{"id":394,"date":"2019-01-03T21:49:11","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T02:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/?page_id=394"},"modified":"2026-03-19T08:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T12:23:28","slug":"mgf1107-spr-2019","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/mgf1107-spr-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"MGF1107 (Spr 2019)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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MGF 1107 Syllabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Course Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MGF 1107, Mathematics for Liberal Arts 2 is a general education\/math course which is not intended to prepare you for Precalculus or Calculus. Instead, this course emphasizes mathematical reasoning and the connections between mathematics and the liberal arts. This course qualifies for both GenEd and Gordon Rule credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Name:           <\/strong>Ross Ptacek\r\nOffice:         <\/strong>LIT 442\r\nOffice Hours:   <\/strong>TBD (Tenatively 10:00-1:00 PM on Wednesdays)\r\nEmail:   <\/strong>\u00a0      rptacek@ufl.edu<\/a>\r\nPhone:<\/strong>          3522942306<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The above is the instructor of record for this course.\u00a0 Email is the preferred method of communication followed by Canvas messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name:           <\/strong>Jason Johnson\r\nOffice:         LIT 477   LIT 225 (Tues Period 3)  LIT 368 (Thurs Period 4)<\/strong>\r\nOffice Hours:   Tuesday and Thursday prior to class and by appointment.<\/strong>\r\nEmail: <\/strong>\u00a0        jasonchaos@ufl.edu<\/a>\r\nPhone:<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The above is the TA for this course, but he functions more like a co-instructor.\u00a0 He will update his contact information once his course schedule is fixed.\u00a0 It is best to contact Dr. Ptacek<\/a> first for administrative questions, but feel free to message whoever you want for course content issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Prerequisites:<\/strong> None (No, not even MGF1106.\u00a0 The courses are independent.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Credits:<\/strong> 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Textbook:<\/strong> We will primarily use the free textbooks from Discovering the Art of Mathematics. These can be found at https:\/\/www.artofmathematics.org\/books<\/a>. On occasion there will be notes or worksheets distributed in class and through Canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Course Content:<\/strong> This course focuses on mathematical thinking and how it can be applied to problems both within and outside of pure mathematics.\u00a0 Covering particular material is of secondary importance.\u00a0 That said, we will apply mathematical reasoning to topics from game theory, graph theory, counting principles, probability and statistics, and elementary number theory.\u00a0 Course material is flexible and will be guided to some extend by student interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Course Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There will be very little traditional lecture in this course.\u00a0 Most classes will have the class form small groups to work on challenging problems.\u00a0 Following some initial time to work on the problem, groups will present their (partial) solutions to the class.\u00a0 Followup activities will be given for homework and weekly quizzes will be given to reinforce the topics from the group activities.\u00a0 Finally, there will be three major projects throughout the semester instead of exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
All course communication will be through Canvas or your ufl email.\u00a0 Homework assignments and course announcements will be posted on Canvas, so it is highly recommended to have notifications from canvas sent to your email (Click on “Account” in the side bar of Canvas, then go to “Notifications” and set announcements to email).\u00a0 This should be the default setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Some course assignments, particularly group assignments may be posted on https:\/\/goformative.com\/<\/a>.\u00a0 Go Formative allows us to monitor groupwork in real time (for free).\u00a0 Login information will be provided on the first day of class (and later posted on Canvas).\u00a0 We’re going to try to get everyone signed up and complete an introductory assignment on the first day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assignments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Assignments are graded either based on mastery or numerically.\u00a0 In short, mastery grades will either give all points or none but have a chance for resubmission while numerical grades are graded once for points.\u00a0 Details can be found below in the “Grading Procedures” section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
In-Class Groupwork:<\/strong>\u00a0 Most days class will begin by dividing into groups of 3-5 and working on a problem or a continuation of a previous day’s problem.\u00a0 Every day students will be assessed as participating or insufficiently participating.\u00a0 Each group will be given a mastery grade on the group work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Homework:<\/strong>\u00a0 There will also be a list of problems relating to the in-class group problems maintained on Canvas.\u00a0 Homework will also be given a mastery grade.\u00a0 While students are encouraged to discuss homework problems with their peers (it is natural to team up with your group members to discuss) each members’ final solutions must all be original work.\u00a0 Students found to be copying answers will be unable to master that assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quizzes:<\/strong>\u00a0 We will have a quiz every week which will be graded numerically.\u00a0 Quizzes are individual assignments which cover topics from that week’s group work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Documentaries:<\/strong>\u00a0 Throughout the semester you will be provided with documentaries that deal with the history and application of mathematics.\u00a0 Students are required to watch some of these, and this will be evaluated with a quiz or a short writing assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Projects:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>There will be three major projects over the course of the semester.\u00a0 Projects will be given a numerical grade rather than a mastery grade.\u00a0 With few exceptions, these will have the same conditions as homework.\u00a0 All final work must be original work.\u00a0 Copied answers will result in a score of 0 for that project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grading Procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every assignment in this course is either given a numerical grade or a mastery-based grade.\u00a0 Numerical grades are the kind of grades you are familiar with.\u00a0 An assignment that is graded based on mastery will either be awarded 0 points or full points.\u00a0 However, assignments given a mastery grade may be resubmitted up until the final deadline.\u00a0 For example a 10 point assignment with a numerical grade could be assigned 0\/10, 10\/10 or any grade in between like 7\/10, but the grade received is final.\u00a0 A 10 point assignment with a mastery grade will be given either 0\/10 or 10\/10 but will have a chance for resubmission up until the assignment’s final deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
