Math 406
Foundations of Geometry
Course description: Foundations of geometry, congruencies, parallelism, similarities, measures, co-ordinate systems, and introduction to Non-Euclidean geometries.
Prerequisites: Math 291 and Math 322, or permission of department head.
Text: College Geometry: A problem-solving approach with applications by Musser and Trimpe (1994), Prentice Hall.
For details about your instructor's contact information, office hours, and policies, go to www.faculty.mcneese.edu and access your instructor's website.
Objectives
The student will be able to
- become a better problem solver, especially in solving application problems involving geometry;
- learn many properties of geometric figures, verify them using proofs, and use them to solve applied problems;
- learn to use the axiomatic method of synthetic Euclidean geometry at an appropriate level of sophistication;
- solve problems in geometry using coordinate geometry and transformation geometry;
- be proficient at use of computer software in geometry; in this particular course that means using the Geometer's Sketchpad to explore conjectures and make presentations to classmates of geometrical theorems and results;
- learn basic constructions using both compass and straightedge, and Geometer's Sketchpad;
- learn to present their solutions to assigned geometry problems to their classmates in an organized and clear fashion.
Course material
Course material will include the following topics:
| Topic | Chpt. | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Problem solving in geometry | Ch. 1 | ~ 1 week |
| Geometric shapes and measurement | Ch. 2 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Perimeter, area and volume | Ch. 3 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Reasoning, and triangle congruence | Ch. 4 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Parallel lines and quadrilaterals | Ch. 5 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Similarity | Ch. 6 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Circles | Ch. 7 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Coordinate geometry | Ch. 8 | ~ 1.5 week |
| Transformation geometry | Ch. 9 | ~ 1.5 week |
Other topics may be added at the discretion of the Instructor.
Assessment
The Semester score for the course will be calculated by using the weights (%) indicated below:
| Weight (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% | Semester average | Tests | ______ % |
| Assignments | ______ % | ||
| _________ | ______ % | ||
| 25% | Final exam grade |
The Semester letter grade in the course will be assigned according to the scale below:
| Semester grade | Semester score |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | A |
| 80–89 | B |
| 70–79 | C |
| 60–69 | D |
| 0–59 | F |
Notes:
- In cases of an excused absence, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the final exam in lieu of a make-up test.
- In the case where a student's score on his final exam indicates exceptional achievement above and beyond that indicated by the semester average, the instructor reserves the right to reweight the value of the final exam in computing the semester grade.
Please read the Department's Attendance Policy.
Instructor's office hours
can be found on the MSU web site at
http://www.faculty.mcneese.edu
Click on individual instructor to view their web page.
Or navigate from MSU Home Page; select Faculty & Staff, select Faculty Web Server.
Students should visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/policy/diversity.htm
for information about diversity awareness and sexual harassment policies and
procedures, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Students should also visit the MSU web page at
http://www.mcneese.edu/integrity
for information on the Academic Integrity Policy.
ANY STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN DREW HALL, ROOM 200, VOICE (337) 475-5916, HEARING IMPAIRED (337) 475-5722. IT IS EACH STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHEN REQUESTING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.
One week of summer school is equivalent to 2 ½ weeks of Fall or Spring classes
DMCS
Location:
Kirkman Hall, Beauregard Drive
Mail:
Box 92340, MSU, Lake Charles, LA 70609
Phone:
(337) 475–5788,
Fax:
(337) 475–5799
e-Mail:
sbradley@mcneese.edu
