Mathematics in Action

Math 130 Spring 2008

Syllabus

Mathematics in Action emphasizes the real-world significance of mathematics and applications of several areas of mathematics. The topics covered include:

The goal of this course is to provide students with an experience in quantitative reasoning and data analysis through mathematical modeling of some real life problems including a hands-on approach. Further emphasis will be on illustrating the importance, relevance, and currency of mathematics in the modern world.


Contact Information

 Instructor:  Christopher Dwyer  LN-2235  x-72278 dwyer@math.binghamton.edu
 Teaching Assistants:       Sections
   Bronlyn Wassink  LN-2239   wassink@math.binghamton.edu 04, 05
   Ryan McCulloch  LN-2412   mcculloch@math.binghamton.edu 02, 06
    Jackie Kaminski  LN-2410E   kaminski@math.binghamton.edu   01, 03
    Elizabeth Schick     eschick1@binghamton.edu 07, 08

When contacting the instructor or TA by e-mail make sure you include your full name and section number.
E-mail messages without your full name or section number will be ignored.


Office Hours

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Dwyer Instructor 1:00 - 2:00 10:30 - 11:30 9:00 - 10:00
Wassink 04, 05 1:00 - 4:00
McCulloch 02, 06 4:00 - 5:00 4:00 - 5:00 1:00 - 2:00
Kaminski 01, 03 10:00 - 11:00 10:00 - 11:00 10:00 - 11:00
Schick 07, 08 1:00 - 4:00

Recitations

The TAs will hold their office hours in the Math Help Room LN-2216.

The instructor will hold his office hours in his office LN-2235.

Each student must register for the Lecture plus one of the discussions.
Lec 90 MWF 12:00 - 1:00 LH - 008 Dwyer
Dis 01 T 8:30 - 9:55 FA - 346 Kaminski
Dis 02 R 8:30 - 9:55 RC - 121 McCulloch
Dis 03 T 11:40 - 1:05 RC - 203 Kaminski
Dis 04 R 11:40 - 1:05 RC - 203 Wassink
Dis 05 T 1:15 - 2:40 SW - 305 Wassink
Dis 06 R 1:15 - 2:40 SW - 311 McCulloch
Dis 07 T 1:15 - 2:40 SW - 311 Schick
Dis 08 R 1:15 - 2:40 FA - 244 Schick


Course Materials

Textbook: Mathematics in Action,
F. Guzmán and L.C. Kappe,
Binghamton University.
The material in the textbook will be supplemented with handouts, and web-based materials.
The course web page is at:
http://www.math.binghamton.edu/dwyer/math130/
Important announcements will be posted on the web page. Check it every day.

Grades

Your course grade will be based on weekly quizzes, three tests, a cumulative final exam, and class participation.

 Quizzes   T or R Every week 20%
  Test 1   Wednesday Feb. 20 15%
  Test 2   Wednesday March 19 15%
  Test 3   Friday April 25 15%
  Final (cumulative)Wednesday May 14 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 30%
  Class participation 5%


Class Policies

Class attendance:
class attendance is mandatory. Different means will be used to check attendance. Repeated failure to attend class will seriously compromise your grade.

ID card:
You are required to bring an ID to every lecture. If you don't have your ID with you the day of a test, you won't be allowed to take that test.

Cell phones:
No active cell phones are allowed in the classroom. TURN OFF your cell phone before entering the classroom.

Calculators:
A basic scientific calculator should be brought to every class. Besides the arithmetic operations, it should have square, square root, and memory function keys. You will be allowed to use such calculator during tests and quizzes. No graphing and/or programmable calculators will be allowed in tests. No lending/borrowing of calculators is allowed during quizzes and tests. Bring your own calculator. See Calculator Policy.

Make-up test:
If you expect to miss a test, or have missed a test, talk to the instuctor ASAP. You may be allowed to take a make-up test, if the excuse for missing the original test is deemed reasonable. A documented medical problem is normally considered a reasonable excuse to get a make-up test.

Make-up quizzes:
There are no make-up quizzes. If you miss a quiz, talk to your TA within two days of the missed quiz. You might be excused from the quiz, in which case the quiz does not count for your grade. If you are not excused, you get a zero for the quiz.

Pop quizzes:
There will be occasional pop quizzes in lecture. If you are absent from that lecture you get a zero for the pop quiz.

Homework:
All the exercises at the end of each chapter are assigned as homework. In addition, there will be a supplementary list of problems posted on the web page. Even though homework will not be collected, doing all the homework problems is the way to ensure good performance in tests and quizzes.

Cheating:
Cheating is considered a very serious offense. See Academic Honesty Policy.