Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning 3 Credits

MATHEMATICS 1030

Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning – 3 Credits

Section 6 – LCB 225, 6:00 – 7:30pm MW

Spring 2011

Instructor:Bryan Wilson –

Office Hours – JWB 314, times to be determined in class: ______

Or by appointment

Website:

Prerequisites:C or better in Math 1010 or at least a score of 23 on the Math ACT. Students should know how to manipulate variable expressions, work with graphs and tables, and use fractions and exponents.

Textbook:Using and Understanding Mathematics : A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, by Jeffrey O. Bennett and William L. Briggs (5th Edition)

Course Description:Math 1030 is an application based course whose objective is to prepare the student for real-life applications of simple math concepts. The entire book will be covered. Students are expected to come prepared to classroom discussions, which will be announced at the end of class on occasion.

Homework:Homework will be assigned in class and posted online for each section that is covered in class. The homework is not turned in for a grade but it is strongly suggested to work the problems to prepare for the weekly quizzes. Working in groups is encouraged and highly recommended for these problems.

Quizzes:Quizzes will be announced one week in advance and given once per week or once every other week at the start of class, usually on Monday. The quizzes will have problems identical or very similar to homework problems. Quizzes cannot be made up except in extreme circumstances, but at the end of the semester the lowest 2 quiz scores will be dropped.

You are free to look at your homework while doing the quizzes!

Exams:Two 50 minute exams will be given. Each will be 50% problems word for word from homework and quizzes, and 50% new problems but similar to ones seen before. These exams are not comprehensive. Absence from an exam will be excused only if the student can provide verifiable evidence of a significant illness or family crisis that will prevent the student from attending. In this case, the student should notify the instructor at least one day in advance to arrange a day to make up the test.

Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3Late February

Exam 2: Chapters 4, 8, 9Mid April

Final Exam:The final is comprehensive and will take place on Monday, May 2 from 6:00-8:00 pm. It is in LCB 225 (the same room as normal class).

Project:Students must complete and turn in one project. The project will be announced in the first week of March and the due date will be specified by the instructor at a later date. Students will work in groups of 2-4 on a topic chosen from a list of about 10 options. The instructor will give further details when the project is announced. Late projects will receive half credit before the day of the final and no credit afterwards.

Grading:Grades will be determined at the end of the semester by weighting the following parts of the overall grade:

20%Quizzes

20%Project

30%Exams (2)(15% each)

30%Final Exam

Grades will be given based on the standard grading scale (90% or higher is an A, 80 – 90% is a B, etc.) I do not “bump up” grades which are close!

Extra Credit:There will be extra credit available from the following sources:

-Extra Credit problems on the tests

-An optional review assignment before the final exam worth 2% bonus.

-A bonus of 0.5% will be given to students attending my office hours for help.

-Bonus problems given every week will be about 0.5% extra credit each.

Calculators:A scientific calculator is required for this course and may be used on quizzes and exams. No graphing/programmable calculators allowed on quizzes/exams!

ADA statement:The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic learning, and psychiatric disabilities. The student needs to have such a disability approved by the Disability Service Office (162 UNION) in order to have the accommodations provided. The instructor needs to be informed about such a disability and approved accommodations at the beginning of the semester.

Tutoring:The RushingMathCenter offers free drop-in tutoring, a computer lab, and study areas. The RushingStudentCenter is adjacent to the LCB and JWB. The tutoring center will open starting in the second week of classes. One on one tutoring opportunities are also available for an hourly fee decided by the tutor.

Cheating:Cheating is a form of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, sharing answers or work on quizzes or tests, or copying portions of the project either from an outside source or from each other. The first instance of cheating will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment, and a second instance of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course. Other forms of academic dishonesty are outlined in the Student Code and will be enforced in this class.