Syllabus Winter 2002

CSUB: Antelope Valley

Math 220 Introduction to Problem Solving

Instructor: David Murphy	CRN 14334
Telephone 722-6630	e-mail dmurphy3@csub.edu
Meeting time: Tues & Thurs 6:00-9:00	Location: CSUB Building 4
Room 404	Office Hours MWF 1:00-2:00 and by appointment

Overview Course Curriculum & Objectives:

Math 220 is intended to prepare students for Math 320-322. The important topics covered in Math 320-322 include problem solving, conceptual understanding and in depth study of fundamental mathematics, we will do the same in Math 220. You will address problem solving using multiple representations and you will explore various problem solving strategies. At the same time, this course is intended to help you prepare to teach mathematics in elementary schools or middle schools, so you will report on activities you would employ when teaching problem solving in the public schools. Finally, the course is intended to provide students with a new perspective of mathematics. One way to provide this new perspective is to focus on problem solving, conceptual understanding, and in depth study of fundamental mathematics. Hmmm…,

I believe a theme is developing, if I'm not mistaken, Math 220 will focus on problem solving, conceptual understanding and the in depth study of fundamental mathematics.

Lecture Schedule

Week	Dates	Topics	Remarks
1	Jan8-10	Number Theory & Rational Numbers	Welcome to CSUB: AV
2	Jan 15-17	Linear Relationships
3	Jan 22-24	Linear Relationships	Exam # 1 Jan 24
4	Jan 29-31	Linear Relationships
5	Feb 5-7	Quadratic Relationships
6	Feb 12-14	Quadratic Relationships
7	Feb 19-21	Geometric Visualization	Exam # 2 Feb 21
8	Feb 26-28	Planar Geometry
9	Mar 5-Mar7	Planar Geometry
10	Mar 12-14	Pythagoras
11	Mar 21	Exam	Final Exam Mar 21 6:00pm - 8:30 pm

Textbooks: A series of booklets will be used in Math 220. The two series are Connected Math (Dale Seymour Publications) and Mathematics in Context (Britannica). These two were selected from nationally recognized middle school mathematics curricula and will provide a base from which we will work.

Dale Seymour Publications: Connected Math

Prime Time

Moving Straight Ahead

Frogs, Fleas and Painted Cubes

Stretching & Shrinking

Ruins of Montarek

Britannica: Mathematics in Context

Figuring All the angles

Looking at an Angle

Going the Distance

Homework: Homework will be collected and graded. The dynamics of cooperative learning and group work are important concepts for future teachers to understand; therefore students are encouraged to work together on homework. Students are required to turn in their own work. Students are responsible for reading each section before it is taught in class.

Equipment: The preferred calculator is the Texas Instrument 83 or Texas Instrument 83+. These calculators can be rented for the quarter for $15. You will also need a three ring binder, a compass, a protractor, and a ruler(inches and centimeters).

Attendance: Because of the nature of the course, class time is highly valued, this is complicated by the fact we meet for three hours twice a week. Your instructor reserves the right to take attendance and to incorporate your attendance as part of your class participation grade.

Homework Grades: Each student will be allowed to drop one homework grade. No late homework will be accepted.

Reflections: Students will be asked to report regularly on what they have learned and how they would incorporate this knowledge in their teaching practices. These reflections will be one to two pages in length.

Grade Allocations

Two Exams	20%
Final Exam	20%
Homework/Reflections	50%
Class Participation	10%

Percentages for Grades

A 93-100

A-90-92

B+ 80-89

B 83-87

B-80-82

C+ 78-79

C 73-77

C- 70-72

D 60-69

F 0-59

Testing Schedule

Test	Covering	Date
Exam 1	Jan 8-Jan 22	Jan 24
Exam 2	Jan 24-Feb 19	Feb 19
Final Exam	Cumulative	Mar 21

Cell Phones and Pagers: these items are to be turned off during class lectures and during exams.

Workload: The standard formula for computing the number of hours needed outside of class for university classes is two hours per week of credit, so you should plan for around ten hours of work per week.

Honor Policy: The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students. The failure of any student to meet these standards may result in suspension from the University or other sanctions as specified in the University Student Academic Honesty Policy. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, tampering, plagiarism or facilitating such activities.

Dropping Course

A) Jan 7 to Jan 21: January 21st is the last day to withdraw from classes without a "W" being recorded.

B ) Jan 21st: Withdrawals from classes after this date and continuing through the next four-week period will be permitted only for serious and compelling reasons and require written approval by the Dean or Department Chair.

Instructor initiated drop: the instructor reserves the right to drop students if they miss two classes during the first two weeks. Students are not to assume that they will be automatically dropped from class due to non-attendance. Students not attending a class are responsible for completing the appropriate forms and submitting them to the Records Office.

Students with disabilities who require assistance should contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (664-3360) and also inform their instructor during the first week of the quarter.

Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change or revision at the instructor's discretion; announcements made in class are considered addenda to the syllabus.