Math 141 Syllabus

MATH 141: 102-103 Business Mathematics I

Summer I - 2012

Instructor: Oksana Shatalov

Office: Blocker 629F

E-mail: shatalov AT math.tamu.edu (please include Math 141 in title)

Web page: /~shatalov/ (check regularly for class announcements, class notes, important information, etc.)

Office Hours: MW 1:45pm-2:45pm and by appointment (in Blocker 629F).

Class hours: Section 102: MTWRF 10:00 am–11:35 am BLOC 169

Section 103: MTWRF 12:00pm–01:35 pm BLOC 169

    MATH 141 web page: The web page of the course is /~shatalov/141Summer12.html The Mathematics Department has a web page for Math 308. Its URL address is http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math141/

    Course Description (CREDIT 3.0) Business Mathematics I. Linear equations and applications, systems of linear equations, matrix algebra and applications, linear programming (graphical method), probability and applications, statistics.
    Prerequisites High school algebra I and II and geometry. Credit will not be given for more than one of MATH 141 and 166.
Note: A tentative schedule for this course may be found on my web page.
    Learning outcomes Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the material as covered during lectures and demonstrate ability to use these concepts on exams, quizzes and homework. The students will learn the following concepts and methods:

Formulate and apply linear models for business applications.
Understand matrices and their applications, including solving systems of linear equations
Construct linear programming problems for various applications and solve using graphical methods
Understand and apply the rules of sets and Venn diagrams
Understand and apply the principles of counting and probability and apply these concepts to a variety of problems
Identify types of random variables, and calculate probabilities and statistics for random variables
Apply the concepts of finance to real-world situations

Required materials:

Textbook Finite Mathematics for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences, 10th Ed., by Tan. Access to an online copy of this text has been included in your course fees. If you prefer to have a paper copy of the text, you may purchase the loose-leaf edition at the book store, but this is optional.
Calculator A TI-83/84 (regular, plus or silver) or TI-Nspire (non-CAS version) graphing calculator is REQUIRED. Other calculators are NOT allowed. You must bring your calculator to each class. Calculators are allowed on exams but you must clear and reset the memory before each exam. It is considered CHEATING to have notes, formulas, or programs in your calculator. You may not share calculators during exams or quizzes. I will consider any illegal use of calculators on exams or quizzes as academic dishonesty and report it to the Aggie Honor Council.
Supplies: For all class days, you will need to bring your notes (found on y homepage), your TAMU student ID, your TI-83/84 graphing calculator, a #2 pencil and an eraser.

     Grading Policy: Grades will be calculated according to the following percentage:
                            Average of 3 Exams      54%                                               A= 90%-100%
Online Homework    10%                                               B=80%-89%
                                                Quizzes       13%                                               C=70%-79%
              Comprehensive Final Exam      23%                                             D=60%-69%
                                                                                                                          F=below 60%
            Note: I will NOT curve test grades. Due to confidentiality, grades will not be discussed via phone or email, only in person.

         Grade Complaints: Sometimes the instructor or grader might make a mistake grading your work. If you feel that this has happened, you have two days since the graded work was handed back to you to talk to the instructor. If a mistake is confirmed, the grade will be changed. No complaints after that deadline will be considered.

Exams: There will be three in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam, scheduled as shown below:

