CRN 22268

Latest revision as of 17:45, 20 January 2026

[edit] Syllabus for Math 4303

The greatest danger for most of us is not
that our aim is too high and we miss it,
but that it is too low and we reach it.
(Michelangelo Buonarroti)

• Time and Place. TR 15:00-16:20, CRBL C201.

• Instructor. Dr. Helmut Knaust, Bell Hall 219, hknaust@utep.edu, (915) 747-7002

• Office Hours. M 15:00-16:00, TR 16:30-17:30, or by appointment.

• 
  Textbook. Zalman Usiskin, Anthony L. Peressini, Elena Marchisotto, and Dick Stanley. Mathematics for High School Teachers - An Advanced Perspective. Prentice Hall. ISBN-13 978-0130449412 (paperback). A PDF version of the textbook is available at https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/5793. The textbook is required at all class meetings, and the parts covered in class are intended to be read in full.

• Course Requirements.
  • Quizzes, etc.(15%): I will give regular, but unannounced quizzes in class. Quiz problems will be identical to prior homework assignments. There will also be some other assignments (worksheets, writing assignments). Your worst two grades will be dropped.
  • Exams (25% total): You will have two in-class exams on the following days: Tuesday, March 3 and Thursday, April 30.
  • Class Presentations (25%): Student pairs will each design and conduct all classroom activities for a class session and will be responsible for the content covered in that session. Each group will also create homework assignments.
    • The groups will meet with me two weeks before their presentation for a trial run so that I will know that you are prepared. This is not optional. If you do not meet with me, you will lose half of your possible points.
  • Final Project (20%): There are mathematics problems that require more attention than just one day. Some of these problems are, for example, found at the end of the chapters in the textbook. Student groups will complete such a problem and present the results in class during the final period Thursday, May 14 at 16:00 – 18:45.
  • Class Participation (15%): This is a Mathematics class, and, as you know, Mathematics is not a spectator sport. During class I expect you to participate. This is an active class where students daily present solutions to their peers. The participation grade will be based both on the quality and frequency of your contributions.
• Grades. Your grade will be based on the percentage of the total points that you earn during the semester. You need at least 90% of the points to earn an A, at least 80% for a B, at least 70% for a C, and at least 60 % for a D.

• Make-up Exams. Make-up tests will only be given under extraordinary circumstances, and only if you notify the instructor prior to the exam date. There will be no make-up quizzes.

• Time Requirement. I expect that you spend an absolute minimum of six hours a week outside of class on preparing your group activities, reading the textbook, preparing for the next class, reviewing your class notes, and completing homework assignments. Not surprisingly, it has been my experience that there is a strong correlation between class grade and study time.

• Attendance. Due to the nature of the course you are strongly encouraged to attend class every day. I expect you to arrive for class on time and to remain seated until the class is dismissed. Students with six or more absences (excused or unexcused) will be dropped from the course with a grade of "F".

• Mathematica. I will show in class and make available a few Mathematica notebooks. Mathematica is available at https://www.utep.edu/technologysupport/ServiceCatalog/SOFTWARE_PAGES/soft_mathematica.html. Choose "Mathematica Online", not "Mathematica"! I do not expect you to learn how to code, but if you want to learn more about writing Mathematica code, a nice but voluminous introduction to Mathematica can be found at An Elementary Introduction to the Wolfram Language, by Stephen Wolfram.

• Drop Policy. The class schedule lists Thursday, April 2, as the last day to drop with an automatic "W". After the deadline, I can only drop you from the course with a grade of "F".

• Texas Senate Bill 37. The 2025 law reshaping the governance of public colleges and universities, does not prohibit the teaching of any particular content in academic courses at public colleges and universities in Texas. Although earlier versions of the bill included censorship of specific course content, these provisions were removed in the final version. Expectations and academic freedom for teaching and class discussion have not been altered due to prohibitions in SB 37, and students should not feel the need to censor their speech pertaining to topics including race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, politics, society, and religion.

• Academic Integrity. All students must abide by UTEP's academic integrity policies. For detailed information visit the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) website. Academic Integrity is a commitment to fundamental values. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action.” Specifically, these values are defined as follows:
  • Honesty: advances the quest for truth and knowledge by requiring intellectual and personal honesty in learning, teaching, research, and service.
  • Trust: fosters a climate of mutual trust, encourages the free exchange of ideas, and enables all to reach their highest potential.
  • Fairness: establishes clear standards, practices, and procedures and expects fairness in the interaction of students, faculty, and administrators.
  • Respect: recognizes the participatory nature of the learning process and honors and respects a wide range of opinions and ideas.
  • Responsibility: upholds personal responsibility and depends upon action in the face of wrongdoing.

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) Use. Use of AI technologies or automated tools, particularly generative AI such as ChatGPT or DALL-E, is only allowed with approval from the instructor before being used. Without permission, you will be expected to think creatively and critically to complete assignments without aid from these tools. If given permission to use any of these tools, students must properly cite and give full credit to the program used upon submission of the assignment.

• Military Service. If you are a military student with the potential of being called to military service and/or training during the course of the semester, contact the instructor as soon as possible.

• Counseling Center. You are encouraged to go to Counseling and Psychological Services (202 Union West) for personal assistance as you work through personal concerns. Confidential counseling services are offered in English or in Spanish. The Center provides a Crisis Hotline at 747-5302.

• Disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation, please contact the Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS). The Center aspires to provide students with accommodations and support services to help them pursue their academic, graduation, and career goals. Phone 747-5148. E-mail: cass@utep.edu.

[edit] Materials

Video: Absolute Value Inequality | Teach for America (next deadline 2/2/26)