VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:  This is a special section of MATH 306 intended for Computer Science majors ONLY.  It will not satisfy ANY requirements in the mathematics major.  It will be renamed MATH 293 "Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science" as soon as that course is approved by the University.  We expect that approval to occur during this semester, and we hope to have that change immediately reflected on your GullNet schedule and SU Transcript at that time.  Provided you earn a grade of C or better, this special section of MATH 306 (MATH 293) will satisfy that portion of the requirements  in the mathematics core for computer science consisting of MATH 306 plus MATH 213 plus MATH 214.  That is, this class will satisfy the computer science requirement that includes the preceding three courses.  You may not receive credit for this class if you already have credit for ANY of these:  MATH 306 or MATH 213 or MATH 155 or MATH 151.  Finally, if you take this class instead of taking the three MATH classes as you complete your Computer Science major, you will need one to take more MATH class if you want to complete a mathematics minor.  (You will not automatically earn a mathematics minor if you complete your mathematics core in computer science using this course.)

Here is the expected catalog description for MATH 293 which is a four-credit course:  Elements of linear algebra and basic statistics as utilized in computer science: linear systems and matrices, basic probability and statistical inference.  Prerequisite:  C or better in MATH 202 or equivalent.  May not be taken for credit if student has credit for MATH 151, 155, 213, or 306.  4 hours per week.

DEPARTMENT SYLLABUS FOR MATH 306, most of which I will include.  In particular we will use the same text as "normal" sections of MATH 306, supplemented by other free on-line materials (covering basic probability and statistics).  Click on this link to get a good general outline of the linear algebra portion of the course.  Please note that a C or better in MATH 202 is a prerequisite for taking this class.  If you have any questions about whether or not you are ready to take this class, please see the instructor immediately! 

MEETING TIMES AND PLACES:
               Mon-Wed-Fri     1:00 – 1:50 PM   in HS 111
                and     Thur       1:00 – 1:50 PM   in HS 115

E-MAIL: dlparker@salisbury.edu
WEBPAGE:  http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~dlparker/
        (Or you can work down from http://www.salisbury.edu)
OFFICE: HS 132C
PHONE: (410) 543-6142
LINK TO OFFICE HOURS:
Unless otherwise announced, in addition to the official office hours linked above, I will generally be in my office lots of other times as well. 

POINTS:
       700 points total:
          Three tests, 100 points each:         300 points;
          Final Exam:                                         200 points;
          Homework                                          200 points.
                                                                          700 points

GRADING SCALE:
       90-100% A,   80-89.9% B,   70-79.9% C,   60-69.9% D,   Below 60% F.  NOTE:  I will compute your course grade twice, once ignoring homework (using only the  tests and the final exam with a total of 500 points), and again including the homework score (the 700 points listed immediately above).  Whichever is better will be your course grade.  However, because quizzes, tests, and the final exam are all based upon the material in the homework, it is extremely unlikely that your grade without the homework included will be higher than your grade including homework.   

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:

        Your name on any work you turn in (homework, quiz, exercise, program, examination, term paper, etc.) certifies that you attest to ALL of the following:

Either the work is entirely your own, or

If it contains work by anyone else, such work by others is completely and fully noted or quoted, or

If you received help from anyone else that help is acknowledged, or

If you worked with others (which is encouraged!) you have indicated their names; 

Moreover, the work is only for this course and will not be utilized in any other course (unless I have given you written permission to do so);

Finally, the work was completed by you this semester for this course and is not work which you (or anyone else) had completed previously.

        I will consider any work submitted by you which violates any of the above  to constitute plagiarism, and I will give you an "F" in the course and I will notify the Academic Affairs Office about your academic misconduct.  In case of particularly egregious violations, I will recommend the student(s) involved be academically dismissed from the University.

        Assisting or allowing another student to commit plagiarism is also academic dishonesty, and the same penalties will apply.  You are expected to take all reasonable and prudent steps to assure that your work is not copied or reproduced by others.

        I encourage students to work together on assignments, but there is a difference between cooperative learning and academic dishonesty.  As long as the final result is your own individual work, and you have made clear anything which another named person actually did and you have indicated the help you have received and the persons with whom you have worked, you have not committed plagiarism.

          Obviously there will be no conversations during tests and exams.  Similarly, absolutely no electronic devices (calculators, PDA's, cell phones, etc.) may be used - or even be visible during tests and examinations.   

          Please note:  According to SU policy, any course grade of F given because of academic dishonesty will remain on the student's record, will be computed in the student's GPA, and will not be removed if the course is repeated.  Moreover no student with such an F grade may receive academic honors at graduation.

        Other than this statement of policy, there will be no warnings concerning this matter.

TESTS AND EXAMS:

        All tests and exams are comprehensive.  Approximately 75% of each test or exam will cover routine material and will be based upon assigned homework and assigned readings.  (The precise material which each exam covers will be indicated in class.)  Makeup's will NOT ordinarily be provided and a score of zero will be recorded if a student misses an test or exam.  Exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control are the only excuses justifying makeup's.

