Math 14001
Basic Mathematics Concepts I: Syllabus

Instructor: Dr Om Ahuja

Office: KSU Geauga Room 125

Phone: (440)834-4187, 834-3720

Email: oahuja@kent.edu

Website address: http://www.math.kent.edu/~oahuja

Math Clinic/Office Hours:

Geauga
11:00 AM to 12:50 PM
2:40PM to 3:00 PM

Twinsburg
04:30 PM to 5:00PM
6:40PM to 7:00PM

Wednesdays:

Geauga
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
2:40PM to 3:00 PM

Twinsburg
4:30PM to 5:00PM
6:40PM to 7:00PM

Other hours are by availability or by appointment. Also please note that Math Clinic will be immediately before and/or just after each class, generally in the classroom itself, depending on students' availability and room. Please realize that I truly enjoy working with my students inside as well as outside the class and I have an open door policy. Come in alone or with a friend (or friends) from the class. We'll all experience the benefits of working and learning together

Teaching Philosophy:

I love teaching and research in mathematics. My role is to lead and guide my students into learning. Since I care about my students' academic success and learning, I try my best to provide them a quality-learning environment.

Approved Textbook:

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (A Contemporary Approach) by G.L. Musser, W.F. Burger, and B.E. Peterson. Sixth Edition (2003), ISBN 0-471-16425-9

Supplements for the student:

Please this information on Preface Page XV of your text book.

Online Resource Materials:

Please read student companion website at www.wiley.com/college/musser for online materials available for you. In particular, you may download free of cost "A Guide to Problem Solving", and eManipulative Activities for use in this course.

Purpose of the Course:

The purpose of this course is to help prospective teachers gain an understanding of the underlying concepts of elementary mathematics while maintaining an appropriate level of mathematical education.

Course Contents:

Problem Solving, Sets, Number Systems and their operations and properties, Mental Math and Estimation, Number Theory, Fraction, Decimals, Ratios, Proportions, Percent, and their operations and properties, Rational numbers and real numbers

Pre-requisite:

Math 10005 or Placement Test. Note that students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.

Use of Technology and Manipulative:

We shall use the companion website at www.wiley.com/college/musser for some of the homework, quizzes and tests. The website will also be used for several generic masters such as dot paper, grids, and e-manipulative activities.

Attendance and Other Policies:

I always treat all my students with love, respect and fairness. Since I expect the same treatment from my students, please observe the following policies:

A. Keep Full Attendance; Avoid Arriving Late Or Leaving Early From Class. Being late to class or leaving early is disruptive, inconsiderate and discourteous to your professor and the rest of the students; moreover, these things may be regarded as absences and affect your grades.

B. Pagers and cell phones. Use of cell phones in the classroom will not be permitted; you may not bring one into the classroom unless the ringer is turned OFF.

C. Respect your fellow students and never disturb others in the class. As per university policy, disciplinary action may be taken if you disturb the class.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade will be based on:

Bonus Points:

A maximum of 20 Bonus points will be awarded for class participation if you:
(i) Do not miss classes,
(ii) Ask and Answer Questions,
(iii) Give comments/Agree/Disagree/Challenge,
(iv) Come to the board. Also, there will be a maximum of 20 bonus points for "extra practice problem folder" which will be checked for bonus points at the end of the semester.

Grading Policy and Grading Scale:

While the exact cutoff will not be determined until after the Final Exam, I anticipate using 900, 800, 700, and 600 as the minimum scores for grades of A, B, C, and D, respectively.

Unannounced Graded Class Activities (100 points):

From time to time, there will be unannounced graded class activities. There will be no make-up graded activity and zero score will be entered if you are absent on a day of graded activity. However, one absence (with zero score) or one lowest score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Daily Homework (200 Points):

Submission of Weekly Homework:
Daily homework will be assigned at the end of each lesson. Homework will be collected on every Wednesday. Please note that the assigned homework on Monday and Wednesday of a previous week will be tabled on the following Wednesday as soon as you enter the class. Remember that Wednesday of every week is the only day when you hand in the previous week homework or any late homework with at 10% or more penalty. If you have a late HW because of medical reasons and you want to avoid penalty, submit a medical certificate along with the late homework on the following Wednesday. If you are absent, it is entirely your responsibility to know what was assigned and covered in your absence. Make a friend and ask him or her on phone or by email about your HW in the class.

Completion of homework is crucial to the student's success in this course. Only current homework or late homework for grading must be kept in a pocket folder (no binders or notebooks or previous graded homework) with each section stapled. Problems must be worked neatly in numerical order and with pencil. At the top of first page of a piece of homework, please write date, homework number, and Chapter/Section. Also for each week, please write number of questions assigned, number of questions tried and number of questions correct. It is your responsibility to check answers of all odd-numbered questions given at the end of your text book.

Grading Homework:
Homework may be graded partially or totally. I may grade all even-numbered questions and some other specific problem(s) or just look for completeness. I am interested in the solution of problems not just their answers. Only answers- without solutions - from the text book will not be accepted. In addition, your homework score will also depend on the following criteria:

(a) Honest attempt
(b) Clarity and completeness of all solutions
(c) Clear evidence of self-checking answers/solutions of all the questions
(d) Regularity in doing homework (10% penalty for first week and 25% for two or more weeks of late unexcused work)

Note : DO all of the problems of homework and do them again until you KNOW how you did it!

Extra Problem Solving Folder (20 Bonus points):

After finishing your homework, do as many extra practice problems as you can. If there is any doubt about the solution of any question, please ask in class or outside class. Remember to PRACTICE. Extra Practice Exercises and class notes should be kept in a separate folder and should be neat, complete, and organized. You may submit this folder during the last week of classes for your bonus points.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

In accordance with the University Policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Geauga campus students should contact and submit the appropriate documentation to Louise Senra, Student Disabilities Representative (Room 128).

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Cheating means to intentionally misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offence at the Kent State University. The penalties for cheating and/or plagiarizing are serious, and academic sanctions can range from the instructor's refusal to accept the work, an assignment of the grade of "F" or zero for the project, the assignment of an "F" for the course, or even revocation of the degree. A student may also face additional sanctions under the Code of Student Conduct, which may result in probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University.

Ten Most Beneficial Tips for Succeeding in This Course:

1. Do not miss classes and be regular in doing your homework.
   
   
2. Read relevant chapter of your textbook before class: Use paper and pencil, read concepts and workout textbook examples and highlight questions you wish ask next day in the class.
   
   
3. Pay attention, listen carefully, ask and answer questions in class.
   
   
4. Get involved in class affairs and participate in class presentation.
   
   
5. Before starting your homework, review your class notes, and then clarify them using the textbook.
   
   
6. Try not to leave any homework question unanswered.
   
   
7. Try to first understand (not just memorize) the concepts and skills, then practice the skills with understanding, by doing as many problems as necessary.
   
   
8. Using 3 X 5 index card for every new mathematical word and new formula might be a useful idea J. You can use them as reference when you do your assignment.
   
   
9. Make a small group of 2 or 3 fellow students. It always helps to discuss math with each other, so get their phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
   
   
10. Keys to good exam preparation:
    (i) Set the goal of getting a good score
    (ii) Start your preparation as early as possible
    (iii) Practice to make that score a reality.
    Think positively towards algebra: Others have done it - you can do it too!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to changes upon my discretion.