Geometry                 
       
                          MATH:331:01     Fall, 2009



      Instructor: Kenneth Brakke

      Office: SI 009

      Office phone: 4466

      Office hours: 9:00 - 11:00 MWF,  1:00-3:00 TTh officially.
            I am usually in my office 8:30-5:00 daily, except for
            my other classes (11:15-12:20 MWF and 3:00-4:05 MWF).
            You may also make an appointment.

      Text: College Geometry by David C. Kay, 2nd ed.


      Grading:
               Homework:      100 points
               2 hour exams:  200
               Final exam:    150 
               Students must also demonstrate mastery of
               a set of ruler and compass constructions. See
               http://www.susqu.edu/brakke/constructions

      Course goals:
        1. To understand the axiomatic method and the role of
           proof in mathematics, and to know the various types of proofs.
        2. To gain the basic geometric knowledge an educated person
           should have.
        3. To become acquainted with a lot of the nifty ideas that
           go by the name of "geometry".  
        4. To get a little of the history and philosophy of mathematics.

      Course content:  Due to the long Tuesday-Thursday class periods,
        there will be two parallel tracks.  The first part of each
        class will cover traditional axiomatic geometry, including
        points, lines, planes, triangles, circles, spherical and
        hyperbolic space.  The second part of each class will be
        devoted to independent topics including symmetry, fractals,
        polyhedra, soap films, knots, map-making, and the shape
        of the universe.

      Class attendance policy: Be there.  The Student Handbook states
        that one week's equivalence of absences is grounds for an F.
        I will note absences, and anybody that has what I regard as
        excessive absences will have their grade lowered as I see fit.


      Cheating and plagiarism: Don't.  Studying together to understand
        the material is fine, but the work you hand in is to be your
        own.  See the Student Handbook for the dire consequences of
        cheating or plagiarism.