M 302 - Fall 2015
Introduction to Mathematics
52590
Instructor: Dr. Amanda Hager
Office: RLM 10.110
E-mail: achager@math.utexas.edu
Web: www.math.utexas.edu/users/achager
Office Phone: 475-9143
Class: MWF 1:00 - 2:00 in CPE 2.208
Office Hours: W 2:00 - 3:30
(Office hours subject to change.
See Canvas for current office hours.)
Textbook The Heart of Mathematics: An Invitation to Effective Thinking, 4th Edition by Edward
B. Burger (Williams College) and Michael Starbird (University of Texas at Austin). The book is
required, but it doesn’t matter if you rent/buy/borrow/steal an ebook/looseleaf/hardcover book in
any way you wish.
Honor Code The class is expected to uphold The University of Texas at Austin Honor Code. The
core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual
opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values
through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
Quantitative Reasoning This course carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag. Quantitative Reasoning courses are designed to equip you with skills that are necessary for understanding the types of
quantitative arguments you will regularly encounter in your adult and professional life. You should
therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your use of quantitative skills to
analyze real-world problems.
Mathematics Component of University Core This course may be used to fulfill the mathematics
component of the university core curriculum and addresses the following three core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication skills, critical thinking
skills, and empirical and quantitative skills.
Attendance Policy You are expected to attend all lecture sessions. If you are absent, do not email
or otherwise contact me to ask what material we covered during class, what the assignments are, what
sections the exams will cover, or any other questions that I have answered or will answer during class.
In such a situation, you should contact a classmate to get notes and information for the class you
missed. It is certainly a good idea to work together throughout the semester.
Semester Exam Dates There are three in-class exams during the semester. There will be no
makeup exams. Use of approved calculators is expected during exams. Dr. Hager does give partial
credit on exams. However, Dr. Hager entertains NO discussion of partial credit. If a student misses
a semester exam, then he or she will need to meet individually with Dr. Hager to determine whether
a medical withdrawal or an incomplete is appropriate.
Exam 1: Friday, September 18
Exam 2: Friday, October 16
Exam 3: Friday, November 13
Final Exam Date See the university schedule here: http://registrar.utexas.edu/schedules/149/finals
Saturday, December 12, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, location TBA in November
The final exam will be a cumulative, in-class exam. You cannot miss this, so plan accordingly. Final
exams are not returned to students.
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Homework Homework assignments will be posted in Canvas and will be submitted electronically
through Canvas each Thursday at 11:59 pm. Students are encouraged to work together on homework
solutions. However, each student should write their own solutions to the handwritten homework
problems. Copying another student’s solution or that from another text is a violation of the honor
code and fails to contribute to your personal mathematical development. Students must show ALL
work to each solution. The lowest three homework scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.
No late homework assignments will be accepted for any reason! Illegible homework will not
be graded. No credit will be given for unsupported answers. This means that all work should be
shown, neatly and logically, using correct notation.
Grading
10% Homework (after dropping 3 lowest)
20% Exam 1
20% Exam 2
20% Exam 3
30% Final Exam
The lowest exam grade will be replaced by the final exam grade if the final exam grade is higher than
the lowest exam grade. Grades will be recorded in Canvas. Canvas is NOT used to determine your
semester grade in this course. Canvas is only used as a means to store and share your grades. All of
your individual grades will remain in Canvas as the score you originally earned on each of them. Your
semester grade for the course is determined as detailed in this syllabus. No semester assignments will
be accepted after the last day of classes Friday, December 4, 2015. Your final exam grade is final and
non-negotiable. Thus, any discussions of your course grade must occur prior to the final exam.
Your percentage grade will be rounded to the nearest tenth, and your letter grade will be assigned
according to a scale no stricter than the following: A (100-93.0), A- (92.9-90.0), B+ (89.9-87.0), B
(86.9-83.0), B- (82.9-80.0), C+ (79.9-77.0), C (76.9-73.0), C- (72.9-70.0), D+ (69.9-67.0), D (66.9-63.0),
D- (62.9-60.0), F (59.9-0).
Departmental Syllabus http://www.ma.utexas.edu/academics/courses/syllabi/M302.php
Course Website Homework assignments, grades, and other essential course information will be
posted in Canvas.
Advice for Success Actively participate in the course by attending lectures, asking questions, doing
the assigned homework problems and additional problems covering your weak topics, and utilizing
office hours. Please do come to my office hours if you have questions or concerns.
Before you email me to ask a question about the rules and procedures of this course, please read
through this syllabus to see if the answer is written here. I diligently tried to include here any
information that you might ask; please utilize it.
Prerequisite Three units of high school mathematics at the level of Algebra I or higher. The Mathematics Level I test is not required. It may be used to satisfy Area C requirements for the Bachelor
of Arts degree under Plan I.
Course Description M 302 is intended primarily for general liberal arts students. It may not be
included in the major requirement for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree with a
major in mathematics. In some colleges M 302 cannot be counted toward the Area C requirement
nor toward the total hours required for a degree. Only one of the following may be counted: M 302,
303D, or 303F. A student may not earn credit for M 302 after having received credit for any calculus
course. The course topics include: logic, number theory, infinity, geometry, topology, and probability.
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Services Available to Students The University of Texas provides appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Students with disabilities may request appropriate
academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for
Students with Disabilities, 471-6259. http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/
Utilize the Sanger Learning and Life Center!
Counseling and Mental Health Center, Student Services Bldg (SSB), 5th Floor, Hours: M-F 8am-5pm,
512-471-3515
Computer Lab The mathematics department’s 40 seats undergrad computer lab, RLM 7.122, is open
to all students enrolled in math courses. Students can sign up for an individual account themselves
in the computer lab using their UT EID.
RLM Building Hours are:
M-Th: 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
F: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Student Conduct All computers, cell phones and other hand-held devices must be put away out of
sight and sound during class. You will be excused from class for the day if you are using your phone,
laptop, tablet, etc. Please come to class on time. If you will be late or need to leave early for some
legitimate reason, please tell me in advance. Coming and going during class is distracting to your
fellow students and the instructor, and we do not like it.
Planned Lecture and Exam Schedule Deviations from this tentative calendar may occur during
the semester. The actual material covered each day can only be determined by attending the lectures.
Religious Holidays By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least
fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an
examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given
an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
Deadlines for Dropping a Course If you drop a class on or before September 11 (12th class day),
the class will not show up on your transcript. If you drop a class after that date, the course will show
up on the transcript with a ”Q” grade. After November 3 it is not possible to drop a course except
for extenuating (usually non-academic) circumstances.
Emergency Evacuation Policy Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus
are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement
requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom
and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used
when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor
in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty
or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire
Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line BCAL: 512-232-5050
Link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found
at: www.utexas.edu/emergency
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