MAT 115R: Spring 2025

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

MEETING TIME: MTR at 4:50 pm, MEP 323.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: None but an open and curious mind, and the willingness to put aside any preconceived prejudices or dislikes for mathematics.

TEXT: We'll be using web-based (and free!) resources.

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!

This course satisfies the mathematics and statistics general education requirement.

GRADING:

Quizzes: 25% Two midterm exams: 40% Comprehensive Final: 25% Math Logo Project: 5% Mathemalchemy Project: 5%

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

HOMEWORK and QUIZZES: Homework will be assigned regularly, and each week a quiz will be given on Thursday. The quiz will cover some or all of your homework (as well as the readings) from the current and previous week.

I will drop several of your worst quiz grades (at least two).

LOGO: Companies have logos; you should have one, too! Your math logo will be something (like a family crest) that represents you. It will be created using elements from this course (or other mathematical elements of your own choosing). You will type up a one-page sheet, illustrating and explaining your choice, and submit the logo in advance so that they may be exhibited on-line; you'll have a chance to say a few words about yours on our last week together, during our "Logo and Project Show", and will be graded in part by your peers.

PROJECT: your project will feature some application of or connection between your major (or a major interest) and Mathemalchemy; more details will be shared later on, but this will be exhibited during the Logo and Project Show, and will be graded in part by your peers.

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

ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned for class. Attendance and participation in discussions may be used to resolve borderline grades.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class is March 24, 2025. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS MTRF, 12-12:50pm; R, 3:00pm-4pm. I'm often available for a short Zoom at the drop of a hat: email me.

On Monday I have class right before this one, and on every other Tuesday we have departmental meetings before class. I will generally be able to linger a little after class, if you need to talk to me.

FINAL EXAM: Your comprehensive final exam is Thursday, May 8th, from 4:40-6:40.

Notes:

• The course home page is http://www.nku.edu/~longa/classes/mat115r. You will want to bookmark this so you'll know 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 Departmental Syllabus for all Mathematics courses is a part of the syllabus for this course.
• The General Education Program at Northern Kentucky University guides students to become independent learners, innovative thinkers, and responsible citizens. The program gives students a foundation of values, knowledge, and skills that will empower them to discover their personal potential, communicate effectively, work in diverse communities, and solve problems in a global society. Courses in the program will invite students to expand the life-long practice of asking questions, seeking new points of view, applying principles of reason, adjusting ideas in relation to new situations, and taking reflective action.
• Student Learning Outcomes: This course fulfills the Mathematics & Statistics category. As part of the general education curriculum, all students in this course will be directly assessed on the following outcomes:
  1. Students develop evidence-based solutions and/or conclusions.
  2. Students demonstrate the ability to use the appropriate (i.e. scientific, quantitative, computational, technological) methods/procedures and/or reasoning to draw an appropriate conclusion or solve a problem.