*If you have the *first* printing of the textbook, PLEASE NOTE THE Textbook Corrections (last updated by me July 2005)

Assignments:

• January 10:  NO CLASS--but 2 ASSIGNMENTS to submit by Jan. 15
  • MS 475 Course Policy
  • For next time:
    • Send me an email with your contact information (phone, email).
    • Submit a typed, 2 page "Math Autobiography," describing your mathematical background, what led to your choosing mathematics (education) as a major, and how you intend to use this training in the future. Include particular events, teachers, or topics that have influenced you, and describe your current philosophy of teaching mathematics. (Due Tuesday, Jan. 15)

  • Jan. 15:  Course Introduction; Project Instructions; Chapter 1
    
    • TURN IN Math Autobiography
    • Select Biography topics
    • For next time:
      • Work on Chapter 1 problems, especially #9 and those in Homework #1 (see below).
      • Due Jan. 22: Homework #1: Chapter 1: #4, 5, 10
      • Note the Textbook Corrections
      
      
    • DUE Feb. 12: Mathematical Biography #1, on selected mathematicians associated with the development of the real number system.
      • Typed paper (Microsoft Word document), 8-10 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font
      • Include: basic biographical information (dates, where lived and worked); interesting anecdotal information ("human side" of mathematicians); mathematical discussion of major contribution(s) to mathematics, especially relating to the development of the real number system.
      • Cite at least five (5) sources, to include at least one journal article and at least one book source.
      • Format of internal citations is up to you, but be sure to give proper credit for quotations. Suggestion: (Smith 1995) or (Smith p. 12).
      • Usual title page, body, bibliography in a standard format of your choice.
      • You will give a 10-15 minute oral presentation from your paper in class. Include a summary of important biographical information, anecdotes, and a meaningful discussion of the mathematics attributed to this person.
      • You should prepare your presentation using PowerPoint, but be prepared with note cards and/or slide printouts as backup--you never know what will go wrong with technology! (I would suggest that you have your presentation on a Jump Drive and/or floppy disk and/or CD, in case
      • PLEASE SUBMIT your report (MS Word document) and presentation (PowerPoint file) to me via BLACKBOARD. I can then load your presentation on the classroom computer ahead of time and also give you electronic feedback (saving paper and copier toner).
      • Grade will be based equally on biographical content; mathematical content; format, grammar, and spelling; bibliography; and oral presentation.
      • DUE DATES:
        • Working Bibliography: Jan. 22 (Submit to BlackBoard before class.)
        • Rough Draft: Feb. 5 (Submit to BlackBoard before class.)
        • Final Draft: (Feb. 12) [changed to Feb. 14] (Submit to BlackBoard before class.)
        • Oral Presentation: (Feb. 12) [changed to Feb. 14] (Submit to BlackBoard before class.)
      • ORDER:
        • Stevin--Amy
        • Bolzano--Ollie
        • Cauchy--Nicole
        • Weierstrass--Valerie
        • Dedekind--Melia
        • Cantor--Leah
      • *BONUS* (5 points) Type 1-2 pages on Charles Meray; cite all references. (Due Feb. 12 also.)
      
      
    • Library/Research Tips:
      • A good math history website is The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. There are short biographies of every imaginable mathematician (even Méray!), and there are reputable references given that you could look up in addition.
      • A good search engine for science-related articles and websites is the Elsevier Science Direct database, accessible from the JSU Library website, or directly from the link given here. While in the "Search" area, click on the "SCIRUS" tab (top right of the smaller window) to search the internet for science-related websites--this is a GREAT way to eliminate a lot of useless websites you'd get from a "Google" search. For journal articles, you can "SEARCH" under mathematics or all sciences, and we have full-text access to articles published since 1995--earlier articles must be ordered through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
      • One search engine for mathematics journal articles is MathSciNet. You can also access this database and others from the Library Catalog ; click on Find Articles (Databases); then select Mathematics under Databases by Subject.
      • If you find a journal citation you'd like, first check the Library Catalog and search for the Journal Title or author. General searches return both book and journal citations. If that turns up nothing, next search Serial Solutions to see if our library has full-text access to the journal you need. If not, you can request the article through Interlibrary loan (ILL): Click here to fill out an online ILL Form (or find the form on the Library webpage under "Library Forms"). It may be best to give me the information and let me submit an ILL request.
      • **Useful website**: The Citation Machine (created by David Warlick for The Landmark Project) is an online tool for correctly citing a variety of bibliographic sources. (I found this to be especially useful for internet sources.) Try it out!
      • If you find a really good article, but it's in Spanish, German, or French, I can probably help you with it. (Any other language: Forget it!) Nevertheless, it's probably a good idea to stick with English because we don't have all semester to do this.
      • When narrowing down your list of sources, keep in mind that, in addition to basic biographical information, we're most interested in contributions to the development of the real number system. Here, that probably means the construction of the reals from the rationals--different people had different methods, and not all are standard now. You may find references to other (in fact, many other) contributions, and these are good to include in general to round out your discussion, but don't get too carried away with other things. Some of these people are known more for other accomplishments, and these should certainly be included, but your talk should focus on your person's work as it pertains to Unit 2.1 in our text.
  
  
• Jan. 17:  Ch. 1
  • For next time:
    • Homework #1: Chapter 1: #4, 5, 10
  
  

• Jan. 22:  2.1.1, 2.1.2
  • Turn in Homework #1: Chapter 1: #4, 5, 10
  • Turn in Working Bibliography (typed). (Please submit this document via Blackboard as well.)
  • For next time:
    • Work on Section 2.1.1, especially #4, 7, 9, 12
  
  
• Jan. 24:  NO CLASS--Dr. Dempsey out of town at AMTE Conference
  • For next time:
  
  

• Jan. 29:  2.1.1, 2.1.2
  • For next time:
    • Prepare Homework #2: 2.1.1: #4, 7, 9
  
  
• Jan. 31:  2.1.3
  • Turn in Homework #2: 2.1.1: #4, 7, 9
  • For next time:
    • Work on Section 2.1.2, especially #1, 4, 5, 6
  
  

• Feb. 5 :  EDC Decimal/Fraction exploration, 2.1.3
  • Submit Rough Draft of Biography #1 (typed--submit through Blackboard as Word document, bring a copy to class)
  • (If you want feedback on your PowerPoint slides, bring hard copies to class or email them to me.)
  • For next time:
    • Work on Section 2.1.3 #1-6
    • Due Feb. 12-- Homework #3: Section 2.1.2: #4, 5 ; Section 2.1.3: #3(b)
  
  
• Feb. 7:  2.1.4
  • For next time:
    • Prepare Homework #3: Section 2.1.2: #4, 5 ; Section 2.1.3: #3(b)
    • Work on Section 2.1.4 #1, 3--5, 7--9
  
  

• Feb. 12:  2.1.4
• Turn in Homework #3: Section 2.1.2: #4, 5 ; Section 2.1.3: #3(b)
• For next time:
  • Make final revisions on paper; prepare for oral presentations (10 minutes).
  • Due Feb. 21-- Homework #4: Section 2.1.4: #4, 5, 8