2022 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 2021.001
Course: Mathematics 2021.001.
Course Title: Functions and Modeling.
Credits: 3.
How this course will be taught: Virtual for the first two weeks, then in-person.
Time: MWF 3 - 3:50pm.
Place: Wachman 10.
Instructor: Meredith M. Hegg.
Instructor Office: Wachman 628.
Instructor Email: meredith.hegg@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-313-6016.
Office Hours: TR 10-11am and by appointment.
Prerequisites: Step 2 Mathematics Course or College of Education equivalent, an interest in exploring teaching, and successful completion of Calculus II.
Course Materials: There is no required textbook. We will be using notes and materials developed by a project called Mathematics of Doing, Understanding, Learning, and Educating for Secondary Schools (MODULE(S^2)). Access to materials will be provided through Canvas.
Course Goals: In this class we will broaden and deepen our understanding of algebra and functions, finding connections between advanced mathematics concepts and the topics you will be teaching as secondary math teachers. We will also explore mathematical modeling through real-life problems, discussion of the modeling process, and appropriate use of technology. My hope is that this will be one of the most enjoyable math classes of your college career as we have some freedom to explore the questions you most want to pursue. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at any time if you feel that the class is not meeting your needs.
Topics Covered: The course will have three units: I. Numbers, Powers, and Logarithms, II. Modeling with Mathematics, III. Relations and Functions.
Course Grading: 93 - 100: A 90 - 92: A- 87 - 89: B+ 83 - 86: B 80 - 82: B- 77 - 79: C+ 73 - 76: C 70 - 72: C- 67 - 69: D+ 63 - 66: D 60 - 62: D- 0 - 59: F.
Exam Dates: No exams. See information on other course assignments below.
Attendance Policy: Because a majority of the learning hinges on group work and discussion during class time, attendance is of the utmost importance. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing to class discussions and asking questions when confused or uncertain. To emphasize the importance of these contributions, attendance and participation are 5% of your grade. You will lose one percentage point for every absence after the first two, unless you have a documented excuse.
Attendance and Your Health: To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to your instructors' requirements. However, if you feel unwell or if you are under quarantine or in isolation because you have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. It is the student's responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion, when illness delays their completion.
Homework: During the first and third units of the course, there will be homework assignments roughly every week. You may type or hand-write your work, but please use complete sentences as you would for a writing class. You are encouraged to form study groups and to work with your classmates on solving your homework. However, you must understand and write up your homework by yourself. If you receive help from anyone other than myself, please acknowledge that help on the assignment. Your homework score will not be affected by this. Of course, it is unacceptable to read, copy, or rephrase a solution from the internet, a solution manual, a fellow student, or any other source. These homework assignments will count for 30% of your grade.
Modeling Reports: In the modeling portion of the course, you will write up modeling reports with your group for two of the modeling tasks we complete. These two reports together are worth 20% of your grade.
Simulations of Practice: Each of the three units of the class will include two Simulation of Practice assignments: one written assignment, and one video assignment. These six assignments will give you the opportunity to consider the mathematical content of the course in the context of teaching, and ask you to respond to examples of student work or other classroom material. These will comprise 30% of your grade.
Final Project: Your final project will be to find a real-life situation that interests you and create a mathematical model to describe it, with a group. Groups will be formed by the instructor with input from students. This project will comprise 15% of your grade.
Grading: The components of the course are weighted toward the course grade as follows: Algebra Homework: 30% Modeling Reports: 20% Simulations of Practice: 30% Final Project: 15% Attendance and Participation 5%.
Statement of Inclusion: As the instructor, it is my responsibility to foster an environment where all students feel supported in their efforts to learn and understand the content, and are encouraged to offer their own ideas and suggestions to create a deeper learning experience. My intention is that the mutual respect between students and myself will allow for open communication and that, as needed, dialogues will take place regarding ways in which this classroom can be made more inclusive for all. I firmly believe each student in this class has valuable contributions to make to our collective learning environment, and I will do my best to maintain an atmosphere in which these contributions are highly regarded by all. Any attitude, belief, or language that implies that one person or group of people is superior to another (including but not limited to racist, sexist, xenophobic, ableist, and/or homophobic ideology) is not welcome.
Basic Needs: Any student who has significant difficulty affording food, housing, or other basic needs and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the CARE Team at careteam.temple.edu for support. Furthermore, please notify me if you are comfortable doing so.
Disability Statement: Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.
Academic Freedom: 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 (opens in new tab/window).
Add/Drop Policy: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates.
During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).
Incomplete Policy: The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here (opens in new tab/window).
Expectations for Class Conduct: The best way to maintain a safe and focused learning environment is for everyone to get vaccinated. Masks must be worn by vaccinated and unvaccinated people in all indoor or in enclosed spaces (including classrooms, the Library, the TECH Center, the Student Center, shuttles/buses, administrative spaces, common areas in residence halls, etc.). For your general health and well-being, hand washing and monitoring your health is still highly recommended.
Student Support Services:
The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window):
The Math Consulting Center
Student Success Center
University Libraries
Undergraduate Research Support
Career Center
Tuttleman Counseling Services
Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University
Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.
For courses in remote mode:
Technology specifications for this course: A working computer with a reliable internet connection, a Webcam, and audio capability. Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions. A scanning app such as AdobeScan or CamScanner is required as is access to Zoom and Canvas (the Canvas app is also recommended).
Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi-access, should submit a request outlining their needs using the Student Emergency Aid Fund form. The University will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Mifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access.
Remote proctoring statement: Zoom, Proctorio or a similar proctoring tool may be used to proctor exams and quizzes in this course. These tools verify your identity and record online actions and surroundings. It is your responsibility to have the necessary government or school issued ID, a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection, the Google Chrome and Proctorio extension, a webcam/built-in camera and microphone, and system requirements for using Proctorio, Zoom, or a similar proctoring tool. Before the exam begins, the proctor may require a scan of the room in which you are taking the exam.
Online Classroom Etiquette: It is expected that each student attends every class on time for the full duration of each class and behaves, in the same professional manner, as if you are in a regular classroom. This refers in particular to your location and attire. It is not appropriate to eat a large meal, drink alcohol, smoke, or get up often during an online class.
Statement on recording and distribution of recordings of class sessions: Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for the student's personal educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University.