Spring 2016 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2021.001

Course: Mathematics 2021.001.
Course Title: Functions and Modeling.
Time: MWF 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm.
Place: Wachman 1036.
Instructor: Hegg, Meredith M.
Instructor Office: Wachman 628.
Instructor Email: meredith.hegg@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-7843.
Course Web Page: Blackboard
Office Hours: MW 1:30-2:30 or F 9:30-10:30.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Step 2 Mathematics Course or College of Ed equivalent, an interest in exploring teaching, and successful completion of Calculus II (Math 1042).
Textbook: The book for this course is not a required purchase. The text we will use, which is available for free online, is Functions in Mathematics: Introductory Explorations for Secondary School Teachers; Efrais P. Armendariz and Mark Daniels.
Course Goals: By the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in working with the concept of function and function-related topics such as rate of change, limit, and accumulation; demonstrate a depth of content knowledge with regard to important secondary mathematics topics such as parametric relations, polar relations, matrices, exponential and logarithmic functions, vectors, and complex numbers; generate or work with relevant lab or exploration data and use regression, matrix, function pattern, and systems methods to generate a model for the data; present mathematical ideas and topics in a knowledgeable and effective manner; demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology in the mathematics classroom; and identify mathematics content connections between the various levels of secondary mathematics curriculum and between secondary- and university-level curriculum.
Topics Covered: The course consists of four units: 1) Functions and Patterns, 2) Modeling Using Regressions and Matrices 3) Exploring Functions in other Systems and 4) Final Lesson Plan/Project.
Course Grading: Your grade will be based on two exams, a midterm project, a final presentation, class participation, and collected homework assignments. The two exams will count toward 35% of your grade. Homework will count toward 30% of your grade. The midterm project will count toward 10% of your grade. The final presentation will count toward 20% of your grade. Attendance, engagement, and contributions in class will count toward 5% of your grade.
Exam Dates: Tentative schedule: Test 1: February 26, Test 2: March 30, Final Presentations: May 2, 1:00 - 3:00.
Attendance Policy: Because a majority of the learning hinges on group work done during the class time, attendance is of utmost importance. Attendance and participation are 5% of your grade. You will lose one percentage point for every absence after the first two.
Late Work Policy: Assignments must be submitted on the dates indicated on the course outline. In general, late work is not accepted.

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.