Tentative Schedule Final Exam

Exam 1: Wednesday, June 06 Section 102 : Monday, July 2, 10:30am-12:30am

Exam 2: Friday, June 15 Section 103 : Monday, July 2, 01:00pm-03:00pm

Exam 3: Tuesday, June 26

Note: You must have a #2 pencil, a Scantron 882E form, and your TAMU student ID for all exams. It is strongly advised that you also bring an approved calculator (no lid and with your name on it).
   Quizzes: Announced and unannounced in-class quizzes (no notes, no books and no neighbor) and take-home quizzes (assignments) will be given almost every day of class. No make-up quizzes will be given without written verification of a University excused absence. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped before computing your final quiz average.
    Graded Homework: All graded homework assignments will be completed online at https://www.webassign.net/tamu/login.html. Please visit Online Homework Help page at /courses/eHomework/ before you first log on and each time you have a question about the online homework.
At the end of the semester, your two lowest online homework grades will be dropped.
Note: Access code to WebAssign is included in your course fees–you do not have to purchase an access code separately.
   Suggested Homework: A list of suggested homework can be found on my homepage. These problems will not be graded. However, it is IMPERATIVE YOU DO THE SUGGESTED HOMEWORK TO PREPARE FOR QUIZZES AND EXAMS!!! Form study groups and work on suggested problems outside of class.
Late Work Policy: No late work will be accepted and no extensions on online homework problem sets will be granted without a verified TAMU University excused absence.
   Class Announcements And E-Mail Policy: Class announcements will be posted on my homepage. It is your responsibility to check them. Some important course announcements might be sent to your NEO e-mail account. It is your responsibility to check the NEO account EVERY DAY and get familiar with the announcements. .
    Make-Up Policy: No make-ups will be given without written evidence of an official University excused absence. According to Section 7.3 of the University Student Rules, for an absence to be considered excused, the student must notify his or her instructor in writing (acknowledged e-mail message is
acceptable) prior to the date of absence if such notification is feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. accident or emergency) the student must provide notification by the end of the second working day after the absence. This notification should include an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. If no such notice is given, the rights to a make-up are forfeited. In addition (and also in accordance with University Student Rules), a written excuse must be presented upon return to class. Specifically, in the case of illness or injury, students are required to obtain a confirmation note from a health care
professional affirming date and time of a medical office visit regarding the illness or injury. I will NOT accept the Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form as sufficient written documentation of an excused absence. An absence for a non-acute medical service or regular check-up does not constitute an excused absence. It is the student's responsibility to contact his/her instructor to schedule a makeup!
   Attendance: Attendance is required in this class. All students are expected to arrive on time and be ready to actively participate in lecture every day. I STRONGLY suggest that you make every attempt to not miss a single day of lecture. Falling behind in this course can be very detrimental to your grade. Attendance will be used in conjunction with your final exam grade as a consideration in the case of borderline grades.
   Electronic Device Policy: Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices must be silent and put away during class. If you are unable to comply with this policy, you will be asked to leave class.
    Class Etiquette: I expect that during class you stay focused on learning the mathematics being taught. You should not be reading a newspaper or materials from another course, you should refrain from discussion not related to class and you should not leave class early unless you have cleared it with me first. If I feel you are being disruptive or disrespectful during class, you may be asked to leave.
     Getting Help:

Me First, if you have a question, do not hesitate to ask before, after, or during a class. Second, I encourage you to attend my office hours to get individual help. You do not need an appointment to come to regular office hours. If your schedule does not permit you to come to the announced office hours, send me an e-mail with your schedule and we will make an appointment to meet at some other day/time.
Past Week in Review Problem Sets and Solutions can be found on my webpage. You can work them as a way to prepare for quizzes and exams. Note tha Math Department will not be hosting live Week in Review during the summer period.
Help Sessions: Help sessions are an opportunity for you to ask questions and get help with your homework. The schedule for summer help sessions can be found on my webpage.
Calculator Help: Step-by-step written keystroke directions are available on my webpage for all the calculator functions in the course.

    Scholastic Dishonesty: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." Visit http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor and follow the rules of the Aggie Honor Code. Each student is responsible for turning in their own unique work. During exams and quiz, you are not allowed to receive any kind of assistance from anyone. Any instance of scholastic dishonesty will be handled according to the processes outlined on the Honor Code website at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/Processes/reportingandadjudication.html .
   Students With Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities (Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637).
    Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One copy (or download from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited. Class notes, online material, online homework problems, or handouts, or subsets thereof may NOT be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!Answers, YouTube, blogs, wikis, forums, videos, podcasts, or any other social media.

Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. The instructor reserves the right to make any changes he considers academically advisable. It is your responsibility to attend classes and keep track of the proceedings.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR STUDIES!