Welcome to Math 2100.001! Functions and Modeling for Secondary Mathematics Instruction Spring 2017

Instructor: Dr. Nirmala Naresh
Phone: 940 565 2490
Office:GAB 452
Class meetings: MW: 12:30 – 1:50 pm / Email:
Please include your Name and Class info (2100.001) in the subject line of your emails
Class meets at Life A 111
Office Hours: M W: 9:30 am – 12:00 noon T R : 9:30 am – 11:00 am & 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Other times by appointment also.

Course description: In-depth study of topics in secondary school mathematics. Emphasis is on modeling with linear, exponential and trigonometric functions; curve fitting; discrete and continuous models. Exploratory work with presentations of findings is an integral part of the course. Pedagogical uses of appropriate technology are explored.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 1710, MATH 1720 (may be taken concurrently) and TNTX 1100 (may be taken concurrently), or consent of the Teach North Texas advisor.

Blackboard Course site: http://learn.unt.edu.

Login with your unique ID and password. All materials for the course will be posted under course content as we travel through the course. If you do not see the course when you log on Blackboard after the first day of class, send me a message with your EUID so I can add you.

Course Materials

  • I am not assigning a textbook for this course. Many course materials are adapted from the UTeach curriculum developed at UT Austin. In addition, I will use a variety of resources (e.g., textbooks, online sources, electronic and print media) to deliver course content.
  • A three- ring binder to collect the handouts and solutions to explorations and labs.
  • Notebook or loose-leaf grid/graph paper
  • A TI 83 or 84 is optional and will be provided as needed in class, but if you have one, bring it to class.

Course Objectives: By the end of the semester, students will have

  • Demonstrated proficiency in working with the concept of function and function related topics such as rate of change, injective functions and surjective functions
  • Demonstrated a depth of knowledge of secondary mathematics topics such as parametric equations, polar coordinates, matrices, and vectors
  • Demonstrated proficiency at creating data models using regression, matrices, and function patterns
  • Presented mathematical ideas and topics in an effective manner
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the use of technology in the mathematics classroom
  • Identified content connections between various levels and various topics within levels of secondary and university level mathematics
  • Developed confidence in their own problem solving skills by having successfully solved many mathematical problems

Course Evaluation

Category / %
Attendance / Professionalism
Lab Sessions / Class presentations
Homework
Course Project
Mid-term Exams (2)
Final Exam / 5
15
15
15
30
20

Grade assignment: A: [90%); B: [80%, 90%); C: [70%, 80%); D: [60%, 70%); F: [0%, 60%).

A grade of C or better is required for this course to serve as prerequisite for any math course.

Classroom policies (listed alphabetically)

Academic Accommodations

If you have a disability that may affect your participation in this class, you must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify your eligibility. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda . You may also contact them by phone at (940) 565-4323.

  • If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to your instructor. We will then have a confidential discussion regarding your specific needs. You should see me by the end of the first week of class so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Academic Integrity

All work turned in on quizzes and the final exam must be entirely your own. Serious infractions may result in an F for the course. Please review information available at http://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf for information regarding Academic Misconduct. This policy places full responsibility on the student for the content and integrity of all work submitted.

Attendance

As prospective teachers, learners, and as members of the classroom community, you are expected to be a responsible and regular attendee. In this course, for the most part, you will be working in small groups. Thus, the time you collaborate with your peers uncovering course content is both valuable and unique. You do have an obligation to fulfill your responsibilities to your own self (as a learner), to your group (as a collaborator) and to the larger classroom community (as a prospective teacher). Know that class discussion cannot be easily replicated by reading someone else’s notes. Here are specific attendance guidelines.

  • Do not be late to class and be present for the entire class meeting.
  • Under unavoidable circumstances, if you must arrive late or leave early, please do so discreetly as possible. Let the instructor know in advance so that you may not be marked absent for the day.
  • Do not schedule meetings with other professors or other activities during any part of our class.
  • If you are absent, you must check BB to print all handouts and homework given out during the class that was missed.
  • I will hold you responsible for doing all classroom activities you missed, getting the notes from a classmate, and turning in all work on the day it is due.
  • More than 4 absences FOR ANY REASON, may result in lowering of your course grade.

Note: If you have significant health problems or other issues, please talk to so we may discuss possibilities and University policy.

Cell Phones

Please avoid using cell phones during class time. If you need to be available for emergency phone calls; do set your ringer to silent or vibrate and leave the room to answer any calls.

Code of Conduct

All students are expected to behave in a professional manner in class. Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students’ opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom, and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classrooms, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr.

Drop Policy

If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to formally withdraw from the course. You may do so through the Registrar’s Office after obtaining the necessary signatures. Consents for withdrawal and appropriate signatures may be obtained in Math Placement and Testing Office, GAB 443.

