MTH 1513

Mathematics: Its Spirit and Use

Information for Students

Regular Semester, 1998-1999

Text: Excursions in Modern Mathematics, Peter Tannenbaum and Robert Arnold, 3rd edition (ISBN 0-13-598335-5)

Optional: Student Resource Guide (ISBN 0-13-746967-5)

This course covers chapters ------ (each class will cover at least 8 chapters).

Materials: A scientific or business calculator is needed to work some problems.

Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra. A pretest will be provided on the first day.

Free Tutoring: The Learning Labs offer free tutoring for this course. Not all math tutors are comfortable explaining the material in this course; look at the posted schedule to see which tutors are available when and which courses they teach.

Time: You cannot learn mathematics by listening to someone talk about it. You learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems. And this takes time. If you allow yourself plenty of time to think about the material, you will find it much more interesting and enjoyable. A reasonable amount of time (for any college class, but especially for math) is three hours outside of class for every hour in class. You have made up your schedule this semester to include your classes at certain times every week. You should now include on that schedule certain regular hours for study--nine hours per week for each of your classes. If you do not do this, you will not do as well in school as you are capable of, and you will find it more frustrating than it should be.

Withdrawals

After the withdrawal date each semester, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal. It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences (4) or failure to meet course objectives but makes no commitment to do this for the student.

Incompletes

Incomplete (I) grades will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I" a student must have taken all examinations, be passing, and have a personal tragedy occur after the last date to withdraw which prevents course completion.

Tests: There will be ---- tests. It is your responsibility to remember the dates of the tests, to observe the hours of the testing center if the test is given there, and to take the tests on time.

Outside Help: You may get as much help as you can find with the homework. In fact, many people find it easier to learn by working with other students part of the time, and if this is true for you, you should find other students to work with.

Quizzes and Homework: Your instructor will provide a description of how any non-test material will be graded and included in your final grade.