MTH 151

Math for the Liberal Arts I

Spring 2006

Kevin Chouinard                                                                            

Office:                        Room LR 211                                                           

Office Phone:            (703) 450-2618                                           

Home Phone:             (703) 369-0250  (Yes, you can call me at home!  Try before 10 PM.)

Home Page:               http://www.nvcc.edu/home/kchouinard      

E-mail:                       kchouinard@nvcc.edu

 

 

Office Hours:

Monday:         10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Tuesday          12:30 PM-1:30 PM

Thursday:        10:30 AM-12:30 PM

 

Text and Supplies:

Mathematical Ideas with Appendices, tenth edition, by Miller, Hereen, Hornsby with MyMathLab

You are required to bring a scientific or graphing calculator to class. 

Our MyMathLab Course ID number is chouinard37664

 

Prerequisites:  You should have taken Algebra I (at NVCC or elsewhere) and received a qualifying score on the placement test for MTH 151.

 

Course Objectives and How You Can Achieve Them Successfully:  MTH 151 is an exciting smorgasbord of topics from mathematics which gives students the opportunity to taste a little bit of each topic.  We will study topics that are both historical (ancient number systems) and current (non-Euclidean geometry).  We will study topics that are both abstract (topology) and practical (logic).  MTH 151 is typically intended for liberal arts majors, but anyone with an interest in math is welcome.

 

Academic Expectations: 

First, you are expected to attend each class.  Do not schedule any outside activities for our scheduled class time.

·        Ask questions if you have them

·        Think about what goes on – don’t just blindly take notes

·        If you need extra help there are plenty of sources

§        Me—I have lots of office hours

§        Math Lab – Room LR 204

§        Tutoring Center – Room LR 242

 

Second, with the hybrid class, you can expect more work out of the classroom.  You may need to work up to eight hours per week out of the classroom. 

 

·        View presentations and read sections before class

·        Show all work

·        Working together is recommended, but do not copy

·        Check answers when possible

·        Ask HW questions on the discussion board

 

Grades:  Your grade is calculated based on the following factors

           

Homework/Attendance/Participation

20%

Excel Assignment

5%

2 Tests

50%

Online quizzes

25%

Total

100%

 

The grading scale used for this class is

           

90 – 100%

A

80 – 89%

B

70 – 79%

C

60 – 69%

D

Below 60%

F

 

Homework, Attendance, and Participation:    

Homework will be assigned at the end of each class.  When we cover a section in class, the homework problems for that section are automatically due at the next class meeting.  The majority of assigned problems will be the odd-numbered ones and it is important that you check your work for accuracy.  If you have any homework questions, please post them on the discussion board in CourseCompass.   I will collect some of the homework assignments.  I will also take attendance every class and it is expected that you attend class regularly and participate.  I will drop the two lowest scores from the homework/attendance at the end of the semester.

 

Tests:

There will be a midterm and a final examination.  The exams counts for 25% each.  You must contact me ahead of time to make alternate arrangements if you are going to miss any test.  Otherwise, there is a 25% reduction to the makeup score.  ANY MAKEUP TESTS WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT THAN THE REGULAR EXAM.  The dates for the examinations are:

           

Midterm

Friday, March 3

Final

Friday, May 5

8:30-10:20 AM

 

           

Withdrawal Date:  Prior to March 16, you may withdraw from the course by filling out a withdrawal form at the Admissions office.  To obtain a “W” after that date, you must have a valid, well-documented reason that prevents your further participation in the course in order to receive my approval of the withdrawal.

 

Students with Disabilities:  Any students with disabilities who will need accommodations should first go to the Counseling Office, and then come and talk to me during my office hours to make the necessary arrangements.

 

School Closings:     If the school should close due to inclement weather, then the class assignments for that class date will be due at the next scheduled class meeting.  Postponed tests will also take place at the next scheduled class meeting.  Call NOVANET at (703) 323-3770 for official school cancellation information.

