Spring 2009 Course Syllabus
Course: 0824.005.
Course Title: Mathematical Patterns.
Time: MWF 2:00-3:10.
Place: BB 205.
Instructor: Schiller, John J.
Instructor Office: Wachman Hall 508.
Instructor Email: john.schiller@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-8419.
Office Hours: M 11:00-12:00, WF 11:00-11:30, 3:30-4:00.
Prerequisites: Placement Exam, or Math 701 (Elementary Algebra) or its equivalent.
Textbook: Using and Understanding Mathematical Ideas by Bennett and Briggs.
Course Goals: To help students develop a level a quantitative literacy needed to be informed citizens in today's word.
Topics Covered: Statistical Reasoning, Probability, Linear and Exponential Growth, Discrete Mathematics in Business and Politics.
Course Grading: There will be four tests and a comprehensive final exam. If one of the four tests is the lowest grade, then that test will count 10% of the final average, the other three will count 20% each, and the final exam will count 30%. If the final exam is the lowest grade, then all four tests and the final will count 20% each.
Exam Dates: The four tests will be approximately evenly spaced, and the final exam will be be on Wednesday, May 13, 2:00-4:00.
Attendance Policy: Daily attendance and participation in class are expected and will be factors in borderline grading cases.
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:
- The first day of classes is Tuesday, January 20.
- The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, February 2.
- Spring recess is the week of Monday, March 9.
- The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, March 30.
- The last day of classes is Monday, May 4.
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.