Maryland in Europe
Distance Education Programs
MATH 105 : Contemporary Topics & Applications (3)
Term 1, Academic Year 2003/2004
Course Dates: 25August - 14 December 2003
Break: 13
- 26 October 2003
Instructor:
|
Name: |
Emine Houston |
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e-mail: |
ehouston@faculty.ed.umuc.edu |
Course
Materials:
Required Text:
The Nature of Mathematics, 9th edition by Karl Smith, Brooks/Cole, 2001.
Calculator
You'll need a scientific calculator that does two-variable statistics and has a
square root function and the exponent function yx (it may read xy instead.)
Course
Description:
Prerequisite: MATH 012 or an appropriate score on the placement test. This
course is not intended for students planning to take MATH 107 or higher-numbered
courses, nor does it serve as a prerequisite for these courses. A survey of
contemporary topics in mathematics, covering applications and projects. Topics
include problem solving, sequences and series, financial management, geometry,
probability, and statistics.
Course
Goals/Objectives:
This course is intended to enable you to:
* exhibit a positive attitude toward mathematics
* explain what mathematics is and attempts to accomplish
* develop problem-solving skills
* apply problem-solving skills to new math-related problems
* perform estimation
* use the language and notation of mathematics
* gain insight into how mathematicians think
* demonstrate increased confidence in mathematical ability
and, upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Classify a given sequence as arithmetic, geometric, or Fibonacci and be able
to determine the next term.
2. Solve applied interest and financial management problems by estimation and
using a calculator.
3. Answer applied counting questions and applied probability questions.
4. Construct graphs to display frequency distributions.
5. Calculate and interpret measures of central tendency, measures of variation,
and correlation.
6. Answer a question using inductive or deductive reasoning.
7. Change numbers from base 10 to base b and from base b to base 10.
8. Evaluate and graph functions.
9. Write the converse, inverse and contra positive for a given statement and
construct a truth table for a given symbolic form.
10. Solve applied problems using triangles.
Course
Introduction:
This course has something of interest for everyone. We will cover a variety of
topics useful to daily life. Have you ever contemplated how many different
routes are possible to get from your home to work? Pascal's Triangle will aid us
to find that answer. How could we defend ourselves against a traffic ticket?
Logic is a key to supporting or refuting statements. What is the translation of
the number 37 in the binary system (base two) or hexadecimal (base 16) that many
computers use? We will learn how to change bases to answer that question. We
will also explore financial management topics, calculate various probabilities
and odds in connection with entering a sweepstake or playing the lottery and so
forth, discuss some descriptive statistics that you see in the media such as
graphs and averages, and of course we will learn some algebra while applying it
to everyday situations.
MATH 105 was designed to be as practical as possible, using examples and
problems that adults would expect to experience in real life.
Grading
Information and Criteria:
Your grade for the course will be determined on the following basis:
| Item | Weight |
|
10% |
|
20% |
|
25% |
|
25% |
|
20% |
|
100% |
The grading scale, based on 100 points, is:
A: 90-100 points
B: 80-89 points
C: 70-79 points
D: 60-69 points
F: 0-59 points
Course Schedule:
Note: This schedule is tentative and may be subject to change.
