Syllabus 2008

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SYLLABUS

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & MATHEMATICS
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
COURSE SYLLABUS

MATH 1013: Contemporary Mathematics
INSTRUCTOR: Wayne Holt
E-MAIL: dr.mathlet@gmail.com
WEBSITE: http://math.editme.com

PREREQUISITES:
Two years of high school algebra
and one year of high school geometry.

TEXT:
Recommended: Burger & Starbird: The Heart of Mathematics. Key, 2nd.
Harold Jacobs: Mathematics: A Human Endeavor. Freeman, 3rd.

MATERIALS:

$10 calculator
pencils with big erasers
computer with an internet connection
Java enabled internet browser
preferably Window's Internet Explorer browser

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to the mathematics of our society. Includes elements of mathematical thought, logic, and problem solving. Basic mathematical ideas covered include inductive and deductive reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem solving. Specific mathematical topics include (but are not limited to) sets, statistics, counting methods, chance, games, sequences, and symmetry.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To exercise your thinking with numbers via pattern recognition and problem solving using basic mathematical ideas from the contemporary world.

GRADING POLICY:

 
 
TESTS           ~30%                    A          80-100% 

PROJECT         ~20%                    B          60-79% 

LABS            ~25%                    C          40-59% 

WEBS            ~25%                    D          20-39%

A typical course will offer between 500 and 700 points.
A grade of D, then, will require earning between 100 and 140 points.
Note that you must complete one project and take the final exam.
If you are absent, you will earn no points that day.
There are no make-up tests.
You don�t play, we don�t pay!

REMARKS:
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services (DSS) Office, DSS will review your concern and determine what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documents of disability are confidential.

MATH 1013 � COMMON COMPETENCIES

Upon successful completion of Math 1013, the student will...

I. Applications:
1. know where and how important mathematical ideas are applied to our contemporary world.

II. Combinatorics:
1. apply the fundamental counting principle.
2. construct a Markoff chain (tree diagram).
3. set up and evaluate permutation problems.
4. set up and evaluate combination problems.

III. Deductive Reasoning:
1. use deductive reasoning to solve a variety of problems including number tricks.

IV. Inductive Reasoning:
1. distinguish between induction and deduction.
2. use inductive reasoning to make generalizations.

V. Pattern Discovery:
1. discover patterns in data (both mathematical and non-mathematical).

VI. Probability:
1. find the probability of a single event, successive events, complementary events
2. use probabilities in decision making.
3. apply the binomial probability to solve problems.
4. construct Pascal's triangle.

VII. Sequences
1. recognize the form of a variety of number sequences including arithmetic, geometric, power, Fibonacci, and exponential
2. form number sequences from a verbal description.

VIII. Statistics
1. organize data and frequency distributions.
2. use statistical methods to decipher codes
3. determine the mean, mode and median of a data set and use these measures of central tendency to solve problems.
4. compute the standard deviation of a data set and use it in decision making.
5. graph statistical data (bar, line and pie)
6. analyze a statistical display for its accuracy.

IX. Technology
1. use the hand calculator and interactive software as an aide in problem solving.

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Last Modified 12/8/08 10:18 AM