SYLLABUS for MATH  115 - Section 3  Spring 2010
                  IDEAS OF MATH

Web address:          www.math.csusb.edu/faculty/hobson

Time & place:         TR 4 - 5:50 PM  JB 262
Class number:         42793

Instructor:                Richard Hobson
                                  Office:  JB520
                                  Phone & voicemail:  (909) 537-3661
                                  email:  rhobson@csusb.edu
                                  Office hours:  TR  2:30 - 3:30 PM   or by appointment


Text:        Mathematics, A Practical Odyssey  by Johnson & Mowry,  6th edition      


Homework:    Homework will be assigned every class day.  You'll find the daily assignments online at
                www.math.csusb.edu/faculty/hobson
Assignments are always due the next class day.  Homework will be collected from Day 2 on, graded and handed back the next class day.  When doing a problem always show all your work in order to get credit.  (Many  of the answers are in the back of the book.)
    Neatness counts.  It helps me and it will help you in your work.  Use graph paper and a straight edge for graphs.  Please do not use paper ripped from a spiral binder.  Please use pencil rather than pen and make your erasures neat.  Label the section at the top and number each problem clearly.  Like everything handed in for this class, homework will be folded lengthwise with your name,  "Math 115" and the day of the assignment written in the upper right corner.  Always fold all of one day's assignment together as a unit.  There may be some pop quizzes, they'll count the same as homework assignments.   You must be in class for quizzes, they can't be made up.  As with homework, you should use pencil and paper should not be ripped from its binder.
    Homework should be handed in when I call for it in class.  All other homework is late, and the only time it will be accepted is immediately before the midterm tests or the final.  Late work is worth a maximum of 70% of full credit.
    If you have questions over the homework, feel free to see me during office hours.  In addition, tutoring is available in the Student Learning Center in University Hall, third floor.  Tutoring is also available from the math department and a schedule will be distributed.

Extra credit:  If you have trouble with the material in an assignment you can do unassigned problems from those sections for extra credit.  Hand it in on test days.  Any extra points will be added to your homework total .  My rule of thumb is that an amount of work that would be worth 10 points as an on-time homework assignment counts 2 points as extra credit.  Extra credit won't be accepted unless all regular homework is complete.

Historical & social context:  We will study the mathematics of various possible systems of voting in a democracy.  We will study different kinds of infinite sets and their importance historically.  We will study the mathematics of public opinion polls and margin of error.  We will discuss the historical importance of the concept of statistical independence to some high-profile legal trials.

Calculators:  You ought to have a scientific calculator.  (There should, for instance, be a key that says log.)  You can get such a calculator (e.g., the TI-30XA) for about $10.  You won't need a graphing calculator.  Whatever calculator you get make sure you hang onto the instruction book.

Topics:  Sets & counting, probability, statistics, geometry.  (Topics are listed in more detail in the on-line homework schedule, address above.)

Electronic devices:  Except for calculators, in-class use of electronic devices (including cel-phones and computers) is prohibited.

Regulations & procedures:  Students should refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" in the CSUSB Bulletin of Courses for the university's policies on course withdrawal, cheating and plagiarism.

Waiting time:  Students are expected to wait for the professor until 4:15 before leaving unless there's a posted notice that class is canceled.

Accomodations for disabilities:  If you are in need of an accomodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP and also contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183,  (909) 537-5238.

Exams:  There will be two midterm exams and a final exam.  They'll cover the basic material covered in class and assigned as homework.  Exams must be taken on time.  No make-up exams will be given.

Final:  The final is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, 4 - 5:50 PM.  The final exam will be comprehensive.  If you don't take the final exam your grade will be calculated with a zero for that score.

Grade:  Your grade will be based on:
                   Homework                  25%
                   Midterm exams            20%   each
                   Final:                            35%

          The grading scale is as follows
                   A                                 91 - 100%
                   A-                                90%
                   B+                                88 - 89%
                   B                                  81 - 87%
                   B-                                80%
                   C+                               78 - 79%
                   C                                  70 - 77%
                   NC                               Below 70%