MAT 115: Fall 2011

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: MEP 443; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu

MEETING TIME: MWF 9:00, MEP 344.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: A math ACT score of 18 or better, C- or better in MAHD 099 or MAHD 095 or placement; and an open and curious mind, and the willingness to put aside any preconceived prejudices or dislikes for mathematics.

TEXT: 50 Mathematical Ideas You Really Need to Know, by Tony Crilly. This text will be supplemented by additional, web-based resources.

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 activities related to the readings.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course we will consider some of the greatest ideas of humankind, ideas comparable in scale and beauty to the works of Shakespeare, Plato, and Michelangelo. These ideas fall within the domain of mathematics. Mathematics is as much an artistic endeavor as it is a scientific one, and, as such, it requires both imagination and creativity. There are three basic goals for this course:

  1. To reach a better understanding of several rich mathematical ideas.
  2. To develop sharper skills for analyzing life issues that transcend mathematics.
  3. To change the way you view the world!
Although you will be challenged, the hope behind this course is that you will gain an appreciation for mathematics, and discover the power of mathematical thinking in your everyday life.

GRADING:
Homework assignments will be collected, and some problem(s) graded. Your grade will be determined as follows:
Homework: 20%
Three tests: 60%
Final20%
Exams will be given in class, closed book. Make-up exams will be given only under extreme circumstances.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly, and each week an assignment will be handed in for grading. Only a few problems, selected at random, will be graded.

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

<60 60-70 70-71 71-79 79-80 80-81 81-89 89-90 90-91 >91
F D C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A

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 is October 31st, 2011. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS:

I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached with a smile.

Notes:


Website maintained by Andy Long (longa@nku.edu). Comments appreciated.