Assignments...Handouts…Project...Calendar...Score Reports
Test #1 from Spring 2007…..Test #2 from Spring 2007…….Test #3 from Spring 2007…….Final Exam from Spring 2007
MWF
Instructor: Dr. Karen
Mortensen
247 Illini Hall, phone 244-4128, email kmortens@math.uiuc.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays
Course webpage: http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~kmortens/403-Sp08
Textbook: Philippe Tondeur, Vectors and Transformations in Plane Geometry, Publish or Perish, Inc. 1993.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites are Calculus III and Math 347 or Math 348.
Goals: The course will cover most of the 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:
Axiomatic
Systems for Geometry by George Francis – a detailed and very readable
explanation of the relationship between synthetic geometry (
A good, short introduction to axiomatic systems by Timothy Peil
at MSU Moorhead - http://www.mnstate.edu/peil/geometry/C1AxiomSystem/AxiomaticSystems.htm
Euclid’s Elements Book I - http://www.partnership.mmu.ac.uk/cme/Geometry/M23Geom/Euclid/Euclidbook1.html
Euclid’s Elements online by D.E. Joyce at Clark University - http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/elements.html
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
http://www.cut-the-knot.com/
Exam dates:
Test #2 – Monday, March 3
Test #3 – Wednesday, April 2
Final exam:
Missed exams: If you miss an exam, you will receive a 0 for your grade. The only exception is if you have a valid excuse for missing, such as a major illness or a serious emergency - if so, you must inform me before the exam or, if this is physically impossible, then as soon as possible afterwards. In this case, you will be given a make-up exam as soon as possible.
Problem sets:
Problem sets will be due approximately once a week. 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. 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.
Individual Projects: Each student will do an individual project on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. The project will include a written report and also either a class presentation of about 15 minutes or a poster for an in-class poster session. Students may work alone or with one other person. In the case of two people working together, they will collaborate on a single written report and class presentation and both will receive the same grade for the project.
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, but they will rarely be useful for the material in this course. No special calculator is need.
Course grade: Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Test #1 - 15%
Test #2 - 15%
Test #3 - 15%
Final Exam - 25%
Problem sets -15%
Individual Project - 15%
The follow scale describes approximately how the course grades will be assigned. The instructor reserves the right to adjust this scale slightly (for the whole class, not for individual students):
90% or above = A+, A or A-
80%-89% = B+, B or B-
70%-79% = C+, C or C-
60%-69% = D
below 60% = F
You will be able to check your homework and exam grades at Score Reports, which is the Math Department's gradebook program. This will be available beginning approximately two weeks into the semester. Please check score reports regularly to make sure your grades have been correctly reported and tell me promptly about any errors. You are responsible for keeping all of your graded work so that any discrepancies in recorded grades can be settled.