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Math 21-Math for General/Liberal Arts-Fall 2007-Syllabus Word Document

Section 1643

TTh 9:30-11, ThB-1

Prerequisite: Math C or Math D; Advisories: Engl-A, Engl-41

Course Description

This course examines the nature of mathematics and its role in society, stressing the history of mathematical ideas and methods and the use of mathematics in problem solving and communication. Several major categories of mathematics will be studied, with emphasis given to the applications of mathematics to various disciplines in the liberal arts.

This course is unlike any mathematics course you’ve ever taken. We won’t be working on improving your Algebra skills or memorizing formulas. Instead, you will experience some of the power and beauty of this much feared subject.

*I will assume that you have already mastered the prerequisite material in Math C or an equivalent intermediate algebra course.

Math Lab/Tutoring:

Located in the newly remodeled science building on the 2^nd floor, you may sit and work on homework in the math lab and there are computers available for student use.
Drop-in tutoring is available here; there is a math instructor on staff every hour to assist you.
I would recommend that you come see me during office hours since the material that we cover in this class is not algebra based.

Textbook: For All Practical Purposes-Mathematical Literacy In Today's World, by COMAP, Seventh Edition

Calculator: You will need to bring a basic scientific calculator to class each day. (A scientific calculator has exponent, root, and statistics functions).

Expected Student Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

A. Demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the widespread applications of mathematics in modern society.

B. Apply mathematical techniques of counting, factorials and set theory to analyze a variety of contemporary problems from other disciplines, such as voting methods, power distributions, fair division and routing problems.

C. Recognize the connection between the history of mathematics and its use in solving problems today.

D. Distinguish between exact and approximate algorithms used to solve problems.

E. Apply formulas, including recursive formulas, to find terms of arithmetic, geometric and other mathematical sequences.

F. Calculate compound interest and annual percentage yield, with formulas as well as on a computer spreadsheet.

G. Analyze surveys and clinical studies based on population, sample size, and possible biases.

H. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data provided by surveys.

I. Interpret a given set of data using mean, median, quartiles, range, standard deviation, and graphs.

J. Calculate probabilities by setting up a sample space for a simple random experiment.

K. Calculate odds for or against an event given the probability of the event occurring.

L. Identify ways that mathematics affects the visual arts: the golden ratio, principles of symmetry, and/or computer-generated fractal art.

Homework:

· You may turn in late homework assignments using your late assignment coupons.

· Homework will be collected every Thursday.

· Each section of homework is worth 10 points. (If 3 sections of homework are due that packet will be worth 30 points).

· Put your name and course number on the front of each section, clearly label each section, and staple all sections due into one packet.

· No points for answers without work, minimal points for brief unclear explanations, points will be deducted for sloppy work; points will be deducted for responses that are not in complete sentences.

Quizzes:

· We will have short quizzes on the section readings at the beginning of each class session.

· Each quiz is worth 10 points.

· Two quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Group work&Projects:

· We will be doing many group projects and a few presentation projects.

· Group projects are unannounced and you must attend class and work in a team in order to get credit for a group project (if you are late you must turn in what you can in the time left); each group project is worth 10 points.

· There will be two presentation projects each worth 50 points.

Exams:

· There will be three exams each scaled to be out of 100 and a comprehensive final.

· Ch1&3: week 4, Ch 7&8: week 12, Ch 19&22: week 17

· You may use one 3x5 card of notes and a scientific calculator on each exam.

· You may use your late exam coupon to make-up one exam; you have 3 school days to do this.

· The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11^th 8-9:50am.

· Arrangements can be made to take a test early if you know you will be absent this is not considered a make-up exam. Arrangements must be made by telephone or in person.

$Text Box: Scale 90%-100% A 80%-89% B 70%-79% C 60%-69% D Below 60% F$

$Text Box: Grade Composition Homework 5% Quizzes 10% Exams 50% Final 15% Projects 20%$

Grading:

Grade percentage= 5(earned homework points divided by the total possible points in this category)+10(earned quiz points divided by the total possible points in this category)+50(earned exam points divided by the total possible points in this category)+20(earned project points divided by the total possible points in this category)+15(earned final exam points divided by the total possible points in this category)

· This course is designed in such a way that you must attend class in order to be successful. Group work and quizzes cannot be made up.

· You are responsible for all material discussed in class (whether or not it is covered in the text) and all announcements made in class. If you miss class it is your responsibility to get assignments, notes and announcements.

· Please call a study partner (instead of trying to reach me directly) if you must be absent. They can take notes and get handouts for you.

· It is your responsibility to drop the class if you find you can no longer attend.

· Notice this does not mean that you can assume that I will handle the drop for you since I will only drop students on census dates which only occur 4 times during the semester.

· Dropped students will be posted on my website; if you want to be added back in you must meet with me to determine what changes you must adhere to in order to rejoin the class.

1^st offense: If you are caught cheating you will receive a grade of zero on that quiz or test.

2^nd offense: If you are caught a second time I will petition to have you dropped from the course. This will result in a notation of this on your academic record.