Difference between revisions of "Syllabus: Math 155 Spring 2014"

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(Created page with "<big> '''Elementary Mathematical Models (Math 155)''' </big> '''Instructor:''' <big> Sean Carver, Ph.D., </big> Professorial Lecturer, American University. '''Contact''': ...")
 
 
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* 107 Gray Hall
 
* 107 Gray Hall
  
* carver@american.edu (works now)
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* carver@american.edu
  
 
* seancarverphd@gmail.com
 
* seancarverphd@gmail.com
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* office phone: 202-885-6629
 
* office phone: 202-885-6629
  
'''Tentative Schedule.''' May be revised as the semester progresses.
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'''Learning Outcomes:''' Copied from Chris Mitchell's 2013 syllabus:
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"
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:My goal is that the students will (1) develop a general understanding of how mathematical models are developed and used, (2) learn specific methods for one modeling methodology (difference equations), (3) experience the progression from simpler to more complex models, (4) observe how traditional mathematical operations and functions arise out of the models we study, (5) learn the organizational strategy of grouping functions into families defined in terms of parameters, and (6) learn the core concepts of chaos as a significant limitation on the discrete mathematical modeling methodology.
!width="25" |WEEK
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!width="100"|DATE
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What I expect that students will take away from the course of most value to them is greater confidence vis-a-vis mathematics. 
!width="300"|TOPIC
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!width="75"|READING
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'''Confidence with Mathematics:''' Increased confidence in mathematics will help you in other areas, no matter what you choose to do.  Developing confidence requires challenging yourself, and working hard to meet your challenges.  I will help you do that.
|-
+
 
| 1
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'''Important Dates:'''
| Aug 27 - Sep 2
+
 
| Sequences and Difference Equations
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* Midterm 1: Friday, February 14
| Ch 1 & 2
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* Spring Break: March 9–16
|-
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* Midterm 2: Friday, March 21
| 2
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* Final Exam: Tuesday May 6
| 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 <br>
 
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 <br>
 
Nov 27 - Dec 1: Thanksgiving Break
 
| Review
 
|-
 
| 15
 
| Dec 3 & 4
 
| Review for Final <br>
 
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.
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'''Homework:'''  Due most Wednesdays either during class or in my mailbox in Gray Hall by close of business (5 pm).
  
 
'''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.
 
'''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.
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'''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
 
'''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.
+
'''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.
  
 
'''Tentative grading scheme:'''
 
'''Tentative grading scheme:'''
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* When in doubt disclose what you have done.  You may not get full credit but you won't be charged for academic misconduct.
 
* 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 ??? and TWF ???. 
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'''Office Hours:'''  Tentatively scheduled
 +
 
 +
* Tuesday 2:40-3:40
 +
* Tuesday 5:30-6:30
 +
* Wednesday 2:40-3:40
 +
* Wednesday 5:30-6:30
 +
* Friday 2:40-3:40
 +
* Friday 5:30-6:30
  
 
'''Tutoring through MATH/STAT tutoring center:'''
 
'''Tutoring through MATH/STAT tutoring center:'''
 +
 
* Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  
 
* Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  
 
* Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.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.
 
* Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Latest revision as of 20:04, 28 January 2014

Elementary Mathematical Models (Math 155)

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

Contact:

  • 107 Gray Hall
  • carver@american.edu
  • seancarverphd@gmail.com
  • office phone: 202-885-6629

Learning Outcomes: Copied from Chris Mitchell's 2013 syllabus:

My goal is that the students will (1) develop a general understanding of how mathematical models are developed and used, (2) learn specific methods for one modeling methodology (difference equations), (3) experience the progression from simpler to more complex models, (4) observe how traditional mathematical operations and functions arise out of the models we study, (5) learn the organizational strategy of grouping functions into families defined in terms of parameters, and (6) learn the core concepts of chaos as a significant limitation on the discrete mathematical modeling methodology.

What I expect that students will take away from the course of most value to them is greater confidence vis-a-vis mathematics.

Confidence with Mathematics: Increased confidence in mathematics will help you in other areas, no matter what you choose to do. Developing confidence requires challenging yourself, and working hard to meet your challenges. I will help you do that.

Important Dates:

  • Midterm 1: Friday, February 14
  • Spring Break: March 9–16
  • Midterm 2: Friday, March 21
  • Final Exam: Tuesday May 6

Homework: Due most Wednesdays either during class or in my mailbox in Gray Hall by close of business (5 pm).

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.

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 and your solutions reflect your own understanding of the problems.
  • 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

  • Tuesday 2:40-3:40
  • Tuesday 5:30-6:30
  • Wednesday 2:40-3:40
  • Wednesday 5:30-6:30
  • Friday 2:40-3:40
  • Friday 5:30-6:30

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.