Grade Components

Major Proctored Assessments: 60%  (tests in class)

Major Unproctored Assessments: 20% (applets/projects/take-home test portion)

Non-Proctored minor assessments: 20%  ( book hw practice, exit tickets, reading guides, class/group activities/warm-ups, and checks for understandings/quizzes)

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

What will we do in this class?

Tests:  There will be at least 3 unit exams.  See the course calendar/google sheet link to for dates. 

Homework/Book Practice: Practice problems are listed in the google sheet.  Specific problems to be turned in are listed in the google sheet. 

Quizzes/Checks for understanding: These are due based on the dates in the google sheet.  Other in-class pop quizzes may occur.

Group work: Discussion is an important component to learning and solidifying math knowledge.  Expect to have class time that encourages discussion and working together. 

Applets in MLM:  A variety of Applet Activities/Projects are listed in the google sheet. Expect more specific instructions to be posted.  These will include grabbing screen shots and answering reflection/summary questions.

MLM Online Assignments: There are pre-requisite reviews and assignments in MLM.  Due dates are 4pm on the dates listed in MLM and posted on the google sheet. 

Reading guides: There are short reading guides to help you pre-read each chapter in advance of that topic.  These are due and are intended to help you come to class with a small preview of the chapter.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: 2 minor non-proctored grades will be dropped.  This means hw, book practice problems, exit tickets, quizzes, and/or other activities.

Late Work Policy: If a student is absent on the day an assignment is due, then the assignment should be turned in the following class day.  If more than 1 class day is missed/expected to be missed, then arrangements should be made to drop off the work/submit through Blackboard.  When submitting in BB, be sure to include a message explaining the reason the work is late.  .  Emailed submissions of work are not accepted nor graded!

Missed Exam Policy: With notice given and a credible reason, one exam that is missed may be taken in the testing center at SAC.  Documentation may be requested.  If a student knows in advance of a conflict with a test date, the student may test early in the testing center at SAC.  If the exams are graded and returned, then it will be too late to request a make-up for a missed exam.  Exams will be returned by the following class day for on-time testing.

Attendance/Class Participation Expectations and Policy: Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Required Materials 

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.    

Textbook: Excursions in Modern Mathematics, 10th Edition by Tannenbaum. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN: 9780137417438

Calculator: You will need a scientific or business calculator; it should have a yx or xy key and a square root key. Graphing calculators are fine but not required. You may be working in a computer lab depending on availability and the instructor's discretion.

Other Technology: No other technology is required. 

Required Materials 

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.    

Textbook: Excursions in Modern Mathematics, 10th Edition by Tannenbaum. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN: 9780137417438

Calculator: You will need a scientific or business calculator; it should have a yx or xy key and a square root key. Graphing calculators are fine but not required. You may be working in a computer lab depending on availability and the instructor's discretion.

Other Technology: No other technology is required. 

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement, plus updated in our google sheet calendar:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17HlcBP70XC8gYKBqZ0ld_FfO8NSml1Soti9qld-L0kU/edit?usp=sharing

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3

MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics (3-3-0). A topics-based course, with a variety of possible topics chosen by individual instructors. The selected topics may include: sets, logic, number theory, geometry, probability and statistics, and the mathematics of finance and social choice. This course is not algebra-intensive, and is designed for non-technical majors.

Course Rationale

This course is intended to provide non-mathematics and non-science majors with a survey of topics in mathematics.  The emphasis may be towards developing students' quantitative reasoning skills, illustrating the beauty of mathematics as a discipline, and/or imparting a feel for the different ways in which mathematics is used.  The students who take this course generally are in nursing, the liberal arts, communication, workforce programs, or some social sciences. This course may be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum and the General Education Mathematics requirements.

Course Objectives

1. Increase/improve your quantitative literacy.
2. Provide you with an opportunity to experience mathematics as an intellectual exercise and a way of thinking.
3. Provide you with an opportunity to appreciate the visual and intellectual beauty of mathematics.

 Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

• Apply the language and notation of sets. 
• Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence.  
• Solve problems in mathematics of finance. 
• Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.  
• Interpret and analyze various representations of data. 
• Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health literacy, and civic engagement.
• Understand that mathematics is an evolving discipline, interrelated with human culture, and understand its connections to other disciplines. 

General Education Competencies

• Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Apply mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.