Commonwealth University
Fall 2024
Math Thinking
- Math 101
Section 03: MWF 9:00am – 9:50am, BCH 105
Section 01: MWF 11:00am – 11:50am, BCH 107
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Ferland
Email: kferland@commonwealthu.edu
Web Page: http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/kferland/ ß Class web page can be accessed from here.
Office: Ben Franklin 225
Phone: 389-4502, Messages can be left at the Department Office 389-4500. However, email is better.
Office Hours: MWF 9:55am - 10:55am
TuTh 12:55pm - 1:55pm
or by appointment
Text Book:
Excursions in Modern
Mathematics, Ninth Edition, Peter Tannenbaum, Pearson, © 2018.
This
class is participating in Inclusive Access which lowers your cost and allows
access on the first day of class. So you are already enrolled and have automatic access to
your content directly through a link in Brightspace: under Resources/Inclusive
Access Textbooks. The cost of the
textbook will be automatically charged to your account after add/drop week is
over. If you decide that you do not want
to utilize the textbook for the course, you may Opt
Out. If you “Opt
Out”, you will not be charged for the textbook and will no longer have
access. You also have the option to
purchase from the publisher what is called a "print upgrade" for a
small cost if you prefer to do that. If
you have any questions, or need any help, please contact the University Store: inclusiveaccess@commonwealthu.edu.
Calculator:
No particular calculator is
required for this course. You may use
any calculator that you wish. You are
encouraged to use a calculator to do your homework when appropriate. Some of the homework problems may even be
best done with a calculator. However,
always be aware of the times that you do use your calculator, since you may
sometimes be required to show your work on tests given in class. You may not use your phone or a computer on
tests. You can only use a regular
calculator.
Homework:
The practice of doing
homework is perhaps the most important aspect of your learning the material for
this course. Keeping up with the daily
homework assignments will enable you to best understand the ideas presented in
class. It will also enable you to filter
out those questions that give you the greatest difficulty and that need to be
discussed in class. Some time at the
beginning of each class will be devoted to solving homework questions. You
should read each section before it is discussed in class. This will allow you to get the greatest
benefit from class time, rather than merely taking dictation. Homework
will always be assigned for your benefit, and it is important that you do it. Homework will neither be collected nor
graded.
Tests:
There will be three
in-class tests, each worth 50 points.
Wednesday, September 25.
Wednesday,
October 30.
Wednesday,
December 4.
You will need to be well
prepared for each test. If you have kept
up with doing and understanding your daily homework, then studying for the test
should not be difficult. Each test will be written under the assumption that
you have practiced many problems of a similar type and can therefore work
efficiently during the test. Your
ability to do problems in a timely manner could affect your test score. The tests will not be curved.
Final Exam:
Section 03: Monday, December
9, 8:00am – 10:00am, BCH 105.
Section 01: Monday, December
9, 10:15am – 12:15pm, BCH 107.
The
Final Exam will be cumulative. Do not make plans to leave campus before this
exam is over. If you have a preexisting
conflict, then you must see your instructor during the first week of
class. Unless the final exam is missed
due to a sudden emergency and the instructor is informed immediately, a missed
final exam counts as zero.
Attendance / Participation:
You are required to attend
every class and to be on time. Being late will count the same as being
absent. I will keep track of all of
this stuff, and I am strict. You are
responsible for everything that goes on in class, and success in this class
cannot be expected without regular attendance.
Participation in class by asking and/or responding to questions is
expected. Note that this component is
10% of your grade at an amount equal to a
letter grade.
Makeups:
There will be no makeup tests given. If you must
miss a test for a legitimate reason, be sure to contact the instructor before
the test with verification of the cause of your absence. If that is not possible, you must contact the
instructor at the earliest opportunity. In the case of an excused absence, the
missing grade will be made up from the corresponding part of the final
exam. In all other cases the missed exam
counts as a zero.
Grading Policy:
3 in-class tests 150
points (total) 50 points each
Attendance/Participation 28 points
Final Exam 100
points
Total Possible 278
points
The minimum number of points required for each letter
grade is as follows:
A 250
points
A- 244
B+ 231
B 222
B- 216
C+ 203
C 194
C- 188
D+ 175
D 166
F below
166
Academic Honesty:
All cases of academic
dishonesty will be reported to the Chair of the Mathematics Department. There will be no tolerance for cheating.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student who may need
special consideration because of any sort of disability should make an
appointment to see the instructor as soon as possible.