MTH 105: Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics
Syllabus; Winter 2016
Class meets MTRF in MNB #110, 1:00 – 1:50 PM
Instructor: Andrew Nerz
Office: Maaske #303
Phone: 503 – 838 – 9709
Email: nerza@wou.edu
Website: www.wou.edu/~nerza
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
1:00
2:00
Monday
MTH 070
MTH 070
Tuesday
MTH 070
MTH 070
Office
Wednesday
Usually
Not on
Campus
Thursday
MTH 070
MTH 070
Friday
MTH 070
MTH 070
MTH 112
MTH 112
MTH 112
MTH 112
MTH 105
MTH 105
MTH 105
MTH 105
Office
Office
Office
Office
Introduction for Contemporary Mathematics is a course designed for liberal arts students that focuses on
mathematic problem solving activities from real world situations to convey the application of mathematics. This
course will include instruction in descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, consumer buying, saving and
loans, problem solving, and other various topics. Emphasis will be placed on mathematic reasoning.
Required Materials:

The Heart of Mathematics with Wiley Plus, by Burger & Starbird. ISBN: 9781118556825

To register for the online homework for this class, follow this link: www.wileyplus.com/class/490937
Calculator (scientific or graphing; must be able to handle exponents)

Learning Outcomes include:








Understand and appreciate the many ways in which mathematics is used in problem – solving and the
various applications to real – world situations.
Develop confidence in your ability to understand, question, and analyze the mathematics that arise in your
daily life.
Develop techniques to solve problems that require mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.
Carry out appropriate calculations, apply formulas or algorithms with knowledge of the underlying
mathematical principles, and draw conclusions from the results.
Understand the basics of probability and risk.
Be able to read and make graphs.
Understand the basic measures of center and variation.
Understand and use formulas related to money matters.
Course webpage: Any necessary course materials will be posted on our Wiley course as announcements.
Attendance: Attendance is required for success in this class. Mathematical topics often build upon one another, so
missing a class can set you behind substantially. If you miss class, you are responsible for missed material and to
stay current on all assignments.
Class structure: Class periods will be a mixture of lecture and group/individual work. Students are encouraged to
speak up during class and engage in mathematical discussions.
Homework: Online homework will be assigned regularly through the WileyPlus online system. An access code is
required for the course and to complete assignments. Other written homework to turn in directly will be
occasionally assigned. Your overall lowest homework score will be dropped at the end of the term. Written late
homework will not be accepted.
Quizzes: Weekly quizzes will be given on Friday of each non – exam week. Missed quizzes may not be made up,
but the lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the term.
Exams: Two exams will be given during the term. The dates are subject to change, but will likely be given during
weeks four and seven. Makeup exams will only be available in the case of a documented emergency or university
sanctioned absence from class. Prior notification and my agreement are required. My voice mail and email are
always on; there is no excuse for not contacting me prior to missing an exam.
Final exam: The final exam will be given on Monday, March 14th from 10:00 to 11:50 AM. The location will be
announced at a later date.
Due dates and late policy: Online work is generally due by 11:50 PM on its due date. Online homework may be
done after the due date, but your score will be reduced by 50%. Written homework may not be turned in late, and
will be collected during class on the assigned due date.
Tutoring: Students are encouraged to take advantage of the free tutoring available at the Math Center in Hamersly
Library (room 228). For more information, visit www.wou.edu/mathcenter.
Grades: Your grade will be determined based on the following:
Homework
30%
Quizzes
20%
Exam 1
15%
Exam 2
15%
Final Exam
20%
Tips for success:



Attend class. You will miss out on class discussions, content, and worksheets that are essential to
the course.
Ask questions! Don’t be afraid of failure or giving a wrong answer; it is how we learn and we all
experience it most days. We don’t need to always have the right answer, but we need to at least try
if we want to improve and become more effective.
Get extra help whenever needed. There are several resources available to you:
o

My office hours, feel free to drop by whenever you have any questions regarding the course
or anything that I can help you with. If my hours don’t work for you, let me know and we
can make an appointment for a different time.
o The tutoring center is a very effective (and completely free) resource. It’s held in the
library, and you can visit www.wou.edu/mathcenter to see a complete schedule.
o Each other! Study groups are a great way to bounce ideas off each other and see the
material in a different light. Just be sure that you don’t completely rely on each other for the
answers, since that can actually cripple you and force you to become dependent.
Completion of all assignments, both written and online. Successfully completing (and
understanding) homework assignments will have a large impact on your exam/quiz scores, thereby
raising your grade in more ways than one!
If the instructor determines your performance in this class is placing you at academic risk, you may be referred to
Jesse Poole, Western’s Student Success Specialist. Jesse will offer to work with you to address issues and develop a
student success strategy. Regardless of whether a referral has or has not been made, you are ultimately responsible
for tracking your own progress in this course. If you would like to meet with Jesse regarding any academic
struggles you are experiencing, please contact the Academic Advising and Learning Center at 503-838-8428.
Appropriate Classroom Behavior: You are responsible for your own attendance and performance. Disruptive
classroom behavior of any kind, such as talking during lecture or consistently coming to class late etc., is not
appropriate. The prescribed conduct for all students is described in the University Catalog. In particular, academic
dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated, and will be reported to the university. Also, leave your cell phone off
or on silent when you come to class. They are not to be used at all during class. If for some reason you absolutely
need to be contacted (in some emergency situation), inform me before class and an arrangement can be made.
Disability Services: If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Services, APSC 405, or at 503-838-8250, as
early as possible in the term. Students needing medical or mental health care can access the Student Health and
Counseling Center by calling 503-838-8313, emailing at health@wou.edu, or by walking in to schedule an
appointment.
Veterans/Military Personnel:
Veterans and Active Military Personnel with special circumstances are welcome and encouraged to communicate
these, in advance if possible, to the instructor.
Incomplete Grades: Incomplete grades may be given at the discretion of the instructor. However, to qualify for
consideration, the student must be passing the course and the circumstances must be extremely unusual and
verifiable. A contract between the student and instructor for completion of the remaining course work is required.
Grading Scale for the Course:
%
Grade
%
93 100
%
A
90 – 92 A-
Grade
Grade
%
Grade
77 – 79 C+
73 – 76 C
%
%
Grade
Below
60
F
Grade
60 – 62 D-
%
Grade
%
Grade
%
87 –
89
%
B+
83 –
86
%
B
80 – 82 B-
Grade
%
Grade
70 –
72
C-
67 –
69
D+
63 -66
D
Grade
Grade