The topics that are definitely to be studied are below in order. Potential topics to fill in the rest of the space can be found via the topics link on the left.

In addition to these, we'll start with a group discussion of your math experiences so far (see the Assignments link on the left for the paper required for this) and end with your presentations.

Each topic will have at least one reading and at least one assignment. The reading will usually happen before or early on in the topic; the assignment will usually be due a week after we've finished dealing with that topic in class. Here's how the grades are assigned.

Short version: The more you engage with the material, the better your grade will be and the more rewarding you'll find the course.

Less short version: There will be four components to the grade---graded assigments, progress assignments (including attendance and class participation), a ``mathematical conversation" and a final project. The two types of assignment are worth a total of 60\% of your grade. The exact ratio of graded to progress assignments will depend on the topics we choose. The conversation is worth 10\%. Think of the conversation as a mild version of an oral exam on a topic of your choice. It will happen around Week~6 or~7. The final project is worth 30\%. This will require a short (10--15 min) presentation of a mathematical idea that we have not discussed in class and an accompanying paper.

The least short version, with some extra details on "progress assignments" and the "conversation quiz" is coming soon...

You are expected to be aware of the college's policy on academic integrity and to abide by it. Please come and talk to me if anything is unclear.

http://cs.marlboro.edu/ courses/ fall2007/math_tour/ syllabus
last modified Monday November 26 2007 2:03 pm EST