Syllabus: Math 155 Fall 2014
Elementary Mathematical Models (Math 155) Section 001
Instructor: Sean Carver, Ph.D., Professorial Lecturer, American University.
Contact:
- office location: 107 Gray Hall
- email: carver@american.edu
- office phone: 202-885-6629
Office Hours: 107 Gray Hall. Tentatively scheduled as follows: (may be adjusted throughout the semester)
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm Monday
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm Tuesday
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm Wednesday
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm Thursday.
Tutoring through MATH/STAT tutoring center: Gray Hall, Room 110. Hours:
- 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.
Class times and locations:
- Monday: 11:45PM - 01:00PM, WARD BUILDING, Room 304
- Thursday: 11:45PM - 01:00PM, WARD BUILDING, Room 304
Important Dates:
- September 1 (Monday): Labor Day, No Class
- September 25 (Thursday): EXAM 1, during class, in our classroom
- October 30 (Thursday): EXAM 2, during class, in our classroom
- November 26-30 (Wednesday-Sunday): Thanksgiving, No Class
- December 8 (Monday), 11:45AM - 2:15PM FINAL EXAM In our classroom.
Text: Dan Kalman. Elementary Mathematical Models: Order Aplenty and a Glimpse of Chaos.
Course Description (from department website): Study of mathematical subjects including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, in the context of difference equations models. Emphasizes concepts and applications using numerical, graphical, and theoretical methods. Also includes an introduction to the mathematical subject of chaos.
Prerequisite: three years of high school mathematics or equivalent.
Learning Outcomes: [Credit: Chris Mitchell 2013].
- 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 hope students will take away from the course of most value to them is greater confidence vis-a-vis mathematics.
Tentative grading scheme:
| ITEM | PERCENT |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 5% |
| Class Participation | 10% |
| Homework | 10% |
| Exam 1 | 25% |
| Exam 2 | 25% |
| Final | 25% |
Homework Policy: Will be discussed in class.
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 and plagiarism will not be tolerated. As required by American University, I will report all suspected cases of cheating and plagiarism to the Dean's office who will proceed to investigate and adjudicate the issues.
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 (and, in fact, it is encouraged) 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, if you are not sure if help you have given or received is appropriate, disclose what you have done. You may not get full credit for the problem but you won't be charged for academic misconduct.
