II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is about mathematical models. You will study five or six of the most important, broadly useful kinds of models we can teach with an algebra pre-requisite. In the most basic sense, you will learn what a mathematical model is; what kinds of models are useful in a variety of situations; basic methods for elaborating and interpreting models; and how computers can help understand mathematical models.
III. PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE
MATH 1314, College Algebra, or equivalent, or a score of 16 or better
on the departmental Algebra placement test.
IV. TEXT AND OTHER SUPPLIES REQUIRED
Modeling for the Millions, Sterba-Boatwright, Experimental
Version #2 (it should be dated "December 9, 2002" on the title page).
You should also have a calculator; it doesn't have to be fancy, but should be
able to do exponents and logarithms. Materials for Lab 0 are available online
(http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~mathweb/labs).
Materials for other labs are available at the bookstore
V. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Objective #1. You begin the class by learning the definition of
and purpose for mathematical models through memorization and
writing about examples. You need to do this so that when you
encounter models in other courses and in your careers, you will be
able to recognize them as such and know what models can and cannot
tell you.
Objective #2. Past math classes taught you skills, but usually not how they will be useful in your majors and careers. In this class, you will learn how to work out the algebraic details of different kinds of models with utility in a wide variety of situations. You will learn this through example and practice in lecture, lab and homework.
Objective #3. You will learn how to make inferences and predictions about real life based on mathematical models. You will do this in lectures, labs and homework by producing and analyzing graphs and tables of numbers, as well as memorizing important features of common models. We ask you to do this because when you encounter mathematical models in the future, it is important to be able to evaluate them yourselves to see if you agree with the conclusions of the original modelers.
Objective #4. You will learn basic graphing and formulaic skills in Excel in the labs and with the project. We will introduce you to these skills, then expect you to be able to perform them as needed later in the course. We feel that these Excel skills will be directly and immediately useful for other classes and for the rest of your life.
Objective #5. As opportunities arise during the semester, you will learn algebraic skills that you may not have seen, or didn't understand the first time, or just plain forgot. We do this because we regard these topics as important skills in careers and life, and because we think any person who calls themselves "educated" should be able to do these things.
Core Curriculum: This course satisfies the mathematics requirement of the Core Curriculum. In particular, all five course goals listed above address the Mathematics Skill component of the core. We will also work on the Core Skills of Critical Thinking and Writing in lecture, in homework assignments, in labs, and in the semester project. The course also addresses the Core Perspectives 3 ("The phenomena of the physical world and the relationship of the individual and society to it.") and 4 ("The relationships among abstract quantities.")
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND ACTIVITIES
The class uses lecture format. Students are expected to read the text
before class as directed and be prepared to participate in the class
by calculating and evaluating models. The lab meetings are held in a
computer laboratory, and consist of directed student inquiries with a
lab assistant to help as needed.
VIII. EVALUATION AND GRADE ASSIGNMENT
Grades: Course grades will be based on reading questions (5%) homework (10%),
Tests (39%, 3@13% each), Project (5%), Labs (25%) and a final exam (21%). A
weighted average of at least 90% earns an A, 80% earns a B, 70% earns a C, 60%
earns a D. Less than 60% earns an F.
Reading Questions: At the end of each chapter of the text are a set of Reading Questions designed to focus on key points of this chapter. I assign these to make sure youhave read and thought about the reading assignment before class. Therefore readign questions must be done individually, and are due, without exception, at the start of the class they are assigned for. Late reading questions are not accepted. Reading questions are graded pass/fail.
Homework: Homework will be assigned at each class meeting that we cover new material. Homework exercises my be turned ias group work (that is, one paper with up to three names on it.) Please turn it Wednesday in class the week after it is assigned. Homework will be scored for correctness.
Tests: There will be 3 tests over the course of the semester. They will be cover the content of the most recent chapters. All tests are in class. You will be allowed to use a calculator (sorry, no cell phones) and a single, handwritten 'cheat sheet' that you will turn in with your test. There are no make-up tests. Unexcused absences from tests will get a score of 0.
Project: You will have one project which you work on in teams of two or three. Essentially, your projects will be like a problem or set of problems you worked in class or lab, only more expanded to make the model more realistic. I will allot class and lab time for you to work on this project. A detailed description with grading criteria will be available later in the semester.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive. It will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 from 4:30 to 7 PM. PLAN TO BE THERE.
Labs: One quarter of the grade and credit for the course will be based the student's performance in the lab. There will be three sections of the lab. You will need to attend the one for which you are registered. Many of the labs are printed in the appendix of the text, but some have been updated and are available online through the attached calendar. Each student is responsible for any changes made to the assignment during the lab session. Peer discussion is promoted in the lab setting, however unless otherwise directed, the final product should be the result of individual work. Students are expected to download the appropriate lab and complete any pre-lab assignment before coming to lab each week! Unless otherwise indicated, pre-lab assignments will be due at the beginning of lab. The lab instructor will inform you of the grading policies for the labs.
All lab assignments must be completed using Microsoft Excel software, unless prior approval is given. Late work will not be accepted without prior approval! A grade of zero may be given for any lab assignment not turned in on time. Contact the lab instructor with any questions about attendance questions.
VIII. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE (Attached.)
IX. CLASS POLICIES
Attendance: I take attendance to check for registration snafus
and to learn your names, and will pass a sign-in sheet after the
first week or so. Attendance may also be taken by work done and
turned in in class. If you miss any in-class work, you will not be
allowed to make it up. If you miss a test or final without prior
permission or a verifiable medical excuse, you will receive a 0 for
that test or final. If you do have an excused absence, you
must submit a written claim (e-mail is OK) to that effect. Do not
assume that I have acknowledged your excuse until you have your claim
returned with my approval.
Late Homework: In general, I accept homework after deadlines without penalty until such time as I have graded the homework of your classmates. After that time, I will not accept late homework. I also reserve the right to enforce exact deadlines on particular assignments if I feel it is important.
Registration: You are the only person responsible for your registration in this class. If for some reason you decide not to continue with the course, you will need to see your advisor or the registrar to drop the course. If you quit coming to class and do not drop, I will be forced to assign you a grade based on the work you have completed, usually an F. Please don't make me do that. If you have concerns about the way the class is going, by all means see me before taking action. We can try to assess situation before it becomes irreversible.
Help: Free tutoring is available at the Tutoring and Learning Center on the Second floor of the library. The hours are 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday, closing early at 3 PM on Friday. It will also be open on Sundays. Don't forget that I hold regular office hours. Wherever you get it, don't wait for the last minute to get help.
The Mathematics Program complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you need disability accommodations in this class, please see me as soon as possible. Please have your accommodation letter from TAMU-CC Services for Students with Disabilities Office with you when you come see me. If you suspect that you may have a disability (physical impairment, learning disability, psychiatric disability, etc.), please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (located in Driftwood 101) at 825-5816. It is important that you contact them in a timely fashion as it may take several days to review requests and prepare accommodations.