Instructor: Stuart Anderson
Office: Binnion-321 Phone: 903-886-5957
e-mail: Stuart_Anderson@tamu-commerce.edu
Text: THE HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS, an Introduction, 6th Edition, by David M. Burton. The entire text will be covered. Your reading of the text topics should be at least one day ahead of the related lectures.
Course Description: Selected topics in the history of mathematics; the growth of algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and the calculus; the contribution of different cultures; selected biographies of mathematicians. Prerequisites: Math 192 or consent of Instructor.
Goals: To study and master selected topics listed in the course description.
Method of Evaluation:
Tests: There will be three tests. Each test will be announced at least one week before it is given. Each will consist of problems, short answer questions (true-false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, etc.), and essays. These tests will count approximately 60% of your final grade.
Homework: Homework will be assigned on many days. It is expected that you solve all assigned problems and complete all writing assignments. There may occasionally be a quiz given which would count as a homework assignment. There may also be some assignments from the internet links. The homework collected may count a small portion in your grade.
Other Assignments: You may be assigned to one of several other projects from the following: (1) a review of a book on the Reading List, (2) reports on some of the MAA links, (3) a group report drawing from some of the internet links and readings. This assignment would count approximately 10% of your final grade.
Final: The final exam will be given on Monday, December 8, at 8:00 a.m. It will be similar in form to the other tests, but may call for more comprehensive essays. The final exam will count approximately 30% of your final grade.
Make-up work: No late tests will be given. If you miss a test, the final will be used to replace that score. No late homework will be graded and daily quizzes will not be repeated if missed. However, a percentage of the homework and quiz grades will be dropped to cover days when an absence is unavoidable.
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: Below 60
Dropping the Course: It is my hope that no one will want to drop this course. However, you may drop the course anytime before one class day after the second exam is returned and receive a grade of "DP". Should you drop after that day, you will receive a "DP" if you are passing and a "DF" if you are failing. The last day to drop the course is Friday, November 28, 2008.
Office Hours: My office is Binnion-321. If you need to see me, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment. If you are having difficulty in the course, please seek help early. I will plan to be in my office at the following times:
Monday,
Wednesday, Friday: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Tuesday,
Thursday: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Others, by appointment.
Occasionally, I will be out of my office for meetings or other obligations during scheduled office hours. I will try to let you know of these times early or will leave a note of explanation. Otherwise, you are welcome in my office.
Attendance: It is expected that you will be regular and punctual in attendance. Attendance will be noted daily and may be taken into account in determining your final course grade.
Students with Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact:
Office of Student Disability Resources and Services
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Room 303 A/D
Phone (903) 886-5150 or (903) 886-5835
Fax (903) 468-8148
StudentDisabilityServices@tamu-commerce.edu
All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment. (See Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct) Please make certain that any cell phone in your possession never rings during class and is never used during class; do not leave class early unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor; do not excuse your self from class and then return.
EARLY INTERVENTION FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS:
Early intervention for freshmen is designed to communicate the University's interest in their success and a willingness to participate fully to help students accomplish their academic objectives. The university through faculty advisors and mentors will assist students who may be experiencing difficulty to focus on improvement and course completion. This process will allow students to be knowledgeable about their academic progress early in the semester and will provide faculty and staff with useful data for assisting students and enhancing retention. Grade reports will be mailed by the end of the sixth week of the semester.
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