INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: ST 328; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu
MEETING TIME: 3:25-4:40 MW, 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 or dislikes for mathematics.
TEXT:
The Heart of Mathematics, Burger and Starbird, Key College
Publishing, Second Edition, 2005. The text comes with a CD including
many interesting simulations, games, etc., and an (optional) small
"toolbox" of manipulatives (3-d glasses, for example) to carry out
experiments described in the text.
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.
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:
GRADING:
Homework assignments will be collected, and some problem(s) graded.
There will be one individual/group research project, which will be presented in
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Exams will be given in class, closed book. Make-up exams will
be given only under extreme circumstances.
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RESEARCH PROJECT/POSTER SESSION: The best way to understand mathematics is to learn and discover it on one's own. You will select a mathematical topic outside of (or beyond) those covered in our class, read and teach yourselves any necessary background to understand it, and then investigate the topic. You are strongly encouraged to work together in pairs on this project: by working together, you can learn from each other and share the burdens and joys of the experience.
Each group will write a final paper on their findings and present their work in class during the final week(s) of classes. In addition, three projects will be selected for a poster display to be held in the math department at the end of the semester.
Various interim reports and presentations will occur throughout the term. Students are invited and encouraged to discuss all phases of the project with me.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly, and assignments will be handed in for grading. Only a few problems, selected at random, will be graded.
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 March 31, 2008. After that day it is not usually permitted.
OFFICE HOURS: MWF, 11:00-11:45; MW, 1:00-3:00, 5:00-6:00; TR, 12:10-1:45. I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached with a smile.
Notes:
I reserve the right to alter this syllabus if necessary. Any changes will be discussed in class, and all students will be notified.