Azusa Pacific University
Contemporary Mathematics (MATH 120); 3 Units
Fall 2002 Course Outline
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· Instructor: Dr. Leslie Wickman
· Phones: Office: 815-5486; Secretary: 815-5482; Math/Physics Dept: x3841.
· E-mail: lwickman@apu.edu
· Website: http://home.apu.edu/%7Elwickman/Math120Syllabus.htm
· Office: Center for Research in Science, Room 166, Building 3, West Campus
· Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 3pm, or by arrangement (I'm around most afternoons, but call first!)
· Class Time (Wilden 227):
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:35am
· Textbook:
For All Practical Purposes, Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (directed by Solomon Garfunkel) 5th edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000.
Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.
Department of Mathematics and Physics Mission Statement
The Department of Mathematics and Physics aims to: (1) bring students to a deeper understanding of Gods universe through the precision of mathematical language and the elucidation of physical phenomena that are foundational to the natural world; (2) equip students with skills in abstract ideas, logical reasoning, quantitative relations, and analytical problem solving consistent with the outcome of a liberal education; and (3) prepare students for success in their career fields of choice.
This course is presents a study of the connections between contemporary mathematics and modern society. It aims to develop logical thinking and critical reading concerning mathematical information that abounds in todays world. Areas of study include management science (networks, circuits, and planning), statistics and probability, information coding, social choices and decision making, geometric expressions and symmetry patterns, and mathematical modeling. Meets the general studies requirement in University Skills. Prerequisite: MATH 095, MATH 096, or appropriate score on APU mathematics placement test.
Desired Student Learning Outcomes for MATH 120
The primary objective of this course is to develop student maturity in problem solving, logical reasoning, and quantitative relations at the post-Intermediate Algebra level. This objective should be accomplished when the following student outcomes are met:
· Students can list several areas in our society that are impacted by mathematical developments, and can describe the mathematical approaches that are applied to these areas.
· Students can apply their analytical and critical thinking skills to construct mathematical models of situations similar to those presented in this course.
· Students can apply critical thinking skills to data interpretation at the level discussed in MATH 120.
· Students have developed problem solving methods and can apply these methods to problems outlined in Contemporary Mathematics.
· Students can describe some situations in which closed solutions to problems are not possible, and can give reasons why these situations defy precise solutions.
MATH 120 carries 3 units. This course meets the general studies requirement in University Skills.
Students meet the prerequisite for MATH 120 by satisfying one of the following:
1) Receive a passing grade in MATH 095 (Intermediate Algebra);
2) Pass MATH 096 (Intermediate Algebra MATHPASS);
3) Successfully complete a transfer college course equivalent to MATH 095 or 096; or
4) Obtain an appropriate score on the Azusa Pacific University mathematics placement test administered by the Learning Enrichment Center.
Class Participation - Student attendance at each lecture is expected. Students should come to class having read the chapters indicated in the classroom schedule, and should be prepared to discuss the topics indicated. Student participation in class activities will count toward the final course grade.
Tests, Quizzes, and Final Exam Four tests and a final exam will be given for this course. The final exam will be comprehensive, including material covered throughout the course. No make-up tests will be permitted after the in-class test is administered. If for some unavoidable reason it becomes impossible for you to be in class for a test (e.g., death in family or illness), you must make every effort to get a message to the instructor prior to the designated test time notifying her of your absence and requesting arrangements to make up the test.
Homework - Homework will be assigned periodically during the semester. Some homework will require answering questions or solving problems from the text. At times other questions, similar to those in the text, will be used. Homework assignments are considered late if not turned in at the start of the class period in which they are due. Assignments will be penalized if they are late. Late assignments may not be accepted after a homework set has been corrected and returned.
Research Project and Presentation Each student will be required to do research on a topic related to mathematics (e.g., field of inquiry, application, famous mathematician, etc.), and present his or her research to the class during a scheduled 20 minute period of class time. The project should address a topic of interest to the student. Consultation with the instructor for topic approval is recommended prior to beginning the research project. A written or electronic document summarizing the presentation and including the following elements must be handed in at the time of the presentation: abstract (summary), introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and bibliography. The report and presentation should include what you have learned about the topic in doing your research, your personal thoughts/opinions about the importance and relevance of the topic, and your ideas about what should be done in the future relative to your topic. The report and presentation must show depth of investigation, and communicate to the reader something about the topic that is not commonly known. Multiple sources must be cited (not plagiarized! If you dont know what plagiarism is, find out!), including at least one publication (not the textbook), one reliable internet source, and one personal interview with an expert on your topic (get started on this early, as it may take some time to coordinate!). Your bibliography should incorporate an accepted citation standard, as well as a notation as to where you found each reference. Make sure to thoroughly proofread your report prior to handing it in. It is recommended that you have someone else read and critique your report before turning it in, especially if you are not confident in your own proofreading ability. The project and presentation will be graded on each of the following:
1) technical content (as opposed to merely history, social commentary, trivia, etc.),
2) depth of research (what sources did you use? how deep did you dig?),
3) clarity (how well are you communicating your work? visual aids are helpful!),
4) creativity/originality of your work and its presentation,
5) thoughtfulness/insight (what do you think about this topic?),
6) class interaction/engagement during the presentation,
7) analysis (what does this research mean for humanity?).
