M302 Introduction to Mathematics

Unique Number 56185 (MWF 12-1, TAY 2.006), Spring 2005

PREREQUISITES:
1. The prerequisite for this course is three units of high school mathematics at the level of Algebra I or higher, and a passing score on the mathematics section of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test.
2. PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to what the name of the course might suggest, this course is not a prerequisite for any math course except M 316K: Foundations of Arithmetic. If you are looking for a prerequisite for other UT math courses, please consult the catalogue or course schedule.

TEXT: Berger and Starbird, The Heart of Mathematics: An Invitation to Effective Thinking, second edition.

OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS: The manipulative kit that comes with the textbook. (You should be able to purchase the kit separately at the local bookstores if you buy a used book that does not include the kit.) If you do not purchase this manipulative kit, you will need to provide substitute materials for some of the class activities.

TOPICS COVERED: Chapter 1; selections from Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or 6; Chapters 7 and 8.

INSTRUCTOR: Professor Smith

OFFICE: RLM 10.136 PHONE: 471-6142 (message at 471-7711) EMAIL: mks@math.utexas.edu
HOME PAGE: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/mks/

OFFICE HOURS: Posted on home page (see above)

CLASS WEB SITE: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/mks/302sp05/302home.html

TA: Jonathan Pearson EMAIL: jpearson@math.utexas.edu

TA OFFICE: RLM 13.152

TA OFFICE HOURS: (In RLM 13.152)

Mon. ~~3 - 4~~ 11 - 11:50 (Please note change.)
Tues. 11:15 - 12:15
Wed. ~~3 - 4~~ 11 - 11:50 (Please note change.)
Th. 11:15 - 12:15 (Added 4/10/05)
Fri. 1 - 1:50 (Please note change)

GRADING: Your course grade will be calculated as follows:

Homework Quizzes: 16%
Midterm Exams: 28% each

HOMEWORK: Reading and problems will be assigned regularly. Be sure to do the homework and bring it to class for reference on homework quizzes.

TIP FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE: Be sure to do the homeowork for evey class. Plan your time so that you can spend about two hours between each two classes on homework.

HOMEWORK QUIZZES: Unannounced homework quizzes will be given frequently in class. Rules for homework quizzes:

A homework quiz may include any question assigned for any day starting two weeks before the date of the quiz and up to and including the date of the quiz.

Closed book

You must write your solutions on the paper provided.

You need to provide your own pencil or pen.

You may use any notes you have prepared.

You may not use any notes prepared by anyone else.

No talking or sharing of materials is permitted during homework quizzes.

No programmable devices (this includes graphing calculators and Palm Pilots) permitted on homework quizzes. Nonprogrammable calculators will only be permitted on some homework quizzes.

No makeups on homework quizzes. Excused absences will be given for good cause with documentation. In addition, in calculating the average for homework quizzes, the lowest two grades will be dropped.

PLEASE NOTE: On homework quizzes and exams, you are expected to give solutions, not just answers. This means that you need to show how you arrived at your answer. This will usually involve explaining your reasoning, and sometimes will also involve calculations.

MIDTERM EXAMS: There will be three midterm exams, given at the regularly scheduled class time. All midterm exams will be in WEL 1.308.The dates of the midterm exams are Friday, February 28 18; Friday, April 1; and Friday, May 6.

There will be no makeups on midterm exams. There will, however, be "retakes" of all midterms available at the final exam time, in place of a comprehensive final exam. If you miss a midterm exam for any reason (illness, accident, participation in athletic event, family emergency, jury in studio class, etc.), you must take the retake for that exam at the time of the final exam, as described below. You may also take the retake to try to raise your grade on a midterm that you take.

Midterm exams will be "semi-take-home." This means that a week before each midterm, I will give you a list of possible exam questions. The questions on the actual exam will be very similar to some selection from the list of questions you are given. By "very similar" I mean, for example, that the numbers might be changed, the wording might be different or a figure involved might be slightly different. (The retake at the final exam time will be a slightly different selection, but also taken from the questions passed out for the midterm.) The questions on the actual exam might be in a different order from the questions in the list given to you. There might be an optional bonus problem not like any on the list.

You are allowed to get help with the list of possible midterm questions before the exam from anyone except me or the TA. (You may ask me or the TA questions about anything assigned for class or covered in class, but not about the questions given to you as possible exam questions or about very similar questions, unless they have been assigned in the reading, assigned as homework, or discussed in class.)

Midterms and retakes will be closed book, closed notes.

You may bring a non-programmable calculator to exams. However, programmable calculators (including graphing calculators) and other programmable devices (such as Palm Pilots) are not permitted in the exam.

Bring your UT picture ID to exams.

Bring pencil, eraser, and scratch paper to exams.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam (scheduled by the University for Tuesday, May 17, 9 a.m. - 12 noon, the last day of final exams.) will consist of an opportunity to take a second version of any or all of the three midterm exams. If you are satisfied with your grades on the first versions of all three exams, you will be exempted from the final exam. I will not give early retakes.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Please notify me as soon as possible of any modification or adaptation you may require to accommodate a disability-related need. You will need to provide documentation to the Dean of Students' Office, and bring me a letter from that office, specifiying the appropriate accommodations. Please be sure that I have information on any modifications regarding exams at least two weeks before the first exam. Specialized services are available on campus through Services for Students with Disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.

DEADLINES FOR DROPPING COURSES:

Friday, January 21 - Last day of official add/drop period; drops after this date require approval .

Monday, February 2 - Last day to drop a course for a possible refund.

Monday, February 14 - Last day to drop a course without a possible academic penalty.

Monday, March 28 - Last day for undergraduates to drop with Dean's approval except for urgent and substantiated nonacademic reasons. Last day to change to or from pass/fail.