Linfield College
Division of Continuing Education: Adult Degree Program
Course Syllabus for MAT-151Instructor: Dr. Gowri Meda
Welcome to Introduction to Finite Mathematics!! Please read and understand this syllabus.
CONTENTS
PART A
A1. Course Number, Title, Credit hours
A2. Instructor’s Contact Information and Biography
A3. Prerequisites for this Course
A4. Course Textbook and Technology Requirements
A5. Course Content and Course Objectives
A6. Pedagogical Approach
A7. Class Assessment and Grading Scheme
A8. Academic Honesty Policy
A9. Missed Assignments and Quizzes Policy
A10. Disability Statement
PART B
B1. Activities and assignments for the week of February 19-25
B2. Activities and assignments for the week of February 26-March 4
B3. Activities and assignments for the week of March 5-11
B4. Activities and assignments for the week of March 12-18
B5. Activities and assignments for the week of March 19-25
B6. Activities and assignments for the week of March 26-April 1
B7. Activities and assignments for the week of April 2-8
B8. Activities and assignments for the week of April 9- 15
B9. Activities and assignments for the week of April 16-22
B10. Activities and assignments for the week of April 23-29
B11. Activities and assignments for the week of April 30-May 6
B12. Activities and assignments for the week of May 7- 13
B13. Activities and assignments for the week of May 14 - 20
PART A
A1. Course Number, Title, Credit hours:
Course Title & Number: MAT-151 - Introduction to Finite Mathematics - ONLINE Class
Credit Hours: Two
Term and year: Spring 2007 [February 17 to May 24]
Classroom: OnlineA2. Instructor’s Contact Information and Biography:
Emailing instructions: From the Course Tools Menu, click on Mail. Next, click on Create Message. From the Browse for Recipients list, choose my name. Compose your message as usual and hit Send button.
My Online schedule: I will reply to your messages on at least three days out of Monday through Friday and I would like to reserve Saturdays and Sundays for my family. However, if I am not out of town on weekends, I will try to reply to your messages. If you have a math question, then please post them in the GROUP Discussion area (information about your GROUP is discussed in A7 below.) and I will respond in the same group- area so that everyone in the group can benefit from your question and my answer. Please email to my personal inbox only if you have a non-math question that you want to discuss with me.
My Biography: I am originally from India although I have been residing in the US for the last 16 years. Since receiving my Ph.D. degree in mathematics in 1997 from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, I taught math full-time for five years. Since September 2002, I have been teaching math part-time at a community college and also part-time online classes at Linfield since September 2003. I enjoy teaching math and I am looking forward to working with you this semester. By the way, please call me by my first name: Gowri—“Gow” rhymes with “Cow” and “ri” rhymes with “be”.A3. Prerequisites for this Course:
Successful completion of MAT 115 ( Intermediate Algebra) or equivalent
A4. Course Textbook and Technology requirements
Required Text: Waner, Costenoble. Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus (4th ed.) Thomson Publishing (available at the bookstore).
Optional and highly recommended: Student-solutions manual titled: Student's solution Manual for Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus- also available at the bookstore.
MS Excel: You will need access to MS Excel software. MS Excel is a user-friendly spreadsheet application that is a very useful tool. We will use MS Excel in this course to solve and understand some real-world applications - in the textbook these math-application problems are referred to as Case Studies and are given at the end of each chapter. More specifically, we will use MS Excel for tedious math calculations (such as evaluating certain functions at various points), for organizing data, for obtaining regression lines from given data and for graphing. Your text provides very clear instructions on how to get started with MS Excel and how to use Excel.
Calculators: In this course you will need to do math calculations that will require some sort of technology-tool. You may either use a calculator or MS Excel for this purpose. Your text provides guidelines for using TI-83, specific to relevant math examples discussed in the text.. Since there are a large variety of calculators available in the market, it will not be possible for me to provide calculator-usage directions. If you plan to use a calculator, be sure to learn your calculator features from the handbook that came with your calculator.
A5. Course Content and Course Objectives:
Content will include: Review of algebra including linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, graphs. Applications in business, economics, and the social and behavioral sciences.
