Frederick Community College

MA103-Foundations of Mathematics

Summer 2011
 

Class begins: June 6

Class ends: Aug 1

Last Day to Drop: July 13

Instructor Information:

Name:   Gary Hull

Office:  B110 - F

E-mail:  mailto:Kblount@frederick.edu

Phone Number:  301-846-2576

Office Hours:  By Appointment

Campus Mail Box #:  265

Course Information:

Credits:  3

On-campus Meetings:  None

On-campus Exams:  None

Prerequisites:  MA082

Co-requisites: None

Course Description:

Covers various topics within mathematics for those whose need is a survey of mathematical principles rather than the in-depth analysis required for a mathematics or science-related program Depending on instructor preferences, areas covered may include: problem solving strategies, logic, numeration systems, set theory, classification of numbers, algebra, financial management, geometry, measurement and right triangle trigonometry, probability, statistics, graphs, systems of equations, linear programming

Core Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate

1.         articulate the concepts of practical mathematics.  This will be accomplished through writing and speaking in effective, organized, clear, and grammatically correct English appropriate for mathematics.

2.         interpret and analyze tables, graphs, and diagrams to convey quantitative information and solve practical mathematical problems.

3.         perform mathematical operations and apply them to practical situations.

4.         generate and evaluate alternative solutions to practical mathematical problems.

5.         demonstrate a variety of problem-solving techniques using different mathematical tools and alternative representations of numerical and analytical concepts with application to numerical data.

6.         use the technology of a changing world appropriate to practical mathematics.

7.         display academic honesty and adhere to professional standards in their field.

 Specific Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

1.      solve linear programming problems by testing an objective function

2.      understand and manage real-life financial and consumer related issues

3.      use counting principles and probability theory to solve problems involving 

         analysis of outcomes and problems concerning uncertainty.

4.      strengthen their ability to solve problems using inductive reasoning, deductive

         reasoning and estimation techniques.

5.      understand the concepts and notation of operations with sets and use the theory

         of sets to assist with problem solving

6.      use deductive reasoning and logic to derive valid conclusions

7.      understand the workings of various numeration systems           

 How is this course organized:

Weekly assignments - Reading, practice problems, and a graded shared response question will be assigned at the start of each week.

Exams - There will be an exam at the end of Unit 1: Set Theory and Unit 2: Statistics.

Projects - There will be two projects due for Unit 3: Linear Programming and Finance Mathematics.  Project 1 will be related to Linear Programming and Project 2 will be be related to Finance Mathematics

Text(s) for Course:

Thinking Mathematically,  Customized Edition for FCC by Robert Blitzer

TI-83 graphing calculator

Progress Report:

You may access your grades at any time during this course

Evaluation Methods:

Evaluation:  Your grade in the course will be determined by the following types of assignments: Shared Responses, Projects and Exams.  The point break downs are as follows:

Letter grades will be issued as follows:

Attendance/Participation Policy:

Everyone is expected to keep up with assignments and participate in the shared responses.  Since this class is online, you will not have the constant stimuli of your classmates around you.  That means you will have to take control of your own motivation by staying up with the assignments, responding to your classmate’s questions, and getting help when you need it.  There is a great deal of help available if you have a question or begin to lag behind.  Don’t suffer in silence!

 Email Policy:

Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

Students who are concerned about the privacy of their personal email address are reminded of commercially available products that allow them to create unique email addresses specifically for the purpose and duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 12 to 24 hours.

Academic Honesty:

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Honesty. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. 

Topical Outline (ONLINE COURSE)

Week

SUBJECT

Sections in Text

Set theory and logic

Week 1

2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5

Week 2

3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

Week 3

3.5, 3.6 and Exam 1

Statistics

Week 4

12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4

Week 5

Exam 2

Linear Programming and Finance Mathematics

Week 7

Linear Programming Project

Week 8

8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5 and

Finance Mathematics Project

NOTE:  your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as needed.