Math 118: Mathematical Thinking

Fall 2001

Schedule and contact information

Lectures: 12:50-2:10 Tuesday and Thursday, Humanities 101

Recitation 1: 9:25-10:20 Monday, Humanities 315
Recitation 2: 3:20-4:15 Wednesday, Harriman 108

Prerequisites

An understanding of high school level mathematics is assumed.

The text

The text for this course is Mathematics Beyond the Numbers by George T. Gilbert and Rhonda L. Hatcher. The topics covered will include voting methods, the mathematics of money, probability, paths and networks, and number theory. The syllabus is basically chapters 1, 3 and selections from chapters 4, 6, 8.

Coursework and grading

There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. In addition to the exams, weekly homework will be assigned and collected. There will be some additional coursework, such as quizzes and worksheets, to be completed either in the lecture section or in the recitation section.

Final course grades will be based on this breakdown:

Exam dates

See the Stony Brook academic calendars, at http://ws.cc.sunysb.edu/registrar/acadcal.htm for other important dates.

Math learning center

The Math Learning Center (MLC), located in Room A-125/7 in the Physics Building, is an important resource. It is staffed most days and some evenings by mathematics tutors (professors and advanced students); your lecturer and recitation instructor will hold at least one office hour there. For more information and a schedule, consult the MLC web site.

Students with disabilities

If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, you are strongly urged to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services (DSS) office: Room 133 in the Humanities Building; 632-6748v/TDD. The DSS office will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Arrangements should be made early in the semester (before the first exam) so that your needs can be accommodated.