the better)!

GRADING:

Homework assignments will be collected, and some problems (randomly selected) will be graded. Your grade will be determined as follows:

Homework: 25% Two tests: 30% Project: 25% Final Exam: 20%

Exams will be given in class, closed book. Make-up exams will be given only under extreme circumstances.

I use the standard grading scale, with a small buffer zone for the assignment of plus/minus grades:

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned occasionally, and each assignment will be handed in for grading. It may be that only a few problems, selected at random, will be graded.

PROJECT: Your project will be a Carrollean treatment of a topic in mathematics. It may be a report, a performance, a musical, a short play -- it's mostly up to you! But we'll keep working on it throughout the semester (we don't want to put it off). At the end of the course (the last week of classes) we will present our projects to each other.

ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned or discussed in class. Attendance will be taken, and may be used along with class effort (as measured by participation - asking questions, answering other students' questions, group work, etc.) to resolve borderline grades.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of "W" is November 2, 2009. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS:

• MWF, 11:00-12:30;
• MW, 2:00-4:00 and 6:05-7:00;
• TR, 10:00-11:30.

Notes:

• The course home page is http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat115H. You may want to visit from time to time to see what's going on!
• I reserve the right to alter this syllabus if necessary. Any changes will be discussed in class, and all students will be notified.
• If you need accommodations for a disability please talk with me so that I may do my best to meet your needs.
• The general syllabus for all Mathematics and Computer Science courses should be considered a part of the syllabus for this course, and is available on-line. Additional information concerning Secondary Education Students is available on the Departmental Syllabus.