MATH 1100 — Syllabus

MATH 1100D: Finite Mathematics--SPRING 2013

Section D:  MW 12:45--2:00 (Goodwyn 317),   Course ID (CRN #):  2609

 

INSTRUCTOR

Yi Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Auburn University Montgomery

Department of Mathematics

School of Sciences

Room 310T, Goodwyn Hall

Email:  [email protected]

Homepage:  http://sciences-srv.aum.edu/~ywang

Phone: 334.244.3318

Office Hours: MW:9:40--10:40AM, or by appointment.

 PREREQUISITES:  MATH 0800 (Intermediate Algebra) or an equivalent course, or an appropriate score on the AUM Mathematics Placement Test.  

TEXT: : Finite Mathematics, for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences, 12th ed., by Raymond Barnett, Michael Ziegler, and Karl Byleen; published by Pearson, 2010. ISBN 10: 0321614011. ISBN 13: 978-0321614018 .

 

CALCULATORS:   Essentially you only need a basic calculator that is capable of performing  arithmetic and exponent calculation. A graphing calculator such as  the TI-84 (TI-83) is acceptable.  However, calculators with CAS capability such as TI-89 or higher or similar are prohibited in all exams.  Please bring the calculator to all class meetings and exams. You may use the calculator for each test, but you will be required to show all work for the tests and if you rely on the calculator for solutions, you will get zero credit. You are here to learn mathematics rather to demonstrate your using a  calculator and a calculator will be used only as an aid.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: MATH 1110 is intended for students of biology and the health sciences and for students in business and economics as well as for many Education majors. For Elementary Ed. majors, this course will be followed by a two course-sequence, MATH 1310-1320, to complete their math requirement for state teacher certification. For Sociology and some Biology majors this course builds the foundation for Inferential Statistics (MATH 2680). MATH 1110 satisfies the AUM Liberal Education Requirement in mathematics and it has been approved as a State Core course in mathematics.

The main subject of this course is an introduction to probability and descriptive statistics. We will first smooth the path by briefly discussing sets (Appendix A-1), as the language of probability theory is based on that of sets.

A second subject which is frequently encountered in applications, is that of solving systems of (linear) equations. This will prove to be the second leg of the course, followed by a short introduction to Markov Chains, which ties the two main subjects, probability and linear algebra, together.

:This course will use Blackboard http://bb9.aum.edu. Syllabus, Class announcements, homework assignments, weekly schedule and updated grades will be posted at Blackboard.  It is the students’ responsibility to check the information posted at Blackboard. I will also post from time to time some studying resources on Blackboard.

 

HOMEWORK/QUIZZES/WORKSHEETS:  It is imperative that you do the homework. If you have trouble with the assigned problems (or any others in your book) then see me ASAP. Please work as many problems as you can (even beyond the assigned list if possible). The bottom line is that if you want to learn some mathematics, the only way to do this is by “getting your hands dirty” working problems.  The collected Homework/Quizzes/worksheets will be averaged for part of your final grade. Sometimes in-class Quiz will be given without notice in advance

 

EXAMS: There will be three in-class mid-term tests and one final.  Being absent from the Final Exam results in a grade of FA. You must prove to the instructor’s satisfaction that your absence was unavoidable, in order to take a makeup Final Exam.

 

GRADES:

Here is a breakdown of the points of Homework/quizzes/worksheets/tests/final:

                                        Homework/Quiz/Worksheet Average….100

                                                     Test 1…………200

                                                     Test 2…………200

                                                     Test 3…………200

                                                     Final………..…300

                                                    Total points:       1000
          The percentage of the final shall be  used to replace  the worst percentage of the three mid-exams if it’s higher.            

 

            If you get the following percentage you will receive

                                                        >=90…….................…A

                                                        >=80 and <90………..B

                                                        >=70 and <80………..C

                                                        >=60 and <70………..D

                                                       <60.................................F   

 

Grades in the course will reflect students’ demonstrated attainment of course objectives. I reserve the right to adjust these ranges downward or make appropriate scaling if necessary due to excessive difficulty of assignments or tests. Borderline cases  will be considered according to the attendance, grades of all  mid-exams and grade of the final by the sole discretion of the instructor.   

