Grades

Grade Components

Exams:80%

Other (MyLab Math Homework, Written Homework, and Discussions): 20%

Note: within both of these categories, each individual assignment is weighted equally.

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

What will we do in this class?

Exams: Five exams will be given in Blackboard using Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor. There will not be a cumulative final exam. Exam dates are in the course schedule above. A missed exam will receive a grade of zero. If you make arrangements with me beforehand, it may be acceptable to take an exam early or late. No exam grades will be dropped. You will have the opportunity to submit corrections for one of Exams 1-3 to earn back half (50%) of the missed points. e.g. If you make a 60, you missed 40 points. You could earn back ½ of 40, which is 20 points, and earn a score of 60 + 20 = 80.

All exams will be proctored using Respondus Monitor. There will be an exam trial run to make sure you know how to use the technology. You will need a webcam and a microphone for your exams.

MyLab Math Homework: Online Homework assignments are required, and are available from the Pearson MyLab Math links in Blackboard. Follow the instructions in content area in Blackboard titled “Course Materials Fall2021” to register for MyLab Math. You will not need a Course ID, and you will not need to pay any additional costs – they are included in your registration fees. Once you have logged into MyLab Math from Blackboard, you will not have to log in to MyLab Math again when accessing MyLab Math through Blackboard. Please note that if you register your MyLab Math with a different email than your ACCmail account, you are granting permission for the instructor to discuss grades with that email account via the email system in MyLab Math.

When reading the online version of the textbook more videos can be accessed by clicking on the video icon in the online textbook as you are reading. These video icons are not available in the pdf version or mobile app version of the textbook. If you are stuck on a homework problem, first try using the tools available in MyLab Math, such as Help me solve this, View an Example, or Animation, if available. Also, try following an example from the textbook or the videos (mine, MyLab Math or Khan Academy). If you are unable to figure out the problem from these tools, seek help. You may use the Ask My Instructor button to send me an email with a link to the problem you are working on. You will usually hear from me within 1 school day. It is recommended that you print each assignment before working on it, and do all of your work on paper. Get used to showing the important steps. Keep your work, with the correct answers and all of your work, organized in a binder for later reference. When preparing for exams, many students find it helpful to have these pages to study with.

Due dates for MyLab Math Homework are on the schedule above, as well as on Blackboard and in MyLab Math. MyLab Math Homework can be worked on after the due date with a 20% penalty for all problems that are not completed on time. The penalty applies only to individual problems that are completed after the due date. Keep up with the due dates in MyLab Math.

Written Homework: Written homework assignments, in the form of worksheets, correspond to parts of each chapter in the book. The assignments can be found within each section folder in the Course Content area of Blackboard. The worksheets are to be printed, and you must show all work and answers on the worksheet itself, in the space provided. If you need more space or on occasion cannot access a printer, please complete the work on you own paper and be sure to use a ruler (or graph paper) to draw nice graphs.

It is recommended that you print and read the worksheet as soon as you start reading the corresponding sections, watching the corresponding videos, and attempting the corresponding MyLab Math homework. Note that the written assignments cover only some of the material, and are not an adequate representation of the course as a whole. Written assignments are graded by completion and correctness. To get a perfect score, you must show all your work, following an appropriate process, and get a correct answer. If you are uncertain about your answers, it is worth seeking help before turning in the assignment.

You will scan and submit written assignments through Blackboard. Do so before midnight on the due date for it to be accepted and not considered late. My solutions to written assignments are typically posted within a few days of being due.

NOTE: Written assignments will not be accepted via email.

Discussion: You are going to talk to each other about the course and math through the Discussion Boards. There will be activities or problems to solve or questions to think about and discuss. Graded discussions will count as Written Homework assignments.

You are expected to be an active participant and contribute to the discussions. Though you will be working with other students, always rely on yourself to make notes and ask questions. Your notes may help you to complete homework assignments, so you need to ask questions and make sure you understand the ideas and problems discussed and assigned.

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. See the Guidelines for Online Communication in the Course Information Folder of Blackboard.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: In the Other (MyLab Math Homework, Written Homework, and Discussions) category, the three lowest grades will be dropped. Exam grades will not be dropped.

Late Work Policy: MyLab Math Homework can be submitted late for a 20% penalty. Written Homework and Discussions will receive a 20% penalty. Late exams will not be accepted unless you have made prior arrangements with me before the due date.

Missed Exam Policy: Missed exams will receive a grade of zero. You must let me know beforehand if you will miss an exam in order to take it at another time.

Attendance/Class Participation Expectations and Policy: Regular participation and completion of assignments is expected of all students. If compliance with 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: Using & Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, 8th Edition by Bennett & Briggs. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software)  ISBN-10: 0137575335, ISBN-13: 9780137575336

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:

Access to a webcam and microphone are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Course Calendar

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

Important Dates

Last day to withdraw: July 22

Holidays: June 19, July 4

(Please note these are the ONLY holidays this semester.)

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.