Course Information
Math 102: Intro to Mathematics – Section 14, Spring 2010
3 Credits: M/W
1:30p.m. – 2:45p.m. Bridges Room 262
Textbook: Mathematics
All Around, 3rd ed, by Pirnot,
T. – Addison Wesley Pub. Custom version
Instructor: Justin James, Mathematics Department
Office: MacLean 375M Office
Phone: 477-4011
Office Hours: MTWRF 9:30 – 10:20am Email: jamesju@mnstate.edu
M
10:30 – 11:20am Webpage: web.mnstate.edu/jamesju
MTWR 12:30 –
1:20pm
W
3:00 – 4:00pm
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: 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 prior to each lecture and to attempt the assigned homework
problems. When working in groups, you
should participate in what the group is trying to accomplish. You are encouraged to form a study group to
work with outside of class. You should
bring your book and calculator to class.
Course
Requirements: You are expected to
complete 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 thoughts and reflections on different
aspects of the course. These papers must
be typed and should be about 1 page long (typed, double spaced). These informal papers are graded mainly on
their content and completeness, but you should write in complete sentences and
express your thoughts clearly. Each
reflection paper will contribute 10 points toward your final grade.
Projects: There will be two projects
assigned during the semester. These
projects combined count 50 points toward your final grade. I will tell you more about these 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 had their turn.
Homework, Quizzes, and
Worksheets: Selected homework will be collected for grading a few times
throughout the semester. You will need
to work the homework problems in order to succeed in the course. I will spend a few minutes at the beginning
of class 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” this semester. There will be some sort of quiz nearly every
week. Quizzes are closed book and will
be worth 10 points each. Memory quizzes
are worth 5 points each and test your knowledge of key facts and definitions
from recent course material. Homework
quizzes are also 5 points each, and 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 will be able to drop a couple of your lowest quiz scores.
I will also assign several
worksheets for you to complete.
Sometimes you will be given class time to get started on
worksheets. Other times you will be
expected to work them entirely outside of class.
Exams: There
will be four unit exams in addition
to a final exam. Make sure to mark each
exam on your calendar now, especially the final exam. Exams will be closed book, and closed
notes. I will allow the use of an
approved calculator for exams (no
graphing calculators are allowed).
Other electronic devices are also 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.
Course Grading Policy: Your final grade in the course will be computed as
follows:
Homework/Worksheets: 120 points
Quizzes: 50 points
Projects: 50 points
Reflection Papers 30 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 (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 14 Course Page