There may be more lecturing as we get deep into the course;
Leary was not designed for an inquiry-based course. If this
happens, I'll increase the written homework load by a bit.
| In-class Presentations | 10% of the final grade |
| Class
Participation |
5% of the final grade |
| Written Assignments | 25% of the final grade |
| Take-home Midterm | 20% of the final grade |
| In-Class Midterm | 10% of the final grade |
| Take-home Final | 20% of the final grade |
| In-Class Final |
10% of the final grade |
Test Dates: The dates for the in-class and take-home
midterm are to be determined, but will be shortly after spring
break. The in-class final exam is scheduled for 6:30 pm on
Monday 8 May, and the take-home exam will be due at this time.
Class work: While this course will not be quite as presentation-focused as Foundations (for those of you who have had that class), I will still try to make this class as student-driven as possible You and your fellow students will be the ones that make things happen in class. Without your active participation, nothing will happen. You will get benefit out of the course in proportion to how much effort you put in. Thus class work is a quite substantial portion of the grade. It has several components: written assignments, class presentations and class participation generally. (This last includes contributing to class discussions, asking good questions, and active participation when another student is presenting work at the board.) And, I should add, attendance. If you don’t attend you can’t participate. You are expected to be in class; if you aren’t your grade will be adversely affected.
Written Assignments:
When you write up an assignment, you are expected to include
sufficiently many details to enlighten someone who does not
already know what you are trying to say. This may require
that you restate a definition or previous theorem and say how it
is used in your proof. Do not be afraid to include too
many details. If you are in doubt about whether or not to
say something that you feel is pertinent, always do so! I
encourage you to work with others on the ideasof the
written homework, but the solutions and write-ups must, in the
end, be your own. This
document will help give you some guidance on that.
Class Presentations: I have
said that some of the class will consist of students presenting
work to each other. You will be expected to do your share
in this. I will use a sophisticated randomization method to
select students to present in class and will try to ensure that
every student gets to present a roughly equal number of times.
If you are not prepared to present a problem, no problem! Just
take a pass, and we'll move on. As long as you don't pass more
than a couple of times in the semester, this will not adversely
affect your grade. But please do not go up to the board
without being fairly confident that you have a fairly complete
solution/proof. This will become apparent quickly and will not
benefit you or the rest of the class.
The person who is presenting his or her work at the board is not the only person with responsibilities in a presentation. The students sitting at their desks have as central a role to play. Students presenting their work are not meant to replace a seasoned polished lecture that would be given by an experienced instructor. Nor should they be made to. They are counting on their fellow students to help them by making clarifying suggestions and asking questions. I will feel free to ask questions of persons who are sitting down.
In-class exams: The purpose of these exams will be to encourage everyone to gain a command of the basic mathematical facts that are discussed in class. The questions will be relatively straightforward for anyone who has been digesting the material along the way. Typical questions will ask you to define important terms, answer true/false and short answer questions on the basic material and perhaps state an important theorem or two. You may be asked to give a simple proof or solve a straightforward problem.
Takehome examinations: One midterm and a portion of the final examination will be take-home exams. You will be required to construct proofs for theorems that you have not seen before. You are on your honor not to discuss take-home exams with anyone but me until all exams have been turned in. You may not consult any books except the class textbooks, but you are free to use any class notes, any previously proved theorems, and anything that is distributed in class. All guidelines for written assignments also apply to take-home exams.
Academic Honesty: You are encouraged to work with other students on everything except exams. (It has been my experience that most students who thrive in this course are part of a small group of 2-4 students who work together regularly outside of class. I think this also makes the class more fun.) It is, however, understood that all written work that you turn in must finally be your own expression. For further information see this document, the student handbook or consult with me.
Students
who anticipate they may need accommodations in this course
because of the impact of a learning, physical, or
psychological disability are encouraged to meet with me
privately early in the semester to discuss their concerns.
In addition, students must contact Erin Salva,
Director of Student Accessibility and Support
Services (740-427-5453 or salv