Expectations

The Nature of This Course 

This class will be different in many ways from your other math classes.  You are NOT expected to memorize a lot of information, memorize steps for working a particular type of problem, or work the same kind of problem over and over.  We won’t do as much with the algebra rules you have learned in your other math classes, but we will study some topics more deeply and learn to think about mathematical concepts and ideas differently.  You may not have experienced this kind of learning before, and that can be a little intimidating.   However, students who haven’t always enjoyed a typical algebra course usually enjoy the nature of this course since it is so different.       

Why use group activities in Contemporary Math Express? 

When an instructor prepares a math lecture, they have questions in mind that they ask the class as they work through examples.  Because students process information in different ways and at different rates, it can be difficult for all students to follow a lecture.  To give students more processing time, we have written our lectures out in activities.  This way every student has time to really think about the question, form better connections between concepts, and practice writing out meaningful responses.   In-class activities allow students to practice these skills before they are expected to do it on their own on an assignment.  The more effort and thought you put into the activities, the more you will learn and be prepared for what is expected on assignments and exams. 

How does working together help you learn Math? 

Working together exposes you to other ideas you may not have considered.  Also, it gives you an opportunity to pose questions to other students and to the instructor.  Responding to questions from other students allows you an opportunity to express your explanations and justifications and check your own understanding of the content.  Your instructor is always available to help clarify as you are working through the activities, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.   

Class Expectations 

• You are expected to struggle through some complicated ideas with classmates and on your own to make more meaningful connections and synthesize ideas.   
• You are expected to work with real-world scenarios and data, which means the numbers get messy.   
• You are expected to talk with other students about your ideas and listen carefully to their ideas so you can learn to think through all kinds of different math problems.   
• You are expected to spend a lot of time thinking more deeply about mathematical ideas, and to write about your thought process.   
• You are expected to think through a problem and apply your knowledge to problems that you have never seen before. 

Grades

The same exams, quizzes, and homework are used to determine both the MATD 0385 and MATH 1332 grades. Only the weighting of the grade calculation is different.

MATH 1332 Grade Components

Tests:  80%

Take-home Quizzes:  10%

Homework:  10%

MATD 0385 Grade Components

Tests: 50%

Take-home Quizzes: 20%

Homework: 20%

Group Work/Participation: 10%

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 are five tests in the course. Each test is very important! The test schedule is shown in the course calendar. All tests will be given in class. Contact both instructors immediately if you think you have a conflict with a test date. A make-up exam may be arranged in advance at our discretion. Otherwise, make-up exams will be arranged only for illness or an emergency, with appropriate documentation, provided that both instructors are notified as soon as the conflict is known, and no later than 24 hours from the start of the missed exam. Once an exam has been returned, no make-ups for that exam will be given.

If you miss a test, you must contact both instructors right away in order to remain enrolled in the class.

There is an optional 6th test given on the last day of class. It will be a retake of your lowest of the first 4 tests and will replace that test score.

Homework: You are expected to complete online homework in this course. Your experience with MyLab will depend on the effort you put into it. Because how you are thinking about the mathematics is just as important as getting the “right answer,” there are several questions in MyLab that model the language we expect to see on your written work. Rather than focusing on getting the “right answer,” you will get the most benefit from your MyLab Homework if you pay careful attention to the language used in the fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice items so you know how to explain processes and justify answers on your quizzes and tests. There will be a 20% penalty for late homework.

Quizzes: You are expected to complete written take-home quizzes each week. You must show all work and answers on the quiz. Quizzes are due at the beginning of class on the due date.

Read the quiz as you start to cover the related material, to allow time to think about the questions. The purpose of these assignments is to assess your understanding of the material and to provide feedback on your use of mathematical language and notation.

Each quiz is graded for completion and correctness. To receive a perfect score, you must show all of your work, follow an appropriate process, and arrive at a correct answer. A portion of your score for each quiz is for accuracy and a portion is for showing steps or justifying your answers. If you are uncertain about your answers, it is worth seeking help before turning in the quiz. We will not accept late quizzes.

