MATHEMATICS 301
PRINCIPLES OF GEOMETRY
MARYVILLE COLLEGE, SPRING 2011
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Dan Ross
OFFICE: SSC 206
OFFICE PHONE: 981-8275
EMAIL: dan.ross@maryvillecollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS: M 9:00-9:50 a.m., W 10-10:50 a.m., R 11 – 11:50 a.m., F 1-1:50 p.m. and by
appointment
COURSE INFORMATION
CLASS MEETING TIMES:
MWF 8 – 8:50 am (Sutton 204)
PRE/CO-REQUISITE:
Mathematics 299
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
College Geometry Using The Geometer’s Sketchpad, Preliminary Ed.;
Reynolds, B. E., and Fenton, W. A. 2006.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Geometry, the branch of mathematics focusing on the study of shape, size,
position, and space, is one of the oldest mathematical sciences. Euclid’s formalization of the
subject is widely recognized as a landmark of human scientific accomplishment. To this day, it
is still studied by students of mathematics and forms the foundation for a wide range of current
mathematical study.
The study of geometry provides an ideal opportunity to study the axiomatic nature of
mathematics, the nature and role of proof in mathematics, the nature and role of tool use in
mathematical study, connections between mathematics and the world around us, and aspects
of learning and teaching mathematics. This course is designed to provide students greater
experience and understanding in each of these areas. These themes will be explored through
the study of a variety of geometry types, including: triangular, circular, analytic, taxicab,
transformational, isometric, matrix, symmetric, and hyperbolic.
Throughout the course, dynamic geometric software called The Geometer’s Sketchpad will be
used by the professor and students both in and out of class as a tool to create, explore,
conjecture, communicate, and prove. This software allows users to learn and use geometry in
a unique way; in the software environment, users cannot only create geometric object, but they
can also dynamically alter the objects they create in order to quickly generate and examine
multiple examples and situations. This facilitates creation, exploration, and conjecture.
Because everyone will be using the software, it can be used as a tool to enhance
communication. Taken together, these two capabilities support the generation of geometric
proof.
COURSE GOALS:
The broad goals of this course align with the College Covenant
http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/students/handbook/section-one/. Through our work in this course, we
strive toward the tenets of scholarship, respect, and integrity. Specific goals for students in Principles
of Geometry include:
 To learn and use the logic and axiomatic structure underlying Euclidean and non-Euclidean
geometries and to understand that changes to assumptions, definitions, and axioms create
different mathematical structures;
 To gain competency with dynamic geometry software (Geometer’s Sketchpad);
 To apply geometric reasoning to real world situations;
 To improve understanding of how geometry is learned;
 To improve understanding of the role of geometry in the history of mathematics and school
mathematics;
 To work together in a cooperative setting;
 To improve written and oral communication skills;
 To gain experience working with geometric conjecture and proof and with relating
geometric information to others.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Classroom instruction will include lecture; discussion; individual,
pair, and group problem solving; and peer presentation. Both the instructor and students will
use dynamic geometry software in class on a regular basis. Active participation is expected in
every class period.
GEOMETER’S SKETCHPAD: The software Geometer’s Sketchpad is used in this course for daily
instruction, homework problems, and assessment. Sketchpad is on the computers in the library
and in the Math/CSC lab (SSC 204). You can download a trial version of Sketchpad for your
personal computer with a 20 minute time limit and no ability to save, print, copy or paste. You
can rent it for one year for $9.95. You can own a copy for $29.95. For details on these options,
see http://keycurriculum.com/x24119.xml?Software=yes.
WEBSITE: The web site for this course is a Tartan site elearn.maryvillecollege.edu. The site
includes course announcements, assignments, project information, email addresses for your
classmates, and much more. Check the site regularly for updates.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
CLASS PARTICIPATION (10% of final grade): Much of our time together will require your
involvement or leadership in activites, discussions, and proofs. You are expected to prepare for
each class period and contribute on a regular basis.
HOMEWORK (10% of final grade): Activities from the beginning of each chapter and exercises from
the end of each chapter will be assigned as homework. All homework should be done in
Geometer’s Sketchpad. Not all problems assigned will be collected and graded. Problems to
be graded will be emailed as Geometer’s Sketchpad files when they are announced in the
period they are due.
