Spring 2007 Course Syllabus
Course: C065.102.
Course Title: Elements of Mathematical Thought.
Time: 2:40 - 4:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Place: LC (Learning Center), room 310.
Instructor: Nathan, William D.
Instructor Office: Cottage Hall, room 7.
Instructor Email: william.nathan@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 267-468-8515.
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 to 5:00 and by appointment.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of algebra and successful completion of Math 55 (or its equivalent).
Textbook: USING & UNDERSTANDING MATHEMATICS by Bennett & Briggs, custom edition.
Course Goals: The goal of Math 65 is to help students increase their level of quantitative awareness and to help them deal comfortably and critically in an environment that increasingly makes use of quantitative reasoning.
Topics Covered: Introduction to statistical reasoning, voting methods, apportionment, geometry, and some applications of network theory to business.
Course Grading: There will be four exams plus a comprehensive final exam. The four exams will count 55% toward the final course grade, the final exam will count 35%, and the remaining 10% will be based on quizzes, homework, and class participation.
Exam Dates: Not yet available.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will not normally be taken, but excessive absences or latenesses may affect a student's grade.
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.
Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.
The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.