Course Information
Math 102: Intro to Mathematics –
Section 07, Spring 2009
3
Credits: MWF 8:30 – 9:20a.m. Bridges Room 262
Textbook: Mathematics
All Around, 3rd ed, by Pirnot, T. – Addison Wesley
Pub. Custom version
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Dept. Office:
MacLean 375M
Office
Phone: 477-4011
Office
Hours: MTWHF 9:30 -
10:20am Email:
jamesju@mnstate.edu
MTWHF 1:30
- 2:30pm Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
Other times by
Appointment
Course
Description: Logic, sets,
probability and statistics, problem solving strategies. This course may not be taken for credit by
those who have earned credit in MDS 119.
Prerequisites: Must have
successfully completed Elementary Algebra or have an acceptable score on the
math placement exam.
Required
Supplies: Textbook,
notebook, scientific calculator
Goals:
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.
Instructional
Strategies: Lecture, discussion, small
group work.
Student
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this
course will be able to:
·
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 selected concepts in logic, set theory, probability, and
statistics by solving a real-life problem 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 is that missed
assignments cannot be made up. You are
expected to read the assigned material in your textbook prior to each lecture
and to attempt the problems on the homework assignment. When working in groups, you should
participate fully in what the group is trying to accomplish. You are encouraged to form a group to study
and work with outside of class. You
should bring your book, calculator, and solutions to recent homework problems
with you to class.
Course
Requirements: You are expected to
complete all daily homework, worksheets, and writing assignments; and to take
and pass all exams and quizzes at their scheduled dates and times.
Reflection
Papers: Three 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
about 1-2 pages long (typed, double spaced).
These informal papers will be graded mainly on their content and
completeness, but do write in complete sentences and express your thoughts
clearly. Each reflection paper will
contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Projects:
There will
be several small projects assigned throughout the semester (one per
chapter). These projects combined count
60 points toward your final grade. I
will tell you more about the projects as the semester progresses.
Warm-up
Problems: At least once a week, I will
begin class with a warm-up problem. You
will have a few minutes to work on this problem while I pass out papers and
handouts. When warm-up problem is given,
I will randomly choose one student to turn in their solution. You get 1 extra credit point just for being
there to turn it in. If your solution is
correct, you will get 2 extra credit points.
If you are absent, you will not get another opportunity to turn in a
warm-up problem until the rest of the class has their turn.
Homework: I will collect homework
for grading several times during the semester.
You will be told at least a day in advance which problems to turn
in. Even when homework is not collected,
you will need to work enough homework problems to fully learn the course
material. I will spend a few minutes at
the beginning of class answering homework questions, but most of our time will
be spent covering new material. You are
encouraged to discuss homework with your classmates outside of class or with me
during office hours. If my office hours
do not fit your schedule, we can arrange another time to meet.
Quizzes: I will also
give a mix of different types of quizzes worth from 5 to 10 points, depending
on their length and scope. Some will
test your knowledge of key facts and definitions from recent course
material. Others will encourage you to
keep up with your homework by asking you to write out the solution to one or
more homework problems in a short amount of time using only your course
notebook. My intention is to give enough
quizzes that you can drop a couple of your lowest quiz scores.
Worksheets: I will assign
several worksheets for you to complete.
Sometimes you will have some class time to work on worksheets, but most
of the time you are expected to complete worksheets outside of class.
Exams: There will be four unit exams in addition to a final
exam. Take note of the date of each
exam, especially the final exam. The
exams will be closed book, and closed notes.
I allow the use of an approved calculator, but other electronic devices
(cell-phones, etc.) are not allowed. The
credit given on exam questions will be proportional to the amount of correct
work shown. Little credit will be given
when sufficient work is not 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.
Course Grading Policy: Your
final grade in the course will be computed as follows:
Homework/Quizzes: 100 points
Worksheets: 120 points
Projects: 50 points
Reflection Papers 30 points
Highest 3 Unit Exams: 300 points
Lowest Unit Exam: 50 points
Final Exam: 200 points
Total: 850 points
I
will compute the percentage of the total possible points each student earned
during the semester (rounded to the nearest .1%), and will then assign letter
grades based on the following scale. I
may make slight adjustments to this scale (down, never up), but don’t count on
this happening.
96.5-100.0% A+ 81.5-86.4% B 69.0-71.4% C–
91.5-96.5% A 79.0-81.4% B– 66.0-68.9% D+
89.0-91.4% A– 76.5-78.9% C+ 60.0-65.9% D
86.5-88.9% B+ 71.5-76.4% C <60.0% F
Make-up Work: Because you are allowed to drop several scores, I only
give make-up assignments for extreme personal emergencies or for
absences which are officially sanctioned by the University. I expect written documentation in either of
these cases. If you miss an exam and a
make-up exam is not warranted, you may replace your grade on one missed 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 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 in any course at any level. 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 07 Course Page