MATH 200

SPRING SEMESTER 2004

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:            Problem Solving in Mathematics (3 credits).  Mathematical ways of thinking with an emphasis on problem solving integrated throughout the study of sets, numeration systems, different bases, counting, probability, geometric shapes, and geometric measurement. For elementary and special education teacher certification candidates only.

 

TEXT:                            Mathematics for Elementary Teachers, A Contemporary Approach,

                                       6th Edition

Musser, Burger, Peterson

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 

CALCULATORS:         Calculators may NOT be used on exams but may be used on homework.

 

 

EXAMS:            Two 75-minute examinations will be given during the semester, and a comprehensive final examination will be given during the final examination period.

                                      

EXAM I    Wednesday, February 11         6:30 - 7:45 PM

EXAM II   Tuesday, March 30                  6:30 - 7:45 PM

 

CONFLICT EXAMINATIONS:   If you have a valid conflict with the regularly scheduled examination such as a class or other scheduled activity, you may sign up for the conflict examination.  These exams are given from 5:05 to 6:20 PM on the same night as the regular exam.   You must verify your excuse with your instructor and give your name to the secretary in 108 Whitmore one week before the examination.   Bring your University ID to the conflict exam.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE YOUR EXAM IS GIVEN!  Exams will be collected at 6:20 PM, but no student is permitted to leave the room before 6:25 PM.  A student who leaves before 6:25 PM will receive a grade of zero on the exam and will not be allowed to retake it.  

                       

 

MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS:  Students who have a valid, verifiable reason, such as illness or a class during both the conflict and regular exam times, are permitted to schedule a makeup examination with no penalty.  Students who do not have a valid reason for missing the exam, such as forgetting the date, time, or room of an exam, are also permitted to schedule a makeup, but 20 points will be deducted from their score.  Students who have taken the original examination are not allowed to take the makeup examination.  The makeup exams are given from 6:30-7:45 PM on the following evenings:

 

                        Make Up Exam I:            Tuesday, February 17 

                                    Make Up Exam II:            Monday, April 5

 

 

 

MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS (continued) In order to take a makeup examination without penalty, a student must indicate and have approved the reason for the makeup examination.  The student must be prepared to verify the reason for taking the makeup examination.  The student must sign up for the makeup exam in 108 Whitmore within 48 hours of the date of the regular exam. Students who have not signed up for the makeup will not be allowed to take it.   THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE THE EXAM IS GIVEN.  Students must bring their University ID to the makeup exam.  The ID will be checked by the exam proctor.  If a student misses both the regularly scheduled exam and the scheduled makeup, it may be possible to take a makeup by appointment.  With a valid, verifiable reason, these makeups will be given with no penalty.  Otherwise, at least a 20-point penalty will be imposed.  All such makeup exams must be scheduled through the course coordinator and must be completed no later than one week after the scheduled make up exam.  Information on contacting the course coordinator is given later in this handout.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION:  The final examination will be given during finals week, May 3-May 7, 2004. The day and time of the final examination will be announced on February 23, 2004.  Students will have until Friday, March 5, 2004, to file for any final exam conflicts with the registrar.  Please do not plan to leave campus until you know the days and times of your final exams.   Students who miss the final exam will be allowed to take a makeup final.  If the student has a valid, verifiable reason, such as illness, and if the student contacts the course coordinator within 24 hours of the regular final exam time, no penalty will be imposed.  If the student does not have a valid reason, a 30-point penalty will be imposed.  Students who have taken the original final exam are not permitted to take a makeup exam. 

 

DEFERRED GRADES:  Students who are unable to complete the course because of illness or emergency may be granted a deferred grade, which allows the student to complete the course within 6 weeks of the following semester.  Note that deferred grades are limited to those students who can verify a valid reason for not being able to take the final exam.  See Policies and Rules, Student Guide to the University, Policy 48-40.

 

 

COURSE GRADES:         Grades will be assigned on the basis of 500 points distributed as follows:

                                       100 points     first examination

                                       100 points     second examination

                                       150 points     final examination

                                       150 points     homework and  quizzes

 

                                       Final grades will be assigned as follows:

                                       460 - 500                  A                     390 - 399         C+

                                       450 - 459                  A-                    350 - 389         C

                                       440 - 449                  B+                   300 - 349         D

                                       410 - 439                  B                          0 - 299         F

                                       400 - 409                  B-

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT:  "Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, … facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students… 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT (continued) A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor.  If  students believe that they have been falsely accused, they should seek redress through informal discussions with the instructor, the department head, dean or campus executive officer.  If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant the referral of the case to Judicial Affairs, or if the instructor will award a final grade of F in the course for the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process procedures."  From Policies and Rules, Student Guide to the University, Policy 49-20.

 

QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS, OR COMMENTS:  If you have questions or concerns about the course, please consult your instructor first.  If further guidance is needed, you may contact the course coordinator, Mrs. Mary Erickson, at 863-9666, or e-mail, mle7@psu.edu.  Mrs. Erickson's office is 103 Whitmore Lab, and her office hours are posted on her door and the bulletin board outside of 107 Whitmore.

 

COURSE OUTLINE:        

 

Chapter 1                        Introduction to Problem Solving

                                       1.1 The Problem Solving Process and Strategies

                                       1.2 Three Additional Strategies

                                       Sequences

                                       Logic Puzzles

                                      

Chapter 2                        Sets, Whole Numbers, and Numeration

                                       2.1 Sets as a Basis for Whole Numbers

                                       2.2 Whole Numbers and Numeration

                                       2.3 The Hindu-Arabic System           

 

Chapter 5                        Number Theory

                                       5.1 Primes, Composites, and Tests for Divisibility

                                       5.2 Counting Factors, Greatest Common Factor, and Least Common Multiple

 

Chapter 11                      Probability

                                       11.1 Probability and Simple Experiments

                                       11.2 Probability and Complex Experiments

                                       11.3 Probabilities with Permutations and combinations

                                       11.4 Odds, Conditional Probability, Expected Value, and Simulation

 

Chapter 12                      Geometric Shapes

                                       12.1 Recognizing Geometric Shapes and Definitions

                                       12.2 Analyzing Shapes

                                       12.3 Properties of Geometric Shapes:  Lines and Angles

                                       12.4 Regular Polygons and tessellations

                                       12.5 Describing Three-Dimensional Shapes

 

Chapter 13                      Measurement

                                       13.1 Measurement with Nonstandard and Standard Units

                                       13.2 Length and Area

                                       13.3 Surface Area

                                       13.4 Volume