Contact Information:		Office Hours:
214-5 Elizabeth Hall		Monday 11:00 - 11:50, 2:30 - 3:20
ext. 7551		Tuesday 2:00 - 2:50
campus box 8340		Wednesday 11:00 - 11:50
		Friday 11:00 - 11:50
http://www.stetson.edu/~mhale/		or by appointment.

Course Overview   Great Ideas in Mathematics is a survey of a select group of topics that have had the most influence on mathematics and related fields. Students learn both techniques and history. The course satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning requirement for students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Other students are also welcome. There is no prerequisite beyond high school math. The course does not prepare you for calculus.

Text and Calculator   The text is X-Math: A Gentle Introduction to Extreme Ideas, my own in draft form dated 18 May 2009. Your comments and suggestions on the book are welcome. The TI-84 (Plus) graphing calculator will be used extensively in this class. Instructions for the TI-83/84 are on line and also will be given in class. Those using other calculators may be at a disadvantage.

Grading   Your grade will be based on 4 tests (60%), regular homework (15%), and a final exam (25%). The grading scale is A: 90% - 100%, B: 80% - 89%, etc.

Policies and Due Dates   Tests must be taken during the scheduled time unless you have a valid excuse cleared with me ahead of time. Grade penalties will be imposed for infringements. This includes Test 2 which is the day before Fall Break begins. Test dates are: F 9/14, W 10/7, F 10/30, and W 11/18. The final exam is M 12/7, 2 – 4 pm.

Homework should consume about 8 hours per week outside of class. Homework is in three parts: review, current exercises, anticipate — past, present, future. All three are important for successfully mastering the material. Part 1: review recent work and catch up on problems you could not do previously. Part 2: start early, take a break if you get stuck, leave time to ask for help. Rewrite messy problems. What you submit must be neat, on one side of the paper only, and stapled. Part 3: read the section for the next class. This prepares the ground for planting new ideas, helping you make the most of class time.

Attendance is expected. Previous students have found that loyal attendance (3 or fewer absences) and diligent completion of homework are required for success in this course.

Assistance   You are expected to talk with your professors outside of class and visit their offices. Ask me about homework, in class, in my office, or via email. You may work with other students and use the Math Clinic (209E, hours TBA). For full value, re-do homework in your own words. All work on tests must be your own, with no help from books, notes, or other people. I support the Stetson University Honor System.

This is a college level course, and you are in charge of your own success. You are responsible for learning the material, reading the text, identifying your questions and difficulties, talking with me inside and outside of class, keeping up with the syllabus, reading your email, and knowing class policies. Read the first day's lecture Class, College, and Life online, and frequently review the Study Tips. Visit my web site to find out more about me and about the course. If you have special needs, please don't hesitate to discuss them, either with me or with the Academic Resources Center.

Communication   I use email and Blackboard to communicate important information and distribute course materials. To reach me, see my contact information above. You are welcome in my office, my voicemail, and my Inbox.

Class, College, and Life
fall 2009 syllabus
instructions for the TI-84
just the regression instructions
reviews for tests and quizzes
study tips
back to great ideas in math
back to Margie's home page