AU Math155 Fall2013

Elementary Mathematical Models (Math 155)

Instructor: Sean Carver, Ph.D., Professorial Lecturer, American University.

Contact:

• 107 Gray Hall

• carver@american.edu (doesn't work yet)

• seancarverphd@gmail.com

• cell phone (for emergencies): 202-375-1797 Don't call after 8 pm.

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: 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: 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

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.

Academic Integrity. If grades Office Hours