Math 4/5779, Sec 002:  Mathematics Clinic, Spring 2006, Syllabus

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Class hours: TR 7:00-8:15 pm, Rm 656, CU-Denver Bldg.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor
Textbook:  None required
Course Web Page: http://www-math.cudenver.edu/~billups/courses/clinic_S06.html

Conduct of Course

The course will be run as much as possible like a real-world project.  Don't expect many lectures.  Most of our class time will be spent working on the project.  Our goal is to develop a body of work that will satisfy our sponsor.  Because each project is different, it is impossible to anticipate exactly what you will be doing, but here is a broad outline of how I expect the course to run.

1. Project Definition (2-3 weeks).   During this phase, we will be learning about the problem, brainstorming ideas, exploring the literature, and defining goals for the semester.  Typical assignments in this phase include literature review, developing an annotated bibliography, and giving a short oral presentation to the class about a topic of relevance.
   
2. Project Planning (1-2 weeks).    In this phase, we will break down the goals into well-defined tasks, assign people to project teams to perform these tasks, develop a project schedule, and create an outline for our final report. Typical assignments in this phase include writing a project plan, more reading, and presentations to the class. 
   
3. Project Execution (7-10 weeks).  Here, you will work on your assigned tasks (usually in teams) to achieve the project goals.   A major component of this will be writing your parts of the project report.  You might also be developing mathematical models and/or computer software.  During this phase, you will be expected to submit a bi-weekly status report.  These reports will be assembled and submitted to our sponsor.
4. Final Reporting and Close-out (3 weeks).  During this phase, we will assemble and edit the final report, wrap up loose ends, edit the report, compare project goals to achievements,  edit the report some more, develop and give a final presentation for our sponsor, edit the report, and celebrate! 
   

Communications:  Our primary means of communication between classes will be a web-based discussion page (available at the course web site). Get in the habit of checking the message board regularly (at least once between each class meeting). You will be required to post status reports to the discussion board, and you should also post ideas or questions or any information that you believe might be helpful to others in the class.

Grading:   Your grade will reflect how well you meet your responsbilities and your overall contribution to the success of the project.
There are several aspects of your performance that are particularly important in this course:

You do not have to read your references in detail. Simple skimming is generally sufficient at the early stages. The goal is to be able to summarize what is contained in the reference so that others in the class can determine whether the article is relevant to their work.

Project Proposal: This is a formal document, written in LaTeX, that defines your team and describes what you propose to do for your term project. There are two parts: technical description, and project management. Both are essential.

The technical description describes in as much detail as possible what issues you plan to address and what avenues you intend to explore in addressing those issues. This section should include references to relevant literature and should include a proposed outline for your contribution to the final report. 

The management description describes how your team will function, how often it will meet, and who will be responsible for each part of the project. It should also include milestones and dates for key parts of your project.

Project Presentations: During finals week, the class will give a formal presentation of the clinic results to our sponsor.  In preparation, each team will give a practice talk toward the end of the semester. After your practice talk, the class (as well as the instructor) will critique your presentation to suggest ways to improve it. You will be graded on both your practice talk and the final presentation. See Tips for Oral Presentations for further information.

Draft Report: Several weeks before the end of the semester, each team will submit a draft report. This should be as close to a final report as possible. I will give you feedback on changes that are needed.  You are also welcome to submit earlier drafts if you would like earlier feedback.

Final Report: At the end of the semester, each team will submit a final report. Your report will be included in a total clinic report, which will be bound. This will be distributed to the class, the library and others. Your English must be correct and polished. Formats must be formal, and the report must be done in LaTeX.  See Guidelines for Final Report for more details.

Participation: In addition to all of the above, you will be expected to contribute to the overall class effort to satisfy our customer. There are a number of ways you can strengthen your participation grade:

1. In class participation. Come to class prepared and contribute to the discussions.
2. Participation in the online discussion. Make a habit of logging on to the clinic discussion page at least once a week. Read the messages posted by other students, and reply where appropriate.
3. Throughout the semester, we will identify topics that need to be explored as background material for the class. When this happens some of you will be asked to prepare and present some information about the topic. Each of you should expect to present at least one such topic for the benefit of the rest of the class.
4. Keep in contact with me outside of class. I encourage each of you to meet with me regularly to discuss your progress on the clinic project.

NOTE:  Part of your participation score will include peer evaluation from your team members.

Status Reports: During the execution phase of the project, each team must submit a brief (1 or 2 paragraph) status report (to the course discussion page) every other week (excluding spring break). Your status report should state 1) what has been accomplished since the last status report, and 2) what your goals are for the next reporting period.

Anticipated Deadlines(indicated by *) and Important Dates

CLAS students must always have an accurate mailing and e-mail address:  http:/www.cudenver.edu/registrar.

Students are responsible for completing financial arrangements with financial aid, family, scholarships

INCOMPLETE GRADES (IW/IF):   Incomplete grades (IW or IF) are not granted for low academic performance.  To be eligible for an Incomplete grade, students must (1) successfully complete 75 percent of the course, (2) have special circumstances (verification may be required) that preclude the student from attending class and completing graded assignments, and (3) make arrangements to complete missing assignments with the original instructor.  A CLAS Course Completion agreement is strongly suggested.