Instructor: Dr. James Kulich, Special Assistant to the President and Professor of Mathematics

Open Office Hours: 7:30 – 8:30 PM before each class in CS 209

Phone: (630) 617-6472

E-mail: jimk@elmhurst.edu

Text: Staszkow and Bradshaw, The Mathematical Palette, 2^nd edition

Materials and Resources: Class handouts, Library resources (electronic and in print), class web site (URL to be announced), various internet sites, each other, me

Some Useful Web Sites:

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the development of mathematical ideas and their use in daily life. Mathematical topics include numbers, estimation, algebra, geometry, logic, problem solving, and statistics. Information technology tools such as spreadsheets and the Internet will be used in gaining facility with many of these mathematical concepts. This course is designed for persons with little or no mathematical background. Indeed, one principal aim of the course is to help you gain an appreciation for the power of mathematics. More specifically, as a student in this course, you will aim to fulfill the following objectives:

• Learning to value the accessibility, utility, and beauty of mathematics by examining a wide variety of mathematical ideas as used in everyday life
• Gaining confidence in solving mathematical problems through experience with such problems in many contexts
• Gaining experience with gathering data and using basic computer tools to analyze data
• Developing an appreciation for the artistic and aesthetic sides of mathematics
• Improving computational skills by considering various mathematical concepts from intuitive points of view
• Learning effective ways to communicate mathematical ideas

Course Requirements:

• You are expected to attend all classes and participate fully in class discussions and activities. The class is built around your active participation. Various means for promoting interaction among all of us will be employed.
• You must complete all assigned exams, exercises, readings, and writing assignments at the assigned time. Late work will not, in general, be accepted. Some writing assignments may involve intermediate drafts.

• There will be four exams during the course of the term, roughly once every three weeks. Precise exam dates will be announced at least one week in advance.
• A final exam will be given in class on Monday, May 14, from 8:30 to 10PM.
• A final course project is required – details to be announced as the course progresses.
• ¾ of final grade is based on exams, evenly weighted.
• ¼ of final grade is based on homework, writing assignments, class participation, and final project. This portion of the course grade will be evaluated holistically according to the following criteria:

"A" work
• attends all classes
• is a leader in class interactions
• submits insightful writing assignments and a final project of considerable depth based on thorough research completes all assignments on time and is discusses them critically and with understanding


"B" work

• attends all classes
• participates regularly in class interactions
• submits well prepared writing assignments and a final project thoroughly done based on solid research
• completes all assignments on time and participates in discussions about them


"C" work

• attends all classes
• participates when asked in class interactions
• submits acceptable writing assignments and final project
• completes all assignments on time and occasionally participates in discussions about them


"D" work

• misses some classes
• participates infrequently in class interactions
• does substandard work on writing assignments and/or final project


"F" work

• misses many classes
• does not participate in class interactions
• misses assignments

Material To Be Covered: Chapters 1,2,4,6,7,8, and 9 of the text will be covered, supplemented by a variety of other resources.

Other Notes:

• You are encouraged to interact often with others in the class, either in person or via e-mail. Feedback from peers is a very useful means of measuring progress and moving forward. You may work on assignments with others, but you must submit your own individual work. Simply copying the work of another person is unacceptable. Academic honesty is expected in all situations. Academic integrity policies outlined in the E-Book will be strictly enforced.
• Keep in mind that assignments are tools for you to learn. One good strategy is to first spend time working on your own on a particular assignment. Next, get and share feedback with others. Finally, revisit the assignment on your own to produce your best work.
• You are responsible for all information in this syllabus and for all announcements made in class. In particular, absence from class does not excuse you from any requirements announced in the class you missed. If serious illness of other truly unavoidable circumstances cause you to miss a class, you must first contact another student to get caught up. Then, after giving the material some thought, ask me for any additional clarification you might need. "What happened Tuesday" is not a good first line to use.
• Timely work is very important. You must keep up with all assignments. Late assignments will, in general, not be accepted. You are responsible for your own level of success in this course, but I will do all that I reasonably can to help you along. I will hold an office hour before each class from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in CS 209. I will also respond approximately once each day to e-mail requests for assistance, as best as my daytime schedule will allow. Appointments to see me at other times can be made through my secretary at 617-3029. These will, unfortunately, be quite limited.
• The class style will be very informal. Always ask questions when you feel the need. Don’t worry about "dumb" questions – questions are natural in all subjects, particularly mathematics. Never wait too long to obtain needed help. Make sure you make good use of both the assistance I can give as well as that which your peers in the class can provide.
• Familiarize yourself with all College regulations governing this course. In particular, April 12 is the last day to withdraw from the course, should this become necessary. If you think this is the case, talk to me well in advance. It is better to try and solve serious problems, if possible, before they lead to a withdrawal.
• A grade of "I" (incomplete) is only issued for work missed at the end of the term due to serious illness. Any situation of this sort must be discussed with me before an incomplete grade can be issued.
• I look forward to working with you this spring. Let’s have some fun!

Jan. 29 Introduction

Jan. 31 Chapter 1, preliminary spreadsheet work

Feb. 5 Chapter 8, continued work on spreadsheets

Feb. 7 Chapter 8

Feb. 12 Chapter 8

Feb. 14 Chapter 8, Chapter 9

Feb. 19 No class

Feb. 21 Chapter 9, Review for exam 1

Feb. 26 Exam 1

Feb. 28 Chapter 2

Mar. 5 Chapter 2

Mar. 7 Chapter 2

Mar. 12 Chapter 2

Mar. 14 Chapter 6

Mar. 19,21 Spring break – no classes

Mar. 26 Chapter 6, review for exam 2

Mar. 28 Exam 2

April 2 Chapter 6

April 4 Chapter 6

April 9 Chapter 7

April 11 Chapter 7

April 16 Chapter 7, review for exam 3

April 18 Exam 3

April 23 Chapter 4

April 25 Chapter 4

April 30 Chapter 4

May 2 Chapter 4, review for exam 4

May 7 Exam 4

May 9 Review for final exam

May 14 Final exam

This page was created February 1, 2001
by Jim Kulich in collaboration with Donna Goodwyn.
Please email all comments to jimk@elmhurst.edu