Course Information
Math 392/492: Sophomore Seminar/ Senior Seminar - Section
01, Spring 2017
1 Credit: W 4:00 - 4:50pm Bridges Room 268
Textbook: None
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Department
Office: MacLean 375M Office Phone: (218)477-4011
Office
Hours: TTh 1:00 – 1:50pm Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
MTThF 11:00 –
11:50am Webpage:
web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
Other times by
Appointment
Course Description:
Students will attend
lectures where they will be exposed to research level mathematics and general
interest topics. The students will also attend lectures given by their
classmates.
Prerequisite: Math
311 (Math 392 is a prerequisite for Math 492)
Course Requirements:
You are expected to attend
class regularly and on time. You are expected to give full attention to the
presenter(s) each week and to consider both the content that is presented and
the manner in which it is presented.
When a presentation is
given by a guest presenter, you will be expected to turn in a reasonably
detailed outline and summary of the content of the talk and/or to complete a
related activity or assignment. When the
presentation is given by a classmate, you will be expected to turn in a summary
of the content of the talk and to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the
presentation.
Students taking the
course at the senior level will be expected to give a 25-minute presentation on
a research topic. Expect to put a
significant amount of effort into researching the topic and creating an
appropriate presentation
Students taking the
course at the sophomore level will be expected to give a 15-minute presentation
on a general interest or recreational mathematics topic. Sophomore level presentations will also
require research and preparation outside of class time.
Presentation grades
will be based on both the quality of the content and the effectiveness of the
presentation.
Learning
Outcomes (General):
·
Give a lecture on their
own research.
·
Understand applications
of mathematics.
·
Understand proofs.
·
Understand some research
level mathematics.
Instructional Strategies:
In class presentations, presentation
summaries, presentation evaluations
Attendance:
Since summarizing, evaluating, and giving
mathematical presentations comprise the vast majority of the course
requirements, attendance is mandatory.
You are allowed one excused
absence for the entire semester. Your
grade will be penalized for each additional absence. I can think of very few circumstances that
would warrant any deviation from this policy.
Course
Grading Policy: Your final grade in the course will be computed as
follows:
Presentation
Summaries/Evaluations/Related Exercises:
150 points
Attendance:
50 points
In Class Presentation:
100 points
Total:
300 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: I will only give make-up assignments or accept late
work for extreme personal emergencies or for absences which are officially
sanctioned by the University. I will
expect written documentation in either of these cases.
Special Accommodations: Minnesota State University Moorhead is committed to providing
equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the
campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide
and/or arrange accommodations.
•
If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g. mental health,
attentional, learning, chronic health,
sensory or physical) please contact the DRC at (218) 477-4318 (V) or
(800)627.3529 (MRS/TTY) to
schedule an appointment for an
intake.
• Additional information is available on the
DRC website: http://www.mnstate.edu/disability/
•
If you are registered with the DRC and have a current Accommodation
Letter, please schedule an
appointment to visit with me, during my
office hours, to discuss implementation of your
accommodations.
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work. You may work
with others and get help on assignments, but the final 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.
Sexual
Violence Prevention Statement: Acts of sexual
violence are intolerable. MSUM expects all members of the campus community to
act in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. We are
committed to eliminating all acts of sexual violence. MSUM faculty and staff are
concerned about the well-being and development of our students. We are
obligated to share information with the MSUM Title IX Coordinator in certain
situations to help ensure that the students’ safety and welfare is being
addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law. These disclosures
include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault, relationship
violence, and stalking. If you have experienced or know someone
who has experienced sexual violence, services and resources are available. You
may also choose to file a report. For further information, contact Lynn
Peterson, Coordinator of Sexual Assault Services at Hendrix Clinic and
Counseling Center, 218-477-2211, or Ashley Atteberry,
Title IX Coordinator in Owens Hall 208 (218-477-2174; ashley.atteberry@mnstate.edu). Additional
information is available at: www.mnstate.edu/titleix
Thanks,
And Let’s Have A Great Semester!!