In this course you will:
- gain an understanding of an important mathematical concept called "functions" with a focus on linear functions(Chapter one)
- apply your knowledge of linear functions and also technology (MS Excel) to a real-world application (Case Study in Chapter one)
- learn about simple and compound interest (Chapter five)
- develop the algebraic and technological skills and techniques needed to solve problems in the mathematics of finance (Case Study in Chapter five)
- learn how to solve a system of linear equations and apply the skills to a case-study (Chapter two)
- learn how to solve linear inequalities and apply the skills to basic linear programming problems (Chapter four)
A6. Pedagogical Approach:
In order to succeed in this online class, you must take on an active role in completing all the course objectives. The structure of an online class requires students to be very disciplined in their study habits. A successful student in an online environment must be willing and able to learn the material independently by reading the textbook, doing the homework, participating in online class discussion (see A7 below where I provide details on discussion groups) and completing all assignments. As an instructor in an online environment, I facilitate your learning by providing a weekly plan with readings and assignments to complete. I am available to answer your math questions through the discussions group. However, in an online course, it is crucial that you develop the skills to learn the math content independently through reading the text. Since our math communications will be solely through discussion-group messages, you should be prepared to read my response-messages and learn math by understanding the math content of my messages.
Section A7 below provides you the specifics of classroom assessment. PART B of this syllabus lists the activities and assignments for each week. In this Online environment, while you have the advantage of studying the material at a time of the day that fits your schedule, it is crucial that you understand that each week you will have a list assignments (readings,online quizzes and group-discussions and also exams in some weeks) to complete and there is no flexibility in the due-dates of these assignments. Hence, be sure to read and understand the next two sections very carefully.
In this class you are advised to:
• complete the reading assignment on time.
• complete the homework (do not turn it in)
• participate in the group discussions in a timely manner on a regular and consistent basis.
• complete the online-quizzes/exams on time and follow all the rules that go with it.
In this class you can expect that I will:
• respond to your math-questions
• respond to messages sent to my “email”
• actively manage this webpage
A7. Class assessment and Grading Scheme:
Your course grade will be based on the following assessment areas. Please also see “Grading Scheme” which explains how I will determine your Course-grade.
- Weekly Online Group-Discussion and Participation: By Monday morning, I will assign you to a group. Each Monday, I will post one or two discussion thread-messages (referred to as DQ threads). Each DQ thread message will contain one or more math questions from your textbook (based on that week's reading assignment) for you to answer and post. You can access each week's discussion topic either through "Discussions" located under "Course Tools" or through "This weeks lesson and activities"folder. Your responses to these weekly DQs are due by 11:30 pm on Thursday of the week. You can earn points in this area by logging in regularly and posting your DQ responses on time.
- Online Quizzes: There will be five online quizzes for the semester. Please see PART B of this syllabus to view in which of the weeks the quizzes take place. In the weeks where I indicate that there is a quiz, note that the quiz will then be posted on the Wednesday of that week and will remain available until 11:30 pm on Sunday of that week. You may take your quiz at any time during the available period but once you start an online quiz, you will have to finish it in two hours. You can access quizzes through "Assessments" located under "Course Tools" .
- Exams: There will be two online EXAMS. Please see PART B of this syllabus to view the availability period for each of the EXAMS. You may take your EXAMS at any time during the available period but once you start an online EXAM, you will have to finish it in four hours. You can access exams through "Assessments" located under "Course Tools" .
I will calculate your grade based on the following grading scheme:
| Assessment Area | Percent of Course-grade |
| Weekly Online Group-Discussions and Participation | 10 % |
| Online Quizzes | 30 % |
| Two Online Exams | 60% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Each week you will be given a score for the weekly-group-discussion and participation category and an Average Participation Score will be made available to you as a row in MY GRADES icon on the homepage. As stated above, this average participation score (based on your participation in group discussions each week- please see A7 for details) counts towards 10% of the course grade.
Similarly, each quiz-score will be displayed in MY GRADES and an Average Quiz Score will be made available to you as a row in MY GRADES. As stated above, this average quiz score counts towards 30% of the course grade.
Similarly, each EXAM score will be displayed after it is graded and an Average Exam Score will be made available to you as a row in MY GRADES. As stated above, this average midterm score counts towards 60% of the course grade.