          No electronic devices of any kind (calculators, PDA's, cell phones, etc.) may be used (or even visible) during tests and exams.  You must turn off your cell phone during tests and exams.  If your telephone rings during a test or exam, I will collect your paper immediately. 

Tentative dates for the tests and the final exam are as follows:      
                          Friday September 21           Test 1   (100 points)       
                         Thursday October 11           Test 2   (100 points)         
                         Monday November 5           Test 3   (100 points)         
FINAL EXAM:
                        Tuesday December 11         1:30 PM - 4:00  PM  (200 points)    in HS 111  

LINK TO COMPLETE FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE AND RELATED POLICIES

                                                                        INDEX

RE-TEST POLICY:

       The material on any test (but not the final exam) may be re-tested, subject to the following conditions:

1.  The test which is being retaken must be reworked to the instructor's satisfaction and discussed with the instructor prior to setting a time for the re-test.
2.  The time and place for the re-test will be agreed upon by the instructor and the student (24 hours minimum notice is required).
3.  The re-test will cover the same material as the original test but will consist of (generally) different questions.
4.  A maximum of 75% of the original test's possible points may be earned on any re-test, and any score higher than 75% will be reduced to 75%.
5.  The score on any re-test will replace all previous scores for tests or re-tests on the same material.
6.  All re-tests must be completed by the earlier of 1) the day prior to date of the next test or 2) the last day of classes; consequently the final exam may not be re-tested.
7.  The instructor's schedule may affect this process.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

        Homework will be assigned in this course, and a significant portion of your grade will depend upon your success in completing it.  Moreover the tests and exams will be based upon the homework.  Consequently there will be a homework assignments nearly every class, and each one is due at the beginning of the next class (unless otherwise announced).

        The purpose of homework is primarily to give you practice as an aid to learning.  It is assumed, therefore, that you already understand what you are doing before you attempt the homework.  It is almost certainly a complete waste of time to attempt to work homework problems if you do not understand the examples worked in class and in the text.  (Under these circumstances you may be able to do the homework, but you will learn nothing.

        Throughout much of the semester, you will be unable to understand the new material unless you have mastered the previous material.  The easiest way to succeed is to master each idea as it is presented in class and in the book.  If you study so that you master material in this way, exams and tests become things to review for -- not things to study for.  LEARN AS YOU GO!  

        In particular you are expected to study (even memorize if necessary!) the definitions, terminology, and concepts immediately after they are presented in class, and you are expected to use them to solve problems.  The tests and exams will attempt to determine if you both know the definitions, terminology, and concepts - and can solve problems similar to those assigned for homework.

       Your total number of homework points will be twice the percentage of points you earn, regardless of either the number of actual assignments or the number of points for each one.

       Late work will be graded and returned but will not normally be counted.

COMMUNICATION:

       You must activate your on-campus computer account, including the SU GroupWise e-mail system.  I will use the SU GroupWise e-mail system for most out-of-class communications.  Moreover the University will send important official  announcements (including reminders about deadlines) to you using your on-campus e-mail account.  Please read your e-mail messages frequently -- and certainly whenever you logon to the campus network.  If you have an off-campus e-mail address, you can set GroupWise e-mail to forward messages to your other account(s).  However if forwarding fails to work correctly, you are still responsible for messages sent to your on-campus account. 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

        I believe that regular attendance of class is an essential part of this course. However, each student is assumed to be mature enough to make his/her own decisions in this matter, and as a consequence attendance in this course is optional, subject to the following conditions:

1.  Attendance at tests, exams, and quizzes, is mandatory.
2.  Work turned in late will not receive credit (see additional information under Late Work).
3.   Students are responsible for all material and announcements which are presented in class, whether or not they are in attendance.
4.  Exceptions to A) and B) are at the discretion of the instructor and will be based upon several principles:
    A) The promptness with which the instructor is notified will be a factor in any decision about exceptions.
    B) Exceptions will not give an unfair advantage to any student.
    C) Students will make suitable arrangements with the instructor prior to any absence whenever possible.
    D) Exceptions will not be granted for any reasons which are clearly within the student's control.

THE BUSINESS MODEL OF EDUCATION

        In recent years it has become popular to compare universities to businesses, with students viewed as "customers," university presidents as "CEO's," degrees as "products," and the classroom as "the workplace." Within certain limits, I am willing to endorse that analogy.  However, I absolutely do not subscribe to the various versions of, "The customer is always right."  If you view yourself as a customer and I am the salesman, we need to make clear exactly what you are buying!