Plagiarism is a serious offense, and must be dealt with seriously. When writing, one must not take anothers work and present it as ones own (this includes copying and pasting text from the internet). It is not acceptable to just change a few words from a passage then use it. If one desires to use anothers work, one must quote and cite the passage, or explain and present the ideas in ones own words, and cite the original work. In order to prevent plagiarism from occurring in this class, I need to have each student read, attach and sign the following statement to the last page of his or her research project prior to turning it in.
I hereby testify by my signature below that I did not commit plagiarism in completing the research project for this class.
Signed, __________________________________
Extra Credit Opportunities
Several opportunities exist for students to earn extra credit points. These include the following:
1) In-class presentations of math-related devotions
2) In-class presentations of math jokes (G-rated only, please!)
3) In-class mathematical Show & Tell presentations
4) Reports on special lectures identified by the instructor throughout the semester.
The in-class presentations must be arranged ahead of time with the instructor. Points earned will be commensurate with the apparent effort applied in each opportunity.
Student Support Services
Student support services are available for persons desiring additional support. Use of the available support services is encouraged through the Learning Enrichment Center (LEC), libraries, Media Center, and computer and technology centers.
Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him or her from fully demonstrating her or her abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure his or her full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.
Midterm Tests (4 @ 100 each) 400
Homework 300
Research Project/Presentation 150
Class Participation 50
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TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 1000
920-1000 (92+%) A
900-919 (90+%) A-
880-899 (88+%) B+
820-879 (82+%) B
800-819 (80+%) B-
780-799 (78+%) C+
720-779 (72+%) C
700-719 (70+%) C-
660-699 (66+%) D+
580-659 (58+%) D
540-579 (54+%) D-
Weekly Classroom Schedule Fall 2002
Week Dates Chapter Topics
1 . 9/4 (W) Course Introduction
9/6 (F) Overview
2 . 9/9 (M) 1 Networks and Circuits
9/11 (W) Tutorial: Sakioka Technology Training Center, Marshburn Library
9/13 (F) Video/Quiz
3 . 9/16 (M) 1 Networks and Circuits
9/18 (W) 2 Visiting Vertices
9/20 (F) 2 Visiting Vertices
4 . 9/23 (M) 3 Planning and Scheduling
9/25 (W) 3 Planning and Scheduling
9/27 (F) 1-3 TEST #1
5 . 9/30 (M) 4 Linear Programming
10/2 (W) 4 Linear Programming
10/4 (F) 4 Linear Programming
6 . 10/7 (M) 5 Producing Data
10/9 (W) 5 Producing Data
10/11 (F) 6 Exploring Data
7 . 10/14 (M) 6 Exploring Data
10/16 (W) 4-6 TEST #2
10/18 (F) 7 Probability
8 . 10/21 (M) 7 Probability
10/23 (W) 8 Statistical Inference
10/25 (F) 8 Statistical Inference
9 . 10/28 (M) 9 Identification Numbers
10/30 (W) 9 Identification Numbers
11/1 (F) 7-9 TEST #3
10 11/4 (M) 10 Transmitting Information
11/6 (W)) 10 Transmitting Information
11/8 (F) 11 Social Choice
11 11/11 (M) 11 Social Choice
11/13 (W) 12 Weighted Voting Systems
11/15 (F) 12 Weighted Voting Systems
12 11/18 (M) 10-12 TEST #4
11/20 (W) 13 Fair Division
11/22 (F) 13 Fair Division
13 11/25 (M) 14 Apportionment
11/27 (W) 14 Apportionment
11/29 (F) NO CLASS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
14 12/2 (M) 15 Game Theory
12/4 (W) 15 Game Theory
12/6 (F) 20 Consumer Finance Models
Review for Final
15 12/9 (M) FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 9, 7:30-9:30am.
Test #1 _________ (100)
Test #2 _________ (100)
Test #3 _________ (100)
Test #4 _________ (100)
Sum of Four Midterm Tests _______ (400)
Final Exam Score _______ (100)
3. Homework
HW #1 _________ (60)
HW #2 _________ (60)
HW #3 _________ (60)
HW #4 _________ (60)
HW #5 _________ (60)
Homework Total ________ (300)
4. Research Project/Presentation
Research Project/Presentation Score ________ (150)
5. Class Participation
Class Participation Score ________ (50)
GRAND TOTAL ________ (1000)