Course Information
Math 487: Foundations of Geometry - Section
01, Spring 2015
3 Credits: MWF 2:00 - 2:50pm Bridges
Room 268
Textbook: Survey of Geometry, 1st ed. (online text), by
Timothy Peil (http://web.mnstate.edu/peil/geometry)
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Department
Office: MacLean 375M
Office Phone: (218)477-4011
Office Hours: MTWThF
10:00 – 10:50am Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
MTWTh 1:00
– 1:50pm Webpage: www.mnstate.edu/jamesju
F 3:00 –
3:50pm
Course Description: Systems of geometry such as
Euclidean, non-Euclidean, coordinate, synthetic, transformational and
projective. Models in geometric systems.
Prerequisite: MATH 323, MATH 327,
and Math 310
Course Requirements:
You are expected to
complete all homework assignments, projects, and writing assignments, and to take
and pass all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times. You will
also be expected to write a report and give an in class presentation on a
geometric topic and to become familiar with a program called the Geometer’s
Sketchpad.
Major
Content Areas:
·
Axiomatic
Systems
·
Finite
Geometries
·
Euclidean and
Non-Euclidean Geometries
·
Transformational
Geometry
·
Projective
Geometry
Learning Outcomes (General):
·
Understand
the components of an axiomatic system.
·
Understand the
difference between synthetic and metric geometry.
·
Be able to
determine whether a geometric model satisfies a geometric system.
·
Understand
neutral geometry and the differences between Euclidean and non Euclidean
geometries.
·
Be able to
use a matrix model to represent and classify transformations of the Euclidean
plane.
·
Understand
the role of the principle of duality in the projective plane.
·
Be able to
use dynamic geometry software to make constructions that illustrate geometric
concepts.
·
Construct
coherent mathematical proofs
Instructional Strategies: Lecture, discussion, group projects, in class
presentations.
Attendance
and Academic Expectations:
You are
expected to attend class regularly and on time.
The penalty for unexcused
absences is that missed assignments cannot be made up. You are expected to read the assigned
material prior to each lecture and to attempt the assigned homework
problems. When working in groups, you
should participate in what the group is trying to accomplish. You are encouraged to form a study group to
work with outside of class.
Homework: I will collect
and grade homework
several times during the semester. Even
when homework is not collected, you should work enough homework problems to
learn the course material. I will spend
some class time answering homework questions, but the bulk of our time will be
spent covering new material. You are
encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me outside of
class time.
Quizzes: I will occasionally give quizzes during the course. Most will be short in-class quizzes. I typically announce quizzes one class period
before I give them so you have time to prepare for them. Quizzes will be worth from 5-10 points,
depending on their length and scope.
Your best homework and quiz scores will be
combined to contribute 170 points toward your final grade.
Problem
Presentations: In order encourage you to develop your
ability to understand and communicate mathematical content from the course, students
will be given opportunities to present solutions to problems during class. A reasonable attempt to present a problem
will be equivalent to a quiz grade with a perfect 5 point score.
Projects: You will be assigned 1 project during the course. These projects can be completed either
individually or in a group with one other student. You will be asked to give an oral
presentation based on your project at some point during the semester. The project is worth 25 points and the oral
report 25 points.
Reflection Papers: Twice
during the semester you will be given a short writing assignment in which you
will be asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different
aspects of the course. These papers must
be typed and should be at least 1 page long (typed, double spaced). These informal papers will be graded mainly
on their content and completeness, but you should write in complete sentences
and clearly express your thoughts. Each
reflection paper will contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Exams: This
course will have 3 Chapter Tests plus a final exam, as outlined on the course
syllabus. Be sure to mark the date of
each exam on your calendar, especially the final exam. Exams will be closed book, and closed
notes. Since Chapter 1 is quite short,
the Chapter 1 Test will be worth 60 points.
The other 2 Chapter Tests are worth 100 points. Half of the final exam will be on Chapter 4
material and the remainder is comprehensive on material from previous
chapters. The final exam is worth 200
points. The credit given on exam
questions will be proportional to the amount of correct work shown. Little to no credit will be given if
sufficient work is not shown, even if the final answer is correct.
Course
Grading Policy: Your final grade in the course will be computed as
follows:
Homework/Quizzes: 170 points
Project: 25 points
Oral Report 25 points
Reflection Papers
20 points
Chapter 1 Exam: 60 points
Chapter 2 and 3 Exams: 200 points
Final Exam: 200 points
Total: 700
points
I
will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned
during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter
grades based on the following scale. I
may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on
this happening.
96.5-100.0% A+ 81.5-86.4% B 69.0-71.4% C–
91.5-96.5% A 79.0-81.4% B– 66.0-68.9% D+
89.0-91.4% A– 76.5-78.9% C+ 60.0-65.9% D
86.5-88.9% B+ 71.5-76.4% C <60.0% F
Make-up
Work: Because
you are allowed to drop several scores, I will only give make-up assignments
for extreme personal emergencies or for absences which are officially
sanctioned by the University. I will
expect written documentation in either of these cases. If you miss an exam and a make-up exam is not
warranted, you may replace your grade on one
missed exam with your un-scaled
percentage score on the final exam.
Special Accommodations:
Students with
disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are
encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at
477-4318 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as
possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely
fashion. Information regarding Disability Services is available at http://web.mnstate.edu/disability/
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own
work. You may work with others and get help on assignments, but the work
you submit must be your own. During exams and quizzes you will not
be allowed to get help from others. Cheating and plagiarism will not be
tolerated in any course at any level. See the MSUM Academic Honesty
policy for more information on the possible consequences of cheating.
Thanks,
And Let’s Have A Great Semester!!
Math 487 –
Section 01 Course Page