Math 102: Intro to Mathematics - Section 01, Spring 2007
3 Credits: T/H
9:30-10:45a.m. Bridges Room 264
Textbook: Mathematics All Around, 3rd ed, by Pirnot, T. – Addison Wesley Pub. Custom version
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics
Dept. Office:
Office Phone: 477-4011 (follow signs to the Math Department)
Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00am Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
MWF 2:00-3:00pm Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
T/H 11:00am-2:00pm
Course Description: Logic, sets, probability and statistics, problem solving strategies
Required Supplies: Notebook, Scientific calculator
Prerequisites: A minimum ACT Math score of 24 or a minimum MNSCU math placement score of 15. Students who do not meet these criteria should Elementary (Math 0090) or Intermediate Algebra (PDV 100) prior to taking math 102. Transfer students should contact their instructor at the start of the semester if they are questioning their placement in this course.
Goal: To increase students’ knowledge about
mathematical and logical modes of thinking.
This will enable students to appreciate the breadth of applications of
mathematics, to evaluate arguments, and to detect fallacious reasoning. Students will learn how to apply mathematics,
logic, and statistics in making decisions concerning their lives and careers.
Student Competencies - Students who successfully complete this course
will be able to:
·
Solve real-life problems using mathematics/logic
systems.
·
Express mathematical/logical ideas clearly in
writing.
·
Organize, display, analyze, information, and
understand methods of data collection.
·
Explain what constitutes a valid
mathematical/logical argument (proof).
·
Apply a variety of higher-order problem-solving
and modeling strategies.
·
Exhibit mastery of computational skills and the
ability to make reasonable estimates.
Learning Outcomes - Students who successfully complete this
course will:
·
Determine whether arguments are valid.
·
Solve real-life problems by using the principles
of set theory.
·
Make decisions regarding the possible events that
are governed at least in part by chance.
·
Apply the basic concepts of statistics, such as
collecting data, drawing graphs, finding measures of average, variation, and
position, and solving problems using the standard normal distribution.
·
Demonstrate understanding of select concepts in
logic, set theory, probability, and statistics by solving real-life problems
and communicating their work to the class orally and/or in writing.
Attendance and
Academic Expectations:
You are expected to attend class regularly, and on time. The penalty for unexcused absences will be that any missed assignments cannot be made up. Each day in class, you are expected to have read the material in your textbook pertaining to that day’s lecture and to have at least attempted the problems on that day’s homework assignment. During class, you should actively participate in discussions. When working in groups, you should participate in whatever the group is supposed to accomplish. You are encouraged to form groups of 3-4 students to study with and work on homework with outside of class. You should bring your book, calculator, and written solutions to recent homework problems with you to class every day.
Reflection Papers: Four times during the semester, you will be given a short writing assignment in which you will be asked to give your personal thoughts and reflections on different aspects of the course. These papers must be typed and should be at least 1 page long (double spaced) – longer is ok, but no need to get carried away. These are informal papers which will be graded on content and completeness, but do try to write in complete sentences and to clearly express your ideas. Each reflection paper will contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Project: There
will be a project due near the end of the course. It will count 50 points toward your final
grade. I will tell you more about how
the project will work later in the semester.
Homework, Quizzes, and Worksheets: Homework will not be collected for grading, but you will need to work the homework problems in order to succeed in this course. I will spend a few minutes of every class session answering questions on the homework, but the bulk of our time will be spent covering new material. You are encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates and with me outside of class during my office hours. If my office hours do not match your schedule, see me about arranging another time to meet.
I will give a mix of quizzes, “memory” quizzes, and “homework” quizzes. There will be some sort of quiz nearly every day we meet. Quizzes will be closed book and will be worth 10 points each. Memory quizzes will be worth 5 points each and will test your knowledge of key facts and definitions from recent course material. Homework quizzes are also 5 points each, and will hold you accountable for keeping up with the homework by asking you to write out a solution of one or more homework problems in a short amount of time using your course notebook. You will be allowed to drop your two lowest quizzes of each type. I will also occasionally assign worksheets for you to complete.
Exams: There will
be four unit exams in addition to a final exam.
Make sure to mark the date of each exam on your calendar now, especially
the final exam. The exams will be closed
book, and closed notes. I will allow the
use of an approved calculator, but other electronic devices (cell-phones, pda’s, etc.) are not allowed. The credit given on exam questions will be
proportional to the amount of correct work shown. Little to no credit will be given when
insufficient work is shown, even if the final answer is correct. In your final grade, your best three exams
will be worth 100 points each, while your lowest exam will be scaled in half to
be out of 50 points. The final exam will
be comprehensive, and is worth 200 points.
Grading: Your
final grade in the course will be computed as follows:
Quizzes and Worksheets: 80 points
Homework Quizzes: 30 points
Reflection Papers: 40 points
Memory Quizzes: 50 points
Project 50 points
Highest 3 Unit Exams: 300 points
Lowest Unit Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 200
points
Total: 800 points
I will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned during the semester, and will assign letter grades based on the following scale:
97.0-100.0% A+ 78.5-81.4% B– 61.5-64.9% D
91.5-96.9% A 76.0-78.4% C+ 58.5-61.4% D–
88.5-91.4% A– 70.0-75.9% C <58.5 F
86.0-88.4% B+ 67.0-69.9% C–
81.5-85.9% B 65.0-66.9% D+
Make-up Work:
Because you are allowed to drop several scores, I will only give make-up quizzes and make-up exams for extreme personal emergencies or for absences which are officially sanctioned by the University. I expect written documentation these cases. If you miss an exam and a make-up exam is not warranted, I will allow you to replace your grade on the exam with your un-scaled percentage score on the final exam.
Special Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Academic Honesty: You are expected to do your own work. You may work with others and get help on homework assignments, but the work you submit must be your own. During exams and quizzes you will not be allowed to get help from others. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. See the MSUM Academic Honesty policy for more information on the possible consequences of cheating.
Thanks, And Let’s
Have A Great Semester!!
Math 102 - Section 01 Course Page