MAT 110  GENERAL EDUCATION
MATHEMATICS SYLLABUS

 

 

Instructor: ____________________              Office: __________________________

Phone:        ____________________             E-mail:__________________________

 

Lead Instructor:  Richard Diefenbach          Office:  J 1013

                              Rhonda Dillow                  Office: J 1003

 

Phone: 1-800-481-2242 ext. 3251                  E-mail: rhondad@shawnee.cc.il.us

                                        ext. 3317                               richardd@shawnee.cc.il.us

 

 

Course Description: 

This course focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems, rather than routine skills.  Topics to be studied in depth include graph theory, counting techniques and probability, statistics, and finance or geometry. Calculators will be used extensively.

 

Prerequisites: Geometry – MAT 042, Intermediate Algebra – MAT 114 with a grade of “C” or better, or  approved equivalent math background. 

 

Credit Hours:  Four (4) semester hours.   Four lecture hours per week.

 

 

Textbooks and Supporting Materials:  

Mathematical Ideas, 10th ed. Charles Miller, Vern Heeren, John Hornsby,  Addison Wesley, 2004.

 

Course Objectives:    

 

  1. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  2. Translate mathematical information graphically and use those                                   representations and models to solve real-life problems.
  3. Recognize a real-life counting problem and find reasonable numerical                      solutions using various methods including systematic listing,                                     permutations, and combinations.
  4. Identify and solve real-life problems whose solutions entail                                      applications and interpretations of various probability formulas.
  5. Collect, organize, represent, and interpret statistical data by means of                      models and graphs for real-life problems.
  6. Apply concepts learned to solve real-life problems in the area of finance including interest, taxes, consumer credit, finance charges, and buying a house  or  use geometric concepts including points, lines, planes, volumes, areas, perimeters and polygons with real-life applications.
  7. Use a calculator as an aid in problem solving
  8. Estimate, approximate, and judge the reasonableness of solutions

 

Instructional Modes:  

Lecture, class discussion, demonstration and modeling will be used to develop and analyze the desired topics.  Student involvement and “hands-on” math will be an ongoing affair..  A number of in-class projects as well as a term project will be included. Scientific calculators will be used extensively and the computer will be utilized when appropriate.  Outside reading, homework and associated activities will be encouraged and rewarded.  The normal classroom routine includes answering homework questions, introduction and development of new material, class working sample problems, small group in-class projects and assignments of new homework.

 

Student Evaluation/Outcomes Assessment Measures:

 

Students will complete chapter exams throughout the course with a mandatory comprehensive final at the conclusion of the course.  The final is usually weighted as a double test score.  Your instructor may also use projects, quizzes, computer work, homework, notebooks, portfolios or other means of assessment to determine your final grade.

 ***Specifics on the grading procedure and/or a tentative course schedule developed by the instructor, may accompany this syllabus.

 

                        Grading Scale:              100 – 90%       A

                                                             89 – 80           B

                                                             79 – 70           C

                                                             69 – 60           D

                                                             59 -  0             F

Office Hours: 

     Office hours will be posted on the bulletin board outside the instructor’s office.  Other times are possible by scheduling individual appointments at mutually convenient hours.  Students are encouraged to consult regularly with the instructor regarding class progress or other topics of concern.

 

Inclement Weather Policy:

Become familiar with the inclement weather policy of Shawnee Community College.  It will be read in all classes and posted in the cafeteria or student lounge.

 

Academic Dishonesty or Plagiarism:

Review the college policy regarding academic dishonesty in the Student Handbook.

 

College Policy:

Administrative policy prohibits the following:  eating, drinking, or using tobacco in the classroom; bringing children or other unauthorized individuals to the classroom.

 

Attendance Policy:   

Each student is expected to attend all class meetings.  The student is expected to be on time and ready to begin class with the proper materials at the beginning of each class period.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding any absence prior to class if possible to determine what materials, homework, assignments, etc. will be required to make up for the absence.

 

Topical Outline:

            FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS

                        The Rectangular Coordinate System and Circles

                        Lines and Their Slopes

            Equations of Lines and Linear Models

            Linear Functions, Applications, and Models

            Quadratic Functions, Applications, and Models

            Exponential Functions, Applications, and Models

                        Systems of Equations and Applications

                        Linear inequalities and Systems

                       

            COUNTING TECHNIQUES AND PROBABILITY

                        Counting by Systematic Listing

                        Using the Fundamental Counting Principle

                        Using    Permutations and Combinations

                        Using Pascal's Triangle and the Binomial Theorem

                        Counting Problems Involving 'Not' and 'Or'

                        Basic Concepts of Probability

                        Events Involving 'Not' and 'Or'

                        Events Involving 'And'

                        Binomial Probability

                        Expected Value

                        Estimating Probabilities by Simulation

                       

            STATISTICS

                        Frequency distributions and Graphs

                        Measures of Central Tendency

                        Measures of Dispersion

                        Measures of Position

                        The Normal Distribution

                        Regression and Correlation

 

            FINANCE

                        Interest and Inflation

                        Annuities

                        Consumer Credit

                        Truth in Lending

                        Buying a House

                        Investing in the Stock Market   

 

            GEOMETRY

                        Points, Lines, Planes, and Angles

                        Curves, Polygons and Circles

                        Perimeter, Area, and Circumference

                        Similarity, Congruence, Volume, other

 

Note:  The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.