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MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
WOLFSON CAMPUS
SYLLABUS
MGF 1107
Term: FALL 2008
Instructor: Dr. Belarmino Gonzalez
E-mail:bgonzal5@mdc.edu
Reference Number: 468115
Room: 2217
Meeting days/times: W: 5:40—8:10PM
TEXTBOOK :
PREREQUISITE:
CALCULATORS:
Office Room: 1534
Office hours: Posted in my office door
Thinking Mathematically, 4th Edition, by Robert Blitzer.
MAT 1033 with a grade of C or better, or equivalent.
All you need is a simple SCIENTIFIC calculator.
Introduction
MGF 1107, Mathematics for Liberal Arts II, is one of the college level mathematics courses that
may be used to satisfy graduation requirements from M-DC with an AA degree. To be successful
in this course, students should have a good working knowledge of the basic algebraic skills and the
use of scientific calculator.
Course Description
This course introduces the student to the concepts of financial mathematics, linear and exponential
growth, numbers and number systems, history of mathematics, elementary number theory, voting
methods, and graphing theory.
How do the course objectives relate to the Miami-Dade Learning Outcomes?
What follows below is a list of the ten learning outcomes that have recently been prepared by
Miami Dade faculty and administrators.
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment.
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Each course taken at the college addresses some of these learning outcomes. Mathematics for
Liberal Arts II (MGF 1107) addresses outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9.

Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
This course requires reading and understanding the material covered in the textbook.
Students will need to pay attention in class and may periodically be asked to explain a
concept discussed in class.

Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
In this class, you will have to be able to read and identify numerical information (data) in
different real world problems and applications. You will be required to manipulate the datainformation using models, equations.

Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
Critical thinking is an essential skill for all professionals. When solving problem it is
necessary to understand the problem and to determine which method may be used to solve
the problem. Then one must also decide whether or not the result(s) make sense. Critical
thinking and scientific reasoning are part of the methods or procedures that you may need to
use solving problems or real world problems in this course.

Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
In the real world applications students have the opportunity to locate, evaluate and apply
information in the solution of problems.

Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
The development of mathematics and some historical math events are lightly touched upon in
this course, and in the research paper. Value the contribution of different cultures to
mathematics.

Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
Most homework assignments and quizzes will be posted on line on the Course Compass/My
Math Lab website. Students will develop the ability to use these computer resources to
monitor their progress in the course and to help them reach a better understanding of the
concepts, ideas and applications discussed in the course. They will also have the opportunity
to use the external links posted on the website to explore topics related to the course goals
and objectives.

Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
Value the creativity of the human being in the way they use and development Mathematics to
solve problems in real life.
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Attendance and Homework
Regular attendance and completion of homework assignments are extremely important for students
who want to pass this course. Keep in mind that one learns mathematics only by doing
mathematics. Consequently, students with excessive absences may be dropped from the class.
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Assignments will usually consist of reading the
sections covered in class as well completing the on line homework. Some exercises from the
textbook will also be assigned.
GRADING POLICY
Your grade will be based on the results of four unit’s assignments and a Final Exam. The Final
Exam will count as 25%, the average of the units as the 70% of your grade and a research paper as
5%.
Your grade will be distributed as follow per unit:
Homework online: 10 % of your unit’s grade.
One in-class Quiz: 10 % of your unit’s grade.
One in-class Test: 80 % of your unit’s grade.
Online homework: You will need to log into www.coursecompass.com; there, you will find the
complete textbook online, along with videotapes and homework tutorial assignments and quizzes.
All you would need to purchase is the access code to the site. Follow the instructions to register.
When completing the registration, they will ask you for the COURSE ID. The Course ID for this
class is gonzalez57905.
No exceptions will be made about the due date for the online homework, which will be on the
day before of each unit’s test.
If you miss a test or a quiz, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. If the reason for
missing the test is “acceptable”(according to policy) you may make up the work according to the
instructor’s discretion. If you miss an exam and you don’t see your instructor that will be
automatically become a zero.
The Final Exam consists of questions based on the material discussed on class.
Grading scale (based on total points):
A: 90 -- 100:
B: 80 --- 89:
C: 70 --- 79:
D: 60 --- 69:
F: 59 --Below
At the discretion of the instructor, the Final Exam score may be used to replace the lowest unit’s
score, for the students who pass the Final Exam.
A brief research paper (3 to 5 pages type-written and double-spaced) on the subject of
Mathematics is also required of all students. The paper will be on a mathematician or on a scientist
who has contributed to the development of the mathematics. The paper must include a short
biography of the selected individual and a summary of his/her contributions to the mathematics
field. Some personal reflections on the person’s life and work should also be included. This paper
represents 5% of your final grade. The DUE date of the paper is Dec 3, 2008.
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Incomplete:
The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is given in the rare case that a student is PASSING a class but for
some extenuating circumstance is unable to complete the last part (usually the final exam) of the
class. If you are not passing your class, it is not possible for your instructor to give you an I.
Note that you will have one full term (Fall or Winter) to complete the requirements of your
Incomplete contract. If you do not complete your requirements in that time, the “I” generally
will automatically change to an F on your records. The instructor makes the determination as to
whether you are eligible for an Incomplete.
Support Services
Should you encounter any difficulties with a section or chapter, seek help right away. Stop by
and see me during office hours, stop by the math lab, seek the help of a tutor. In the Math Lab,
Room 2223, you will find videos and computer software that may be of assistance to you. You
may also come to the Math Lab to interact with other students of mathematics, seek help in
solving homework problems or to ask questions concerning the material in the text. Please note
that the tutors in the lab must help all students and take turns; they cannot work with one student
for a prolonged period of time. We are unable to offer one-to-one continuous tutoring. The
hours for the Math Lab are posted on the door at the entrance of the Lab. The services provided
in the Lab are free.
Classroom and Laboratory Etiquette and Discipline
Students should make every effort to come to class on time. Students are also expected to depart
when the class ends and to treat others respectfully. All beepers and cell phones must be
turned off before class as a courtesy to your instructor and your classmates.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W" up until the last day to drop,
which is NOV 4/2008 for this term (2008-1). The student who decides to withdraw from the
course must fill out a "Drop Card" available at the registrar's or the academic advisement office.
It is the student's responsibility to do so.
Classes begin
First day that lab hours can be accumulated in College Prep courses (MAT 0002,
MAT 0020, MAT 0024)
Last day for drop with W (regular 16 week classes only)
Last day that lab hours can be accumulated in College Prep courses
Last Day of Classes
Final Exam Week
Holidays or days there are no classes and the Math Lab is closed
W Aug 27, 2008
W Aug 27, 2008
T Nov 4, 2008
F Dec 12, 2008
F Dec 12, 2008
Dec 13 – Dec 19,
2008
Aug 30, 31, Sep 1
Nov 27, 28, 29, 30,
2008
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MGF 1107 TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
TEXT: Thinking Mathematically, 4th Edition by Robert Blitzer
Date
AUG 27
SEPT 3
Week
Sections
Topics
1
4.1, 4.2
Hindu-Arabic System and early
Positional Systems
2
4.3, 4.4
Computation in positional Systems
and Early Numeration Systems
Suggested Homework
4.1: 1,3,11-21,
23,25,27,33-49
4.2: 1-39, 49, 51
4.3: 1-23
4.4: 1-35,
57, 59, 61,63,
65
SEPT
10
3
EXERCISES
Test #1
SEPT
17
4
5.1, 7.1
Prime and composite numbers
Graphing and Functions
SEPT
24
5
7.2
6
7.6
Nonlinear Models
EXERCISES
Test#2
8
8.1, 8.2
Percents and Simple interest
9
8.3, 8.4
Compound Interest and Annuities
OCT 1
OCT 8
OCT 15
OCT 22
7
Linear Functions and their graphs
5.1: 1-67,
91-97
7.1: 1-13,21,25,35,37,5157,67-73
7.2: 1-47,59,61
7.6: 1,3,5,
8.1: 1-45,
47,48,49,50
8.2: 1-29, 35-39
8.3: 1-31,39-43
8.4: 1-17,
OCT 29
NOV 5
NOV 12
NOV 19
NOV 26
DEC 3
DEC 10
10
8.4, 8.5
Annuities and Installment buying
8.5: 1-13
11
8.6
Amortization and the Cost of Home
ownership
8.6: 1-17
12
EXERCISES
Test # 3
13
14.1, 14.2
Voting Methods and Flaws of
Voting Methods
14
15.1, 15.2
15
EXERCISES
16
REVIEW
FINAL
Graphs, paths, and circuits
Euler Paths and Euler circuits
Test # 4
9-13
27-33
14.1: 1-37
14.2: 1-19
15.1: 1-51
15.2: 1-39,45-57