Faculty Syllabus

MATH-1332 Contemporary Mathematics

Pritha Chakraborty


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

MATH-1332-017 (26735)
LEC MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC8 8302.00

Course Requirements

Tests: There will be four exams in this course. All exams carry equal weight in your final grade. However, if
you miss one exam or receive a low score on one, the lowest exam score may be replaced with your retest
score.
MyLab Homework: Each section in the textbook has a corresponding online homework assignment in
MyLab. These assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the corresponding test date. You will have up to 20
attempts to get each answer correct. Late submissions are allowed but will incur a 30% penalty on the work
submitted after the due date.
Quizzes: Regular quizzes will be given in class and will consist of problems similar to those covered in
lecture and assigned homework.
Group Activities: Regular group activities will be assigned during class. You are expected to work
collaboratively in your groups and submit the activity before the class ends.

Grade Components

Tests: 70% (Proctored)

MyLab Homework: 10%

Quizzes: 10% (Proctored)

Group Activities: 10%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

 

Readings

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; Graphing calculators are fine but not required. You may be working in a computer lab depending on
availability and the instructor's discretion.

Course Subjects

Week

Sections

Material

1

(1/20- 1/25)

1C

Sets and Venn Diagrams

2

(1/26 – 2/1)

1D,2A

Analyzing Arguments; Unit Analysis

3

(2/2 – 2/8)

Percent/3A

Intro to Percent

4

(2/9 – 2/15)

3A/3B

Uses and Abuses of Percentages 

5

(2/16 – 2/22)

  

Putting Numbers in Perspective; Index Numbers: The CPI and Beyond

Wed, Feb 18 – Test 1 (covers Chapter 1C, 1D, 2A, 3A, 3B)

6

(2/23 – 3/1)

3D, 3E

How Numbers Can Deceive  

7

(3/2 – 3/8)

4A, 4B, 4C, 4D

Taking Control of Your Finances; Linear/Exponential Growth

8

(3/9 – 3/15)

4E, Review

The Power of Compounding; Savings Plans and Investments  

  (3/16 – 3/22)

  

SPRING BREAK (No classes)

9

(3/23 – 3/29)

5A, 5B

Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages; Income Taxes

Wed, Mar 25 – Test 2 (covers Chapter 3D, 3E, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E)

10

(3/30 – 4/5)

5C, 5D, 6A

Fundamentals of Statistics; Should You Believe a Statistical Study? 

11

(4/6 – 4/12)

6B, 6C

Statistical Tables and Graphs, Characterizing Data; Measures of Variation

12

(4/13 – 4/19)

Review

The Normal Distribution   

Wed, Apr 15 – Test 3 (covers Chapter 5C, 5D, 6A, 6B, 6C)

13

(4/20 – 4/26)

7A, 7B

Fundamentals of Probability, Combining Probabilities

14

(4/27 – 5/3)

7C, 12A

The Law of Large Numbers; Voting: Does the Majority Always Rule?

15

(5/4 – 5/10)

12C, 12D

Apportionment: The House of Representatives and Beyond

16

(5/11 – 5/17)

  

Mon, May 11 – Test 4 (covers 7A, 7B, 7C, 12A, 12C, 12D)

Wed, May 13 – Optional Retest (Comprehensive final to replace lowest score)

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

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. 

Office Hours

M W 1:20 PM - 2:15 PM RRC 1205

NOTE

Office Hours

M W 1:20 PM - 2:15 PM RRC 1205

NOTE

Published: 01/27/2026 13:59:40