Mathematical Sciences Department

Chairman:  Dr. Helmut Knaust   Bell Hall 124

 

Properties of Real Numbers I (M2303)

Course Syllabus ( Spring 2004 )

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Jorge R. Viramontes-Olivas

OFFICE:

Educ Bldg 211-F

PHONE:

(915) 747-6524

E-mail:

jviram@math.utep.edu

OFFICE HOURS:

MWF 9:30am to 10:20am or by appointment

 

NOTE: The e-mail is the only means of communication for absence notifications. Phone calls or voice mail messages are not considered a valid means for notification of missing class, etc.

 

TEXT: Several Mathematics text books are going to be used during the semester. The student may consult any of these books only as a reference (it is not necessary to buy it). The information regarding to these books will we provided during the semester.

 

CALCULATOR: A scientific calculator is required for the course (usually logarithmic, exponential, square root functions are required for this course).

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: A study of the arithmetic structure of the real numbers from an advance point of view. This course will prepare students to develop proficiency in important conceptual knowledge and skills in mathematics.   Students will develop their skills as teachers of mathematics by working in teams on projects (i.e., grounded activities) and engaging in systematic inquiry (reflective practice).   Some of the projects will include mathematical situations arising from group activity with strings, sticks, blocks and other manipulatives.  Systematic inquiry will involve reflection and analysis using scientific tools (rulers, scales, thermometers, etc.) and linguistic tools, such as words, graphs, diagrams, tables, etc.  

 

PROJECTS: There will be 10 take home teams projects. It is your team’s responsibility to work with these projects and to seek help when you have difficulty.  The projects are assigned to help you understand the material and prepare you for the individual final project.  It is important that you seek help immediately when you have difficulty so that you do not fall behind.  You are expected to dedicate at least 3 hours of study for each hour spent in class. This time should be spent studying the notes and the recommended reference books and working through examples found therein, reviewing and rewriting class notes, working the assigned problems. The project due date will be the first working day of the following week.

              

MISSED PRJECTS: No make-up projetcs will be given.

 

FINAL PROJECT: There is one final individual project comprehensive and mandatory.  No make-up final project will be given.

 

*EXAM POLICIES: Cheating on individual projects will be dealt severely. Even the appearance of cheating may cause some discomfort.

 

GRADING: The ten projects will be worth 60%, participation 5%, and the final project makes 35%. The course is graded on an A, B, C, D, F basis.  You must obtain a grade of C or better to pass the course.

 

 

 Grading scale:             [90%, 100%]                 A

                                    [80% - 90%)                 B

                                    [70% - 80%)                 C

                                    [60% - 70%)                 D

                                    [0% - 60%)                   F                     

 

ATTENDANCE: You are required to attend every class period from beginning to end. If you attain 3 absences (1 hr=1 absence), it may result in your being dropped from the course without notice or receive an F.  For each lecture you are to be seated and ready to take notes at the beginning, and to be awake the entire period.  Do not bring food or drinks into the classroom.  No one is allowed in class who is not registered.  Leave all pagers and cell phones turned off.

It is expected that students will attend all class sessions and actively participate in projects and class discussions.  If a student misses a session, it is the responsibility of that student to make up all missed work. Attendance and participation will count towards final grade.

 

WITHDRAWAL: You may drop this course until Monday, March 8th and receive a grade of  W.

 

           

HELP and Web Sites:

·         Additional information like this syllabus available at http://www.math.utep.edu/cforjv/html/.

 

·         The TLC [Tutoring and Learning Center] provides help on a first come, first served basis.  Telephone 747-5366 in the Library, Room 300 for available hours.

 

·         Computer labs around campus (ATLAS in UGLC 202, EDUC 316) have mathematics software to help with this class.

 

·         I will be available during office hours or by appointment.

 

·         If you have any problems with the course that cannot be resolved with your instructor, please contact the Math Dept., Bell Hall 124, 747-5761.

 

·         Websites:

 

 http://www.excet.nesinc.com/index.htm.

       This website allows you to access and download the TExES Domains and Competencies, as well as related practice tests.  In addition, The Learner Centered Proficiencies (with related discussion) for Texas are provided.  You will also find strategies and other resources that will benefit you.  Make sure to familiarize yourself with this website and its contents.

www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/#Grade

        This website includes all the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all content areas and grade levels.  Make sure to familiarize yourself with this website and its contents.

www.tcbee.org/New.htm

        Centers for Professional Development: This site provides great ideas for teaching mathematics for English language learners.  Teaching science, as well as other resources for language arts and social studies are listed as well. Click at the bottom of the page on the content area you need: Language Arts * Languages other than English * Mathematics * Science * Social Studies * Technology.  Great ideas for getting started!

 

Students requiring accommodations for physical or learning disabilities must make arrangements with Disabled Student Services, 747-5148, 106 East Union as early as possible in the semester. 

The student is responsible for presenting to the instructor any DSS accommodation letters and instructions.

 

 

*Academic Dishonesty at UTEP

 

It is the official policy of the university that all suspected cases or acts of alleged scholastic dishonesty must be referred to the Dean of Students for investigation and appropriate disposition. It is contrary to university policy for a faculty member to assign a disciplinary grade such as an "F" or zero to an assignment, test, examination, or other course work as a sanction for admitted or suspected scholastic dishonesty in lieu of normally charging the student through the Dean of Students. Similarly, students are prohibited from proposing and/or entering into an arrangement with a faculty member to receive a grade of "F" or any reduced grade in lieu of being charged with scholastic dishonesty.

Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student for any of the following acts or omissions:

 

A.    "cheating" includes:

1.        copying from the test paper of another student, engaging in written, oral, or any other means of communication with another student during a test, or giving aid to or seeking aid from another student during a test;

2.        possession and/or use during a test of materials which are not authorized by the person giving the test, such as class notes, books, or specifically designed "crib notes";

3.        using, obtaining, or attempting to obtain by any means the whole or any part of non-administered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program, or using a test that has been administered in prior classes or semesters, but which will be used again either in whole or in part without permission of the instructor; or accessing a test bank without instructor permission;

4.        collaborating with or seeking aid from another student for an assignment without authority;

5.        substituting for another person, or permitting another person to substitute for one's self, to take a test; and

6.        falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other records or academic work offered for credit;

B.       "plagiarism" means the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own academic work offered for credit, or using work in a paper or assignment for which the student had received credit in another course without direct permission of all involved instructors.

C.       "collusion" means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any provision of the rules on scholastic dishonesty.