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PUEBLO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. TITLE OF COURSE: Mathematics for the Liberal Arts
  PREFIX/NUMBER: MAT 120 CREDIT HOURS: 4
2. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of MAT 106 with a C or better or math assessment
3.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

 
 

TEXT:

Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Approach, 4/e, Bennett & Briggs

 

SUPPLIES:

Pencil, paper, scientific calculator

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Develops mathematical and problem-solving skills. Appropriate technological skills are included. Content is selected to highlight connections between mathematics and the society in which we live. Topics include set theory and logic, mathematical modeling, probability and statistical methods, and consumer mathematics. Additional content will include one topic in geometry, numeration systems, decision theory, or management science.
5. STANDARD COMPETENCIES:
  A. Solve problems involving principles of set theory and logic.
  B. Solve problems involving mathematical modeling.
  C. Solve problems involving probability.
  D. Solve problems involving statistics.
E. Solve problems involving consumer mathematics.
F. AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS IS ALSO REQUIRED
A.  Solve problems involving Euclidean geometry.
B.  Solve problems involving varying numeration systems.
C.  Solve problems involving mathematics of social choice.
D.  Solve problems involving management science.
6. COURSE OUTLINE
1 Thinking Critically
    1A  Recognizing Fallacies
    1B  Propositions and Truth Values
    1C  Sets and Venn Diagrams
    1D  Analyzing Arguments
1E  Critical Thinking in Everyday Life
  2 Approaches to Problem Solving
    2A  The Problem Solving Power of Units
    2B  Standardized Units: More Problem Solving Power
    2C  Problem Solving Guidelines and Hints
  3 Number in the Real World
    3A  Uses and Abuses of Percentages
    3B  Putting Numbers in Perspective
    3C  Dealing with Uncertainty
    3D  Index Numbers: The CPI and Beyond
    3E  How Numbers Deceive: Polygraphs, Mammograms, and More
  4 Managing Your Money
    4A  Taking Control of Your Finances
  4B  The Power of Compounding
    4C  Savings Plans and Investments
    4D  Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages
   

4E  Income Taxes
4F  Understanding the Federal Budget

  5 Statistical Reasoning
    5A  Fundamentals of Statistics
    5B  Should You Believe a Statistical Study?
    5C  Statistical Tables and Graphs
    5D  Graphics in the Media
    5E  Correlation and Causality
  6 Putting Statistics to Work
    6A  Characterizing Data
    6B  Measures of Variation
    6C  The Normal Distribution
    6D  Statistical Inference
  7 Probability: Living with the Odds
    7A  Fundamentals of Probability
    7B  Combining Probabilities
    7C  The Law of Large Numbers
  8 Exponential Astonishment
    8A  Growth: Linear versus Exponential
    8B  Doubling Time and Half-life
    8C  Real Population Growth
8D  Logarithmic Scales: Earthquakes, Sounds, and Acids
  9 Modeling Our World
    9A  Functions: the Building Blocks of Mathematical Modeling
    9B  Linear Modeling
    9C  Exponential Modeling
  10 Modeling with Geometry
    10A  Fundamentals of Geometry
    10B  Problem Solving with Geometry
10C  Fractal Geometry
  12 Mathematics and Politics
    12A  Voting: Does the Majority Always Rule?
    12B  Theory of Voting
    12C  Apportionment: The House of Representatives and Beyond
7. EVALUATION PROCEDURES
 

Evaluation methods and procedures will be determined by the instructor.   These may consist of but not limited to:  quizzes, assignments, exams, individual and/or group projects.

Grading Scale:  The following Grading Scale will be used:

90 - 100% - A
80 - 89% - B
70 - 79% - C
60 - 69% - D
0 - 59% - F

 8. Special Remarks
Homework: Homework will be assigned and evaluated as determined by the instructor.

Cheating:

If cheating occurs, it will result in a zero on that exam.

Attendance:

Attendance will be taken and students will be dropped when they have  missed 20% of the total class time.  Missed exams  will result in a zero for that exam unless prior arrangements have been  made.

Help is available outside of class, in the math labs or from the instructor.
9. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
  The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor.
10. ADA NOTICE:
 

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.