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SOUTHWEST COLLEGE
Department of Mathematics
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MATH 1324: Course Syllabus
Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences
Spring, 2015 / CRN 45930 / TuTh 11:30am to 1:00pm / Stafford,
Learning Hub Room 220
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Learning Web
Dr. Roderick V. James
Phone: 713 503 0785
Email: mathprof@swbell.net
Prof James
CONTACT HOURS:
By APPOINTMENY ONLY
INSTRUCTOR:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
_____________________________________________________________
Catalog Description: MATH 1324 Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences.
The application of common algebraic functions, including polynomial, exponential,
logarithmic, and rational, to problems in business, economics, and the social sciences are
addressed. The applications include mathematics of finance, including simple and
compound interest and annuities; systems of linear equations; matrices; linear
programming; and probability, including expected value. 3 credit (3 lecture).
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Math 0312 or its equivalent or Meet TSI
college-readiness standard for Mathematics.
Course Intent: This course is intended for students majoring in liberal arts and
secondary education.
Audience: Students who are enrolled in the business area may take this course as an
elective in order to obtain a broader background in the technique of linear programming
and to further expand their mathematical knowledge.
Course Learning Outcomes
1.
Apply elementary functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational,
logarithmic, and exponential functions to solving real-world problems.
Solve mathematics of finance problems, including the computation of interest,
annuities, and amortization of loans.
Apply basic matrix operations, including linear programming methods, to solve
application problems.
Demonstrate fundamental probability techniques and application of those
techniques, including expected value, to solve problems.
Apply matrix skills and probability analyses to model applications to solve realworld problems.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Instructional Methods
As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. I feel that it is my responsibility to provide
you with knowledge concerning the field of mathematics, modeling good analytical problem
solving strategies, and organizing and monitoring the success of each student with homework that
allows you to connect the information that you learn in this course to applications in other course
work and life in the real world.
As a student wanting to learn about the field of mathematics, it is your responsibility to read the
textbook, submit assignments on the due dates, study for the exams, participate in classroom
activities, attend class, and enjoy yourself while experiencing the real world of mathematics.
As I believe that engaging the students in the learning is essential for teaching to be effective, you
will spend a portion of class time involved in problem solving activities. You will be involved in
discussions with your classmates and your instructor. As you will want to contribute to these
discussions, you will need to come to class prepared to discuss, analyze and evaluate information
from your text and other assigned readings.
Student Assignments
Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a topic,
you will be given assignments on key information that you will need to remember for your success
in your career. Students will be required to successfully complete the following:
Homework
All homework must be completed and turned in for Grading. It is important that you do the
homework. It is the best way to prepare for the Tests and Final.
Homework for each week is published on the Learning Web.
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Homework will be assigned each week.
Homework will be collected at Start of class on Thursday.
Homework will be returned the following week on Tuesday.
Math 1324 Spring 2015
Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences
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Dr. James

Late Homework will NOT be accepted.
Exam Policy:
There will be THREE (3) tests during the semester. The test will be ONE hour long in class
CLOSED Book. Each test will contain 16 multiple-choice problems (after the style of the Final).
The test will be at the end of class. The first part of the class will be a review of the test material.
The test dates are:
Tuesday Feb 23 at Noon
Tuesday Mar 30 at Noon
Tuesday May 04 at Noon
Make-up
There will be NO make-up exams.
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Final Examination:
The final examination is departmental and consists of 33 multiple-choice problems. The problems
cover all the material required in the course.
FINAL EXAM Date:
Tuesday May 12, 2015 at 11:00am
Instructional Material
Textbook: Mathematics with Applications;
10th ed.; Lial, Margaret L
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-64553-1
Course Outline:
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Instructors may find it preferable to cover the course topics in the order listed below.
However, the instructor may choose to organize topics in any order, but all material must
be covered.
APPROXIMATE TIME
TEXT REFERENCE
UNIT I
Review (2 hours)
1 hour
1 hour
2.1 Graphs
2.2 Equations of Lines
UNIT II
Nonlinear Functions (12 hours)
2 hours
2 hours
2.5 hours
2.5 hours
3 hours
3.4 Quadratic Functions
3.7 Rational Functions
4.1 Exponential Functions
4.3 Logarithmic Functions
4.4 Logarithmic and Exponential Equations
UNIT III
Systems of Linear Equations (6 hours)
2 hours
2 hours
2 hours
6.1 Systems of Linear Equations
6.2 The Gauss-Jordan Method
6.4 Basic Matrix Operations
UNIT IV
Linear Programming (8.5 hours)
1 hour
1.5 hours
2 hours
2 hours
2 hours
7.1 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
7.2 Linear Programming: The Graphical Method
7.3 Applications of Linear Programming
7.4 The Simplex Method: Maximization
7.5 Maximization Applications
UNIT V
Sets and Probability (6 hours)
1 hour
8.1 Sets
8.2 Applications of Venn Diagrams
8.3 Introduction to Probability
8.4 Basic Concepts of Probability
8.5 Conditional Probability and Independent Events
11/2 hours
11/2 hours
2 hours
UNIT VI
Counting, Probability Distributions, and
Further Topics in Probability (6 hours)
11/2 hours
11/2 hours
11/2 hours
11/2 hours
9.1 Probability Distributions and Expected Value
9.2 The Multiplication Principle, Permutations, and Combinations
9.3 Applications of Counting
9.4 Binomial Probability
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Dr. James
UNIT VII
1/2 hour
1 hours
2 hours
2 hours
Mathematics of Finance (6.5 hours)
5.1 Simple Interest and Discount
5.2 Compound Interest
5.3 Annuities, Future Value, and Sinking Funds
5.4 Annuities, Present Value, and Amortization
Departmental Policies:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Each instructor must cover all course topics by the end of the semester. The final exam is
comprehensive and questions on it can deal with any of the course objectives.