This course is divided into three grading periods, each with a possible 250 points.\u00a0 The three grading periods end on 2\/5, 3\/19, and 4\/23.<\/strong>\u00a0 The grade for each period will be (roughly) as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Group work           25 points\r\nHomework             50 points\r\nQuizzes              50 points\r\nDocumentaries        25 points\r\nProject             100 points\r\nTotal<\/strong>               250 points<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
So there are a total of 750 points in the class.\u00a0 The final course grade will be given by the following grading scale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Passing Grades<\/strong><\/td>\n
\n<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/td>\n		Non-Passing Grades<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Letter Grade<\/strong><\/td>\nPoint Range<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nLetter Grade<\/strong><\/td>\nPoint Range<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A<\/td>\n675-750<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nC-<\/td>\n465-494<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A-<\/td>\n645-674<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nD+<\/td>\n435-464<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B+<\/td>\n615-644<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nD<\/td>\n405-434<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B<\/td>\n585-614<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nD-<\/td>\n375-404<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B-<\/td>\n555-584<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nE<\/td>\n0-374<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C+<\/td>\n525-554<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\n495-524<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
This grading scale will be strictly adhered to.\u00a0 The University’s grade point policy can be found here: https:\/\/catalog.ufl.edu\/ugrad\/current\/regulations\/info\/grades.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Makeup Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: https:\/\/catalog.ufl.edu\/ugrad\/current\/regulations\/info\/attendance.aspx.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Any makeup request must be made prior to the deadline of the assignment<\/strong> unless an emergency prevents communication.\u00a0 Makeups are only approved in the case of official UF business, religious observances, or personal emergency.\u00a0 Makeups may be denied if the reason for absence was known about well before it being communicated.\u00a0 There are makeups for group work<\/strong>, but the lowest 3 group work assignments (one per grading period) will be dropped to compensate for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Special Accommodations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Students with disabilities requesting accommodations on homework, quizzes, and exams must first register with the Dean of Students Office (352-392-8565, http:\/\/www.dso.ufl.edu\/drc\/<\/a>). The Dean will provide the student with documentation, which must be turned in to the course coordinator or your instructor during the first two weeks of the semester<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academic Honesty<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The University of Florida expects students to be honest in all of their university class work. Please remember to commit yourself to academic honesty with the pledge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe, the members of the University of Florida Community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Math Department expects you to follow the academic honesty guidelines. Matters of violations of academic honesty are adjudicated by the Student Honor Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
In this course, it is especially important that students do their own work.\u00a0 Since the bulk of the class is about mathematical reasoning, the use of a tutor is strongly discouraged<\/strong>.\u00a0 In general, if a student cannot adequately explain their reasoning to the point that the instructor does not believe that it is the student’s work, it will be treated as though the student copied the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evaluations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https:\/\/evaluations.ufl.edu<\/a>. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https:\/\/evaluations.ufl.edu\/results\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tentative Weekly Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unit 1: Combinatorial Games (proof, graph theory, symmetry, counting principles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
  • Week 1: Proof, Counting (permutations, combinations)<\/li>\n
  • Week 2: Counting with symmetry (rotations, reflections, equivalence under symmetry)<\/li>\n
  • Week 3: Game trees and solving games (Chomp)<\/li>\n
  • Week 4: More game trees, number systems (Nim)<\/li>\n
  • Week 5: Intro to strategic games, Nash equilibrium<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    Unit 2: Randomness (Game Theory, Probability, Statistics)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    • Week 6: Mixed strategies, finite distributions, expected values<\/li>\n
    • Week 7: True randomness, informal probability theory<\/li>\n
    • Week 8: Formal probability theory, probability with counting methods, discrete distributions<\/li>\n
    • Spring Break<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Week 9: Infinite sets, infinite sums, continuous distributions<\/li>\n
    • Week 10: Statistics<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      Unit 3: Fun Things (Number Theory, Geometry, Topology, What interests you!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      • Week 11: The fold and cut problem<\/li>\n
      • Week 12: Mobius strip dissection and nonorientability<\/li>\n
      • Week 13: Cartography, stereographic projection, cylindrical projection<\/li>\n
      • Week 14: The water jug problem (B\u00e8zout’s identity)<\/li>\n
      • Week 15: Finish up projects!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":437,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"featured_post":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-394","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/437"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=394"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":611,"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/394\/revisions\/611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/people.clas.ufl.edu\/rptacek\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}