Your course current-percentage is hence a WEIGHTED sum of the three categories in the table above. Hence, your course percentage is the SUM of the Average Participation Score, Average Quiz Score and Average Exam Score. A row with the label current-percentage will be displayed in MY GRADES. Note in particular that each category is weighted differently and that the exams are indeed weighted heaviest.
| Grade | Percent |
| A | 90-100% |
| B | 80-89% |
| C | 70-79% |
| D | 60-69% |
| F | 0-59% |
A8. Academic Honesty Policy: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student found to be engaging in either of these activities at any point in the course will receive a failing grade for the assignment and/or entire course and may be subject to further college sanctions.
A9. Missed assignments/quizzes policy:
No make-ups are allowed for missed Group Discussions, Participation, or Online quizzes and midterms. If you have an emergency that does not allow you to take an online quiz or midterm, contact me immediately or as soon as possible by email.A10. Disability Statement: Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know, should communicate with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of classes.
PART B
This is a tentative calendar and I may make changes to this due to institutional, class, technical and such problems. I will make an announcement if I have to make changes to the following.
B1. Activities and assignments for the week of February 19-25
1. Reading Assignment: Sections 1.1 from the text. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
In what follows,
"every odd" from 1 through some number means 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 ….. and so on
"every other odd" from 1 through some number means 1, 5, 9, 13 ….. and so on.
Section 1.1: 1 through 19 odd, 25, 27
3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Post your Bio: Access the "Introductions" topic either through "Discussions" located under "Course Tools" or through "This weeks lesson and activities"folder. In the INTRODUCTIONS topic, you will see that I have posted a Bio thread. Using the Bio thread, please post your Bio as soon as possible and preferably by Monday, so that we can all begin to get to know each other.
B2. Activities and assignments for the week of February 26-March 4
1. Reading Assignment: Section 1.2. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 1.2: 1 , 2, 3, 19-25, 26, 283. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Online Quiz: Take online quiz titled Quiz-One. See A7 for details.
B3. Activities and assignments for the week of March 5-11
1. Reading Assignment: Section 1.3 . Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 1.3: 1 through 69 every other odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
B4. Activities and assignments for the week of March 12-18
1. Reading Assignment: Section 1.4 & 1.5. Read the Online tutorials for these sections
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 1.4: 1 through 21 every odd
Section 1.5: 15 through 23 every odd
3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Online Quiz: Take online quiz titled Quiz-Two. See A7 for details
B5. Activities and assignments for the week of March 19-25
1. Reading Assignment: Section 5.1
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 5.1: 1 through 27 every odd
3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
B6. Activities and assignments for the week of March 26-April 1
1. Reading Assignment: Section 5.2
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 5.2: 1 through 55 every other odd
3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Online Quiz: Take online quiz titled Quiz-Three. See A7 for details
B7. Activities and assignments for the week of April 2- April 8
1. Reading Assignment: Review chapter ONE and SECTIONS 5.1 and 5.2
2. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
3. EXAM ONE (available from April 4 until 11:55 pm on April 8): Take EXAM ONE based on sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 5.1 & 5.2
B8. Activities and assignments for the week of April 9-April 15
1. Reading Assignment: Section 2.1. Read the Online tutorial for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 2.1: 1 through 37 every odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
B9. Activities and assignments for the week of April 16-April 22
1. Reading Assignment: Section 2.2. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 2.1: 1 through 37 every odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
B10. Activities and assignments for the week of April 23-April 29
1. Reading Assignment: Section 2.3. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 2.3: 1 through 9 every odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Online Quiz: Take online quiz titled Quiz-Four. See A7 for details.
B11. Activities and assignments for the week of April 30-May 6
1. Reading Assignment: Section 4.1. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 4.1: 1 through 37 every other odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
B12. Activities and assignments for the week of May 7-May 13
1. Reading Assignment: Section 4.2. Read the Online tutorials for this section.
2. Suggested Homework: Please do the following exercises from your textbook for your own practice. You do not need to submit these.
Section 4.2: 1 through 37 every other odd3. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
4. Online Quiz: Take online quiz titled Quiz-Five. See A7 for details.
B13. Activities and assignments for the week of May 14-May 20
1. Reading Assignment: Section 4.2. Review chapters ONE, TWO and SECTIONS 4.1 and 4.2
2. Group Discussion and Participation: See section A7 of this syllabus for participation requirements.
3. EXAM-TWO (available from May 16 until 11:55 pm on May 20): Take your EXAM-TWO based on sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 & 4.2.