Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 1 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

MATH 3301-501.10S Meeting in CN 1.102 On Monday from 7:00 PM – 9.45 PM

COURSE SYLLABUS
** Subject to Change to accommodate class needs **

Department of Science & Mathematics Education

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The University of Texas at Dallas

INSTRUCTOR: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D. OFFICE LOCATION: FN 3.308E

PHONE: 972-883-6482 EMAIL: pxk091000@utdallas.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Below are times that I am available for extra help in my office. I am also
available by appointment if you are unable to make my office hours.

Day Time Location

Monday 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm FN 3.308E
Wednesday (Flexible) 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm FN 3.308E
By appointment TBD FN 3.308E

COURSE GRADES: We will use the following weight schedule to determine your final grade:

Category Percentage
Three (3) In-Class Exams 40%
Final Exam 25%
Homework 10%
Quizzes; Projects; Class Activities; Attendance 25%
(Journals, Participation, etc.)

Final Letter Grade Cut-offs A >= 90%; B >= 80%; C >= 70%; D >= 60%; E < 60%

Your instructor will also assess your mathematical disposition following the recommendations of Standard
10 in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for
School Mathematics (1989, p. 233).

According to NCTM’s guidelines, the assessment of students’ mathematical disposition should seek
information about their:

[1] Confidence - in using mathematics to solve problems, to communicate ideas, and to reason;
[2] Flexibility - in exploring mathematical ideas and trying alternative methods in solving problems;
[3] Willingness - to persevere in mathematical tasks;
[4] Interest - curiosity, and inventiveness in doing mathematics;
[5] Metacognition - inclination to monitor and reflect on their own thinking and performance;
[6] Valuing - the application of mathematics to situations arising in other disciplines and everyday
experiences;
[7] Appreciation - of the role of mathematics in our culture and its value as a tool and as a
language.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 2 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

Course Description

MATH 3301 - Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers (3 semester hours)
This course is intended to develop future teacher's depth of mathematical understanding by
examining concepts in school mathematics from an advanced perspective. Topics include:
numeration systems; arithmetic algorithms, prime factorization and other properties of the integers;
proportional reasoning involving fractions and decimals; counting methods; and basic ideas of
geometry and measurement. Problem solving is stressed. Math 3301 cannot be used to satisfy: [1]
undergraduate mathematics core requirement, [2] degree requirements by students in Mathematical
Sciences, [3] the advanced electives, or [4] certification requirements in 8-12 mathematics.
Prerequisite: MATH 1306 or MATH 1314 or equivalent course. (3-0) S

Course Objectives and Goals

1. Students will demonstrate mastery of mathematics content found in the K-8 Curriculum.
2. Students will demonstrate multiple ways of arriving at an answer to a problem.
3. Students explain orally and in writing the solution to a problem.
4. Students will use manipulatives, when appropriate, to clarify reasoning and to represent solutions to
a problem.
5. Students will be able to compare and contrast different solutions to the same problem.

Required Course Textbooks and Materials

Textbooks: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers / Sybilla Beckmann (2008), 2nd Ed.
Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley.
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: Activities Manual / Sybilla Beckmann (2008), 2nd Ed.
Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley.
Materials: Ruler, graph paper, scissors, tape, pencil, compass, protractor

Course Requirements: It is expected that you will come to class prepared and will participate in class, both
in discussions, and during individual and cooperative group activities. It is expected that you will behave in
a professional manner. The Code of Conduct will be enforced. Please familiarize yourself with this code as
delineated later in this syllabus under the section “Student Conduct and Discipline”.

Completion of all assignments, daily attendance, and participation is required for a grade of “C”. A grade of
“C” means that your work is fair—not great, but acceptable. For higher grades, the assignment must be
written in a professional manner (no spelling, punctuation, or grammatical mistakes) and must demonstrate
creativity, clarity, and more than a cursory understanding of the concepts and/or skills addressed in the
assignment. You should interpret a grade of “B” as above average work and a grade of “A” as excellent
work.

