MAT120 - Concepts of Mathematics & Technology

Syllabus, Spring 2012

 

Section A
Three (3) Credit Hours Time: 12:45-2:00 p.m., (T, Th) Room: HR 312 (Labs in HR 314)

Office Hours: As shown below and by appointment.

Rather than using a traditional text book, the course resources are in the form of web pages. These resources include course content, examples, and exercises. Clicking on the button above will take you to these resources. In addition, sample quizzes and tests can be accessed by clicking on the corresponding links in the course schedule below.

Prerequisite: None

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is a survey of mathematical topics from probability, statistics, and finance along with an introduction to the use of spreadsheets to generate solutions to mathematical problems. The course emphasizes the practical application of concepts and basic computer skills in the solution of realistic problems.

For approximately half of the class sessions we will meet in a regular classroom and for the other half we will meet in the computer lab. The lecture sessions generally focus on the presentation of new material and on worked-out examples that illustrate the new material. In most of the lab sessions you will use spreadsheet software to solve mathematical problems based on the concepts presented in the lecture sessions. Tests will be given during the remaining lab sessions.

Students successfully completing this course will be able to

• solve counting problems (permutations, combinations, and general counting problems).
• calculate empirical and theoretical probabilities.
• generate and utilize probability trees.
• generate an Excel simulation of an experiment, summarize the results in a frequency distribution, calculate the empirical and theoretical probabilities, and create a bar graph illustrating these probabilities.
• summarize a set of quantitative data, calculate descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and five-point summary), and create a bar graph (for ungrouped data) or a histogram (for grouped data) illustrating the frequency distribution.
• summarize a set of poll results, calculate sample proportions, and create a pie graph illustrating the results.
• find probabilities based on normal distributions.
• use sample data to generate a confidence interval for the mean of a population.
• use sample data to generate a confidence interval for the population proportion.
• solve percentage markup and discount problems.
• generate information for a credit card statement.
• solve compound interest and ordinary annuity problems.
• prepare a table and appropriate graphs for the period by period details for compound interest and ordinary annuity problems.

ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES

Grades will be assigned on the basis of the following activities:

• Twenty-four quizzes. Short quizzes will be given at the beginning of most class sessions. Each quiz will cover material from the previous class session. See the tentative schedule for specific dates and links to sample quizzes. Students arriving late to class but before the quiz has been collected will be permitted to take the quiz but must turn it in at the same time as the rest of the class. In general, students who arrive after the quiz has been collected will not be permitted to take the quiz. Exceptions to this rule may be made on the days when we are working in the computer lab. Each quiz is worth 10 points. The 4 lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
• Three exams. Each exam is worth 100 points and will be given in the computer lab. See the tentative schedule for specific dates and links to sample exams. In general, makeup exams are given only if suitable arrangements are made before the regular exam period or if an unanticipated absence is officially excused.

Grading Scale

Final grades will based on the following scale:

Grade	Points
A	465-500
A-	450-564
B+	435-449
B	415-434
B-	400-414
C+	385-399
C	365-384
C-	350-364
D	300-349
F	000-299

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In MAT 120, a student who is absent eleven or more times and who is passing the course will receive a grade of "N" (no credit). If such a student is failing the course then the student will still receive a grade of "F". Note that under this policy there is no such thing as a "tardy". A make-up quiz or exam will be given only if the student arranges it AHEAD of time or if the absence is officially "excused".

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The work submitted by a student is expected to be the product of the student alone. Cheating, in any form, will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. Students who give assistance to other students will suffer the same penalty. Multiple occurrences will be dealt with under the policies established by the college.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Note: LAB indicates that we will meet in the computer lab, HR 314, that day.  On lecture days, the "Material Covered" column lists the sections in the web text that will be covered. For lab days, the lab topic is listed. Quizzes will be given on dates marked with an asterisk. Clicking on a quiz date in the schedule will display a sample quiz. Clicking on a test link in the schedule will display a sample test.

Month	Day	Material Covered
Jan.	10	Counting Problems
	12*	Probability: The Basics
	17*	Probability: The Basics (Introduction to Excel)
	19*	LAB - Empirical Probability (Prob Lab 1)
	24*	Conditional Probability and Probability Trees
	26	Probability & Simulated Experiments
	31*	LAB - Simulated Experiments (Prob Lab 2)
Feb.	2	Assessment Day
	7*	Probability & Simulated Experiments
	9*	LAB - Simulated Experiments (Prob Lab 3)
	14	LAB - Exam 1 (Counting & Probability Exam)
	16	Statistics: Collecting and Describing Data
	21*	LAB - Descriptive Statistics (Stat Lab 1)
	23*	Statistics: Normal Distributions & Probability
	28*	LAB - Normal Distributions & Probability (Stat Lab 2)
Mar.	1*	Statistics: Confidence Intervals for the Mean
	6*	LAB - Confidence Intervals for the Mean (Stat Lab 3)
	8*	Statistics: Confidence Intervals for the Proportion
	13	Spring Break
	15	Spring Break
	20*	LAB - Confidence Intervals for the Proportion (Stat Lab 4)
	22	LAB - Exam 2 (Statistics Exam)
	27	Finance: Introduction
	29*	Finance: Percent
Apr.	3*	Finance: Credit Cards
	5*	LAB - Credit Cards (Finance Lab 1)
	10*	Finance: Compound Interest
	12*	LAB - Compound Interest (Finance Lab 2)
	17*	Finance: Ordinary Annuities (Savings)
	19*	LAB - Savings (Finance Lab 3)
	24*	Finance: Ordinary Annuities (Loans)
	26*	LAB - Loans (Finance Lab 4)
	30	LAB - Exam 3 (Finance Exam), 8:00 - 10:00 A.M.

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