# Math 215 Course Policies

Spring 2006

Section 3 meets: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 1--1:50 p.m. in KSC 110

Section 4 meets: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 2--2:50 p.m. in KSC 110

Professor: Dr. Kevin Iga

Phone number: 506-4313 (office), (818) 880-9439 (home)

Email: kiga@pepperdine.edu

Webpage: http://math.pepperdine.edu/~kiga

Office: RAC 117

Office hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 11 a.m.--noon

Please come by my office hours whenever you have questions, and even if you don't have questions. I am also available at other times by appointment.

You are also required to come by my office at one time during the third or fourth week of the semester. A signup will be passed around the class.

Tutoring: Student-led tutoring sessions Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7--10 p.m. in RAC 113.

Text:

• First three weeks of class: Goldstein, et al., Brief Calculus and its Applications'' (chapter 7, which is bundled with the main text)

• The remainder of the term: Goldstein, et al., Finite mathematics and its applications''

Calculator: A graphing calculator is required. Recommended: TI-83. Actually, most graphing calculators will work. Sharing of calculators during exams is not permitted.

Prerequisites: A grade of C-- or better in MATH 214.

Web page: http://math.pepperdine.edu/~kiga/215

Email list: math215@yahoogroups.com (when you fill out your information you may elect to be on this list)

Objectives: The student should be able:

• To maximize or minimize a function of many variables, even including constraints;
• To compute probabilities for some discrete random processes;
• To use Bayes' Theorem to compute conditional probabilities;
• To compute and interpret mean and standard deviation;
• To solve a system of linear equations to find all solutions, or to show when no solution exists.

Goals: The student should develop:

• An ability to translate a problem which is well-suited to mathematical solutions into mathematical language;
• A familiarity with functions of several variables;
• A practical knowledge of probability that will be used in BA 216;
• An ability to manipulate matrices and use them when it is well-suited to the problem;
• A confidence about doing mathematics to overcome math anxiety'';
• An ability to think and reason in a structured logical manner.

Homework: Homework will be assigned daily, and due two class times later, at the beginning of class. Some homework may be due the next class period, and this will be specified on the homework.

Each assignment will include both problems not to be submitted, and problems to be submitted. The problems not to be submitted are those which have answers in the book. You are to do these problems to best prepare you for the rest of the assignment, and if you find that you understand how to do these problems before you finish them all, you may skip to the problems to be submitted.

Not all homework problems will be graded--only a select few, representative of the different kinds of problems. Those seeking solutions to past problem sets may request them after the homework is due. Homework will be graded primarily on your ability to complete the problem, and secondarily on its correctness.

The five lowest homework scores will be disregarded.

Remember that the primary purpose of the homework is to prepare for the exams, so treat it primarily as a training program for yourself, and only secondarily as something you need to score highly on.

Late assignments: No late homework is accepted. Exceptions can be granted, if you must give me notice that you are going to turn in an assignment late at least the class before the assignment is due. You must also have a good reason. These reasons will be treated on a case-by-case basis. When you obtain permission to turn in an assignment late, we will discuss a new due date for that homework.

Extra credit: If you find a way to apply any of the material to something you are interested in, you can discuss with me the possibility of getting extra credit. It should involve some research outside the material in the book and be written in a professional manner.

Collaboration: You are encouraged to collaborate on all homework assignments, unless otherwise specified. This means you work on it independently before discussing it with each other, and it means you must thoroughly understand how to do the problem before writing it up. You must write up your answers separately; you cannot turn in one homework for more than one person, nor can you simply include photocopies of other students' work. There is no limit to the size of a group for collaboration, although 3-5 people tends to be an efficient size.

You should also use these groups to ask questions of each other to better understand the material. If you do not see each other frequently, you should set up a regular time and place to meet to work on assignments. If you do not have a group, talk to me and I can place you in a group. If you do not wish to work in a group, that is your prerogative but this will be a disadvantage to you.

Comments: You should include comments about the class at the top of your homework assignments. These comments can be You go too fast'', You say um' too often'', I like this chapter'', This is too easy/hard'', Can we have more applications to Marketing'', Everything's okay'', and so on. You will not be graded on these comments, but they will affect how I teach the class, and may make the class more enjoyable for you.

