Course Syllabus for Math 130: Contemporary Math, Spring 2005

Mathematics Department – Arts and Sciences Division - Kaskaskia College

“I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

Instructor:  Jodi Palm

Office Hours: To be announced

Office:  ST – 118     Phone: 545-3360                                       email: jpalm@kaskaskia.edu

 Appointments for extra help with math may be made by contacting the instructor.

Text:   For All Practical Purposes, 6^th Edition, by Comap, Freeman Publishing Company, and Copyright 2003

Course Description for Math 130 Contemporary Math                  Credit Hours: 3.0

This course includes selection of mathematical principles to better understand issues in a contemporary society. The focus is on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real-life problems rather than routine skills and appreciation.  Topics include mathematical modeling, probability and statistics, graph theory, and linear programming.

Prerequisite: Math 107

Materials Required:

            Textbook, loose-leaf paper, pencils

            Suggested: Scientific calculator, notebook/folder

Grading Policy:         

Grades will be based on participation, homework, quizzes, projects and tests.

            Participation = approximately 5-10 points per chapter (about 6% final grade)

            Homework = approximately 10 points per chapter (about 9% final grade)

Quizzes/Project = approximately 30 points per chapter (about 28% final grade)

            Tests = approximately 100 points per chapter (about 57% final grade)  

                            Five 50-minute tests will be given during the semester, 100 points each

                            Test 1 Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Euler and Hamiltonian Circuits
                            Test 2 Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 Planning and Scheduling
                            Test 3 Chapter5 and Chapter 6 Gathering and Describing Data
                            Test 4 Chapter 7 Analyzing Data
                            Test 5 Chapter 9 Error Detecting Codes     

            Grading Scale

            A = 90%- 100%

            B = 80% - 89%

            C = 70% - 79%

            D = 60% - 69%

            F = Below 60%

Note: When there is a question concerning the point value given on a graded quiz or exam, please write a response to the instructor and submit this within a week of receiving the paper. Class time is not the appropriate place to discuss this issue.

Attendance:

Attendance is expected and is beneficial for successful completion of this course. Students are expected to attend ALL scheduled class periods. If more than two weeks of classes are missed without a valid excuse, a student may be withdrawn from the class with an F. Students will not be allowed to make up homework, quizzes, or tests. For emergency situations, approval MAY be given for a missed class. Arrive on time and sign the attendance sheet for each class to receive full credit for course work that day. If you plan to withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to make these arrangements!

Tardiness:

It is disrespectful to others to interrupt a scheduled class. Arriving late for class will affect your grade. Participation scores will be lowered, homework may not be accepted, and extra time will not be given to complete quizzes or tests.

Make-Up Policy:

As stated earlier, for emergency situations, approval MAY be given for a missed class. If possible, students must meet with the instructor before missing a class to discuss the extreme circumstance. If this is not possible, students must meet with the instructor prior to the next class meeting.

Chapters to Be Covered:

            Chapter 1:  Street Networks – Euler Circuits

            Chapter 2:  Visiting Vertices – Hamiltonian Circuits

            Chapter 3:  Planning and Scheduling

            Chapter 4:  Linear Programming

            Chapter 5:  Producing Data

            Chapter 6:  Exploring Data

            Chapter 7:   Probability: The Mathematics of Chance – Analyzing Data

            Chapter 9:  Identification Numbers – Error Detecting Codes     

Math 130 Contemporary Mathematics Outcomes:

After successful completion of Math 130 a student should be able to perform the following at a 70% success rate. (C or better)

1.       Determined whether a graph contains for Euler circuit.

2.       Find an approximate solution to the traveling salesman problem by applying the nearest-neighbor algorithm.

3.       Find an approximate solution to the traveling salesman problem by applying the sorted-edges algorithm.

4.       Given a graph with edge weights, determine a minimum-cost-spanning tree.

5.       Find the earliest possible completion time for a collection of tasks by finding the critical path in their order requirement digraph.

6.       Apply the list-processing algorithm to schedule independent task on identical processors.

7.       When given an order-requirement digraph, apply the list-processing algorithm to schedule a list of task subject to the digraph.

8.       Solve a bin-packing problem

9.       Apply the corner point theorem to determine the maximum profit for a linear programming problem.

10.   Identify the population in a given sampling or experimental situation.

11.   Identify the sample in a given sampling or experimental situation.

12.   Analyze a sampling example to detect sources of bias.

13.   Use a table of random digits to select a random sample from a small population.

14.   Describe the placebo effect.

15.   Calculate the measures of central tendency of a set of data.

16.   List the five-number summary for a given data set.

17.   Construct a histogram and/or a scatterplot for a small data set.

18.   Describe the sample space for a given random phenomenon.

19.   Explain what is meant by the probability of an outcome.

20.   Apply the laws of probability to determine the validity of a probability model.

21.   Compute the probability of an event when the probability model of the experiment is given.

22.    Apply the 68%-95%-99.7% rule to compute normal probability

23.   Compute the expected value of an outcome when the associated probability model is defined.

24.   Explain the significance of the central limit theorem.

25.   Understand the purpose of a check digit and be able to determine one for various schemes.

26.   Be able to convert a given ZIP code to its corresponding bar code, and vice versa.

Student Support Services:

Important Dates:

            Last day to drop a class and receive full refund

            Last day to drop a class and receive one-half refund

            Last day to withdraw with a W

A note of encouragement:

I look forward to working with you during this course. As with any math course, a dedication is needed toward both the completion of assignments and preparation for quizzes and exams. All odd-numbered problems have the answers in the back of the textbook. This is designed to give you a guide to understanding the concepts presented in each section. We will work several examples together during class; in addition, the text provides sample problems for you to study.

You need to know that this course will not be easy. If you have difficulty understanding a concept, please do not hesitate to ask questions during class; your questions will help the other students! You may also stop by my office, and I will be happy to answer your questions. There are videos and websites to assist your learning. Be sure to take advantage of the CEC lab where math tutoring is available. Please make an appointment in advance. Evening hours by appointment will be offered in addition to the regular hours Monday through Friday, 8-4.      

It is my goal that you will have a good experience with mathematics and leave this class with the confidence to pursue future mathematics courses. We are a team working together to bring you success.

“There are no shortcuts!” – Rafe Esquith

“The game’s on the schedule, we have to play it, we might as well win it.” – Bill Russell

Math 130 Class Schedule