EXAMS (60% of final grade): There will be two in-class exams and one final exam each worth 20% of
your course grade. Make-up exams will be given only in VERY exceptional circumstances.
Tentative exam dates are listed below, and any changes to these dates will be announced at
least a week in advance. If you know you will be missing an exam for a sport or other
scheduled activity please let me know at least two weeks in advance.
1. Exam 1 (Chapters 1-3): Wednesday, 2/16
2. Exam 2 (Chapters 4-6): Wednesday, 3/30
3. Final Exam (Chapters 7-9): Tuesday, 5/10, 3:30 p.m. (You MUST take the final
exam at this time.)
PROJECT (20% of final grade): One project will be completed during the semester. Students
preparing for teaching licensure will prepare a high school geometry lesson. Students not
seeking licensure will examine a geometry concept or scholar in depth. Further information will
be provided when the projects are assigned. Project presentations will occur near the end of
the semester.
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:
A+ 98-100% B+ 88-90% C+ 78-80% D+ 67-70% F 60% or less
A 94-97% B 84-87% C 74-77% D 64-67%
A - 91-93% B - 81-83% C - 71-73% D - 61-63%
Grades will be posted on the Tartan. Keep all original assignments in case of discrepancies.
COURSE AND COLLEGE POLICIES
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS: Attendance at all classes is expected and highly recommended. Absence
from class does not exempt you from assignments that are due that day. Plan to remain in the
classroom for the entire class period. If you MUST miss a class, you are responsible for getting the
notes from a classmate. Each absence greater than four will result in the reduction of one letter grade.
Eight or more absences for any reason will result in an automatic F for the course.
DEADLINES: Deadlines for all assignments are firm. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late
assignments (anything turned in after the request in class) will automatically be reduced by 10%. Any
assignment that is more than one week late and any assignment not turned in by the time of the final will
not be accepted and a zero for the assignment will be recorded. Excuses for late assignments will be
received more favorably the earlier they are submitted. Unacceptable excuses include having
assignments or exams in other courses, experiencing printing or other technical difficulties, having cocurricular events the night before the assignment is due, etc.
COMMUNICATION AND EXTRA HELP: You are always welcome at my office hours for help with any
questions you may have about the course. For help at other times during the day, stop by or call my
office to see if I’m available. You can also contact me by email, but often I can better help you face to
face and may respond with a request that you come to see me. Note that I do not respond to email
between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. You may make appointments to see me at other times if your schedule does
not permit you to attend my office hours.
My main method of contacting you will be to send you email messages through the Tartan and
to your Google account. Be sure to read all email messages from me and to check for them regularly. I
will also post announcements and other resources to the Tartan.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT: Please show respect for your instructor and your classmates by refraining from
distracting behaviors during class. Do not sleep or do work for other classes during class. Refrain from
talking with other students during class time unless instructed to do so. Turn off all cell phones, music
players, and other electronics that may create distractions. Laptops may be used for class purposes
only. If you have difficulties keeping any electronic devices from disrupting class, I reserve the right to
turn off the device and place it at the front of the classroom until the end of class. Tobacco products of
any kind are prohibited in class and in my office. Please be careful with any food or beverage you bring
to the classroom, and clean up all trash after class.
We will regularly meet in the computer lab (SSC 204). No food or drink is allowed in the
computer lab. Computers should be used for class purposes, and I reserve the right to limit your
computer use if you choose to use it for other purposes.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: You are expected to do your own work. Never submit work of others, never
give unauthorized assistance to others, do not use unauthorized aides during exams and do not ask for
help from other faculty members without the approval of your professor. Plagiarism and cheating are
serious offenses that will not be tolerated. Explanations regarding offences and how they are handled
can be found in the MC Student Handbook at www.maryvillecollege.edu/students/handbook/sectioneight. You are expected to have read and understand these policies. Offenses on specific assignments,
quizzes, or exams will result in a score of 0 on the relevant assignment, and a letter of censure will be
placed in your college file. Repeat offenses will result in further disciplinary action, including the
possibility of failing the course.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student who feels s/he may need learning or physical accommodation(s)
based on the impact of a disability should contact Services for Students with Disabilities to discuss your
specific needs. Please contact Lori Hunter at 981-8124 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for
students with documented disabilities. The Disability Services office is located in the Learning Center in
Bartlett Hall 204. Undocumented disabilities will not be accommodated.