 

STUDYING RESOURCES:

1. There are 30 class meetings, plus the final exam period.

2. FREE TUTORING HELP: Students can go to the Learning Center, 325 Moore Hall, 244-3470, for free tutoring help for this course by appointment.   Additional tutoring services are available in the Instructional Support Lab, 203 Goodwyn Hall, 244-3265.

 

SOME IMPORTANT POLICIES IN THIS CLASS: 

HOW TO SUCCEED THIS COURSE?

In addition to my effort, your efforts are indispensable. 

(1) Except extreme cases, attending class only is far less sufficient to succeed (pass? ) the course. Let alone occasionally attending class.

(2)  To get a grade C, one is advised to spend at least 1 hour (depending on your background in mathematics) for each lecture hour in reviewing the lecture notes, doing the examples in the lecture notes and in the book, and doing some homework problems.

(3) To get a grade B, one is advised to spend at least 1-2 hours for  each lecture hour in reviewing the lecture notes, doing the examples in the lecture notes and in the book, and doing most of the  homework problems.

(4) To get a grade A, one is advised to spend at least 1-3 hours for  each lecture hour in reviewing the lecture notes, doing the examples in the lecture notes and in the book, and doing almost all the  homework problems.

 

I would suggest you to write down your objective grade for this course, and commit your effort to this milestone of your life goal. Again, I wish you succeed.

My objective grade for this course is                         . I will commit         hours for each lecture hour to study the course materials. 

 

GUIDELINES OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR FINAL GRADE:

1. The overall score is calculated according to the contributions from quizzes/homework/worksheet (10%), three mid-exams (20% each),  final(30%).
2. All raw scores are converted to percentage to participate in calculating and comparison. The maximum percentage is 100% for any given quiz or exam.
3. A quiz in this syllabus refers to an in-class quiz, an attendance-taken, a collected homework, or a collected worksheet.
4. A missed quiz is scored as 0 for that quiz.   Finally, the average percentage of all the quizzes are calculated for the points of the quiz part. 
5. The percentage of the final is used to replace the worst percentage of the three mid-exams if it’s higher.

The policy of this class is to encourage students who are diligent in this course and therefore any one who is serious about his/her study can take advantage of ONE opportunity to improve their grades.  

APPEALS: After final course grades have been submitted, you may appeal your final grade. As a first step, you would make a written appeal to the instructor of the course.

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND ENVIRONMENT: Perfect or near-perfect class attendance is important for students to gain and demonstrate competency in course concepts and skills. Students are expected to accept responsibility for class attendance and to complete in-class work assignments and examinations as scheduled by the instructor.

            Please be courteous to your fellow students and the instructor at all times. For example, do not converse with other students, read the newspaper, or sleep during the lecture. Do not pack up earlier than scheduled dismissing time.

Cell phones have to be set to silent (or preferably be turned off). If you have to answer a cell phone call during class, please quietly leave the classroom and move to a location where your conversation does not disrupt any class in progress.

Children should not be brought to class, except in emergency circumstances and only with the permission of the instructor.

Food, drinks, or gum should not be brought into the classroom.

AUM prohibits smoking in campus buildings. If you smoke, you may only do so outside the buildings.

PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. You can discuss solutions with classmates, but cannot copy (totally or partially) someone else’s solution or allow someone else to copy your solution. You will receive an ”F” in the course if you are caught.

DISCIPLINE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY. The policies of the Student Discipline Code apply. You are advised to familiarize yourself with these policies, which can be found in the current edition of the AUMANAC.  Please, adhere to the standards of academic integrity stated in the AUM Catalog.

SPECIAL SERVICES.
It is the policy of Auburn University Montgomery to accommodate individuals with disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any necessary accommodations at the beginning of the course. If you qualify for this service, please contact either the AUM’s Center for Disability Services (CDS) located in Library Tower, Room 706 (Phone: 334-244-3632, Fax:334-244-3907, TDD: 344-244-3754) or me for the corresponding referral.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Material presented in this course may be protected by copyright law.    

 

 Disclaimer: The right of interpretation of this syllabus exclusively belongs to the instructor.