Math 115: Introduction to
Mathematical Thought
Fall 2006
- Instructor: L. Peterson
- Section information: Section
1, class number 4799, 11:00 A.M.-12:15 P.M., TuTh, Witmer 305
- Prerequisites: None
- Office: 322 Witmer Hall
- Office hours:
I will announce my
office hours in class and post them on my Web site. Please fill
in the information below.
- Mondays:
- Tuesdays:
- Wednesdays:
- Thursdays:
- Fridays:
These office hours do not apply during university recesses
and holidays, on Reading and Review Day (December 8, 2006), or
during final exam week. Additional office hours, including hours on
Reading and Review Day and during final exam week, are available by
appointment or, when possible, by drop-in.
- Phone numbers: 777-4609
(office), 795-8984 (home), 777-2881 (Mathematics office)
- Messages:
If you cannot reach me, you may leave recorded messages at my
777-4609 number. You may also leave a note for me in the Mathematics
office, Room 313 Witmer Hall.
- E-mail address:
lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
- URL for Web site:
http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/lapeters. Use of the Web site is
optional. The Web site contains this syllabus. In addition, it will
contain some announcements, but I will also make these announcements
in class.
- Textbook: We will not use a textbook.
- Audience: This course is intended to be a
general education course for students in majors that do not
specifically require the study of mathematics.
- Course objectives:
- To develop the ability to solve some of the mathematical
problems that students are likely to encounter on the job and at home.
- To develop the ability to understand and analyze other
people's solutions to mathematical problems.
- To gain a deeper appreciation for the different branches of
mathematics.
- To reduce the student's fear and distrust of mathematics.
- Course topics:
- The analysis of mathematical arguments
- Abstract counting techniques
- Probability
- Logic and reasoning
- Word problems involving arithmetic
- Prime numbers
- Elections and voting methods
- Geometric problems
- Course format: In this course you will work on
problems in small groups.
On a typical day, I will
divide the class into groups of three to five people and give
you a list of problems to work on.
I will wander around the room and answer any questions you may have.
After most groups have solved the problems for the day, I will ask one
of you to explain each
solution to the whole class. If different groups come up with
different ways of solving the same problem, I will be interested
in discussing the different solution techniques. From time to
time I may take over the class discussion and give a short lecture.
You should write down and retain your problem solutions, and you
should take notes on alternative ways of solving the problems. This
may help you do better on the exams, since the exam problems may be
similar to the problems we work on in class.
-
Grading:
- Midterm exams: 40%
- Final exam: 30%
- Classroom participation: 30%
- Grading scale: 90% A, 80% B,
70% C, 60% D
- Homework:
I will not collect homework for this course, but you should spend
some time outside of class studying the problems you work on in
class as well as their solutions.
- Exams: There will be two
midterm exams and one final exam. The midterm exams will occur in
class during regular class periods on dates which I will announce
later. The final exam will be comprehensive with an emphasis on the
material that we cover after the second midterm.
- Absences from exams: If you
will be absent from an exam, call me in advance.
- Classroom participation: Each student will
receive up to three points per day for classroom participation. For
the semester as a whole, a maximum of 80 points for classroom
participation is possible.
- Study time: You should spend a little time
outside of class studying the solutions to the problems that you solve
in class. This may help you to do better on the exams.
- Tutorial help:
You may come to see me in my office for help with questions or
difficulties that you may have. You might want to study in
Mathematics Learning Center (Rooms 310 and 312, Witmer Hall) or
in the University Learning Center (Room 201, Memorial Union). Tutors
in these learning centers may not be prepared to help you with the
problems in this course, however.
- Computers:
Some of the problems in this class may require an inexpensive pocket
calculator. It should be possible to obtain an adequate calculator
for less than fifteen dollars.
- Attendance policy: I want you
to succeed in this course. Please attend all class sessions if
possible. Please be respectful and considerate of other people in
the class.
- End of the day: On most days our class will
adjourn while other classes are in session. Please be quiet as you leave!
- Changes to policies: Course
policies, including all policies described in this syllabus, are
subject to change. I will announce any changes to the policies.
- Comments and concerns:
Let me know if you have any comments about the class. If you have
emergency medical information to share with me, if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, or if you need
accommodations in this course because of a disability, please make an
appointment with me. If you plan to request disability accommodations,
you are expected to register with the Disability Support Services
(DSS) office (190 McCannel Hall, 777-3425 voice/TTY).
- Final Exam:
The final exam for this course will occur from 10:15 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. on
Tuesday, December 12, 2006 in the usual classroom.
Links
-
Lawrence J. Peterson home page
-
Mathematics Computer Lab home page
-
Department of Mathematics home page
-
University of North Dakota home page
Notes on Web Page
-
Contact Person: Larry Peterson
E-mail: lawrence.peterson@und.nodak.edu
Phone: (701) 777-4609
Date of most recent update: 18 August 2006
University of North Dakota home page