MATH 276 Algebraic Structures for Elementary Teachers
Section 111, Summer 2006
| Instructor: Kevin McLeod
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| Office: EMS E481
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| Office hours: by appointment
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| Phone: 229-5269
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| E-mail:
kevinm@uwm.edu
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| Home page: www.uwm.edu/~kevinm
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| Class meeting time: MWR 1:30-4:30, MATC-West Allis, Room 231
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There is no textbook for this course: notes will be distributed
by the instructors throughout the semester.
Course description
The ultimate aim of this course is to provide you with the deep
understanding of algebra that you will need in order to become an
effective teacher. In order to do this, we will not simply
repeat the material of a typical high school or college algebra
course. Instead, we will explore various examples of algebraic
structures and algebraic thinking, in an attampt to explain to
you why algebra works in the way it does. Course topics
will include a brief discussion of the way language and logic
are used in mathematics, set theory, functions, operations,
groups, number theory, and hopefully some cryptography.
Many of these terms may be unfamiliar
to you as you start the course, but they all refer to subjects or
concepts which are fundamental to mathematics.
There is no formal textbook for the course. Instead, we will
work through a set of notes written by UWM Professor
Craig Guilbault,
and entitled Algebraic Structures:
An Activities-Oriented Course. As the title suggests,
you will be expected to take an active role in class,
participating in activities and discussions. For this reason,
attendance is particularly important: you will not be able to
make up a missed class just by reading the notes.
There is a class website at
http://www.uwm.edu/~kevinm/teaching/276/frames.htm.
Any relevant information about the class, such as exam dates
or other announcements, will be posted at the site, so you should
get into the habit of checking it on a regular basis. Homework
will also be posted there, so if you do have to miss a class you
can still be prepared for the next one. If I find useful and
relevant links during the semester, they will also be posted;
if you find some yourself, please let me know.
You are responsible for any information posted on the website,
so please check it frequently.
Evaluation
Your grade for the course will be based on
the following factors:
- Homework You will be assigned homework after each
class period. The homework may be given out in class, but
will always be posted on the class website. Homework will
usually consist of activities from the notes, some of which
will be collected and graded. You may also be asked to write
short reflections or papers on material covered in class.
25%
- Midterm Exam The in-class midterm will be on
Wednesday, August 9.
25%.
- Final Exam The final exam will be comprehensive,
and will be given during the last class period: Thursday,
August 24.
40%.
- Class participation 10%.
Students with disabilities
If you feel you are a student with a disability, please feel free
to contact me early in the semester for any help or accommodation
you may need.
Kevin Mcleod
07/21/2006