Our main web site is: www.math.montana.edu/courses/m147/
Visit it frequently for course updates including homework, comments on exams, etc.
What you can expect from me:
What is expected of you:
Goal: The goal of The Language of Mathematics is to have you assimilate the basic concepts, reasoning patterns, and language skills that are fundamental to mathematics. Mathematical skills include the abilities to
• read with comprehension
• express mathematical thoughts clearly
• reason logically
• recognize and employ common patterns of mathematical thought
These skills are applicable to any topic area of mathematics. Also, read "To the Student," page v.
Many of the terms we study are used in the law (e.g. contracts of all sorts) and computers (searches, databases). You will certainly learn valuable lessons that apply to life outside of mathematics.
Research studies of the course found that non-mathematically oriented students developed abstract mathematical concepts commonly taught only to advanced college math students. And they enjoyed doing it. The studies show dramatic improvement in the students' attitudes towards mathematics and in their perceptions of their math ability. For example, many students remarked that they "finally" understood algebra, a subject which many had previously studied without comprehension.
Course Instructor: Dr. Warren Esty, 994-xxxx, Wilson xxxx.
Required text: The Language of Mathematics, 19th edition, by Warren Esty, and its solution manual. Calculators are not required and will not be used.
We will cover Sections 1.1 through 5.2.
Time: MWF at 2:10 in AJM Johnson 222.
Exams and Grading. It really is a language course. As students continue to learn any language, not only do they learn more words and constructions, but they get better and better at using the basic everyday words and constructions. This happens with Mathematics, too. Language fluency steadily improves.
Therefore, I weight work near the end of the course more than work near the beginning. For a philosophical discussion of why this is appropriate for mathematics learning, see my article with Anne Teppo in the Mathematics Teacher, "Grade Assignment Based on Progressive Improvement" (November, 1992).
There will be an exam after each chapter. The first two will be 50 points each. The next two will be 100 points each. The final will be 200 points. Daily homework: 100 points. Weekly quizzes: 100 points. Total 700 points.
To receive full credit, daily homework must be handed in on time. Homework only one class day late will receive almost full credit. Homework will not be accepted after the corresponding unit exam. Assignments do not have to be completely correct to get full credit, but must display serious effort. Working with others on your homework is acceptable and encouraged (however, outright copying is not). Weekly quizzes must be taken at the scheduled times and total 100 points. The lowest two will be dropped, and those two include absences scored as zeros.
Cheating on an exam will be treated as a very serious offense, subject to the severest penalties of the Student Conduct Code.
Attendance: Attendance is expected. More than a couple unexcused absences is unacceptable. Of course, excuses for academic reasons, illness, participation in university sporting events, and significant life events will be accepted.
You are studying a language. Hearing it spoken and seeing it written three class hours a week is a very important part of your learning. You must come to class.
Exam Conflicts. You are required to take all exams and the final exam at the scheduled hours. Any exceptions must be approved well in advance by the instructor (Dr. Esty, 994-xxxx).
Course Letter Grades: A = excellent -- a strong grasp of almost everything we cover.
B = very good, significantly above average.
C = a lot of learning, average.
D = some learning, but not much.
F = little learning, no credit.
Note: "Learning" refers to skills and concepts newly acquired in this course, not to prerequisite skills and concepts you already gained in prerequisite courses.
Etiquette. Proper etiquette is required. During class, students will not engage in any potentially distracting behavior such as reading a newspaper, texting, or whispering about non-math subjects. Cell phones must be turned off, and pagers or watches that make a sound, however quietly, must have the sound off. Talking or texting on a cell phone during an exam is automatically considered cheating.
Work. This course requires a lot of work, but it should not be difficult if you can read English well. Many students who regarded themselves as "not good at math" have done very well in this course simply by attempting the work and gradually getting better. You will hand in daily homework, participate in class, take frequent quizzes, and take four unit exams and a comprehensive final exam. You are expected to study about two hours outside of class for every class hour. Experience shows that students who do well attend class regularly. [Here is a page on how to learn math efficiently and effectively.]
Prerequisite. This is, to a surprising extent, a reading course. Mathematics is a written language and is easier to read (and write) than to speak. Therefore, the key prerequisite is you must be willing and able to read (English) at the college level. A good mathematics background will surely help, but is not essential.
Students without evidence of success at the B level in some college-level classes with significant reading and writing must pass a test to be in this course (or have passed the Math 096/097 at MSU or have transfer credit for an equivalent course from another university). You can test in using the Montana State University Mathematics Placement Test or with sufficiently high ACT (at least 23) or SAT (at least 540) math scores. Satisfying any one of these prerequisites is enough. Students who do not satisfy at least one of these prerequisites will be required to drop themselves from the course, or must receive special permission to stay in from Dr. Esty after consulting with him.
Placement test: If you somehow avoided taking the placement exam, or want to take it again, you can take it in Roberts Hall during scheduled hours the first week of class. Sooner is better. You can start anytime the room is open as long as you allow half an hour to finish by closing time. You must show your photo ID. Calculators are permitted but not required. Yes, you can take the Placement Test more than once. If you don't place into this course, you may switch out to whichever course you actually placed in to.
Place: Roberts Hall 111
Times: Jan. 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 18 during 1:00 - 3:15 (You must finish by 4:00)