Syllabus for Math 234
(Foundations of Mathematics)
Spring 2013 Semester at Lycoming College
Course Content
Topics regularly included are the nature of mathematical systems, essentials
of logical reasoning, and axiomatic foundations of set theory. Other topics
frequently included are approaches to the concepts of infinity and continuity,
and the construction of the real number system. The course serves as a
bridge from elementary calculus to advanced courses in algebra and
analysis. Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH 129 or MATH 130.
Course Goals
Goals for this course include developing critical thinking skills, and the
abilities to apply at least moderately sophisticated deductive logic, to assess
the validity of a mathematical argument, to construct proofs for a variety of
results, and to write an expository paper presenting a mathematical result.
Who Should be Taking This Course
This course is a requirement for the mathematics major and the actuarial
mathematics major, and also counts toward the mathematics minor. It is
taught as a writing intensive course and designed for students who need to
learn to read and write about abstract mathematical topics including
mathematical proofs. The prerequisites are a grade of C- or better in MATH
129 (Calculus II) or in MATH 130 (Matrix Algebra). Students who do not
satisfy the course prerequisite will have their names removed from the
roster.
Lycoming College provides academic support for those students who have
been diagnosed with learning, physical, and psychological disabilities. If you
have a diagnosed disability and seek academic accommodations, please
consult with Mr. Dan Hartsock, Sophomore Dean and Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities. Mr. Hartsock can help you arrange
for academic accommodations in the classroom. His office is in the ARC on
the third floor of the Snowden Library.
Syllabus for MATH 234 (Foundations of Mathematics) - Page 1
Instructor(s)
Name
Office Location Office Hours *
Dr. Gene
Academic
Mon 4:00-4:30pm (B302)
Sprechini
Center D311
Tue 10:00-10:30am (D311)
Wed 4:00-4:30pm (B302)
*You may of course also see your instructor by appointment
Office Phone
(570)
321-4288
Tutoring
General Tutoring in this course is not available for this semester.
Required Materials
Each student must have
 a copy of the textbook: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics, 7th
edition, by Douglas Smith, Maurice Eggen, and Richard St. Andre
(ISBN 13: 978-0-495-56202-3)
 a three-ring binder containing copy of this syllabus, the course
schedule, class notes, completed assignments, etc. (Note: Since
students will need to use this binder every day in class and will be
allowed to use this binder for exams, the binders should be kept
up-to-date and complete.)
 a calculator (preferably a TI-84 calculator, but almost any calculator
will be satisfactory)
Course Links
Course Schedule
A Useful Trigonometry Review
General Tutoring
Syllabus for MATH 234 (Foundations of Mathematics) - Page 2
Grading
Item
Homework
Assignments
and
Writing
Assignments
Point Values and Policies
Homework assignments and/or writing assignments are given at the end of
each class; the assignment(s) due for the following class is announced and is
posted in red the course schedule. The total number of possible homework
assignments points for the semester is 250, and the total number of possible
writing assignments points for the semester is 250. Since this is a W
(writing-intensive) course, there will be several formal writing assignments
(at least 10 pages) and informal writing assignments (at least 15 pages)
throughout the semester. Due dates and assignment descriptions are
available from the course schedule.
Late work is never accepted for any reason. If within 24 hours a student
gives a legitimate reason (as judged by the instructor) for not submitting an
assignment on time, an alternative assignment and due date may be given to
allow student to earn the missed points; assignments not submitted should be
completed for practice and answers checked with a classmate, a tutor, or the
instructor. A student who misses submitting more than 10 homework
assignments or 10 writing assignments automatically fails the course.
Semester
Four semester tests are given, one about every three or four weeks; specific
Tests
dates are available from the course schedule. Each semester test is worth
100 points, so that the total number of possible test points for the semester is
400. For each missed test, a grade of zero is recorded, unless (1) the
instructor is presented with documented evidence of a medical reason for not
completing the test at the scheduled time, and (2) arrangements to make up
the test are made within 24 hours of the originally scheduled exam time.
While each test covers primarily the course material for the two or three
weeks prior to the test, test questions may come from any previously covered
material (i.e., each test could be considered cumulative).
Final Exam The final exam (administered during final exam week) is worth 200 points.
Attendance The final course grade percentage is reduced by 4% for each unexcused
absence after the third unexcused absence; an absence is considered to be
excused when the instructor accepts an email from the student explaining the
reason for the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was
missed in class and keep up with the coursework. Students can get a copy of
class notes from the instructor, from a tutor, or from a classmate. A student
with more than 10 unexcused absences automatically fails the course.
continued 
Syllabus for MATH 234 (Foundations of Mathematics) - Page 3
Grading (continued)
Item
Point Values and Policies
A total of 1200 points can be earned. The final course letter grade is determined from the
percentage of points earned out of the total number of possible points, as follows:
A = above 93.33%
A– = 90% to 93.33%
B+ = 86.67% to 90%
B = 83.33% to 86.67%
B– = 80% to 83.33%
C+ = 76.67% to 80%
C = 73.33% to 76.67%
C– = 70% to 73.33%
D+ = 66.67% to 70%
D = 63.33% to 66.67%
B– = 60% to 63.33%
F = below 60%
Tips for Success in This Course
(1) Keep up with the homework - understanding every homework
assignment as completely as you can is the key to grasping the course
material. Even though there will be some homework assignments that you
may not be required to submit, do them anyway, since they will help you
master the material. Check all your homework answers with a tutor before
submitting an assignment.
(2) As part of your preparation for tests and the final exam, do all exercises
suggested for practice by the instructor, and start working on these early;
don't wait for the night before the test or exam.
(3) Get your questions answered quickly by the tutor, the course instructor,
or a classmate.
(4) Keep your binder up-to-date and well-organized.
General Standards and Policies
All work submitted must be of professional quality. All paper must be neat,
without ragged edges, rips, tears, smudges, stains, etc. All answers must be
clear, complete, and concise; handwriting must be legible. If the instructor
can't read it, it's wrong. Assignments may be down-graded if these standards
are not met.
It can be very helpful for some students to work together on daily
assignments and to study together; this is encouraged when it does not result
in one student simply copying another's work with no understanding. Acts
of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course, and a letter
to the Provost describing the circumstances. If you are having problems in
the course, talk to the instructor; don't involve yourself in academic
dishonesty. With each assignment submitted, students are expected to write
Syllabus for MATH 234 (Foundations of Mathematics) - Page 4
a short note at the end of the assignment indicating from whom help was
received and to whom help was given (but this does not affect the grade for
the assignment). The following is from the FACULTY HANDBOOK in the
section titled Student Course Load:
"It is expected that students will spend, in preparation for courses, two hours
of study time outside the classroom for every hour of credit in the
classroom."
This means that you should be prepared to spend, on average, eight hours
per week outside of class working on a four-credit course; however, this will
vary from student to student and from course to course. Your time will be
spent reading the text, reviewing class notes, and completing homework
exercises.
If you encounter a problem while working on assignments, do not spend
more than 20 or 30 minutes trying to solve the problem; if you cannot
solve a problem in 20 or 30 minutes, even with the help of a tutor or
classmate, work on something else and show the problem to the
instructor of the course as soon as possible.
Syllabus for MATH 234 (Foundations of Mathematics) - Page 5