Group work and participation: You are going to interact with each other quite a bit and talk to each other about math. There will be group activities every day in class.  You are expected to be an active participant and contribute to the discussion of the problems on the group activities.  Though you will be working with other students, everyone will record the work on their own paper.  These will be your notes you will use to complete homework assignments, so you need to ask questions and make sure you understand the ideas in the activity.  

We know that some of you do not like to talk in class and others like to talk a lot, so we will follow a couple of easy rules. We give everyone a chance to talk. We respond to whatever anyone says with respect. We are concerned here about concepts that will help you succeed in your college-level math courses and ultimately achieve your academic goals. You are all in the same boat; I expect that students in this class will support each other and be respectful when working together.

• Your participation grade consists of showing up on time, working on class activities, and staying until the end of class. Your class activities will be checked every day during class.

Study Skills: A series of study skills activities will be incorporated into this course to help support your learning.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: We will drop 2 quizzes.

Late Work Policy: No late Quizzes will be accepted. Late MyLab homework will incur a 20% penalty.

Missed Exam Policy: Make-up exams will be arranged only for illness or an emergency, with appropriate documentation, provided that both instructors are notified as soon as the conflict is known, and no later than 24 hours from the start of the missed exam. Once an exam has been returned, no make-ups for that exam will be given.

If you miss a test you must contact both instructors right away to remain enrolled in the class. You will be required to take the 6th test given on the last day of class. It will be a retake of the test you missed and will replace that grade. You may only take 1 retest and it can only be a retest of one of the first four tests.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required in this course.  Being more than 10 minutes late will count as an absence.  Leaving class early without prior notification will count as an absence.  Leaving more than 10 minutes early, even with prior notification, will count as an absence. Habitual tardiness or early departures amount to a lot of missed class time and will therefore also affect your attendance record. Students who miss 4 or more classes may be withdrawn from both MATH 1332 and MATD 0385 without warning.
Warning: This is a paired course. Students are expected to remain enrolled in both portions of the course. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the instructor.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

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:  Using & Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, 8th Edition by Bennett & Briggs. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN-10: 0137575335, ISBN-13: 9780137575336

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 6, Contact Hours: 6

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.

MATD 0385 – Contemporary Math Foundations (3-3-0). A course designed to develop the skills, including reading and thinking, and the understanding needed for non-math, non-science majors who take MATH 1332. Topics include: linear and exponential models, data interpretations including graphs and tables, percentage models, order of operations, unit analysis, and logical reasoning. This course is not for college level credit. Students who require any other college level math course other than MATH 1332 should not take this course.
 

Course Rationale

MATH 1332: 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.

MATD 0385: This course is intended only for students concurrently enrolled in the paired section of MATH 1332 who are TSI-mandated to take Developmental Math. Students who do not wish to take MATH 1332 concurrently, or who require MATH 1342 Elementary Statistics, should enroll in MATD 0485 Developing Mathematical Thinking. Students who are mandated to take Developmental Math by the TSI rules may satisfy the TSI requirement by completing this course with a grade of C or better.  Students who pass this course are not ready for MATH 1314 (College Algebra), MATH 1414 (College Algebra for Precalculus), or MATH 1324 (Math for Business and Economics). If your degree plan requires MATH 1314 (College Algebra), MATH 1414 (College Algebra for Precalculus), or MATH 1324 (Math for Business & Economics), you will need to complete MATD 0370 followed by the appropriate corequisite math courses (lecture-based courses) or all 12 objectives of MATD 0421 (personalized curriculum, computer-based course).

MATH 1332 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.

MATH 1332 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. 

MATD 0385 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

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

1. Use a variety of problem-solving strategies to solve multiple-step problems using arithmetic and fundamental level algebraic techniques. 
2. Solve application problems that require careful reading and the selection of the relevant information from a more extensive set of given information. 
3. Use the basic logical operators to draw logical conclusions.
4. Appropriately use order of operations to evaluate numerical expressions on a scientific calculator. 
5. Read data tables and graphs, and use the information to answer questions such as percent change.
6. Convert between various units of measurement, including square units. 
7. Work percentage problems including developing exponential functions to reflect situations with a constant percentage of growth 
8. Determine whether a set of data points or a verbal description models a linear or exponential function or does not model either.
9. Write equations to model linear and exponential data.

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.