Math 365: Structure of Mathematics I

Math 365: Structure of Mathematics I Spring 2015

Instructor: Sarah Witherspoon
Email: sjw AT math.tamu.edu
Office and hours: TR 2:20-3:50 in Blocker 513B, or by appointment

Course web address: /~sjw/365/math365.html

Class meetings: MWF 11:30-12:20 in Blocker 457
Text: Billstein, Libeskind, Lott,
A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers,
11th ed., Pearson Eduction, Inc.

Course requirements and grades
Course prerequisites: Must have completed University Core Curriculum mathematics requirements with a grade of C or better.
There will be three in-class exams and a final exam, each worth 1/6 of your final grade. The homework assignments combined are worth 1/6 of your final grade, and in-class assignments combined are worth 1/6. Grades are assigned as follows based on your average:
A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (0-59%).

Course description
3.0 credits. Informal logic, sets, relations, functions, whole numbers, numeration systems, binary operations, integers, elementary number theory, modular systems, rational numbers and the system of real numbers. Designed primarily for elementary teacher certification. Others must have consent of instructor.

Learning objectives
This course is designed for preservice elementary and middle school teachers beginning to develop the specialized mathematical knowledge and skills needed for teaching mathematics. This is a mathematics content course, not a methods course. During the course, students will examine in depth some of the content of elementary and middle school mathematics and beyond. Students will gain understanding of the theory of the mathematics. They will develop foresight needed to anticipate many mathematical questions children will ask and flexibility in mathematical thinking needed to answer unexpected questions. They will gain familiarity with a larger view of mathematics preparation of children as it begins in elementary and middle school.

Specifically, students will work on knowledge and skills as follows, while working through approximately the first eight chapters of the text. Chapter 1: Knowing techniques for solving problems, recognizing patterns, and logical thinking. Chapter 2: Being familiar with different numeration systems, including different number base systems. Understanding set operations. Chapter 3: Understanding whole number operations, mental mathematics, and estimation. Chapter 4: Understanding primes, divisibility, and other properties of whole numbers. Chapter 5: Knowing operations on integers. Chapter 6: Knowing operations on fractions and rational numbers. Chapter 7: Knowing operations on decimals. Chapter 8: Understanding real numbers and algebraic thinking.

Weekly Schedule (tentative)
Week 1 (1/20-1/23): 2-1
Week 2 (1/26-1/30): 3-1, 3-2, 3-3
Week 3 (2/2-2/6): 3-4, 1-1, 1-2
Week 4 (2/9-2/13): Exam 1 Friday 2/13
Week 5 (2/16-2/20): 3-5, 1-3
Week 6 (2/23-2/27): 4-1, 4-2, 4-3
Week 7 (3/2-3/6): 2-2, 2-3
Week 8 (3/9-3/13): 5-1, Exam 2 Friday 3/13 (3/16-3/20 Spring Break)
Week 9 (3/23-3/27): 5-2, 6-1, 6-2
Week 10 (3/30-4/2): 6-3, 6-4 (4/3 Reading Day)
Week 11 (4/6-4/10): 7-1, 7-2, 7-3
Week 12 (4/13-4/17): 7-4, Exam 3 Friday 4/17
Week 13 (4/20-4/24): 8-1, 8-2
Week 14 (4/27-5/1): 8-3, 8-4
Week 15 (5/4-5/5): Review for Final Exam

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, May 12, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Homework will be assigned approximately once each week, and usually will be due the following week. It must be turned in on time. For full credit on the homework, you must show all work and justify your answers. Working together on homework is fine, but each of you should write up your own solutions.

In-class assignments will be given one day of the week most weeks (excluding exam weeks) for a grade. You must be in class to complete the assignment. These will generally be announced in class in advance, however not knowing about such an assignment in advance does not constitute an adequate excuse for not showing up to complete it.

Calculators are not allowed in class, on the homework, nor on exams.

Attendance Regular attendance is expected. Class participation, in the form of in-class assignments, is a large part of your final grade, and these assignments may not be made up. Please let me know by e-mail, phone, or in person if you must miss two or more class days in a row. Likewise if you must arrive late or leave early; this is disruptive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Make-up policy Make-ups for missed homework/exams and excused absences from in-class assignments will only be allowed if there is a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, you should inform me prior to missing an exam. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the second working day after an absence. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a make-up.

An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. The Aggie Code of Honor is an effort to unify the aims of all Texas A&M men and women toward a high code of ethics and personal dignity. For most, living under this code will be no problem, as it asks nothing of a person that is beyond reason. It only calls for honesty and integrity, characteristics that Aggies have always exemplified. The Aggie Code of Honor functions as a symbol to all Aggies, promoting understanding and loyalty to truth and confidence in each other. Violations of the Aggie Honor Code and the handling of such violations are discussed at the web site http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

ADA Statement The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with diabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accomodations of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accomodation, please contact the Department of Student Life Services for Students with Disabilities in room 118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Copyright Statement Please note that all written and web materials for this course are protected by copyright laws. You may xerox (or download) one copy for your own use, but multiple copies or the sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.