Syllabus MT 107-Z1
Contemporary College Mathematics
Fall 2003

Instructor: Jason Taylor
Telephone: Office: (270) 534-3116
Home: (270) 534-8557
E-mail: jasond.taylor@kctcs.edu
Office: Crounse Hall (S&E) 315

Official Course Description

This is a course in quantitative reasoning and problem solving intended for non-science majors. Topics are chosen from: apportionment; finance; growth, form, and measurement; logic; population growth; probability and statistics; and voting theory.

Special Examination Policy

Credit in this course is available by special exam; however, the student should present evidence of preparation for the exam before approval to take the exam is given.

Prerequisites

Intermediate Algebra or Math ACTE score of 18 or above or KCTCS placement exam recommendation.

Program Approved Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student can:

  1. Use and interpret data.
  2. Solve real-world problems related to chosen topics.
  3. Make intelligent choices based on mathematical reasoning.
  4. Make connections between mathematics and other disciplines.
  5. Appreciate the usefulness of mathematics.

Course Outline

  1. Logic and Analysis of Arguments
  2. Voting
  3. Finance
  4. Statistical Fundamentals and Graphs
  5. Statistical Inference
  6. Probability
  7. Unit Analysis, Geometry, and Scaling

General Education Course Specific Competency

To organize, analyze, and make information useful by employing mathematics.

General Education Across Curriculum Competencies

  1. Writing: To communicate effectively using standard written English.
  2. Reading: To understand, analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials
  3. Integrated Learning: To think critically and make connections in learning across the disciplines.
  4. Creative Thinking: To elaborate upon knowledge to create new thoughts, processes, and/or products.
  5. Ethics/Values: To demonstrate an awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices.

Evaluation of Competencies

  1. Writing: Students will write explanations on quizzes and tests. Students are expected to use correct grammar. Points will be deducted for grammatical and spelling errors on quizzes, tests, and the final.
  2. Reading: Students will read sections of the textbook and reference material.
  3. Integrated Learning: Students will relate various concepts as they apply to finance, voting, and other "life" situations.
  4. Creative Thinking: Some of the problems will require methods of solving that may be new to students. Mathematical reasoning to solve "real world" problems will be emphasized.
  5. Ethics/Values: Students will examine "social choices" and the effect of those choices. All students are expected to comply with the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct. Cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero for the test or assignment involved.

KCTCS Code of Student Conduct

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students and student offenses.

Students may refer to the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct, Article II for more information on academic rights, academic offenses, and the student's right to appeal.

Textbook

Using and Understanding Mathematics, Second Edition, by Bennett and Briggs, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2002

Supplies

Access to the internet via a web browser is required. Students will also need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print course documents. This program may be downloaded, free of charge, by clicking on the name above. A scientific calculator is required.

Grading Criteria/Course Requirements

The final grade for this course will be determined by the scale:
A: 90%-100% B: 80%-89% C: 70%-79% D: 60%-69% E: Below 60%
A student's numerical grade is the percentage of total points possible from the following: exams over each major topic (4 total), a midterm exam, and a comprehensive final exam. A student's final average for the course is the maximum of their raw average and ten percent more than their final exam average. That is, a student who does not score 50% on the final may not receive a 'D', a student who does not score 60% on the final may not receive a 'C', a student who does not score 70% on the final may not receive a 'B', and a student who does not score 80% on the final may not receive a 'A'. The unit exams will be open-book, open-note, will be worked out on paper, and then submitted to the instructor via fax or e-mail. The midterm exam and final exam will be proctored at a site on a KCTCS campus. No score will be dropped from the final grade. All students must take the comprehensive final. There will be no extra credit work available in this course.

The I letter grade will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. There must be a reasonable possibility that the student will pass upon completion of the missed work, and the work missed must be the result of extenuating circumstances. Dates for completion will be set by the instructor.

Cheating in any form will result in a zero for the exam, quiz, work, etc. involved.

At any time during the semester, if a student stops completing classwork without officially withdrawing, a grade of zero for any work missed will be used in determining the final grade. To withdraw from the class, a student must:

  1. Obtain a drop slip from the registrar's office.
  2. Send the drop slip to me to sign (and complete a withdrawal survey).
  3. Return the drop slip to the registrar's office.

Late Work Policy

There will be posted deadlines. No late work will be accepted.

Written Work Policy

Students are encouraged to keep their work organized for future reference. Any written work will require correct grammar, spelling, and mathematical symbolism.

Make-Up Work Policy

Since students can schedule their own quizzes and exams, there will be no make-ups given.

Withdrawal Policy

Dates for students to withdraw from the course are included in the schedule of classes. After the voluntary withdrawal date, students may withdraw with instructor approval.

ADA Notice

Every effort will be made to ensure classroom and laboratory accessibility for all students. For maximum assistance, all students requiring special classroom accommodations due to a verified disability should contact the Disability Resource Office at least two weeks prior to the first week of class. Once documentation is complete, the student must contact faculty to discuss and agree upon reasonable accommodations for the class. The ADA accommodation form will be forwarded to the faculty within one week of receipt in the Disability Resource Office. For more information, contact Gail Ridgeway at (270) 534-3406.