Fall 2012 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2196.001

Course: Mathematics 2196.001.
Course Title: Basic Concepts of Math.
Time: TR 12:30 pm - 1:50 pm.
Place: Barton Hall Classrooms 00401.
Instructor: Downing, Marilena.
Instructor Office: Wachman Hall 633.
Instructor Email: marilena.downing@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-9055.
Course Web Page: Blackboard
Office Hours: TR 2:00-3:00 or R 11:20-12:20.
Prerequisites: Math 1042 (0086), Calculus II, or equivalent transfer.
Textbook: Mathematical Proofs, A Transition to Advanced Mathematics (2nd ed); Chartrand, Polimeni, Zhang; Addison Wesley Publishing Co.
Course Goals: The object of this course is to introduce students to proofs and mathematical reasoning in the context of various mathematical topics.
Topics Covered: We will cover topics from set theory, logic, number theory and modern algebra, and consider a variety of methods of proof.
Course Grading: Your grade will be based on two midterms, a (semicumulative) final, and collected homework assignments. The homework will count toward 40% of your grade. The (semicumulative) final exam will count toward 25% of your grade. Each midterm will count toward 17.5% of your grade.
Exam Dates: The midterms are scheduled for Thursday, October 4 and Thursday, November 8. The final exam schedule is Thursday, 12/13/12, 10:30-12:30.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend every class. Attendance will be taken and students are responsible for all information presented in class. Office hours may not be used to cover material missed due to unjustified absences. Students may be asked to present work to the class.
Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly, some of which will be collected for grading. Once the assignment has been graded, there will be an opportunity for a rewrite and a corresponding grade adjustment. You will be able to recover up to half of the points you lost when you submit your corrections. Note that it is very important to do all of your homework, the problems that I collect in writing as well as those that I do not, as the exams will be based on homework.
Calculator Policy: There will be limited use of calculators.
Blackboard: This is a registered Blackboard course. You should check Blackboard regularly for announcements and course information.

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 Monday, August 27.
• Labor Day is Monday, September 3.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, September 10.
• Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 22.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Tuesday, October 23.
• The last day of classes is Wednesday, December 5.

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.