Faculty Syllabus
MATD-0385 Contemporary Math Foundations
Jordan Barry
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
MATD-0385-005 (17527)
LEC TuTh 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC2 2312.00
Course Requirements
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
Proctored Exams: 70%
Take-Home Quizzes: 10%
MyLabMath HW: 5%
Projects & Group Quizzes: 10%
Quick Quizzes: 5%
MATD 0385 Grade Components
Proctored Exams: 50%
Take-Home Quizzes: 10%
MyLabMath HW: 10%
Projects & Group Quizzes: 10%
Quick Quizzes: 10%
Participation: 10%
Grading Scale
A: 90 – 100, B: 80 – 89.9, C: 70 – 79.9, D: 60 – 69.9, F: < 60
Readings
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
Supplemental Materials Needed: Scientific calculator; 3-ring binder recommended
Other Technology: Scientific calculator required; 3-ring binder recommended.
Calculator Note: We recommend the TI-30XS Multiview Scientific Calculator (approx. $16). CASIO also makes good scientific calculators. Be sure the model has a two-line screen that shows what you type into the calculator on one line and the result on the next line, and that it formats fractions nicely. Scientific calculators may also be checked out from the ACC library on a first-come, first-serve basis. Graphing calculators are allowed if you already have one, but students usually find scientific calculators are easier to use for the material we cover in this class.
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 Subjects
|
Wk |
Day |
Date |
Notes/Activities & KEYS |
|
1 |
M |
8/25 |
0385: 1.1 – Reading in Mathematics |
|
W |
8/27 |
1C – Logic and Venn Diagrams |
|
|
2 |
M |
9/1 |
holiday |
|
W |
9/3 |
2A – Unit Conversions |
|
|
3 |
M |
9/8 |
0385: Intro to Percents and 3A (Part I) – Uses and Abuses of Percents |
|
W |
9/10 |
3A (Part II) – Uses and Abuses of Percents |
|
|
4 |
M |
9/15 |
3B – Scientific Notation and Energy Conversions |
|
W |
9/17 |
3D – CPI, 3E – False Positive/False Negative & Simpson’s Paradox |
|
|
5 |
M |
9/23 |
Catch-up/Review |
|
W |
9/25 |
Test 1 |
|
|
6 |
M |
9/29 |
1A – Logical Fallacies, 5A (Part I) – Fundamentals of Statistics |
|
W |
10/1 |
5A (Part II) – Fundamentals of Statistics, Sampling Methods 5B – Should You Believe a Study? |
|
|
7 |
M |
10/6 |
5C – Statistical Tables and Graphs, 5D – Graphics in the Media |
|
W |
10/8 |
6A – Describing Distributions |
|
|
8 |
M |
10/13 |
6B – Measuring Variation |
|
W |
10/15 |
6C – The Normal Distribution |
|
|
9 |
M |
10/20 |
Catch-up/Review |
|
W |
10/22 |
Test 2 |
|
|
10 |
M |
10/27 |
12A – Voting Methods, 12C – Apportionment |
|
W |
10/29 |
12D – Gerrymandering |
|
|
11 |
M |
11/3 |
0385 – 1.5 Problem Solving 7A – Intro to Probability |
|
W |
11/5 |
7B – Overlapping vs Non-Overlapping, Independent vs Dependent Events |
|
|
12 |
M |
11/10 |
7C – Law of Large Numbers, 7A & 7B Probability Mixed Practice |
|
W |
11/12 |
Catch-up/Review |
|
|
13 |
M |
11/17 |
Test 3 |
|
W |
11/19 |
4E – Taxes |
|
|
14 |
M |
11/24 |
4A – Personal Finance, 4B – Simple Interest vs Compound Interest |
|
W |
11/26 |
||
|
15 |
M |
12/1 |
4C– Savings Plans & Investments, 4D – Loans |
|
W |
12/3 |
4B, 4C, 4D Mixed Practice |
|
|
16 |
M |
12/8 |
Finance Project |
|
W |
12/10 |
Optional Final Exam |
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
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).
Office Hours
M W 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM RRC 2308.002
NOTET Th 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM RRC 2308.002
NOTEW 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Virtual
NOTET Th 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Virtual
NOTEPublished: 01/26/2026 10:51:40