Course Description:  This is a writing intensive course in the major for mathematics majors. It is intended to help students learn how to incorporate mathematics into their own writing.

Course Objectives: The student-learning goals of Math 491 consist of learning the skills inherent in writing and to writing mathematics in particular.  These include the following.

Students will be able to

• Use a coherent writing process including invention, organization, drafting, revising, and editing to form an effective final written product.
• Consult effectively and appropriately with others to produce quality written products.
• Read, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and integrate appropriately and ethically information and ideas from diverse sources and points of view in their writing.
• Locate, use, and cite appropriately primary and secondary source materials from both print and electronic resources.
• Create logical, engaging, effective written products appropriate for specific audiences and purposes.
• Use correct grammar and mechanics in writing.
• Correctly integrate mathematical terminology, symbols, and expressions in their writing.

Attendance:   Attendance is mandatory, and attending a class means that you are in class at the beginning of class and that you are in class at the end of class.  Coming excessively late or coming late as a matter of habit will mean that you will be recorded as absent.  Leaving early will also be recorded as absent.  Any more than three absences will affect your grade.  See the grade page for more information.  We will generally be holding class discussions, not instructor-lecture, and participation in these discussions is an expected and essential part of the class.

For a known absence due to military duty, jury duty, or other legal requirement, and for official university activities, you must give me notice as soon as feasible and prior to the absence.  Also, documentation will be required for you to be granted a makeup final exam. 

More than three absences will result in a reduction of 1% on your overall course grade for each additional absence.

Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work.  You may certainly work with others and get help on assignments, but the work you submit should be your own work.  Note that during exams you will not be allowed to get help from others.  Make sure that you learn the material while you do the homework - that is the purpose of the assignments.  Then during the exam you can demonstrate your knowledge - that is the purpose of the exams.  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any college course (or any course at any level).  See the MSUM Academic Honesty policy for more information and possible consequences of cheating.

Special Accommodations: Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Course Requirements:  You are expected to complete the daily assignments and reading journal, complete and submit the assignments, and take and pass the final exam on the scheduled date.

Evaluations Standards: Your course grade will include homework and exam grades.  For more details, see the grade page.

Course Outline:  See the course schedule.

General Comments:  I will in general return any work the next class day.  If you are not there, I will not give it to friends, roommates, or spouses, nor will I give out grade information on the phone or via email.  (These restrictions are not arbitrary - they are based on federal law regarding student privacy.)  Normally, I include any old assignments with any current ones, but I do not try to pass them back a second time unless you have turned in the most recent assignment.  I will bring the old assignments with me every day, so if you ask at the end of class you can get them then.

I expect you to be responsible for yourself as far as getting notes from a classmate if you miss class.  I also expect you to turn in any assignments early if you know that you will miss class.  This includes those instances when the absence is due to an official university activity.

If you are ill on the day an assignment is due, I still expect the assignment to be turned in.  You may ask a classmate, friend, roommate, etc. to turn it in for you (to my office if necessary).

Cell Phones:  Turn off your cell phones when you go to class (this class or any other class).  Cellular phones and other distracting devices generally have no place in a formal or semi-formal setting, such as a classroom.  If your phone rings audibly during class, I will require you to leave the classroom for the remainder of the period.  This includes those days we have exams.  In fact, it applies especially on those days when we have an exam.  Hence, if your cell phone rings during an exam, you will have to turn in what you have completed up to that point.  No extra time will be given.  I strongly suggest that you always remember to turn off your phone.  (You are free to return to class the next day, and there will be no other consequences.)  Note:  I have found that cell phones on vibrate, when in a backpack next to a textbook, are still quite loud since they reverberate against the book.  If I can hear it at the front of the room or if most of the students next to you react to it, it is still an audible ring.  Keep it on something soft or on your waistband or in your pocket.  Or better yet, turn it off entirely.

In addition, during exams, your cell phone (or any other electronic device other than a calculator) may not be visible at all - you must put it in your closed bookbag or something similar.  If you use it for your watch, you will have to bring a different clock to exams or use the classroom clock.

Prof. Ellen Hill Home Page

Math 491 Home Page