Heartland Community College
Math / Science Division
Fall 2010 Student Course Syllabus
Course Title: College Algebra for Business and Social Science
Credit Hours: 3
Course Prefix and Number: 131-03
Days and times the course meets: TR 12:30-1:45 pm
Room: ICN 2401
Instructor’s Name: William Wheeler
Phone: (309) 262-9455 (cell)
Office Hours: TBD and by appointment
Office: ICB 2402
Email: willy.wwheeler@heartland.edu
Catalog Description (Include specific prerequisites): Prerequisite: MATH 096 or MATH 099 (or
assessment) and MATH 098 (or at least one year of high school geometry) with a grade of C or
higher. This course focuses on mathematical reasoning and the solving of real life problems,
rather than on routine skills and appreciation. Three or four topics are studied in depth, with at
least three chosen from the following list: counting techniques and probability, geometry, graph
theory, logic and set theory, mathematical modeling, mathematics of finance, game theory, linear
programming, and statistics. Note, a scientific calculator is required for this course (a graphing
calculator is also acceptable).
Textbooks:
Excursions in Modern Mathematics, Seventh Edition, Peter Tannenbaum, Prentice Hall 2009
Student Communication: To access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to
log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu
Relationship to Academic Development Programs And Transferability: This course satisfies the
general education mathematics requirement for the A.A. degree and counts as part of the general
education requirement for the A.S. degree.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After completing this course the student should be able to achieve the following outcomes. The level of
these outcomes are based on problem solving abilities (PS1, PS2).
1. Interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw logical
and reasonable inferences from them.
2. Represent mathematical information symbolically, graphically, numerically, and verbally.
3. Estimate and check mathematical solutions to determine reasonableness, identify alternate methods
of solutions, and select optimal results.
4. Recognize the limitations of mathematical models.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
This course will cover at least 3 of the following topics:
1. Mathematical Modeling
2. Geometry
3. Graph Theory
4. Game Theory
5. Linear Programming
6. Logic and Set Theory
7. Counting Techniques and Probability
8. Statistics
9. Mathematics of Finance
Required Writing and Reading: Required writing will be part of most assignments and tests. Students
will be expected to explain how they found the solution, describe the solution graphically, and interpret
the answer in the context of the problem. Students are expected to read the material in the textbook for
each section studied.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System): Your course grade will be determined as
follows, 100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, 59-0% = F. Methods of evaluation will
consist of, but are not limited to tests, quizzes, homework, and a final exam.
4 chapter tests
quizzes and homework
comprehensive final exam
60% of your overall grade.
20%
20%
**The grade on your final exam will replace your lowest test score provided that your final is not your
lowest test score.
Late work policy: Make-up quizzes and exams will only be allowed if you inform me of your absence
before the beginning of class.
Participation (or Attendance)
Regular attendance is not only expected, but is a must in order to be successful in this class. If a student
is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain class notes and assignments from someone in the class. Due
to the nature of this course and the fact that the group experience cannot be reproduced, HCC math
faculty have adopted this attendance policy for 096: Having more than 2 absences in any 3 consecutive
weeks is grounds for automatic withdrawal or receiving an F in the course.
Incompletes: An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can
reasonably be expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).
Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as unjustified failure to appear for the final examination.
A written agreement, outline the requirements to be met, must be signed by the instructor and the student.
The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the end of the following semester. By the
agreed upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or the incomplete will be changed to an F if the
requirements are not completed.
Student Conduct, Academic Integrity, Plagiarism: Please refer to the Student Conduct Policy in the
Heartland Community College CATALOG for specific policies concerning discipline, academic integrity
and plagiarism.
Heartland Library Information http://www.heartland.edu/library
The Library, located in the Student Commons Building at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland
students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information.
Tutoring Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/tutoring/index.jsp
(309) 268-8231
Testing Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/testing/index.jsp
(309) 268-8231
Academic Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic
accommodations, please contact Anita Moore at 268-8249 or anita.moore@heartland.edu.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions: Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under
Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page
on the HCC Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a
message from the instructor.
Syllabus Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class. You
are responsible for any and all changes made to the syllabus.
Important Dates:
Aug 17..................Classes Begin for 16-Week
Aug 27 ..................Final Day to Drop with Refund for 16-Week Session
Sep 6 .....................Labor Day (College Closed)
Oct 12 ...................Midterm Grade Rosters due online by Midnight for 16-Week
Nov 3 ....................Final Day to Withdraw for 16-Week Session
Nov 24 ..................Thanksgiving Break Begins (No Classes, College Open)
Nov 25-26 ............Thanksgiving Break (College Closed)
Dec 3 ....................Classes End for 16-Week
Dec 5-11 ...............Final Exams for 16-Week Session
Dec 7…………….Final Exam 1:00-1:30 pm
Dec 14 ..................Final Grade Rosters due online by Midnight
Tentative Day to Day schedule Fall 2010:
Week
No. Date
1
T 8-17
R
2
T 8-24
R
3
T 8-31
R
4
T 9-7
R
5
T 9-14
R
6
T 9-27
R
7
T 9-28
8
9
Section covered
Syllabus, 5.1-5.3
5.4-5.7
6.1-6.2
6.3-6.4
6.5-6.8
Review
Exam 1
7.1,7.3
8.1,8.2
8.3,8.4
8.5,8.6
8.7
Exam 2
Mathematics of Population
R
Growth
Linear and Geometric Growth
T 10-5 Models
Linear and Geometric Growth
R
Models
Geometric and Logistic Growth
T 10-12 Models
Geometric and Logistic Growth
R
Models
Week
No.
Date
10
T 10-19
R
11
T 10-26
R
12
T 11-12
R
13
T 11-9
R
14
T 11-15
R
15
T 11-22
R
16
T 11-29
R
17
T
Exam 4
12-7
R
18
T
R
Section covered
15.1,15.2
15.3,15.4
15.6
Review
Exam 3
14.1,14.2
14.3,14.4
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Thanksgiving (No Classes)
Review
12-13
Final Exam 12:00-1:50pm