Course Plan
Date: August 1, 2012 - 2013
MAT 115, Mathematical Models
2 lecture and 2 lab for 3 semester hours credit
Course Description: This course develops the ability to utilize mathematical skills and
technology to solve problems at a level found in non-mathematics-intensive programs.
Topics include applications to percent, ratio and proportion, formulas, statistics, functional
notation, linear functions and their groups, probability, sampling techniques, scatter plots,
and modeling. Upon completion, students should be able to solve practical problems, reason
and communicate with mathematics, and work confidently, collaboratively, and
independently.
Course Objectives:
 Students will understand how to solve, graph, and write linear equations.
 Students will use functions as mathematical models in a variety of business arenas.
 Students will develop the basic skills necessary to compute probability values.
 Students will understand data, by organizing, properly displaying, and analyzing data
sets.
Student Learning Outcomes:


Model and solve real-world applications mathematically
Perform mathematical calculations appropriate for the discipline of study
Prerequisites: Math 070 or passing test on placement exam or SAT Math  500 or ACT  21 .
Corequisites: none
Textbook and Required Materials:
Fundamentals of Algebraic Modeling, 5th edition; by D. Timmons, C Johnson, and S. McCook
published by Cengage, 2010.
Scientific Calculators/Graphing Calculators; Practice Worksheets
Course Outline:

Review of Algebra Fundamentals

Solving Linear Equations

Formulas

Ratio and Proportion

Percents

Word Problem Strategies

Graphing

The Rectangular Coordinate System
 Graphing Linear Equations

Slope

Writing Equations of Lines

Functions and Applications

Functions

Using Function Notation

Linear Functions

Direct, Inverse & Joint Variation

Non-linear Functions

Plane Geometry

Right Triangles

Applications of Functions

Mathematical Models in the Business World

Mathematical Models in Personal Income

Mathematical Models in Banking

Mathematical Models in Consumer Credit

Mathematical Models in Purchasing an Automobile

Mathematical Models in Purchasing a Home

Mathematical Models in Insurance Options and Rates

Mathematical Models in Stocks, Mutual Funds, and Bonds

Probability Models

Sets and Set Theory

What is Probability?

Theoretical Probability and Odds

Tree Diagrams

Or & And Problems

Permutations & Combinations

Modeling With Statistics

An Introduction To Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

Organizing and Displaying Data



Variation (or Dispersion)
The Normal Curve
Scatterplots and Linear Regression
Grading Policy: Grading policies will be included in the syllabus and distributed to all students
at the beginning of each semester. In all curriculum math courses the grading scale is the same:
A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59-0.
Disability Services: Alamance Community College is committed to providing equal educational
opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students who require disability services
or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and provide
current diagnostic documentation to the Disability Services Office located in the Gee Building,
Room 128. All information is confidential. Please contact Monica Isbell, Coordinator of Special
Needs & Counseling Services for more information at 336-506-4130 or email at
isbellm@alamancecc.edu.
Student Access to Faculty: Instructors will provide students with a written syllabus that
includes their name, office number, telephone number, e-mail address and office hours.
Attendance Policy: The standard ACC attendance policy will be followed (see the ACC
Student Handbook for details.) The attendance policy may be modified by departments as
approved by the Associate Dean. The specific attendance policy for this course will be provided
in the syllabus.
Academic Integrity: Students should review the Student Code of Conduct section of the Student
Handbook.
Course Evaluation: This course will be regularly evaluated in accordance with college policy.
Endorsement of the Department Head and Associate Dean
Department Head: Sonya McCook
Date: August 1, 2012
Associate Dean: Cathy Johnson
Date: August 1, 2012