        The product I am selling to you is an expert service.  Because of my knowledge, experience, and credentials, I am sufficiently expert to help you to learn the material in this course.  I am absolutely not "selling" you a grade nor am I guaranteeing that you will learn anything.  Whether you take advantage of my service or not is entirely up to you.  Stated differently, you have paid for the opportunity to take advantage of my service; you have not paid for any particular outcome.  As the customer you are entitled to receive truly expert, interesting, and dedicated instruction from me.  That is our contract.  But if you fail to take advantage of my service, you have voided our contract and wasted both your time and money.  Moreover if you are insufficiently prepared or motivated to take advantage of my services, you have also invalidated our contract.

        The course syllabus spells out in considerable detail most of the conditions of our contract.  If you desire to receive a particular grade you will have to accomplish what the syllabus requires for that grade.  Other than meeting the requirements as spelled out in the syllabus, there is no way for you to earn a grade.  I can no more guarantee you a particular grade in this class than an athletic trainer can guarantee that you will be able to high-jump your height.  I can guide you, but your ultimate grade will depend upon many factors beyond my control, including your willingness to work hard, your native abilities, your previous experience, and your interest.  You may consider yourself to be a customer, but what you are buying does not come with any guaranteed outcomes.  Even though you are the customer, what you want is not always what you get -- unless you are truly seeking an education!

HOW IT IS: Effort, Accomplishments, Your Job, Your Pay

        Working really hard is probably directly related to your grade in this course: most likely the greater your effort the greater your learning -- and correspondingly the higher your grade.  However your grade will be based upon your accomplishments, not upon the amount of your effort!  Barely trying at all but doing "A" quality work will result in a grade of "A;" working yourself half to death but doing "F" quality work will result in a grade of "F."  To use an analogy from track and field: the prize goes to the one who crosses the finish line first, not to the one who is most covered with sweat at the end of the race.  However this is only part of the story.

        SU considers a student who is taking 12 or more credits to be "full-time⁽¹⁾."  I will evaluate your work as if I were your employer for 1/4 to 1/3 of your full-time job.  If you are appropriately prepared⁽²⁾ to take this course I can thus reasonably expect three or more hours of work by you for every hour you spend in lecture.  What I will do in class will help you to understand the material and to see the tasks which must be done.  (Class time is relatively stress-free and relaxing if you come prepared.)  Your real effort comes outside of class when you, largely on your own, work to master the material.  That is your "job." Your pay (i.e. your grade) will depend upon the quality of your work, not upon how long it takes you to get the work done.  There are deadlines which you must meet or you won't get paid.

        I will assign a relatively large amount of work to be done outside of class and due at specific times, and I will evaluate (3⁾ it assuming it represents the very best you can do.  If your work is on time and of high quality, then you are doing your job. If your work is late, sloppy, or incomplete, then you are not doing your job.  In the real world, if you do your job well you get paid and remain employed; otherwise you get fired.  In this class your grade is your pay and will reflect how well you did your job.  Out-of-class assignments are opportunities to demonstrate your very best work and to earn the highest possible pay (grade).

        Most of your pay (grade) for this job (course) will be based upon your scores on  tests and examinations (as announced elsewhere in this syllabus), although homework counts as much as the final examination.  Since these in-class, timed evaluations are all based upon the out-of-class assignments, your pay (grade) on tests (and thus in this course) will likely be low if you failed to do good work on the out-of-class assignments.

        As do most employers, I have a number of policies regarding the workplace (class) which are spelled out elsewhere in the class syllabus.  Life often intrudes upon ones employment obligations, and these policies detail a variety of exceptions which I will allow -- including doing work late, taking tests late, etc.  However all of them are based upon my assumption that you view this class as being as important as a "real" job.  If you simply disappear and fail to complete assigned work -- and then suddenly reappear and ask about "making up" past work, do not be surprised when I act as if you are no longer employed.  As your employer I am very sympathetic as long as I am kept informed about crises and I am extremely unsympathetic when I am ignored.

1. If you are registered for more credits, if you are on an athletic team or involved in other time-consuming extra-curricular activities, if you have a part- or full-time paying job, if you have family responsibilities, or if there are other demands upon your time, then it is your responsibility so to budget your time that you can accomplish what you need to do.

2. If you have not satisfied the prerequisites for this course, no amount of effort may be enough!

3. Not all assigned work will be graded, and some will only be evaluated when you take quizzes, tests, or exams.

WORKLOAD REMARK:

        The material in this course will be covered rapidly, and it is dangerous to fall behind!  If you miss class, try to get the notes from someone who was there.  (My own notes may not be of much use to you because they are almost always just an outline of what I present.)  Keep up - and succeed!  If you start getting behind, come see me IMMEDIATELY!   

INDEX to this Syllabus
Department Syllabus
Meeting Times and Place
Instructor
Office Hours
Points
Grading Scale
Academic Integrity Policy
Tests and Exams
Re-Test Policy
Homework
Homework for Missed Classes
Homework Grading
Homework Score
Late Work
Communication
Attendance Policy
The Business Model of Education
How it is:  Effort, Accomplishments, Your Job, Your Pay
Workload Remark

Top of this Syllabus

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