Math 104 Syllabus

Elementary Mathematical Modeling

MATH 104, Spring 2018

104-07: MWF 13:00-13:50, LeTellier Hall 303

104-09: MWF 11:00-11:50, Thompson Hall 326

Instructor: Matthew Thornley                                  Phone: (843) 953-5927

Office: Thompson Hall 211                                        E-mail: mthornle@citadel.edu

Office Hours: M/W/R 2-4 pm, Thompson Hall 107 (Math Lab) – or by appointment

Course Website:  http://thornley.educatorpages.com/pages/math-104-elementary-mathematical-modeling

Course Description: This course will introduce the student to mathematical models of real world problems.  In particular, students will use graphs, functions, and tables to describe data and use models to interpolate and extrapolate data.  Linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and bounded growth functions will be studied.  Students will be expected to interpret results in writing and use technology to solve and display results.

Textbook: Ronald Harshbarger and Lisa Yocco, College Algebra in Context: with applications for the managerial, life, and social sciences. 5^th Edition, Pearson.

Calculator: TI-83 or TI-84 required for each class.

Grading: The grades for this course will be based on several factors:

Final grades will be determined by your point total based on the following scale:

            A = 360-400, B = 320-359, C = 280-319, D = 240-279, F = 0-239

Updated grades will be available throughout the semester on CitLearn.

How this class will work:

1. Practice homework problems will be assigned for each section of the book we cover.  These problems will not be collected or graded.  Working through these problems will be the best way for you to learn the material in this class.  If you don’t practice on the homework problems, you probably won’t do very well in this class.
2. From each section there will be a few homework problems that will be collected.  Please do these on a separate sheet of paper from your other homework problems, and show all your work on the problems.  These problems will be due at the beginning of class each Monday and will be graded.  One point per day will be deducted for late homework.
3. If you need help with homework problems (either the practice problems or the graded problems), see the instructor during office hours or visit the Math Lab to get free help from a friendly mathematics tutor.
4. Class time will be dedicated to learning new material and doing example problems.

Miscellaneous class policies:

1. Sharing of calculators during graded assignments is not permitted.
2. Cell phones and laptops are not necessary in this class.  Please put them away.
3. Being absent for 20% or more of our classes will result in a course grade of F.  Three instances of tardiness count as an absence.
4. Make-up tests and quizzes will only be given if a student has a legitimate excuse for missing class.  If you know in advance that you will be absent on the day of a scheduled test, inform the instructor as soon as possible to schedule a time to take the test.
5. The Final Exam grade will replace the lowest test/quiz grade, if the Exam grade is higher.

Extra Credit Opportunities:

1. Math Lab tutoring center.  Each visit is worth ½ point, to a maximum of 10 points.
2. Problem of the Week.  Each correct solution to the Math Department’s Problem of the Week is worth ½ point of extra credit.
3. All extra credit points will be added to your point total at the end of the semester.

Students with Disabilities:

If you need accommodations because of a disability, please inform me ASAP in private, either after class or in my office.  To initiate accommodations, students must register with the Office of Access Services, Instruction, and Support (OASIS) located in 105 Thompson Hall or call 953-1820 to set up an appointment.  This office is responsible for reviewing documentation provided by students requesting academic accommodations and coordinating between students and instructors.