HOMEWORK: Homework is due at the beginning of the class period unless instructed
otherwise by the instructor. Any work that is not ready at that time will be marked late, EVEN IF
IT IS TURNED IN LATER THAT DAY. Work may be marked down as much as one full letter
grade if accepted later in the day. Homework is an integral part of learning and will be assigned on
a regular basis. The questions are involved and require more than rote calculations. You will often
be expected to not only solve a problem but to also explain the thinking process that was involved
in arriving at your solution. Your explanation should focus on providing a meaning to your
solution, and justifying why you solved the problem in the manner that you did. It should not be a
step-by-step description of what you did. Your lowest homework score will be dropped.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 3 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

Homework that consists of multiple pages MUST be stapled; I will not accept any homework
with loose pages. You are encouraged to work together to solve the homework problems but any
work that you turn in must be written in YOUR OWN WORDS. Any homework assignments that
miraculously looks like, and is written the same way, shape or form as someone else's will not be
accepted. In fact, it may be considered and recorded as a flagrant violation of the Honor Code!

QUIZZES/CLASS ATVITIES: There will be some announced and/or unannounced quizzes.

Some quizzes/class activities will be given in pairs at the discretion of the instructor. Occasionally
you will choose your own partner but, generally, the partner will be chosen for you.

If a quiz is a paired quiz, you and your partner will have the length of the quiz to discuss and
answer the questions; you are not permitted to talk to anyone other than your designated partner or
me during the quiz. The two of you are to discuss the problems, and then each one of you will write
up your own solution. Solutions should be written in your own words! Each person will turn in his
or her own quiz and be graded individually on it.

CLASS ACTIVITIES: We will be using a series of class activities to help further your
understanding of certain mathematical concepts. Some of the activities may include (but are not
limited to) reading a selection of work and writing up a reflection or working with a partner in class
on a specified class activity. You will be informed of how your class activities are being graded on
a case-by-case basis. I will drop the class activity with the lowest score.

TESTS AND EXAMS: There will be 3 in-class exams. The exact dates of the exams will be
given in class, about a week prior to the scheduled date. The final exam, worth 25% of your grade,
will be held on Monday, May 10, 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm. Do not make any travel plans that may
interfere with your tests or exams. No make-up exam will be given for travel reason. Only in case
of a carefully documented medical (or emergency) reason and of extreme situation will you be
allowed, at the instructor’s discretion, to take a make-up exam.

MISSED CLASS WORK/EXAMS: If you are absent from class for any reason, it is still your
responsibility to determine what you missed and turn it in with the rest of the class. You will not be
given an extension to turn something in because you were not present the day it was assigned. If
something was due on the day you were absent, that work will not be accepted when you return
to class. You must arrange a way for the work to be turned in on the day it is due.

In the event a verifiable emergency prevents you from taking an exam at the scheduled time,
you must notify the instructor as soon as possible and no later than the next scheduled class
meeting. Make-up exams, if approved, may be given at the instructor’s discretion, and ONLY
DURING THE LAST WEEK of the semester, and USUALLY ARE HARDER THAN a
regularly scheduled exam. So, by all means, you must avoid missing an exam unless you have
an exceptional reason to do so. A score on the final exam may replace a score on a missed
regular exam. But this is an enormous risk that one would take in the event that one does
poorly on the final exam, and so I would not recommend it.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 4 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT: When you teach your own class, you will realize that everyone
learns in different ways. Some students may grasp concepts quicker than others. Some students
may feel comfortable asking a lot of questions; others may not. Regardless of the way students
process the information given, all students are entitled to learn.

In the same fashion, each student in this class is entitled to learn the material being presented. That
is to say, no one should be belittled for asking questions that you may think are elementary. No one
should be made fun of for not grasping the material “quickly.” Be respectful and stay silent if
someone is speaking in the class (even if you are discussing the problem). Listen to your peers’
thoughts, questions, and opinions on the topic. Your input is very valuable to the class!

Lastly, but not least, please turn off all cell phones, pagers; watch alarms, etc.
while in class. It is very distracting to your fellow students and to your instructor when these items
go off in the middle of class. The flow and mood of the class is disrupted, thus hindering learning.

