|
MATH 1030-6 -
Quantitative Reasoning Course Syllabus
(Spring 2006) |
|
|
Days/Time: T,H 3:40-5:00
p.m. |
Room: LCB 121 |
|
Instructor: Charlotte
Erickson |
E-mail: erickson@math.utah.edu |
|
Office: LCB Loft (4th
floor) |
Office hours: After class;
by appointment |
|
Office Phone: (801)581-7653 |
Course website: math.utah.edu/~erickson |
Text:
Bennett & Briggs, 2005 (Third Edition), Using and Understanding
Mathematics:
A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, Addison-Wesley. ISBN
0-321-22773-5. See http://www.aw-bc.com/bennett-briggs
for the companion website for our textbook. Reading the chapters before
we go
over them in class will be extremely beneficial. During the course, we
will
cover chapters 1-4 and 8-10. Homework will typically come from the
textbook.
Note that the answers to most odd-numbered problems are in the back of
the
book. Let me know if you believe you have found an error in the book.
Course
Description/Prerequisites: Math 1030 is
a non-traditional
course that focuses on math in the real world.
The prerequisite for this
class is Math 1010. You should have a
working knowledge of the basic algebra and geometry covered in
Intermediate
Algebra. You should give yourself the Diagnostic
Test and check
your answers. This will give you a good indication of whether or
not you
are ready for Math 1030.
Course
Website: The course
website is www.math.utah.edu/~erickson.
It
contains many useful links and class information and will be updated
regularly.
Let me know if you find errors on the course website (i.e., links that
don’t work). Keep your e-mail address up-to-date on
the Campus Information System
so you can
receive class e-mails.
Homework:
Homework usually comes from the textbook and will be posted on the
course
website. You should also do additional problems from the book, if
necessary,
until you have mastered the methods and techniques we will be learning. Homework is for your benefit
in learning the material and preparing for quizzes and exams. To avoid
busy
work and the potential that students get credit for homework done by
tutors or
classmates, homework will, in general, not be collected.
Quizzes:
Short in-class quizzes will be given on most Thursdays throughout the
semester.
They are an essential part of evaluating whether you are prepared for
exams.
You must be present in class to take quizzes. No quizzes are dropped;
however,
you may do alternative assignments to get credit for up to two quizzes
during
the semester. If you miss a quiz, you should print a copy off the
course
website and take it on your own to determine whether you have studied
sufficiently to pass it. Solutions will be posted on the course
website.
Group
Project: The goal of
Math 1030 is to have students study
the mathematical concepts in depth by applying these concepts to
practical,
open-ended questions, and to develop skill in communicating technical
information. Students will work in small groups (of two or three
students) on a
specific topic ranging from personal finance and management to
biological
studies. A list of potential topics will be given and groups will be
formed in
the first few weeks of class, and a report will be due on March 30.
Exams:
There will be three (3) semifinal exams and one (1) final exam during
the
semester. Exams must be taken in class on the day scheduled, and
students must
bring a valid photo ID to the exam. Dates for the semifinals: February 7, March 7,
and April 11.
The final is a comprehensive departmental final and will be given on Monday, May
1, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (location TBA).
Calculators:
The use of calculators is encouraged. A scientific calculator will do
fine, but
graphing calculators are even better (they are allowed as long as they
do not
have QWERTY keyboards). You may not use the calculator functions on
cell
phones, PDAs, etc., on quizzes and exams.
Exceptions:
At any time during the semester, if you feel you have extenuating
circumstances
that warrant an exception to any class policy, you must communicate
with me in
advance and also provide proof of the circumstances. I will make the
final
decision regarding any exception. These will only be made for truly
extraordinary reasons.
Note:
This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. You
are responsible for everything that goes on in class or is posted on
the course
website. It is to your advantage to have good attendance and to keep up
on the
homework. Please contact me if you have any concerns. You must
communicate with me to get anything done and to resolve any problems. I
want
nothing more than for you to succeed. Please let me know what I can do
to help.
Midterm
Course Evaluation: If you have
any comments, suggestions, or
criticisms regarding the course or my teaching that you are not
comfortable
telling me in person, I invite you to make use of the anonymous Midterm
Course
Evaluation Form, which can be accessed from: http://www.math.utah.edu/gsac/evals.html.
Your feedback will be very valuable to me and your classmates; please
do not
hesitate to make them if you have any.
Grading:
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tutoring:
FREE walk-in tutoring for MATH 1030! The mathematics department offers
free individual
and group tutoring in the T. Benny Rushing Mathematics Center, located
between
the two math buildings (between JWB and LCB on President's Circle). It
is open
from 8:00am-8:00pm Mon-Thurs, and 8:00am - 6:00pm on Friday. See the Math Center
for
more info. Also, the ASUU
Tutoring Center (330 SSB) offers a $6/hour tutoring service as
well.
Lastly, the math department
also has a
list of private tutors in the area.
Academic
Honesty: Do not cheat
in my class. Cheaters will be
penalized as harshly as allowed by university policy. Cheating includes
(but is
not limited to) passing examination answers or questions, taking
examinations
for someone else, or preparing or copying others’ work, including
assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams. Do not cheat. See the university’s
regulations.
|
Event |
Date |
|
First day of
class |
January 10 |
|
Last day to drop |
January 18 |
|
Last day to
elect CR/NC or audit |
January 23 |
|
Semifinal 1 |
February 7 |
|
Last day to
withdraw |
March 3 |
|
Semifinal 2 |
March 7 |
|
No class
(Spring Break) |
March 14 |
|
No class
(Spring Break) |
March 16 |
|
Group projects
due |
March 30 |
|
Semifinal 3 |
April 11 |
|
Last day of
class |
April 25 |
|
Final exam |
May 1 |
|
My birthday |
May 2 |
|
Commencement |
May 5 |