|
Day |
Topic |
Text |
|
Aug 25, 2003 |
. Intro, Problem Solving |
Ch 1.1-1.4, |
|
Sep 1, 2003 |
Logic, Numeration Systems |
Ch 2.1-2.4 ,3.1-3.4 |
|
Sep 8, 2003 |
The Nature of Algebra |
Ch 5.1- 5.4 |
|
Sep 15, 2003 |
The Nature of Algebra |
Ch 5.5, 5.6,5.7,5.8, |
|
Sep 22, 2003 |
Geometry |
Ch 6.1-6.5 |
|
Sep 29, 2003 |
Review for Mid-Term Exam |
Ch 1-6, |
|
Oct 6-10,2003 |
Mid-Term Exam (Proctored) |
Ch 1-6, |
|
Oct 27, 2003 |
Sequences Series and Financial Management |
Ch 8.1-8.5 |
|
Nov 3, 2003 |
Probability |
Ch 9.1-9.5 |
|
Nov 10, 2003 |
Statistics |
Ch 10.1-10.4 |
|
Nov 17, 2003 |
Graphs and Functions |
Ch 11.1-11.5 |
|
Nov 24, 2003 |
Mathematical Systems |
Ch 12.1-12.2 |
|
Dec 1, 2003 |
Review for Final Exam |
Ch 1-3,5,6,8-12, WT |
|
Dec 8-9, 2003 |
Final Exam (Comprehensive) |
Ch 1-3,5,6,8-12, WT |
Online Conferencing
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Online Course Policy
This section defines your responsibility with regard to the performance requirements for this course. Please take these responsibilities very seriously. Non-compliance can considerably affect your grade.
1. Participation/Conduct in Class/Attendance:
You have to attend class in a virtual environment. Just like in a "real" classroom environment, I expect you to participate in the discussions we are going to have online, in Webtycho (WT). Distance Education is not independent study. You must come to our virtual classroom. Your participation grade calculated from your postings.
1. You may have questions and you can use discussion conferences to post that question. It will be answered by your classmates first. If there aren't satisfactory answer, I step in and answer your question.
2. There will be You try it, questions in almost each topic I cover in the conferences. You need to answer them by fallowing the example I have shown.
This is the equivalent of coming to class. You should ask the same questions online that you would ask in a regular classroom setting. Insufficient participation will result in a failing grade due to non-attendance.
2. Homework:
Usually, in face-to-face classes we would have a total of 48 contact (or classroom) hours over eight weeks. Since there are no classroom hours, you must be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time doing the weekly assignments. This includes reading and studying the chapters at a steady rate. Please refer to the course schedule above to see which assignments are due (see also Course Content Week 1-14). You must have access to a word processor such as Microsoft Word. Before the class starts get familiar with mathematical symbols, learn how to graph by using MS office utilities. It takes 5 times more time to do your assignment by using mathematical symbols. Neatness counts.
3. Midterm Examination:
The proctored mid-term exam will be administered during the week 6-12 October, 2003. You have to sign up for the mid-term exam at your nearest UMUC Education Center. The exact details will be announced well in advance so that you can prepare for it.
4. Final Examination:
Towards the end of the term, I will upload the final examination. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all material discussed in the class. It will be given during the week indicated in the class schedule. The exact details will be announced well in advance so that you can prepare. The final exam is not proctored, i.e., it will be given online.
5. Attendance/Assignments:
Virtual class attendance is expected. More than three weeks of unexcused absences may lead to a grade F(n). Students should be prepared to spend a substantial time out of the class solving as many different exercises as needed to become proficient in given topics. Grades on assignments submitted after the due date will be reduced by 20%.
6. E-Mail:
When you e-mail me please begin the subject line with MATH 105: followed by the subject itself. I do not accept e mail attachments please submit all your work timely in your assignment folder.
7. Study Groups:
If you experience problems with certain topics in the class you can post your questions in the corresponding study group. It is my intention to setup study groups where you may work together and help each other out. No one should learn in a vacuum.
8. Webtycho:
By using Webtycho (WT), you will have access to UMUC's academic database in College Park. This is a free service by the university for all students enrolling in this course. Please make yourself familiar with WT prior to this course at "http://tychousa.umuc.edu/". Use the guest login for the time being. UMUC expects DE students to be familiar with basic computing, sending e-mails including attachments, navigating through WT, etc. WT offers extensive online help, in case you have questions. This is also the server we are going to use for the course. Be sure you have at least Netscape 4.7 or MSIExplorer 5.5 and a reliable internet service provider (ISP).9.Academic Policies:
Cases of
plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines.
See the UMUC policies at the following URL:
http://www.umuc.edu/policy/