Math 487, Section 01 Syllabus

Instructor:

Mark Iwen, 015 Physics Building, 660-2871, markiwen@math.duke.edu

Lectures:

Wednesday and Friday, 11:45 am – 1:00 pm, Allen Building, room 318

Office Hours:

Monday and Tuesday from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm, and by appointment. You may also e-mail me questions.

Web Page:

http://www.math.duke.edu/~markiwen/DukePage/487.01.htm

The web page is the official source of class information outside of class. The assignments, handouts, and other important information may be found on this page. Please make a point of checking it regularly. The assignments, due dates, and exam dates posted there always trump any other information you are given.

Requirements:

Class participation, weekly homework problem sets, one in-class midterm exam, and one final exam.

Written Work:

All submitted work (homework and exams) should be written neatly and legibly. Multiple page submissions must be stapled. All proofs (such as problems containing the words "prove" or "show") should be written in complete sentences.

Class Participation:

Class participation will be based on three components: attendance, response to in-class questions, and participation in "proof workshops". The attendance portion is easiest -- simply come to class as often as possible! The second component (i.e., in-class responses to questions) is also easy -- simply make a point to raise your hand and volunteer an answer to a question at least once a week (i.e., roughly every other class). Pointing out mistakes and asking questions about unclear portions of my lectures also counts, and is very appreciated.

Finally, I consider this class to be partly a "writing class", in which I would like you to become better at structuring and presenting clear arguments and mathematical proofs. In keeping with this writing analogy we will occasionally split up into groups and discuss/critique your solutions to chosen homework problems of particular interest. Your participation in this process by offering/receiving constructive and friendly criticism comprises the third component of class participation.

Homework:

Each covered section of the book will have problems assigned from it which you must complete for homework. The homework problems will be posted on the class web page each week (see above). You should complete the problems from each section immediately after that section is covered in class. Homework assignments from the previous week will be collected at the beginning of class every Wednesday. Unexcused late homework will never be accepted.

The homework problems will be graded for correctness, style, and neatness. Proofs and supporting arguments should be structured to be as easily understood as possible. I strongly recommend that you do your homework in two steps: First, figure out how to correctly answer each problem on scratch paper. Then, rewrite a polished version of your first "rough draft" answers to turn in for grading. I recommend that you type your final homework solutions using LaTeX.

You are encouraged to work on the homework problems in groups in order to help you generate your first rough homework solutions. However, the polished solutions you turn in for grading must be reorganized and rewritten in your own words. It is completely unacceptable for two students to turn in duplicate homework solutions, and doing so will result in both students receiving a score of zero on that assignment.

On the front page of your homework, please remember to put your name and the section numbers of the problems. If you forget to write your name on your homework you may not receive credit for that assignment. Multiple page submissions must be stapled before you get to class. You must explain your work to receive credit for a problem.

Tests:

There will be one in-class midterm exam. It will take place on Wednesday, October 24.

Final Exam:

The cumulative final exam will be held Friday, December 14, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Course Grade:

Your final grade will be based on these four requirements as follows:

	Class Participation	10%
	Homework:	30%
	Midterm Exam:	25%
	Final Exam:	35%

Ethics:

Students are expected to adhere to the Duke Community Standard (see http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/conduct/about-us/duke-community-standard).

You are encouraged to discuss the homework assignments with your fellow students and both offer and receive advice. However, the final submission must be your own work. You must work completely independently for all exams.

Calculators:

Neither calculators nor any other type of electronic devices may be used during exams.

Missed Work:

Homework must be handed in on time. Unexcused late homework will not be accepted. Unexcused missed exams may not be made up. If you experience a truly incapacitating short-term illness you should notify me as per the instructions at http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=policy-short-term-illness-notification prior to the class in which the graded assignment is due or exam will occur. You must provide an official short-term illness notification before any opportunities for making up the work can be provided. A short term illness is just that -- SHORT TERM. As such, you must make up the missed work within 48 hours of the scheduled due date for the missed work. If you require additional time beyond this 48 hour period, you must provide me with a doctor's excuse before any sickness related makeups will be permitted.

If you will miss class due to an officially recognized religious holiday you must notify me at least one week in advance. See http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=religious-observance for instructions. Similarly, you must notify me at least a week in advance of a scheduling conflict based on your participation in any form of varsity athletics. See http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=notification-of-varsity-athletic-participation-novap for instructions. A Dean's excuse is required in order for work to be made up in the event of any other emergency situations. See http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-deans for a list of academic deans.