Spring 2016 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 1015.102

Course: Mathematics 1015.102.
Course Title: Introduction to Numbers and Figures.
Time: TR 9:00 - 10:40.
Place: Widener Hall Room 209.
Instructor: Owens, Susan.
Instructor Office: Adjunct - no office.
Instructor Email: susan.owens@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: Adjunct - no phone.
Office Hours: by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math Placement or C- or better in Math 0701, or transfer credit for Math 701.
Textbook: Schiller & Hazboun: "Mathematics for Elementary Teachers", Fall 2013 Edition published by ImageTec Publishing Systems. Please bring textbook to every class.
Course Goals: To strengthen and deepen knowledge and understanding of arithmetic, how it is used to solve a wide variety of problems, and how it leads to algebra. In particular - To strengthen the understanding of and the ability to explain why various procedures from arithmetic work - To strengthen the ability to communicate clearly about mathematics, both orally and in writing - To show that many problems can be solved in a variety of ways.
Topics Covered: This is a course that concentrates primarily on numbers and operations on numbers. The course focuses on the arithmetic taught in elementary school and a little bit beyond elementary school and goes deeply into this material. If time permits, we will also delve somewhat into elements of geometry and its structure as well.
Course Grading: TEST 1 - 22%, TEST 2 - 22%, TEST 3 - 22%, FINAL - 24% and quizzes - 10%. Grade distribution is as follows: A:93-100, A-:90-92, B+:87-89, B:83-86, B-:80-82, C+:77-79, C:73-76, C-:70-72, D+:65-69, D:55-64, D-:50-54, F:49 or below.
Exam Dates: We will cover Modules 1 through 19 (20 and 21 if time permits). There will be three tests, a final exam and in-class quizzes. Test 1 (Modules 1 - 5) Thursday, March 10; Test 2 (Modules 7 - 12) Thursday, March 31; Test 3 (Modules 13 - 17) Thursday, April 14. The quizzes will be based on assigned homework problems. The Final is cumulative and will cover Modules 1 through 19 (20 and/or 21 if time permits) and is scheduled on Thursday, April 28, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Attendance Policy: The interactive work we do in class is an important component of this course. Attendance is therefore required. Please email the instructor if you are unable to make it to class. Students with three or more unexcused absences will have their course grade reduced by at least one letter grade. No make-up quizzes will be given. Your 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped. If a student misses a test or the final exam, he/she will NOT be allowed to take a make up exam unless there is a DOCUMENTED emergency.
Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Assignments will be posted to blackboard. Each exercise represents a typical type of problem that you are expected to solve. If a certain type of problem gives you difficulty, you should get help from your instructor or at the tutoring center and try more exercises of that type until you understand the concept. It is your responsibility to make sure you are doing these problems correctly by checking your answers to those posted on blackboard.
Calculator: NO CALCULATORS or CHEAT SHEETS may be used for any quiz or test.
Cell Phone Policy: All cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF during class as well as during quizzes and tests. Texting is also prohibited during class. If a cell phone is answered during a test, it will result in an automatic failure of the test.
Tutoring: Free one-on-one tutoring is available throughout the semester at the MSRC located at 1810 Liacouras Walk, 2nd Floor. See www.temple.edu/msrc for more information. Tutoring is usually offered at the Ambler campus too.

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 dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date given below.

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.