Instructor:
Prof. John Sullivan
326 Illini Hall, phone 244-5930,
email jms@math.uiuc.edu
Office hours: Mondays 2-4, or by appointment.
Instructor:
Dr. Karen Mortensen
247 Illini Hall, phone 244-4128,
email kmortens@math.uiuc.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays 1-2, Thursdays 2-3, or by appointment.
Course webpage: http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~jms/m303
Textbook: Philippe Tondeur, Vectors and Transformations in Plane Geometry, Publish or Perish, Inc. 1993.
Prerequisites: Official prerequisite is Math 242 or Math 243 or Math 245. In fact the course will use very little calculus, but you need about this level of mathematical experience. Since the course will emphasize definitions, theorems and proofs, Math 247 or similar experience is advised.
Goals: The course will cover the entire textbook, plus some additional material. Euclidean geometry is treated using vector methods, rather than purely axiomatically. Groups of transformations will play a major role in the course. Students will find significant links with abstract algebra (groups) and with linear algebra. It is hoped that students will gain an historical perspective and also glimpse some of the modern applications of Euclidean geometry.
Some relevant websites:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com
http://www.cut-the-knot.com
Exam dates:
Please see the course syllabus ( http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~jms/m303/syllabus.html)
for information about what will be covered on each exam. The
final exam will cover material from the entire course.
Problem sets:
Problem sets will be graded and returned to you and will
count as part of your course grade.
I normally do not accept late problem sets. If you
cannot turn in a problem set on time due to some very unusual circumstances.
please contact me as soon as possible.
Office hours: I am happy to meet with you
in my office to discuss course material. During my regular office
hours, you can just drop in without an appointment. I can also meet
you at other times - please make an appointment to do so. I will
usually be able to see you within a day or two.
I also answer questions by email.
I am glad to discuss homework problems with you during
office hours. However, I will expect you to have made a good effort
to do the problem ahead of time and to bring your scratch work with you.
Calculators: Calculators may be used on problem sets and exams.
Course grade: Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Final exam 8:00-11:00 am
Friday May 10 in 145 Altgeld Hall (This
is the last day of finals - make plans so you can be there!)
Problem sets will be due approximately once a week.
You can find the problem sets assigned so far at http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~jms/m303/homework.html
.
You may work with others on the problem sets if you wish. However,
you should each write up the solutions on your own; to do otherwise will
be considered plagiarism.
Test #1 - 15%
Test #2 - 15%
Test #3 - 15%
Final Exam - 25%
Problem sets - 30%