Syllabi for Niss

Mathematics for the Liberal Arts - MGF 1107

CRN 17898

MATHEMATICS FOR THE LIBERAL ARTS - MGF 1107

COURSE SYLLABUS - FALL 2013

 

INSTRUCTOR:                   John C. Niss

 

OFFICE:                                248 Valencia Winter Park Campus

 

OFFICE HOURS:                M 1:00pm to 3:30pm

T 4:00pm to7:00pm

W 11:30am to 12:30pm

R 12:00pm to 2:30pm

F 10:30am to 11:30pm by EMAIL

               

PHONE/E-MAIL:                407-582-6858 / jniss@valenciacollege.edu

 

CREDIT HOURS:               3

 

PREREQUISITE:                Minimum grade of C in MAT 1033C or MAT 1102 or MAT 1104 or MAT 1105 or appropriate score on an approved assessment exam.

 

TEXT:                                    Pirnot, Mathematics All Around, 5th Edition

 

CONTENT:

          Chapter 4: All                                                             Chapter 10: 10.1, 10.6, 10.7

          Chapter 5: All                                                             Chapter 12: All

          Chapter 9: All

        

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course covers topics chosen from problem solving, numeration and mathematical systems, financial mathematics, voting theory, knot theory, tilings and polyhedra, game theory, number theory, connections to other disciplines, and other special topics in mathematics. Gordon Rule course. Minimum grade of C required if course is used to satisfy Gordon Rule and General Education requirements.

 

COURSE COMPETENCIES/OUTCOMES:

 

Valencia faculty have defined four interrelated competencies (Value, Think, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community.  These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog.  In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further develop your abilities to Value, Think, Communicate, and Act. Course outcomes can be found in the course outline at http://frontdoor.valenciacollege.edu/materials.cfm?uid=JNISS.

 

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

 

     Instruction will include lectures, discussion of homework assignments, and problem solving sessions.

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

     Attendance and class participation are expected of all students.  Students are responsible for all material covered in class during any absences and may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor’s discretion if absences are excessive.

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

 

Students with disabilities that qualify for academic accommodations must provide documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), preferably in the first two weeks of class. For information contact the Winter Park OSD ( lfirmani@valenciacollege.edu )

HOMEWORK:

 

     Homework is an essential part of this course.  On-line and textbook homework will be assigned during each class session and is expected to be completed by the next class session.  At that time an opportunity to discuss the homework will be given.  Make a sincere effort to stay current with homework; success in the class is unlikely otherwise. Online Homework Registration Code: niss87321

 

GRADING:

 

Weekly quizzes, projects and homework will count for one third of the final course grade.  On-line homework will count as two quiz grades. The two lowest quiz/lab grades may be dropped if the student visits the instructor’s office once in the first two weeks of class and a second time later in the semester.  It is the responsibility of the student to sign in to get credit for office visits.

   

   Three one-hour exams during the course will contribute another third to the final grade.

 

     A final exam on Monday, December 9 from 10:00am to 12:30pm will make up the remaining third of the grade.  The final will be comprehensive.

 

MAKE-UPS:

 

     It is my policy NOT to allow make-ups of missed tests or assignments.  The only exceptions that will be considered are verifiable absences due to illness, death in the family, or other such unanticipated emergencies.  In the event of such a situation, written verification (Dr.'s excuse, police report, etc.) of the emergency must be provided. Note that two quizzes are dropped to allow for the occasional missed class.  If you are going to have to miss an exam, you must let the instructor know before the scheduled exam time, and you may be allowed to take the exam early.

 

WITHDRAWAL:

 

     The withdrawal (W) deadline for this session is Friday, November 1. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw through Atlas. Withdrawal after the deadline due to attendance is at the discretion of the instructor.

 

HONESTY:

 

     Representing another's work as your own or allowing such conduct on the part of a fellow student is cheating.  Such behavior will not be tolerated in this class.  Such incidents will be handled according to the college policy on academic honesty.

 

CLASSROOM CONDUCT:

 

     Students are expected to behave in a manner that encourages an atmosphere of respect in the classroom.  The Valencia College Code of Student Conduct will be the minimum standard for behavior.  In addition to that standard, cell phones will be disabled during class meetings.

 

GRADING SCALE:            90 - 100  A

                                                80 -  89   B

                                                70 -  79   C

                                                60 -  69   D

                                                below 60 F

 

NOTICE:

Changes in the procedures described in this syllabus may be made at the discretion of the instructor.