Table1: Fall 2017 Important Deadlines

Deadline / Fa. 2017
Census. / Sep 11
Beginning this date a student who wishes to drop a course must first receive written consent of the instructor. / Sep 12
Last day for student to receive automatic grade of W for non-attendance.
Last day to drop a course or withdraw from the semester with a grade of W for courses that the student is not passing. After this date, a grade of WF may be recorded. / Oct 6
Beginning this date instructors may drop students with a grade of WF for nonattendance. / Oct 7
Last day to drop with either W or WF.
Last day for a student to drop a course with consent of the instructor. / Nov 6
Beginning this date, a student who qualifies may request an Incomplete, with a grade of I. / Nov 13
Last day to withdraw (drop all classes).
Last day for an instructor to drop a student with a grade of WF for nonattendance. / Nov 22

Make sure to check dates and deadlines at http://registrar.unt.edu/registration/fall-registration-guide

Email Communication

Please use your UNT email account for all correspondence for legal reasons. ALL emails on Blackboard now GO DIRECTLY TO your my.unt.edu email (Eagle Connect), so be sure that you check that account on a daily basis. You are welcome to email me at with questions / comments and I will respond to you within 24 hours M-F.

Exams

There will be 2 in-class exams during the semester. If a student does not take a scheduled exam, a zero will be recorded for that exam. If unavoidable circumstances (illness, other emergencies) keep you from attending class on the day of a quiz or exam, please contact me promptly to explain the absence and, if approved, schedule a make-up. Typically, if you contact me more than 24 hours after the exam, the answer will be no.

  • I will require documentation of the reason for absence and a week’s (or as much as possible) notice for this accommodation via email.
  • Make-up exams must be scheduled ahead of the actual exam dates and must be completed prior to the next class meeting.
  • Do consult www.unt.edu/registrar for a detailed final exam schedule. The final exam will be in our regular classroom. There will be no make-up sessions for this exam. Please plan accordingly!

Group work

Group work is nurtured and highly valued in this class. In-class work is carefully designed to engage you with your peers in thinking deeply about course content. Such exercises help you apply skills to activities and learning that are different from the routine exams and homework. You swim or sink together as a group. In order for all group members to benefit from the group experience, each group member must believe that one cannot succeed unless everyone else succeeds and each member must be accountable for contributing a fair share of work. I strongly recommend that you adhere to the social and the socio-mathematical norms listed in this syllabus to sustain respectful and successful learning relationships with your peers.

Homework

Written Homework will be assigned on a regular basis and will be posted on the course BB site. It is necessary to DO the assigned problems in order to understand the material. You should expect to spend at least 3-4 hours a week on HW assignments. It is your responsibility to be attentive about the assignments and deadlines. Written homework must be neat, labeled, and submitted to me on time; late submissions will incur a reduction in a letter grade and must be turned in by the next class period.

Help Sessions

  • Math Lab: More information is available at www.math.unt.edu/mathlab. The UNT Math Lab is

located in GAB 440. The website has the current hours of operation.

  • UNT learning center: The center offers tutoring in a variety of formats (one-on-one tutoring, online tutoring, drop-in tutoring, or group tutoring) at no additional cost to students. Students can request a tutor online through the Learning Center website: http://learningcenter.unt.edu/tutoring.

Incompletes

Beginning November 13, a student that qualifies may request a grade of “I”, an incomplete. An “I” is a non-punitive grade given only if ALL three of the following criteria are satisfied:

  • The student is passing the course.
  • The student has a justifiable (and verifiable) reason why the work cannot be completed as scheduled; and
  • The student arranges with the instructor to complete the work within one academic year.

Progress Reports

Students needing progress reports completed/signed for athletics, scholarships, and/or other organizations must attend office hours to get them completed.

Student Perception of Instruction (SPOT):

A student evaluation of instruction is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. You will receive more information on this survey after the semester starts.

Succeed at UNT

This is a new campaign to provide students with consistent student success messages, and user-friendly, accessible links to student support services. The six focused messages are: SHOW UP, FIND SUPPORT, TAKE CONTROL, BE PREPARED, GET INVOLVED, and BE PERSISTENT. You can access multiple student resource links, as well as short videos with student messages by going to https://success.unt.edu.

Useful Resources on Campus

  • Counseling and Testing Services (CTS) provides comprehensive psychological services to University of North Texas students (http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/counseling-and-testing-services)
  • Dean of students: https://deanofstudents.unt.edu/

Math 2100 Tentative Schedule Fall 2017 (If and when needed, I will make changes to this schedule. Any such change will first be discussed with the students and then announced in class.)

Week / Monday / Wednesday
Aug 28 / Course Introduction/
Function Defn. / Counting Functions
Sep 4 / Labor Day / Counting Functions Contd.
Sep 11 / Complex Roots and Quadratic Functions / Conic Sections
Sep 18 / Conic Sections / Finish Conic Sections
Course Project Topic Due
Sep 25 / Spring Mass Motion (L) / Sequences
Oct 2 / Exam 1 / Sequences Contd.
Oct 9 / Function Patterns / Function Pattern Application
Oct 16 / Terminal Velocity (L) / Regression and Residual Plots
Oct 23 / Regression and Residual Plots Contd. / Matrix Inverses / Applications
Course Project Abstract & Outline Due
Oct 30 / Modeling using Piecewise functions / Parametric Equations and Vectors
Nov 6 / Exam 2 / Parameter Problems
Nov 13 / Polar Coordinates / Polar Coordinates Contd.
Nov 20 / Golf Shot (L) / Golf Shot Contd.
Nov 27 / Cube Conundrum / Review
Dec 4 / Project Presentations / Project Presentations

Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec 13, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

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