MATH 445 A: Geometry for Teachers

SYLLABUS

Instructor Julia Pevtsova

Office hours: M 4-5pm, F 2-3pm

Office: Padelford, C-448

E-mail: julia@math.washington.edu

Class page: http://www.math.washington.edu/~julia/teaching/445_Spring2014/

Teaching Assistant R. Andrew Ohana

Office Padelford C-404

E-mail ohanar at math.washington.edu

Lectures MWF, 10:30-11:20; SIG 230

Discussion sessions T 3:30-5:30 THO 215. This is an opportunity to discuss your reading and written assignment and get help from your TA and each other. Attendance is optional but highly recommended. Tuesday session will be structured as follows: you are expected to come with your written assignment already completed or in draft. You’ll split into groups and present your solutions to each other; then critic and discuss them.

The Teaching Assistant will also hold separate office hours by appointment.

Textbooks [1] “Axiomatic Geometry” by John F. Lee.

Course description. The grand goal of the course is to master understanding of fundamental principles of axiomatic systems and rigorous mathematical arguments. This will be done through the study of geometry which was historically the first branch of mathematics subjected to an attempt of being axiomatized and placed on rigorous footing. For many centuries it served as a model of rigorous logical thought and was a beacon on the quest for systematizing other branches of mathematics. Throughout the course we shall practice both developing rigorous proofs and communicating them to others through writing and class presentations. In the second quarter of this two quarter sequence we shall continue the development of the Euclidean geometry from the axioms and introduce the parallel axiom to the list of nine we already have from the first quarter. We shall cover as many of the chapters 6-19 of the textbook as the time allows.

Prerequisites: successful completion of Math 444A.

Homework. Homework will include three parts: reading assignment, written assignment, and one group project. Homework will be assigned after each lecture. The assignment can be obtained from the homework web page and will NOT be announced in class. It will be announced on the discussion board so sign up to get updates. Homework will be collected on Wednesday in class. You are encouraged to work on homework in groups but each problem needs to be written up individually and in your own words. Having someone else check your arguments for correctness and readability before you turn them in is highly encouraged. Typing up your homework if you haven’t taken a calligraphy course in your freshman year will be much appreciated by the grader.

Bonus problems: for those of you who feel under challenged, there will be occasional bonus problems assigned for the homework. The bonus problems are added to your overall homework score.

Exams. There will a midterm exam on Friday, May 2^nd, in class. The Final exam is on Monday, June 9^th, 8:30-10:20am.

Quizzes. There will be occasional pop-up quizzes at the beginning of the Friday lecture.

Group Projects. There will be one group project which will result into a paper and a presentation to class. Details will be announced in class and on the discussion board.

Discussion board: This is a forum for you to ask questions about the class, reading assignments or homework problems as well as discuss other topics pertaining to class (such as scheduling study sessions) with each other. Graham and Julia will also check the discussion board regularly. Thoughtful and informative answers/entries posted on discussion board will earn bonus homework points (as well as fame and respect from your classmates and instructors). Do not post complete solutions or copy anything from the board into your homework. At the end of the quarter the class will vote for the “most popular blogger” on the board. That person will earn one ``free” problem on the final. There will also be occasional “board assignments” when you’ll be asked to post en entry on a particular topic.

Late homework and test make-up. Late homework will NOT be accepted under any circumstances. If you cannot make it to class the day when the homework is due, try to arrange for someone else to hand in your homework. There are no make-ups for quizzes but the lowest quiz score will be dropped. If you have to miss a midterm for a compelling and well-documented reason, talk to the instructor as soon as possible. If you feel that these rules cause you unbearable hardship, talk to the instructor.

Grades

Homework	30%
Quizzes	5%
Midterm	20%
Group Project	15%
Final	30%

The lowest homework and quiz score will be dropped. Your grade will be determined based on the curve to be established upon the completion of the course. The preliminary estimate is that the ``curve” will be linear, with the passing grade of 2.0 corresponding to 63%, and 4.0 corresponding to 93%. Keep in mind that this is only an approximation, and the final curve will be determined based on the class overall performance.

Schedule. Here are some important dates for this quarter (see Academic calendar for more information):

March 31	First day of class
May 2	Midterm
May 26	No class: Memorial Day
June 6	Last day of class
June 9	FINAL EXAM

A note on lecture courtesy. Please be on time for class. If you have to be late on a regular basis because of your schedule, talk to the instructor. Please do not get up and leave in the middle of lecture; you are neither invisible nor inaudible, and you do disrupt both the lecturer and the other students. If for some special reason you must leave one lecture early, please sit on the aisle near the door and leave as quietly as possible. (I do not insist that you tell me before lecture why you will be leaving early, but be aware that some faculty feel that it is only common courtesy that you do so.) Please DO NOT start zipping up your bag and other preparations for leaving until the end of class is announced. Please turn off your cell phone and any other device capable of producing sounds during class. I will try to do the same!

A note on laptop use. You may use your laptop or other electronic device during lecture ONLY under the following circumstances: 1) when explicitly asked by the instructor 2) when taking class notes on your laptop/tablet. In the latter case, you need to let the instructor know in advance and also share your notes after class. No other laptop/tablet use is allowed during class.

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