Some basic information follows.
| Course: | Math 621 Elementary Geometry -- CRN#:12398 |
| Class Time: | 4:00-5:15 MW, August 19 - December 13 |
| Text: | See note below. |
| Instructor: | Prof. William H. Richardson |
| Office: | Room 322 JB |
| Phone: | (316)978-3942 |
| Email: | richardson@math.wichita.edu |
| Home Page: | http://www.math.wichita.edu/~richardson |
| Office Hours: | 9:30-10:20 TuTh, 2:00-3:00 MW and by Appointment |
Since there is no single book, currently in print, that covers the topics I want to cover
in this course, we will be using notes that I have prepared for this
course. These notes can be obtained in one of the following forms: I
will have a PDF file in the "Course Documents" folder on Blackboard that
you can download. These notes are in book format and are designed to
be printed on both sides of the paper (duplexed). You can print them
yourself, or have them printed at a copy center, then put them in a
three hole binder and have a book in which you can insert your own
notes, or if you would like a soft-cover, bound copy of the notes, you
can order a copy from lulu.com. A URL for the book will be given closer to the start of the semester. The
cost of the paperback copy is about $10 (lulu raised the price by $2) plus shipping and handling. ($3.99
is the cheapest shipping) The cost is purely the cost of printing. If you want a bound copy, go to the Information tab on Blackboard for the URL.
A daily schedule is not provided since no course depends on this course as a prerequisite, we may, on occasion, go off on tangents to examine topics of interest to the class. However, the majority of the course will be from the notes you download from Blackboard.
The course will begin with a brief look at the work of Euclid and then David Hilbert's revision of the axioms of Euclid. We will then spend some time on constructions and other topics from earlier geometry. In the next chapter we will look at some modern techniques and theorems. (Note. In geometry "modern" can mean anything from the 15th Century to the present.) Transformations of the plane then follows with some applications. The course will end with a brief investigation of non-Euclidean geometry.
There will be no individual make up exams or quizzes given. Exams will be either in-class exams or take-home exams. The Final Exam, which will be a comprehensive examination, will serve as a make up for any and all missed exams and/or quizzes.
If you are planning to leave Wichita at the end of the Fall Semester, make your travel plans early. "I have plane reservations." is not an acceptable reason for missing the final examination.
To be successful in a mathematics course one must work problems and attend class. We consider mathematics to be a participation course, not a spectator course. You cannot learn by just watching someone else do mathematics. You should do all problems assigned whether they carry point value or not. If you have difficulties with any concept or problem ask questions in class or come to my office for help. Don't allow difficulties and problems accumulate until they are too numerous to deal with. Don't be bashful!
Most homework problem sets will be assigned at least a week before the due date--normally a Wednesday. Do not wait until the day before the due date to start the problem sets. The reason you will be given a week to work on the problems is that some may take a while to solve.
Attendance is not graded; however, students who attend their mathematics classes do better than those who don't!
Don't hesitate to ask questions in class. This is part of the learning process.
All work assigned to you for grading will be given a point value. Your grade will be determined by 40% homework and 60% exams.
The following scale gives an idea of the worst grade you would receive.
100 - 94 A
93 - 90 A-
89 - 86 B+
85 - 82 B
82 - 80 B-
79 - 74 C+
73 - 68 C
67 - 65 C-
64 - 60 D+
59 - 55 D
54 - 50 D-
49 -> F
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Please be aware of the Statement of Academic Honesty
A standard of honesty, fairly applied to all students, is essential to
a learning environment. Students abridging a standard of honesty
must accept the consequences; penalties are assessed by the appropriate
classroom instructors or other designated people. Serious cases may
result in discipline at the college or University level and may result
in suspension or dismissal. Dismissal from a college for academic
dishonesty constitutes dismissal from the
University.
(WSU Student Code of Conduct)
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College of Education students in teacher preparation programs should go to the web site below for additional needed information:
http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/COEdHome/COEDSyllabusinformation.pdf