Martin Flashman's Courses
Math 371(480) Spring, '09
web page in development- Subject to change  3--15-09
MATH 371 Geometry  MWF. 11:00 - 11:50 ROOM: KA 104
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Last updated: 3/15/09
SPRING, 2009                     COURSE INFORMATION(tentative)        M.FLASHMAN
MATH 371 GEOMETRY            MWF 11:00-11:50                                   ROOM:  KA 104
OFFICE: BSS 356     E-MAIL: flashman@humboldt.edu          PHONE:826-4950
Office Hours - MWF 8:30-9:30 AND BY APPOINTMENT or chance!
PREREQUISITE: Math 240 and high school geometry (or permission ). 

TEXTS:

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Classical and modern problems and concepts. Topics from: plane and solid geometry; Euclidean geometry; deductive approaches, non-Euclidean and alternative characterizations of geometry using synthetic, analytic, and transformational approaches.

SCOPE: This course will cover various topics from "classical and modern geometry." We will examine informally and formally selected theorems and theories for planar and spatial geometry from both synthetic and analytic (algebraic and transformational) viewpoints. Other approaches to geometry such as differential geometry and topology may be presented as time permits.
Lectures will organize the topics to present materials not covered in the texts as well as those treated in the texts. Supplementary readings and materials will be supplied as appropriate.

•Students with Disabilities: Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center in House 71, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange. http://www.humboldt.edu/~sdrc/
•Add/Drop policy: ** See the University rules and dates related to the following: Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule for dropping or adding classes. http://www.humboldt.edu/~reg/regulations/schedadjust.html
•Emergency evacuation: Please review the evacuation plan for the classroom (posted on the orange signs) , and review http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/emergencyops/campus_emergency_preparedness.php for information on campus Emergency Procedures. During an emergency, information can be found campus conditions at: 826-INFO or http://www.humboldt.edu/emergency
•Academic honesty: Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding academic honesty: http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/judicial/academic_honesty.php or http://www.humboldt.edu/~humboldt/catalogpdfs/catalog2007-08.pdf
•Attendance and disruptive behavior: Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding attendance and disruptive behavior: http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/judicial/attendance_behavior.php 

TESTS & ASSIGNMENTS:  We will use Moodle for some on-line reality quizzes. Here is some information about how to use Moodle.
You can also go directly to the HSU Moodle .

Reading: Each student will be expected to read short articles about geometric topics from   The College Mathematics Journal, The Mathematics Teacher, Scientific American , a geometric web site, or other approved sources and make brief written summaries of these to be passed in every other Monday. These will be graded Honors/Cr/NCr. Here's some help finding articles:

  • Search The College Mathematics Journal and the Mathematics Magazine.
  • Search JSTOR (HSU Access Only)
  • Search Scientific American (HSU Access Only)

    • Reports should include (1) Correct citation, (2) Geometric subject area, (3)Result(s), and (4)Proofs if interesting.

    Other Media: Occasionally video materials will be assigned for viewing followed by in -class discussions. These materials may be placed on reserve in the library or found on line at http://learner.org/resources/
    Weekly problem assignments will be due on Wednesday.     (Accepted one day tardy at most!)
    Some problems may be assigned but not numerically graded.

    Projects: Each student will be expected to develop a course project that presents some aspect of geometry with both results and explanation. These may done in partnerships of two (or three) students and with consultations with Professor Flashman.
    A brief preliminary descriptive project proposal is due Tuesday, February 10th from each individual or partnership. A progress report on the project is due March 25th.
    Final projects are due for review Tuesday, May 5th. (These will be graded Honors/Cr/NCr.)

    The final examination will be an OPEN BOOK TAKE-HOME EXAMINATION, distributed Thursday, April 30th, and DUE Friday, May 15, before 5 P.M.

    MAKE-UP TESTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN EXCEPT FOR VERY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES!
    It is the student's responsibility to request a makeup test promptly.

    GRADES: Final grades will be determined taking into consideration the quality of work done in the course as evidenced primarily from the accumulation of points from graded assignments and examinations approximately as follows:

    Homework 25 %
    Reading Summaries 10%
    Project 15%
    Quizzes 20%
    Final Exam 30%
    Total 100%
    ** Active class participation will be considered in deciding individual grades after a general grade range has been assigned.

    TECHNOLOGY: We will be using the computer at various stages of this course to illustrate and investigate some of the geometry dynamically. For this purpose we may use Wingeometry, Geometer's Sketchpad, GeoGebra  and EuclidianReality .

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