College Geometry, MATH 480/680, Spring 2008

This is the home page and first day handout for MAT 480/680, meeting MW from 1:00 to 2:15 in CBC-C117.  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:

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:

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 -), a report card, if you like, will be posted on WebCampus after every exam.  Sample exams will be posted on WebCampus.

Special Circumstance:  I plan to attend a conference May 12th -- 16th.  Consequently, someone else will proctor the final and I will not begin grading it until May 17th. 

Office Hours: If you need to see me, please look for me during the office hours posted below, or please make an appointment. Office hours begin the second week of classes.

I expect to be around almost every Monday and Wednesday morning, so those would be good times to make last minute appointments.  I should also be able to handle quick questions between 2:15 and 2:30.  I teach in CBC-C114 at 2:30.     Other Important Dates:  (See the UNLV calendar for more details.) Academic Misconduct – “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.”

An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism: “Using the words or ideas of another, from the internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005, located at http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html).

Copyright – 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, you are encouraged to visit the following website: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright.

Disability Resource Center (DRC) – The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and Faculty Senate have endorsed the following statement to be included in all course syllabi. [NOTE: Over two-thirds of the students in the DRC reported that the syllabus statement, often read aloud by the faculty during class, directed them to the DRC office.] The Disability Resource Center (DRC) coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students, and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted. Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan. UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137, and the contact numbers are: VOICE (702) 895-0866, TTY (702) 895-0652, FAX (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.
UNLV Home Page * Arthur Baragar's Home Page
URL: http://www.nevada.edu/~baragar/courses/MATH480s08.html
e-mail: baragar@unlv.nevada.edu