Brian Bozek

Mathematics Department

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Contact Information 3400 Pershall Road St. Louis, MO 63135-1499 Office: SM 271 Phone: 314-513-4856 e-mail: bbozek@stlcc.edu FAX: 314-513-4199 TDD: 314- 513-4369	Photograph	Office Hours
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Grading Policy Typically, I give a test over each chapter covered. Each test is worth 100 points. Students can also expect a comprehensive final exam worth 150 points. No make up tests will be allowed. In exchange for this policy, each student will be allowed to drop his or her lowest test grade. Homework Policy I collect and grade all homework. On the day of each chapter test, all of the homework from that chapter is due. For each test worth 100 points, 90 points will be earned in class. The last 10 points will be earned from your homework assignment. Attendance Policy Attendance will be taken for each class. Borderline grades will be decided based upon attendance and class participation. Description of Teaching Style When I think back to my experiences as a math student over the years, with every class, it seemed like basically the same thing happened to me, only the subject matter and teacher changed. I would walk into class and usually find the most out of the way place to sit, the teacher would follow. Sometimes the teacher had an organized lecture to present, but most times it seemed like the teacher simply talked off the top of his or her head. It seemed like the teacher asked a lot of questions, but I knew few answers. I usually left class confused and not knowing much. So, how did I manage to get A’s in most of my classes? The answer lies in the way that I studied for the tests and quizzes. I usually worked outside of class with a fellow student. Whether it was in the library or at my kitchen table, we would work the problems together, going at a pace that enabled both of us to understand. We took turns asking each other questions. Sometimes, I acted like the teacher asking the questions. Sometimes, the questions were asked of me. This student-to-student, give and take was the key to my success. Each of us knew where the other was coming from. As a teacher, I try to bring this type of learning experience into each of my classes. This is primarily done through the implementation of various collaborative learning exercises. What results is a situation where you are able to interact with the students around you. This interaction allows you to ask any question that may be blocking your understanding. It is my hope that by asking questions of fellow students, you will get answers that are easy for you to understand. My lecture notes are presented in an outline form, each idea followed by an example. Sometimes, complicated ideas are presented through a series of easy to understand examples. I try to incorporate real world data while explaining some application problems. I also strive to create classroom conversations so that different insights and strategies can be understood by all.