AU Math155 Fall2013
Elementary Mathematical Models (Math 155)
Instructor: Sean Carver, Ph.D., Professorial Lecturer, American University.
Contact:
- 107 Gray Hall
- carver@american.edu (works now)
- seancarverphd@gmail.com
- office phone: 202-885-6629
Tentative Syllabus. May be revised as the semester progresses.
| WEEK | DATE | TOPIC | READING |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 27 - Sep 2 | Sequences and Difference Equations | Ch 1 & 2 |
| 2 | Sep 3 - Sep 9 | Arithmetic Growth | Ch 3 |
| 3 | Sep 10 - Sep 16 | Linear Graphs, Functions and Equations | Ch 4 |
| 4 | Sep 17 - Sep 23 | Quadratic Growth Models | Ch 5 |
| 5 | Sep 24 - Sep 30 | Exam 1: Sep 27 | Review |
| 6 | Oct 1 - Oct 7 | Quadratic Graphs, Functions, and Equations | Ch 6 |
| 7 | Oct 8 - Oct 14 | Polynomial and Rational Functions Oct 11: Fall break |
Ch 7 |
| 8 | Oct 15 - Oct 21 | Geometric Growth | Ch 9 |
| 9 | Oct 22 - Oct 28 | Exponential Functions | Ch 10 |
| 10 | Oct 29 - Nov 4 | Exam 2: Nov 1 | Review |
| 11 | Nov 5 - Nov 11 | Geometric Sums and Mixed Model | Ch 12 |
| 12 | Nov 12 - Nov 18 | Logistic Growth | Ch 13 |
| 13 | Nov 19 - Nov 25 | Chaos in Logistic Models | Ch 14 |
| 14 | Nov 26 - Dec 2 | Review for Final Nov 27 - Dec 1: Thanksgiving Break |
Review |
| 15 | Dec 3 & 4 | Review for Final Dec 4: Last day of class |
Review |
| 16 | Tues, Dec 10 | Final |
Homework: Due Tuesdays either during class or in my mailbox in Gray Hall by close of business (5 pm). No homework assigned during first week or during weeks of midterm exams.
Late Homework Policy: Accepted up to 24 hours late for 20% penalty. Not accepted after that. Exceptions will be made if arranged before the due date and if you have a compelling reason.
Student responsibility vis-a-via attendance and homework: The following link was shared by Jeff Adler, who taught this class in the past: http://www1.american.edu/faculty/jadler/responsibility.html
Grading: I will make an attempt to grade homework and exams in a way that is consistent, to the extent possible, with the way other professors have graded this class, both this term and in the past. The only specific information I have so far is Jeff's link (also listed above): http://www1.american.edu/faculty/jadler/responsibility.html Hopefully our class will work harder and more responsibly than his, and that will be reflected in the grades.
Tentative grading scheme:
| ITEM | PERCENT |
|---|---|
| Homework | 20% |
| Exam 1 | 20% |
| Exam 2 | 20% |
| Final | 20% |
| Attendance and Participation | 20% |
Academic Integrity: To the extent that grades are based on a curve, cheating to get a better grade on an assignment or exam can result in lowering the grades of some of your classmates. This is not acceptable and cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating will be handled as required by American University.
What is considered cheating?
- Cheating is copying work from another source without giving attribution.
- Cheating is copying problem(s) from a classmate.
- It is OK to work with other students on homework as long as you write up the solutions yourself.
- When inappropriate copying between students is caught, both parties are culpable.
- When in doubt disclose what you have done. You may not get full credit but you won't be charged for academic misconduct.
Office Hours: Tentatively scheduled for TWF 10:30-11:30 and TWF 4:15-5:15, starting September 3. Need to talk to me sooner? Call my cell (202-375-1797, before 8 pm) and make an appointment.
Tutoring through MATH/STAT tutoring center:
- Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