Class participation: You are expected to actively participate in class. Many students view learning as a passive act, where the teacher takes the only active role, and the student simply listens, or at most takes notes. This view is not advisable in this class. Here, you will need to take an active role in learning the material. {\em You} are in charge of your education, and {\em you} should take responsibility to learn the material as thoroughly as you can. Part of this involves asking questions in class, even questions that may sound stupid''. A question clearing up a point you do not understand is, by definition, not stupid. Similarly, when I ask the class questions, you should try to answer them, even if you're not sure of the answer. Your best guess is, by definition, not stupid. The effect of class participation on your grade is noted under `quizzes'' below.

Pre-class preparation: You are expected to read through the section of the book we are covering before you come to class. If you don't understand something, write down specific questions you have to ask in class.

Quizzes: There will be no regular quizzes, but to ensure you have read through the section beforehand, I will, from time to time, give out pop quizzes at the beginning of class. These will be short and only test a superficial knowledge of the material. In this way, they are not useful for indicating what an exam will be like. They will be used to decide borderline cases in the final grade, as will class participation. Remember that since there are 12 grades (counting +'s and --'s), almost everyone in the class will be a borderline case. There is no make-up for quizzes.

Attendance: Attendance is important simply due to the difficulty of the course. Missing one class may have the effect of your not being able to follow any of the classes for the rest of the term. Furthermore, those who do not attend classes will have poor scores on class participation and cannot take quizzes, and these will also affect grades. In short, skip class at your peril.

Exams: There will be three midterms, and one final. Each midterm counts for 20% of your grade, and the final counts for 30%. The remaining 10% is your homework grade. The final exam grade will substitute for your lowest midterm grade if this is to your advantage. Note that borderline cases will be resolved by quiz grades and class participation, as noted above.

Midterms will be in-class, and the final will be at a separate time as listed below. All final exams follow the schedule listed at http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/schedule/

There are no make up quizzes or exams. If you must miss an exam due to a major emergency, you must make arrangements with me beforehand, and exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. If granted, your final exam score will be used to calculate the score for the missed exam.

 Midterm 1 February 3 during class Midterm 2 February 24 during class Midterm 3 March 31 during class Final (sec. 3) April 25 1:30 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m. Final (sec. 4) April 26 1:30 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

I will hold review sessions before each, at a time that is popular with the class.

Holidays:

 Conference Jan. 12--13 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan. 16 Spring break Feb. 27--Mar. 3

Grading: A grade of C indicates an ability to do homework-like problems, and memorization of all techniques and definitions. In order to receive a B, a student must demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the material, being able to apply the course material to new circumstances where applicable. An A student must demonstrate this kind of deep understanding in all of the covered topics, as well as be able to draw new conclusions from known facts in a logical manner, and must also demonstrate persistence and dilligence. In the other direction, a grade of D shows only superficial understanding of the material, and shows inconsistency to do straightforward problems. An F grade indicates that the student has severe gaps in even superficial understanding of the material in the course.

Although this is the philosophy, grading will be done by counting points received on each problem, as usual. But the difficulty level of the problems will be arranged in order to achieve the above grading scale.

Christian attitude: Although not part of the grading for this course, you are expected to approach this class with a Christian attitude, being willing to help your fellow classmates to understand the material outside of class, being willing to be corrected by your fellow classmates when you see they are right, but firm in your conviction otherwise, being bold to ask questions without feeling ashamed of looking foolish, encouraging one another in love, being patient with those who are asking questions, and preferring a grasp of the material, which is enduring and becomes part of you, over a grade, which is transient, external, and shallow. You should diligently devote the time you spend on this class as to the Lord. As cheating harms both the cheater and the rest of the class (though in different ways), you should not cheat, nor should you provide temptations for others to cheat.

For my part, I commit to approaching this class with a Christian attitude, viewing my role as that of a servant, being concerned first for your personal, especially intellectual, development. I will also seek to produce an environment of encouragement and love, that fosters a sense of community and understanding. I commit to reporting grades that accurately and honestly reflect the level of work done in the class, as described in the paragraphs above. I also commit the time I spend preparing for this class as to the Lord, and I will pray for all individuals in the class on a regular basis, understanding that even as I may seek to educate, God provides the true transformation.