Math 130 - Mathematics in Action
Zhenjiang International School
Binghamton University
Spring 2014
Syllabus
Mathematics in Action emphasizes the real-world significance of
mathematics and applications of several areas of mathematics. The
topics covered are chosen from:
- voting methods,
- weighted voting systems,
- apportionment,
- fair division,
- counting problems,
- probability,
- measuring populations,
- statistics,
- normal distributions,
- statistical inference.
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.
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/fer/courses/m130/ZIS_Spr14
Important announcements will be posted on the web page. Check it every day.
Grades
Your course grade will be based on weekly quizzes, pop quizzes, three
tests, a cumulative final exam, and class participation. Letter
grades will be assigned after the final exam.
Tentative dates for the exams are as follows:
| | Quizzes |
|
T or R |
Every week |
| 22% |
| |
Test 1
|
|
|
Week of |
March 10 |
| 12% |
| |
Test 2
|
|
|
Week of |
April 07 |
| 12% |
| |
Test 3
|
|
|
Week of |
May 05 |
| 12% |
| |
Final (cumulative) | |
Week of |
June 02 |
|
30% |
| |
Class participation |
| T and R
| Every week |
| 12% |
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.
- Cell phones:
- No active cell phones are allowed in the
classroom.
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
or quizzes.
No other devices with calculator capabilities, like phones, tablets,
iPods, etc. will be allowed in test or quizzes.
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 TA as soon as possible. You may be allowed
to take a make-up test, if the excuse for missing the original test is
deemed reasonable, and you act immediately. 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 the 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.
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.