 

Academic Integrity:  I expect each student to maintain a high standard of academic integrity and I give each student my full trust.  However, cheating and dishonesty will not be tolerated.  You will get an F for the semester for any cheating.  If you have questions regarding what is allowed or not allowed on a specific assignment, please ask.

 

Useful Links:

CourseCompass / MyMathLab

http://www.coursecompass.com

Loudoun Math Dept. Web Page 

http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/scidiv/math

NVCC Math Prerequisites

Math Prerequisite Courses

NVCC Learning Lab / Testing Center

http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/testing_center/

 

 

 

MTH 151 Sections and Homework Problems

Sections

Assignment

2.1

1-8 all, 9-23 odd, 24, 27, 31-37 odd, 41, 43, 45, 49, 53-81 odd

2.2

1-6 all, 7-45 odd, 49-53 odd

2.3

1-4 all, 6, 7-43 odd, 47, 48, 51, 55, 81-89 odd, 95-103 odd, 109, 111

2.4

5-23 odd, 26, 27a, 28

3.1

7-21 odd, 23-32 all, 33-55 odd, 57-63 odd, 75

3.2

3-39 every other odd, 45-67 odd, 75, 76, 77

3.3

1-17 odd, 27-35 odd, 43-63 odd, 67, 79, 80

3.4

1, 7, 15, 17, 25, 27, 29, 33, 37, 41

3.6

1-15 odd, 27, 29

4.1

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15-25 odd, 27, 29, 33, 35, 37

4.2

4.2:  1-13 odd

4.3

2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 15-27 odd, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 47-54 all, 66

9.1

15-23 odd, 25-32 all, 41-57, 65, 66, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75

9.2

1-43 odd, 54

9.3

7-21 odd, 29, 33, 35, 55, 59, 61, 65, 69, 77

For Further Thought #3, p. 516

9.4

7-11 all, 13-49 odd, 77, 83

9.5

1-33 odd, 37, 38, 41, 43, 44, 45

9.7

1-9 all, 13-35 odd, 37-46 all

For Further Thought #1, 2, 3, p. 560

14.1

1-23 odd, 29-35 odd

14.2

25-41 odd, 49

14.4

1-23 odd, 31-33 all, 41, 43

Extra Topics

Extra topics may be included if time permits.

 

 

Getting Started

spacer.gif

Registering and Enrolling in Your Course

To access your MyMathLab course, you must complete an easy, one-time registration and enrollment process.

Before you start, you will need:

  • a Course ID from your instructor
  • a student access code (or you can purchase online access to MyMathLab using a credit card)
  • a valid email address that you check on a regular basis

To register and enroll in your instructor's MyMathLab course:

1.       Go to www.coursecompass.com and click the Register button for students.

2.       Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your student access code and your instructor's Course ID, provide contact information, and create a login name and password.

If you do not have a student access code, you can purchase online access to CourseCompass using a credit card and your instructor's Course ID.
Credit Cards

NOTE: You may have a MyMathLab Student Handbook that tells you to choose your textbook. This step is no longer necessary. Simply go to www.coursecompass.com, and click the Register button for students to begin registration.

After you have registered and enrolled, you are ready to log in to your instructor's MyMathLab course.


To log in and access your course:

1.       Go to www.coursecompass.com and click the Log in button for students.

2.       Enter the login name and password you created during registration.

3.       You will be taken to CourseCompass -- the online learning environment for MyMathLab. From the My CourseCompass page, simply click the name of your instructor's course to begin exploring MyMathLab!

 

 

 

 

Getting Started

spacer.gif

Running the Installation Wizard

The MyMathLab Installation Wizard installs the plug-ins and players you need to view and interact with the multimedia content in your course. The installation wizard is updated as new versions of the plug-in and players become available, so it's a good idea to visit the wizard periodically to make sure you have the latest plug-ins installed.

Go to the MyMathLab Installation Wizard to choose your textbook, view detailed system requirements, and install plug-ins and players for your course.

TIP: You can also access the Installation Wizard directly from the Announcements page in your MyMathLab course.