Connections in Mathematics

Instructor:  Dr. Stephen C. Smith (ssmith@cvgs.k12.va.us)

Course Description:
This course provides students with introductory experiences in symbolic logic, binary and other bases, probability, conditional probability, set theory, non-routine problem solving, topics of personal finance and investment, and the calculus necessary to participate in the Senior Science Scenario project during the final six weeks of the year.  Both EXCEL and a variety of website-based applications will be used throughout the year.  Emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding, solving real world applications, and fostering mathematical reasoning and communication.

Course Materials:
The text for this course will be “The Nature of Mathematics”, 10th ed., by Smith (no relation).  You will be responsible for the text while it is in your possession.  

Methodology: 
The beginning of most class periods will be used to answer questions on the material that is due for that day.  The rest of the class period will consist of a variety of activities which will include lecture, individual and group problem solving, and exploration of questions and concepts.  It is strongly advised that you prepare for each class meeting by working assigned homework problems and by reading and taking notes on the text to be covered in the next class meeting. 

Study Aids:
There are many reference books and web sites widely available that can serve as study aids for this course.  However, it is unlikely that any materials beyond those provided in class will be necessary.  If you feel at any time that you require additional assistance, please discuss this with me at the beginning or end of the next class meeting.

Participation:
You should plan to be actively involved in class.  This means being attentive and participating in class discussions and activities.  

Absences (consult the Student Handbook for additional information):
When you miss any amount of class time, for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact a student colleague in the class to obtain the information you missed.  

Foreseeable absences for any reason need to be discussed with the instructor in advance.  Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence.

If a student is absent (excused) for only one class meeting, upon return he/she is expected to have completed the work which was due on the day of absence.  If a test was missed, the student is expected to take the test on the day of return.  If a student misses two or more consecutive class meetings, he/she should talk to the instructor to devise a plan to catch up.  

Work missed because of an unexcused absence cannot be made up.  If a test is missed because of an unexcused absence, then that test grade will be lowered by 10 points for each day late.  

Tardiness (consult the Student Handbook for additional information):
You are expected to be in our class, ready to learn, by our starting time.  Given my responsibilities as the Director of the Governor’s School, I might not be in the room; that does not relieve you of your responsibility to be in the class, ready to learn, by the beginning of class.  I will permit one unexcused tardy without any grade penalty.  After that, I will lower your semester grade by ½ a point for each unexcused tardy.

Honor Code:
Students are required to pledge all work that they turn in for a grade.  Refer to CVGS Student Handbook for complete requirements.

Grading: 
The grading scale is a standard 11/10/10/10 point scale.

Specific Course Content and Objectives (First Semester):
the student will be able to: 

• translate sentences to symbolic form,
• construct truth tables,
• state the converse, inverse and contrapositive of statements,
• determine the validity of an argument,
• design a simple circuit (or a gate) as a logic application,
• understand and use basic set theory concepts, including intersections, unions, complements, distributive and De Morgan’s laws, and cardinality,
• recall and be able to compare and contrast voting methods, voting dilemmas, apportionment methods and paradoxes
• convert numbers in the decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems,
• recall the processes necessary and properly solve problems related to the Fundamental Counting Principle, permutations, and combinations,
• compute probabilities and evaluate expected values,
• compute conditional probabilities,
• identify and solve problems using an Euler Circuit
• identify a Hamiltonian Cycle
• identify and construct a minimal spanning tree
• solve Traveling Salesman problems

1. Tests (5 @ 100 pts = 500 pts)
2. Test Corrections (5 @ 30 pts = 150 pts) Specific requirements must be met…
3. Final Exam (1 @ 200 pts) This is a comprehensive semester final.
4. Projects (3 @ 40 pts = 120 pts)  These are completed individually or in teams.
5. Class Participation (30 pts): Asking or answering questions well, putting problems on the board, and generally being attentive and engaged