College Geometry, MATH 480/680, Spring 2007
This is the home page and first day handout for MAT 480/680, meeting MW
from 4:00 -- 5:15 in CBC-C219. My name is Dr.
Arthur
Baragar, my office is CBC-B 308, and I can be reached at 895-0378.
Important information announced in class will also be posted on WebCampus.
The prerequisite for this course is MAT 181 or consent of the
instructor.
To survive in this course, you must also know how to multiply, invert,
and
take determinants of 2x2 matrices (so you should have studied some
linear
algebra -- this is covered in MAT 126 and MAT 253 or MAT 330).
Syllabus: This course will cover the following topics of
geometry:
- Chapter 1: Euclidean geometry -- the geometry of triangles
and circles.
- Chapter 3: Constructions using only a straight-edge and
compass.
- Chapter 4: Discovery using Geometer's Sketchpad.
- Chapter 5: Platonic and semi-regular solids.
- Chapter 10: Spherical geometry.
- Chapter 12 and handouts: Hyperbolic geometry (a different
view from Chapters 6 and 7).
Text: A Survey of
Classical and Modern Geometries, by Arthur Baragar, published
by Prentice Hall. The website for this text (which includes errata) is
at http://www.nevada.edu/~baragar/geometry.html.
Other Details: Sketchpad assignments will be handed in
electronically. The prefered format is by email through
WebCampus, and in one file (I'll explain how to do this when the time
comes). If working
in Windows, I can accept a CD-R or CD-RW, memory stick or memory card,
or a floppy. Unfortunately, Sketchpad assignments done on a Mac
and stored on PC formatted memory are not readable by a PC version of
Sketchpad (but emailed assignments are readable -- go figure).
Sketchpad assignments can be done on campus computers in CEB 309,
CBC-B133, CBC-B322, or at home if you have a copy of Geometer's
Skecthpad. Geometer's Sketchpad is currently on all Clark County
School District computers, so you
may want your own copy (or maybe not -- once in the school system, you
can
get a copy for home through the District's site license). A
student version of Geometer's Sketchpad can be purchased from Key Curriculum Press for
$39.95 plus shipping.
A ruler and compass will also be required to do some exams.
Grading Scheme: This is the grading scheme for this course:
- Homework: 10%.
- Sketchpad assignments: 10%
- Exam one, Wednesday, February 21st: 17%.
- Exam two, Wednesday, March 28th: 17%. (Bring a ruler and
compass.)
- Exam three, Wednesday, April 25th: 16%.
- Final, Monday, May 7th, 6pm -- 8pm: 30%. (Bring a ruler and
compass.)
Exams one and two will have an in class component and a take home
component. Exam three is a take home exam. The take home
components are due the following Monday at the beginning of
class. The grading scheme for students taking MAT 680 will be
slightly different. There is no preset corelation between numerical
grades and letter grades. A letter grade (without + or -) will be
included with the return of each exam and will cover all exams up to
then. Current grades will be posted on WebCampus after every exam. Sample exams will be posted
on WebCampus.
Office Hours: If you need to see me, please look for me
during
the office hours posted below, or please make an appointment. If there
is
no one in my office during the last half-hour of the office hour, I
will
feel free to leave, so please arrive early. Office hours begin the
second
week of classes.
- Monday or Wednesday, 11:20 am -- noon, 2:00pm -- 3:50pm,
- ... or by appointment.
Other Important Dates: (See the UNLV
calendar for more details.)
- January 16th: Instruction and late registration begin.
- January 22nd: Final date for late registration, course
additions, changes, or fee payment (with late penalty). Last
day to inform me of absences due to religious holidays. Last
day to drop a course without it showing up on transcripts (new this
year).
- February 19th: Presidents' day (no class).
- March 12 -- 18th: Spring break.
- March 30th: Final date to drop or withdraw from classes
(except short courses). A grade
of "W" will show on transcripts.
- April 30 -- May 5th: Study Week.
- May 7 -- 15th: Final examinations.
"If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you
will need to contact Disability Services (DS) for coordination in your
academic accommodations. DS is located within the Learning Enhancement
Services (LES), in the Reynolds Student Services Center (SSC), Room
137. The DS phone number is 702-895-0866, TDD 895-0652." Their
website is at http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.
"The University requires all members of the University Community
to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use
requirements. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR
VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL
NEITHER PROTECT NOR DEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR
EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS OF FAIR USE LAWS.
Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state
civil
penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under
University
policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use
policies,
the University encourages you to visit its copyright website at http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright.
"
UNLV Home Page * Arthur Baragar's Home Page
URL: http://www.nevada.edu/~baragar/courses/MAT480s07.html
e-mail: baragar@unlv.nevada.edu