Each student should receive a copy of the instructor’s student syllabus for the course during the first
week of class.
A minimum of three in class tests and a comprehensive final examination must be given. The final
examination must be taken by all students.
All major tests should be announced at least one week or the equivalent in advance.
The final exam must count for at least 25 to 40 percent of the final grade.
The final course average will be used in the usual manner (90-100 ”A”; 80-89 “B”; 70-79 “C”;
60-69 “D”; Below 60 “F”).
Either an open book or a take home major test may be given at the discretion of the instructor.
Any review sheet should be comprehensive and the student should not feel that classroom notes,
homework, and tests may be ignored in favor of the review sheet for any examination.
Resource Materials: Any student enrolled in Math 1324 at HCCS has access to the Academic Support
Center where they may get additional help in understanding the theory or in improving their skills. The
Center is staffed with mathematics faculty and student assistants, and offers tutorial help, video tapes and
computer-assisted drills. Also available is a student’s Solutions manual which may be obtained from the
Bookstore.
Suggested Methods: It is helpful to begin each class with questions concerning the material discussed and
the assigned homework problems. In presenting new material, it is suggested that an explanation be
followed by students working examples in class. Students should be encouraged to work the review
exercises at the end of each chapter. Also, they should be encouraged to visit the Academic Support Center
at their respective colleges.
Academic Honesty: All students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of all tests and
assignments. Penalties for academic dishonesty (cheating on a test, collusion on an assignment, etc.)
include, but are not limited to, a reduced grade, a “0” on that test or assignment, a “W” in the course, or an
“F” in the course. The use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited
in all locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a
recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Services Office for
information.
Withdrawal policy:
If your name is on the roll at the end of the term, you WILL receive a grade. If you wish to drop the class,
then it is your responsibility to do that before the final drop date. Neither you nor your instructor will be
able to perform the drop after the final drop date. Please refer to the following notice before dropping the
class..
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NOTICE: Students who take a course three or more times will face significant tuition or fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. In addition, state law dictates that
students are allowed a maximum of 6 course withdrawals during their entire college career. Starting in the
fall of 2007, students with more than 6 drops will be required to pay additional fees. Prior to course
withdrawal, you must confer with your professor or counselor about your study habits, homework, testtaking skills, attendance, course participation, and tutoring or other assistance that is available.
Last Day to DROP class is Tuesday April 07, 2015.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact
the Disability Services Office at their college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty members are
authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Sexual Harassment: It is a violation of HCCS policy for an employee, agent, or student of the college to
engage in sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance Handbook 47).
Grading
Your instructor will conduct exams, and monitor your progress on homework assignments to
determine how successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of course
content and skills) outlined in the syllabus. If you find you are not mastering the material and skills,
you are encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class. Your instructor
welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in finding resources on
campus that will improve your performance.
FINAL GRADE OF FX
Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal
deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final
grade of “FX” at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a
grade of “FX”, compared to an earned grade of “F” which is due to poor performance. Logging
into a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending.
Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended
class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department
of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly the same as a
grade of “F” in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress
Grading Scale
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
Below 60 = F or FX
Your course grade will depend on your performance throughout the
semester. Your final course grade will be the weighted average of your
homework, the three tests and the FINAL examination.
The weights are:
Homework
Test 1
10%
20%
Math 1324 Spring 2015
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Dr. James
Test 2
Test 3
Final
20%
20%
30%
Your grade in this class depends on your PERFORMANCE during the
semester. There is no such thing as EXTRA CREDIT in this class. Your
grade depends on your PERFORMANCE and ONLY your
PERFORMANCE during the semester.
Specifically, your grade is NOT a negotiation during week 16!!!!
Please do NOT fall behind in this class. It is very difficult to catch up when
you fall behind.
THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA WORK GIVEN FOR “EXTRA CREDIT”
THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA WORK GIVEN TO “BRING UP YOUR
GRADE”
The weights for the three parts of the course are shown in the example
below.
Activity
Homework
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
FINAL
Course
Grade
Weight
10%
20%
20%
20%
30%
Points
250
100
100
100
150
Weight
*
Points
25
20
20
20
45
100%
700
130
Your
Score
225
90
90
80
90
Weight
*
Score
22.5
18
18
16
27
Weighted
Percentage
90%
90%
90%
80%
60%
575
102
78%
Letter
Grade
A
A
A
B
D
C
Grading Formula
Homework*.15 + (T1+T2+T3)*.20 + Final*.30
Here is a link to the School Academic Calendar.
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http://www.hccs.edu/district/events-calendar/academic-calendar/
Final Exam Schedule
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