Math 1351.004 - Math for Elem Ed II

Class meets: MW 8:00a - 9:20a, GAB 543

PREREQUISITE: The prerequisite for 1351 is Math for Elem Ed I, MATH 1350

Required Text: Mathematics for Teachers by Sonnabend, 3rd ed., ISBN: 0534403743 is the required text for this class.

Required Supplies: For the geometry portion, you will need a compass and a straightedge.

Overview: Concepts of geometry, probability, and statistics, as well as applications of the algebraic properties of the real numbers to concepts of measurement with an emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking. This course is only for students requiring course for teacher certification

Final Exam: Monday 7 May 8:00a - 10:00a, GAB 543
The final exam is comprehensive and constitutes 25% of your total grade. These exam dates are set by the Registrar's office and I will not move them.

Final grades online access: http://www.unt.edu/grades

Math Lab:

• UNT Math Lab (GAB 440)
• UNT eMathLab Fax or email your question to a tutor in the Math Lab.

• You should read over this syllabus carefully, as I will hold you responsible for the information herein.
• Students will be expected to read the chapters carefully, including the examples in the book.
• Students will be responsible for obtaining any and all handouts. If you are not in class when handouts are given, it is your responsibility to obtain copies.
• I will hold you to the student code of conduct as described in the Student Handbook, regardless of whether or not you have read it.
• You should begin working now. Frequent practice is crucial to the successful completion of a mathematics course. Cramming at the last minute will certainly lead to failure.
• WARNING: If you are in academic trouble, or are in danger of losing your financial support, or plan to graduate in May, or if your parent or guardian is expecting a certain grade at the end of the semester . . . start working today. I will refuse to listen to any pleas at the end of the semester. You will receive precisely the grade that you earn. Failure to prepare on your part will not constitute an emergency on my part.
• It is the responsibility of students with certified disabilities to provide the instructor with appropriate documentation from the Dean of Students Office.

• Students who skip class frequently make poorer grades than students who attend class regularly. Consequently, attendance is required and will be recorded. Excessive, as determined by the instructor, tardiness will count as an absence, as will frequently leaving class during lecture. The instructor reserves the right to drop students having more than three absences. Instructor initiated drops are recorded as a WF which carries the same academic penalty as an F. Bear these in mind if:
  1. You don't think you will be able to wake up on time.
  2. You are at the mercy of traffic, especially the I-35 Lake Lewisville bridge, or parking.
  3. Your work schedule interferes with this course.
• You will be held to the standards of the Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities, which can be found on the Faculty Senate Web page. In particular, students may not disrupt class or any other university process by any means whatsoever (including sideline conversations, comments, arguments, noise of any kind or other activity which would hinder access to or utilization of academic information.)
• The following is a list of activities I expect students to avoid. If these are obvious to you, I apologize. My desire is not to treat you like children. However, I will demand mature and courteous behavior and will not tolerate behavior that is rude or otherwise disruptive, in any way, to the dissemination and/or exchange of information.
  • TARDINESS, that is, coming to class after lecture has begun. Students are expected to come to class on time.
  • SLEEPING. Students are expected to remain reasonably conscious during the lecture.
  • LEAVING CLASS EARLY. Students are expected to remain for the entire class period. If you anticipate having to leave early for some reason, then I expect you to speak to me beforehand.
  • BOOK SHUFFLING, PAPER SHUFFLING, BOOKBAG ZIPPING BEFORE LECTURE IS FINISHED. This is annoying and will not be tolerated.
  • USING A CELL PHONE, PDA, OR OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICE DURING CLASS. This is exceedingly annoying and disruptive.
  • READING MATERIALS NOT PERTAINING DIRECTLY TO THIS SPECIFIC COURSE. If you want to read or study for other classes, do it on your own time -- not in my class.

• Homework will be due at the start of class. Due dates will be found on this web page. Specific chapters and dates are listed on the calendar below.
• I expect the assignments that you turn in to be written up carefully and neatly, with the answers clearly marked. You must show all of your work. Messy homework will not be accepted. Elaboration on this point can be found here:
• Free online graph paper can be found here and here
• When computing grades, I will drop at least the two lowest homework grades before computing the homework average. Therefore, in principle, you could get a 100% homework score despite not turning in two assignments. I have this policy in case you get sick, a family emergency arises, etc., during the semester. As such, do not ask me to accept late assignments, even if you think you have a legitimate excuse. You will still be responsible for the material in such assignments during the examinations.
• Because of this policy, I will not give extensions on homework assignments, nor will I accept late assignments except in the case of University approved absences.

Each assignment is to be handed in individually. Make sure you fold your stapled assignment lengthwise, and write your name, the date, your section number, and the assignment on the outside when you turn it in. Do not staple multiple assignments together. Failure to follow these directions may result in a partial or total loss of credit for the assignment.

• The exam dates are as listed on the below calendar. They are tentative and I will confirm these dates in class.
• After exams are returned in class, you have 48 hours to appeal your grade. I will not listen to any appeals after this 48-hour period.
• I will not drop the lowest exam score; all will count toward the final grade.
• I will only give make-up exams only if I am told of your absence at least a week in advance of your pending absence, and then only at my discretion. You can expect a make-up exam to consist of different questions than the regular exam, possibly making the make-up exam more difficult.
• For those students who miss an exam due to an Authorized Absence (see the Student Handbook), the final grade will be computed based only on those exams taken and the final exam. Such students will be required to provide official written verification of such an absence.
• Students who miss a scheduled exam for family emergency, personal health problems, or similar legitimate reasons will be required to provide official written verification of said absence.
• Students who miss a scheduled exam are expected to contact the instructor immediately, not when you get around to it. There are obvious exceptions to this, but you would be amazed how many times students miss exams and then show up several weeks later to talk about it.
• Students missing an exam for unauthorized reasons will receive 0 (zero) points on the exam.
• The Final Examination will be comprehensive in the sense that problems may come from any of the sections that will be covered during the semester.
• The grade of A signifies consistent excellence over the course of the semester. In particular, an A on the final is not equivalent to an A for the course.
• I reserve the right to test and quiz you on problems which are generalizations of material covered in the class and/or in the text. In short, the problems may not look exactly like the ones in the book.
• Everything that I say in class and everything on every handout is fair game for exam material. You will be responsible for everything unless I advise you to the contrary.
• Calculators generally will not be allowed on exams.

Cheating will not be tolerated on the exams. If you are caught cheating, you will be subject to any penalty the instructor deems appropriate, up to and including an automatic F for the course.

The grade of "I" is designed for students who are unable to complete work in a course but who are currently passing the course. The guidelines are clearly spelled out in the Student Handbook. Before you ask, you should read these requirements.