MANOR COLLEGE

JENKINTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

 

______Lisann Castagno______                                            ___      Fall 2007__________

            Instructor’s Name                                                               Semester / Year

 

Division Office:  Allied Health/Science/Math                  Phone_885-2360 ext. 223__

Office Hours:_before and after class_______                e-mail lcastagno@manor.edu

 

Course Number/Title/Credit Hours:             MH101 / College Math/ 3 credits

 

Course Description:

            This course utilizes a problem solving approach to situations that can be interpreted in a mathematical framework.  The interpretation is based on the organization of information, the determination of relationships within that information, evaluations and drawing conclusions.  This course uses problem solving strategies, the properties of real numbers, algebra, fundamentals of finance, probability, and statistics to give the students the tools they need to succeed.  The use of a hand held calculator is included.  Emphasis is placed on reasoning skills and the application of mathematics in consumer affairs, business, social sciences and liberal arts.

Prerequisite: Placement into College Level Math Course or passing grade on all required developmental math courses.

 

Philosophy of the Course:

            In a highly technological society, success in any field requires well-developed quantitative abilities.  College mathematics is a course designed to prepare students for careers in business, elementary education, liberal arts and the social sciences where an understanding of mathematics and the ability to apply mathematics to concrete situations is essential.  The course will also develop the students’ analytical skills, which enhance their performance in non-mathematical areas.

 

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:

  • Analyze arguments and recognize fallacies
  • Analyze relationships using Venn Diagrams
  • Use critical thinking skills to evaluate situations encountered in everyday life
  • Use dimensional analysis to convert units of measurement and solve problems involving units of measurement
  • Use percentages and recognize the abuses and misuses of percentages
  • Use scientific notation to work with very large and very small numbers
  • Identify the types of errors that affect measurements and identify how these errors affect perception and understanding
  • Apply formulas for compounding, annual percentage yield, savings plans, annual return and loan payments, including credit cards and mortgages.
  • Use fundamental principals of statistics to evaluate studies and claims
  • Interpret various statistical tables and graphs
  • Construct various statistical tables and graphs
  • Interpret correlations and determine causality
  • Characterize data by various averages
  • Use the fundamentals of probability  and of large numbers to determine the probability of simple and more complex events
  • Use formulas and equations to evaluate exponential growth and decay

 

Student Outcomes

Outcome  1:  The student will be able to conduct research on the internet and discuss   his/her findings in a concise and precise written and oral format.

Measure:  The student will select an instructor approved web project proposed in the textbook.  The student will submit a written report and give an oral presentation on the results of this internet research project.   Both reports will be mathematically correct and delivered in precise, concise, language.

Standard:  70% of the students will earn a C or better on this project.

 

Outcome 2:  The student will be able to analyze and evaluate a statistical study.

Measure:  Given a sample study, the student will evaluate the study using the guidelines on page 247 of the textbook.  This evaluation will be submitted as a written report.

Standard:  70% of the students will address each of the eight guidelines for evaluating a statistical study, and complete a satisfactory analysis for at least 6 of the 8 guidelines.

 

Outcome 3:  The student will be able to use finance formulas in practical applications.

Measure:  Given a set of 10 problems involving personal finance situations, the student will select the appropriate formula, substitute the correct values into the formula and complete the calculations necessary to accurately evaluate the expression.

Standard:  70% of the students will complete 70% of the above information.  The work will be accurate and complete.

 

Outline of Course Content

Thinking Critically      (1A, 1C, 1D)

Problem Solving and Standardized Units      (2A, 2B, 2C)

Test 1

     Percentages, Scientific Notation, Uncertainty   (3A, 3B, 3C)

Financial Management   (4A, 4B, 4C)

Mid-Term

Fundamentals of statistics and statistical studies  (5A, 5B)    

Graphing, Correlation and Causality   (5C, 5D, 5E)

Fundamentals of Probability, Combining Probabilities  (6A ,6B)

Test 2                    

Law of Averages, and Counting and Probability  (6C, 6D)  

Exponential Growth and Decay        (7A, 7B, 7C)

Project Presentations

Final

This is a tentative schedule and may be amended to reflect the needs of the class.

 

Approaches to Teaching:

       These objectives will be accomplished through lectures, classroom discussions, and cooperative learning in problem solving situations.  Students must take an active role in asking questions, proposing methods of solutions and exploring alternative approaches to problem solving.  Students will also be required to read the text, do assigned exercises and supplement the class with outside readings and assignments.

 

Procedures for Evaluation and Grading

·        There will be two tests, a mid-term, project and final examination.  Each will count for 20% of the final grade

·        Completions of homework assignments, participation in class discussions and group problem solving will be taken into consideration in determining your final grade

·        Grade equivalents are:

0   -  59   =   F

60 -  69   =   D

70 -  79   =   C

80 -  89   =   B

90 – 100  =  A

 

Attendance:

            Your attendance is crucial to success in this class.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to notify me and to arrange a method of obtaining missed material.  You are responsible for all missed material.  Arrangements for a missed test will be at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Material Used:

            A Scientific Calculator

Text:  Essentials of Using and Understanding Mathematics:  A Quantitative  Reasoning Approach

Author:  Jeffrey O. Bennett and William L. Briggs

Publisher:  Addison Wesley

ISBN:  0-201-79387-3

 

Academic Honesty College Policy:

            Manor College expects that its students will uphold the principles of truth and honesty in the performance of all academic work.  Plagiarism ( the unacknowledged use of another person’s words or assistance) and academic cheating (falsifying data, submitting without instructor’s approval work in one course which was done for another, actually doing another student’s work, and/or the use of any unauthorized aid) are prohibited.

            Digital plagiarism (cutting, pasting and copying sections of an article written by another, downloading papers from a “paper mill” web site and submitting as work written by the student; utilizing any graphics or audio or video clips without permission; and submitting any work with an electronic source without correct citation) is strictly prohibited and a  violation of fair use and intellectual property rights.

            The Academic Dean will be formally notified of any violation of this policy.  The penalty for the first violation will be a grade of F for the assignment.  Any subsequent violations will result in a grade of F for the course and possible dismissal from the college.