WITHDRAWAL DATES: The last day to drop the course without a “W” on your record is
Wednesday, January 27, 2010. The last day to withdraw from the course with a grade of
“WP/WF” is Monday, March 15, 2010.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 5 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

Math 3301-501.10S Class Expectations

 Come to class everyday prepared to learn. Even if you think that you know all of the
material, you will learn something that you didn't know before. Remember, you don't know
everything.
 Come to class with a positive attitude. Even if you think that you're "not a math person",
you can do whatever you set your mind to doing. It may take hard work, yes, but mostly it
takes a positive attitude. Do not give up even if you are struggling. Ask questions, come to
office hours, form study groups, etc. You can learn math! Remember, if you form a positive
attitude towards math, then later it will rub off on your future students. If you form a
negative attitude towards math, your students will see this too.
 Come to every class. If you miss a class, you will miss vital information regarding tests,
homework, etc. Even if you think that you don't need the class, coming to class is very
beneficial to your learning. Also, it's part of your grade.
 Come on time to every class. You disrupt the class when you arrive late or leave early. If
you are coming to class from across campus and it is virtually impossible for you to make it
on time, please let me know. In addition, when you enter the class, take the first available
seat. Do not walk in front of the class to take a seat on the other side of the room. This is
very disruptive to the class environment, not to mention rude.
 Be respectful of your fellow classmates and the instructor. Not everyone learns in the
same way as you do. It may take some students a little longer to catch on to a concept than
it does for you. Do not belittle anyone in the class for taking a little while longer to learn a
concept. Also, remember that for students to learn, I must teach the concept. There may be
some concepts in which I go into a lot of detail even though you don't think it's necessary.
However, it may be necessary for others. Be polite, listen to the discussion, and do not talk
to one another. There will be enough time to socialize later.
 Stay silent when others are speaking. This includes when the instructor is speaking AND
when other students are asking questions. Be polite and realize that everyone has the right to
ask questions (even ones that you think are silly). If you listen, you may realize that you
will benefit from the questions also.
 Take care of all your personal business before entering the classroom. As a teacher, you
will not be able to leave the class to get a drink or use the facilities. Start practicing now. If
you have an absolute emergency, please be as quick as possible, doing so in the least
disruptive way to the class.
 Do not leave until the class is over. If you finish your work early, then help a fellow
student learn/finish the material. After all, you want to be a teacher! If, for some vital reason
you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. I will probably ask you to
sit close to the door as to not disrupt the class when you leave.
 Cell phones, I-pods, etc. Turn off all media/technology that might be distracting to you or
the people around you. If you have an emergency phone call, be sure your phone is on
vibrate, and take the call quickly outside. If you take notes on a computer, be sure you are
not surfing the web or checking email.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 6 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

The sharing of ideas is a key element in the learning of mathematics. This course
focuses on your discovery of mathematics and not on my presentation of facts and
formulas. You will be expected to actively participate in the class by working
cooperatively, sharing thought processes, asking legitimate questions, and making
Class insightful comments. To achieve this, you must attend class on a regular basis. Thus,
Attendance attendance along with your exploration activities will be a percentage of your grade.

You will be required to sign an attendance sheet each day; this will be your record of
attending class.

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules
and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the
responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable
about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities.
General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD
publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic
year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the

procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and
Student described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas
Conduct System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these
Discipline rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students,
where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as
the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are
subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct
takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed
for such conduct.

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute
integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a
student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic
work.
Academic
Integrity Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions
related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the
submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule,
scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic
dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 7 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and
from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s
policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the
resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is
over 90% effective.

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of

communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the
same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each
individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student
email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that
faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
Email Use UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of
confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the
transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that
is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their
U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any
college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course
catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's
Withdrawa
responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I
l from
cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure
Class
that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend
the class once you are enrolled.

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services
and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or

other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first
to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor,
administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called
“the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
Student
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the
Grievance
grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
Procedures
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response
provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School
Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student
may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education,
and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of
the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process
will be distributed to all involved parties.
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 8 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations.

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work
unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has
been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from
Incomplete
the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the
Grades
course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified
deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational

opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is
located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
Disability adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For
Services example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape
recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind.
Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research
paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes
enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in
accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services
such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to
faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs
accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the
professor after class or during office hours.

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion
whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax
Religious
Code, Texas Code Annotated.
Holy Days
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as
possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The
Syllabus for Math 3301-501.10S 9 Instructor: Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D.

student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment
within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the
absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and
completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period
may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a
ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The
chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of
TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state
Off- law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related
Campus activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at
Instruction http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.ht
and Course m. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
Activities

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change

at the discretion of the Professor.