MAE 301 Foundations of Secondary School Mathematics
Fall 2006 Syllabus
This course has several goals. First, to ensure that you have fully mastered the secondary school curriculum. Second, to develop an understanding of the interconnections among the different branches of secondary school mathematics. Third, to develop an understanding of the connections between the secondary school curriculum and your college level mathematics curriculum. Fourth, to enhance your problem solving abilities, and to develop an understanding of the processes involved in learning and understanding mathematics and in mathematical problem solving.
Instructor: Professor Bernard Maskit
Office: Math 5-112
Phone: 632-8257
e-mail: bernie@math.sunysb.edu
Office Hours: Mondays: 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., by appointment only
Tuesdays: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
There is no textbook for this course; class notes can be found at http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~bernie/classnotes.pdf
Class worksheets, which will also contain homework assignments, will be distributed in class.
MAE 301 is part of a sequence of courses leading to certification as a teacher of mathematics in grades 7-12. In light of the professional nature of this course, neither excessive absence nor excessive tardiness will be tolerated.
First Exam: There will be an in-class exam on Wednesday, September 20. The questions on this exam are taken directly from the New York State A and B Mathematics Regents exams. The passing grade on this exam is 85; students who do not achieve a passing grade will have two opportunities to pass an equivalent exam. While we will attempt to follow the course outline below, to some extent, the amount of time spent on any one topic will depend on the exam scores on questions related to this topic.
Other examinations: In addition to the regents exam mentioned above, there will be a midterm exam and a final exam.
Calculators: New York State requires graphing calculators on its Regents exams; you will not be able to solve some of the problems on examinations in this course without a graphing calculator. However, overly fancy calculators, such as those that do symbolic manipulations, or have telephones, or have overly extensive memories, will not be permitted.
Homework: Homework will be assigned in most classes, usually as part of the classroom worksheet. In general, the homework will be due the following class. A selection of the assigned homework problems will be graded. At the end of the semester, the lowest two homework grades for each student will be dropped.
Classwork: Class assignments will vary. For some, you will be required to work in groups assigned by the instructor; for some, you will be permitted to work in groups of your own choosing; for some, you will be required to work alone.
Grading: The final grade has two components.
Component 1:
First Exam: 10%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 40%
Classwork and
Attendance: 15%
Homework: 15%
Component 2: If you do not achieve a grade of at least 85% on the First exam (or on a subsequent make-up exam), your final grade will be at most C-.
Note: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, you are urged to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS). They will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Note that we cannot make special arrangements for students with disabilities except for those determined by DSS.
Tentative Course Outline