Math 3113   Topics in Elementary Mathematics I
Section 4    Fall 1999
Course Syllabus

 

Lecturer		TA
Professor Joel Roberts		Mr. Karime Benaissa
Vincent Hall 351		Lind Hall 254
625-1076		626-0862
roberts@math.umn.edu		benaissa@math.umn.edu
Office Hours: M 11-12, TuTh 10:40-11:40		Office Hours: Tu 10-11, W 9-10 Th 12-1

To arrange a different office time, please call or send an e-mail.
 

Location and time: Folwell Hall 334, 1:25 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. TuTh

Text: Mathematical Problem Solving for Elementary School Teachers, by Dennis White,
available at Alpha Print, 1407 4th St SE in Dinkytown, 379-8535

Mathematical Prerequisites: Math 1031, College Algebra and Probability;    

Topics: This is the first semester of a two semester sequence for elementary education majors.
The material covered will be Chapters 1 - 6 of the text.
Note: The instructors of the various sections of Math 3113 may decide to substitute Chapter 7 for Chapter 6 (so that Chapter 6 would be covered in Math 3118). If this happens, there probably will be one more test, around the end of November.

Class structure : Our schedule for a typical class will be a variation of the following:

1. We will collect previously assigned homework.
2. I may say a few things at the board, presenting the new material. (20 to 30 minutes)
3. The class breaks up into groups of size 4, and cooperatively works on exercises. (30 to 45 minutes)
   During this process Mr. Benaissa and I will observe and offer suggestions for your group.
4. We have a break of 10 minutes.
5. Members of one group present the group's solutions to selected exercises at the board.
6. Members of other groups present their groups' solutions to other selected exercises at the board.
7. I may or may not say a few more things at the board.

Tests will be given during the first half of the class period. The tests will be open book, open notes, and claculators will be allowed.

You should keep a "math notebook" to record your group work and other notes relating to your work in the class.
This is very important, since a lot of basic information will be developed during the group work. You will need this information for the tests.

We will establish new groups after each test.

Class philosophy (a few comments): Some of the subject matter has been selected because it will be useful in later courses and in your profession. Other subjects have been chosen because they are accessible without knowledge of a lot of advanced theory: That is the technical meaning of the word "elementary" in the course title (Topics in elementary mathematics. The problem solving skills that you will develop are or equal or more greater importance. The use of cooperative learning groups is an important part of our design for helping you to develop those skills.

 
Grading, Attendance, and Exams: There will be four in-class exams, as follows:

test #	date
Test 1 will cover Chapter 1	Thursday, Sept. 23
Test 2 will cover Chapters 2 and 3	Thursday, Oct. 21
Test 3 will cover Chapter 4	Thursday, Nov. 11
Test 4 (the final) will cover Chapters 5 and 6	Friday, Dec. 17 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Your grade will be decided by the following weights:

• exams 40%
• in-class work and presentations 40%
• written homework 20%.

You should read the material to be discussed in each class before coming to class.

Homework will be collected at each class. You may hand no more than 5 late assignments - by 3 p.m. on the regular school day preceding the next class. We will not accept late homework beyond this quota.

Absence from exams: Missing a mid-term exam is permitted only for the most compelling reasons. You should obtain my permission in advance to miss an exam. Otherwise you will be given a 0. If you miss an exam, you must make it up promptly. Except in extraordinary situations, all students missing the final exam will fail the course.

Incompletes, Withdrawal, S/N: The grade I is assigned only when a student has satisfactorily (a C- grade or better) completed all but a small portion of the work for the course, and has made prior arrangements to complete the work. This means, for example, if you quit attending class after the first exam, and then request an I at the end of the term, your request will be denied.

If you drop a class by the end of the eighth week of the Semester (Friday, October 28), you will receive a W; that grade does not count against your GPA. I cannot assign a W grade unless you have taken the necessary action.

If you are registered for the S/N grade option: To get an S for this course you must obtain a grade of at least C-.

Scholastic Conduct: Each student should read his/her college bulletin for the definitions and possible penalties for cheating. During the exams you must do your own work. You are encouraged to discuss assigned homework problems informally with other members of the class, but you must hand in your own final versions of the assignments and must not copy someone else's final version.
Students suspected of cheating will be reported to the Scholastic Conduct Committee for appropriate action.

I will adhere to the University Senate policy on Grade Definitions and Undergraduate Academic Workload Expectations. For details, see: http://www1.umn.edu/usenate/policies/grades&acadwork.html
A copy is attached

Messages: You can send e-mail about any matter relating to this class to roberts@math.umn.edu, or you can leave a message on my voicemail at (612) 625-1076. Please note that I usually check my e-mail more regularly than my voicemail ...

Class webpage: An updated version of this syllabus will be maintained at the following URL: http://www.math.umn.edu/~roberts/math3113.
Other materials will be posted there, including homework solutions and exam solutions - at least to the extent that this activity remains feasible.
 

 
Exercises and reading assignments    (Last updated Thursday, December 9, at 10:35 a.m.)
       Be sure always to read the sections listed in the "class" column before coming to class.