Spring 2014 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 4096.001

Course: Mathematics 4096.001.
Course Title: Senior Problem Solving Seminar.
Time: TR 3:30-4:50.
Place: WCHMAN 447.
Instructor: Rushton, Brian.
Instructor Office: WCHMAN 428.
Instructor Email: brian.rushton@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-7841.
Course Web Page: https://math.temple.edu/~brian.rushton/teaching.html
Office Hours: by appointment.
Prerequisites: Some proof-writing ability.
Textbook: Adams, Colin. The knot book: an elementary introduction to the mathematical theory of knots. AMS Bookstore, 2004. Available on Amazon.
Course Goals: The goal is to learn essential skills for creating and sharing mathematics, by 1)solving interesting problems in knot theory alone and in groups, 2)learning LaTeX, the standard for mathematical writing, and 3)developing communication skills through written projects and/or presentations.
Topics Covered: Topics will include classifications of knots, knot polynomials, braids, and applications of knots. Additional topics may be drawn from graph theory and combinatorics.
Course Grading: Homework 30%, final exam 30%, writing project (with revision) and/or in-class presentation 40%.
Exam Dates: Final exam: Tuesday, May 13, 1:00-3:00 pm.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required.

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.