Course Outline
MTH 103 B2 - Finite Mathematics
Fall 2007


Text:  Finite Mathematics & Its Applications (Goldstein, Schneider, and Siegel; 9th ed.)
Instructor:  Julian Moorehead
Office:  UB 504 (Ungar building, 5th floor)
Phone:  305-284-8167 (office phone)
        305-510-1407 (alternate phone during office hours)
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
5:00 to 6:00 PM
and also by appointment
Email:  j.moorehead@math.miami.edu
        julianm1382@yahoo.com


Grades:    

The course grade will be composed of two midterm exams and one final exam, as well as homework.  The weight for each of these is 20% for each midterm, 40% for the final, and 20% for the graded homework.  There will also be an additional third midterm exam, so that the lowest of the three exam grades may be dropped. Midterm exams will be held in class, and tentatively the schedule will be that the first is on September 24th, the second is on October 19th, and the third on November 16th.  The final exam will be held on Monday December 10 from 8:00 to 10:30 AM, with the room to be announced.

In regards to the homework assignments, each assignment will be due the class after it is assigned, unless otherwise specified.  I will collect and grade homework to be returned; there will be a small penalty for turning in homework late, but it is still encouraged that you do the homework and turn it in as it does count towards your final grade.  However, at the end of each chapter, I will also make up answer keys to all the homework assigned for that chapter so that you can compare with your own work, especially in preparation for the midterm exams.  Once an answer key has been given out for a chapter, no more homework from that chapter will be collected for a grade.  It is also important to do the homework regularly so that you practice the process of solving the various types of problems associated with this class; as class time is limited, and there are numerous topics to cover, it is not possible to do as many solutions to different problems as would be preferred; on the other hand, at the beginning of each regular class, I will spend a few minutes answering specific questions about the homework if there is a demand for that.


Makeups:    

Makeup exams will not be given after the day of an exam.  Should a student not be able to make an exam, arrangements may be made prior to the exam to take the exam at an agreed upon time before the regularly scheduled exam date and time.  


Attendance:

Attendance in class, while not mandatory, is essential for a subject such as this.  Class participation is especially important, particularly in regards to asking questions about difficult concepts which not everyone may understand readily.  I encourage students to ask questions frequently, and to not assume that they will understand things later on outside of class, so that not only can the students get a better understanding of the lectures, but also so that I can get a better sense of how much is being understood, and adjust topics or the pace of the class accordingly.


Tutoring:    

The university offers free tutoring in math without an appointment at the Math Lab in room N201 of the Whitten University Center, which is located upstairs inside of the Academic Resource Center.  Appointments are also available at the A.R.C. for tutoring in a variety of subjects, including math.  The Math Lab is open between 11 AM and 6 PM Mondays through Thursdays, and from 11 AM to 2 PM on Fridays when the University is open.


If there are any additional questions or concerns, feel free to inquire during office hours, through email, or before or after class.   I will answer all questions as soon as I am able, and if I feel there is information pertinent to the entire class, I will make this information available to everyone so that the whole class can function better.  I also will try to be fluid with the class, in the sense that while there are objectives I have for the course, I will adapt them if I feel it necessary based on how things are developing.


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