MATH 166.508 Webpages©

Topics in Contemporary Math II

Fall 1999

Instructor:Michael S. Pilant
Section:508
Time:TR 9:35-10:50
Location:BLOC 165

E-mail:mpilant@math.tamu.edu
Web Page: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~mpilant

Office: Blocker 507-C
Phone:845-5631 (office) or 845-3261 (dept)

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., and by appointment. Also, Electronic Office Hours will be posted on the Course Web Page.

Texts:

  1. Tan; Applied Finite Mathematics, fifth edition, and
  2. Hester/Ryan; TI-82/83 Student Resource Manual for Applied Finite Mathematics.

Calculator Policy: This section REQUIRES that you have a TI-83 graphing calculator.

Course Description: A technology assisted look (includes the internet and the TI-83 graphing calculator) at linear equations and applications; systems of linear equations, matrix algebra and applications; linear programming, probability and statistics and applications.

Course Objectives: To master the concepts as well as the techniques underlying the topics covered in this course.

Credit:Three semester hours

Grading: Grades will be determined by 3 exams, a comprehensive final, a daily grade, calculator problems and computer applets. The point value of each of these categories is as follows:

Exam 1 100 pts
Exam 2 100 pts
Exam 3 100 pts
Final 200 pts
Daily 100 pts
Calculator Problems 50 pts
*Computer Applets 50 pts

*Computer Applets:

  1. Survey/Pretest 10 pts. must be completed by September 12 at 5:00 p.m
  2. Module 1 - Straight Lines/Slope 10 pts, due by September 12, midnite.
  3. Module 2 - Least Squares 10 pts, due by September 12, midnite.
  4. Module 3 - Sets 10 pts, due by October 7, midnite.
  5. Module 4 - Law of Large Numbers 10 pts, due by December 5, midnite.
**Note that no points will be given for computer assignments completed after the due dates.**

Grading Policy: (Straight Percentage)
A = 630-700;
B = 560 -629;
C = 490 - 559;
D = 420-489;
F = less than 420.

Online grade queries will be supported later in the term.

Exams:Three exams and a comprehensive final will be given. The format of the exams will be discussed the day before each exam as will be the final.

TENTATIVE Exam Schedule:

Exam I - 1.2 - 1.5, 2.1 - 2.6, 3.1 - 3.2 Sep. 23
Exam II - 3.3, 6.1 - 6.4, 7.1 - 7.4 Oct. 21
Exam III - 7.5 - 7.6, 8.1 - 8.5 Nov. 18
Comprehensive Final including 8.5 - 8.6, 5.1 - 5.3,
Dec. 10 (Fri.), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Daily Grade: This will be the average of your homework and inclass quiz grades. I may drop a few grades at the end, it depends on how class attendance, class participation and exam scores look ...

Quizzes:The instructor reserves the right to give UNANNOUNCED quizzes at any time during the class period.

Make-up Policy:Make-up exams will be given if the exam is missed for A&M regulation reasons. In case of illness, a student MUST contact me within two days and present a doctor's excuse before the make-up exam will be given.

Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend class when scheduled. If class attendance becomes a problem, roll will be taken. SOURCES OF HELP:

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!! Any instance of scholastic dishonesty will be dealt with consistent with University Regulations

Plagarism Statement As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section "Scholastic Dishonesty."

© Copyright Statement The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. "Handouts" mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly grant permission.