FYOS 1001:  The Joy of Discovering Mathematics     Spring 2012
Instructor: Dr. Shuzhou Wang
Class Time, Location:  R 2:00P-3:00P, Boyd 323
Office Hours: MF 11:15am-12:15pm, R 1:00pm-2:00pm, Boyd 507, or by appointment.
Phone, E-mail: 542-0884, szwang at math dot uga dot edu
Course web Page: http://www.math.uga.edu/~szwang/teaching/FYOS-1001-s12.html

Prerequisites: Some High School Algebra and Geometry

Syllabus and Objectives of the Course: This seminar aims to help you to discover and appreciate mathematics on your own through carefully selected interesting mathematical problems on divisibility of numbers, prime numbers, mathematical induction, Pythorean triples, areas problem, etc, chosen based on the interest of the participants. You will learn strategies in approaching mathematical problems as well as how to correctly write/communicate mathematics.  

There will be two types of assignements:  Projects/Problems for Individuals and Projects/Problems for Groups. Each seminar participant will write solutions to Projects/Problems for Individuals and present solution(s) to one of such Project/Problem to the class. Each seminar participant will also participate in a group and contribute to the Project/Problem for his group. Each group will present its solution(s) of the Project/Problem to the class.  

Important Dates From UGA Calendar:

Classes begin Jan. 9, M
Drop for undergraduate-level courses (1000-5999)Jan. 9-12, M-Th
Add for undergraduate-level courses (1000-5999)Jan. 9-13, M-F
Holiday (M.L.K. Day) Jan. 16, M
Last day of classes (prior to Spring Break) Mar. 9, F
Spring Break Mar. 12-16, M-F
Classes Resume Mar. 19, M
Withdrawal DeadlineMar. 22, Th
Classes End Apr. 30, M

Class Attendance and Participation are very important in this class and I will take attendance randomly. The official attendance policy of the university states: "Students are expected to attend classes regularly. A student who incurs an excessive number of absences may be withdrawn from a class at the discretion of the professor." We interpret "excessive" to mean four or more unexcused absences. In order to protect class from distraction, coming-later-for and leaving-early-from classes are discouraged. Please let me know in advance if you must come late or leave early. Three unexcused late-arrivals or early-leavings will count as one unexcused absence. You are responsible for all information and announcements given in class, even if your absence is excused. 

Collaboration and Academic Honesty: You are encouraged to discuss all problems with your classmates. You are required to form study groups to work on group projects but you must write up your own projects/problems for individuals. Above all, UGA Academic Honesty Policy applies. Excerpts from the UGA Academic Honesty Policy: "Every student has an obligation to be informed concerning the terms of this policy. Accordingly, lack of knowledge of the provisions of this policy is not an  acceptable defense to a charge of violating this policy."

Grading Policy (Partly based on class participation): Projects/Problems for Individuals 70%; Projects/Problems for Groups 30%;
Un-Excused absences -1% for the 1st; -2% for the 2nd; -4% for the 3rd; 4th and more, see Class Attendance and Participation above.  
Letter grades are normally given as follows (numbers are in percentages): A = 90 to 100; A- = 88 to 90-; B+ = 85 to 88-; B = 80 to 85-; B- = 78 to 80-; C+ = 75 to 78-; C = 70 to 75-; C- = 65 to 70-; D = 55 to 65-; F = 0 to 55-.

Students in need of academic accommodation are advised to contact the Disability Resource Center (706) 542-8719 and let me know the necessary arrangements to be made. See http://www.drc.uga.edu/about/welcomeletter.php

Disclaimer: This syllabus provides a general guide for the course. Deviation may be necessary.