Pierce College Math 107 Online
Overview
This is a course in modern mathematics. We will be exploring a number of topics that
have
been
developed
fairly
recently
in
the
mathematical
world.
This class will be nothing like your intermediate algebra course. If you prefer equations
and expressions, this is not the class for you. We will be looking at topics that might not
seem like math to you. Many of these topics will be explored in context of their
applications.
The purpose of this course is to expose you to the wider world of mathematical thinking.
There are two reasons for this. First, for you to understand the power of quantitative
thinking and the power of numbers in solving and dealing with real world scenarios.
Secondly, for you to understand that there is more to mathematics then expressions and
equations.
Is
this
course
right
for
you?
Math 107 is a terminal math course, meaning it does not prepare you for any other math
class. After intermediate algebra, there are four directions you can go:
Statistics - Math 281 (which many social science and business majors need) Precalculus Math 121 (which most science majors and some others need) Finite Math - Math 156
(which most business majors need) Contemporary Math - Math 107 (which is right for
many humanities majors and some pro-tech programs)
Hopefully you went to an advisor who knows your educational goals when deciding
which class to take. If you're not sure if this class is right for you, please feel free to
email me and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.
Textbook
Tannenbaum, Peter. Excursions in Modern Mathematics, 6th Edition.
Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN: 0131873636 The booksore may sell this book with
supplements (like the student solutions manual). These supplements are not required, but
are included with new books by the publishers at no additional cost. If you have a copy of
the 5th edition of the book, or can borrow one from a friend or find one cheap, you are
welcome to use it. Your homework problem numbers might differ from those in the 6th
edition, but the content is more or less the same. Be sure to mention you're using the 5th
edition when you ask homework questions.
Format
of
the
Course
This course is not self-paced. Each week there will be a specific set of material to learn,
and assignments and tests on that material. There will be fixed due-dates for those
assignments. However, the course is asychronous, which means that you can log into the
classroom any times during the week that are convenient for you and complete the
assignments.
Each week, you will be given a reading assignment. Reading the textbook will be your
primary way to learn the material for the course. Sometimes a "lecture" written by me or
someone
else
will
be
provided
to
supplement
the
text.
A discussion forum will be provided where you can ask questions about the reading, and
discuss the material with me and your classmates. This is how you can get help when you
don't
understand
the
book.
There will be a set of homework exercises assigned each week. There will be two sets of
homework - one online, and one from the book. The online homework is required, and
graded. However, if you miss a question, you can try similar problems until you get the
questions correct. The problems from the book to give you practice with the material.
With the book questions you will be able to check your answers in the back of the book
and self-assess your progress. You can ask questions in the discussion board about any
homework
questions
you
have
difficulty
with.
Each week there will be a "Skills Test". This will be a test consisting of problems similar,
but not not necessarily identical, to the homework problems, that test your understanding
of the material and your ability to perform any procedures or techniques presented in that
chapter. These questions will be numerical, multiple-choice, matching, or fill-in-theblank.
Additionally, each week there will be an assignment not from the book. This assignment
will be a more open-ended question that usually requires a bit more work, conceptual
understanding, possibly some outside research, and may require a written solution or
explaination.
At the end of the course there will a proctored final exam. You will have a week during
which you can take this exam at your convience at either campus, or through an external
proctor by arrangement.
This quarter we will be studying these topics (in order):
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
Voting
Theory
Weighted
Voting
Fair
Division
Spiral
Growth
Growth
Models
Money
Problems
(chp
(chp
1)
(chp
2)
(chp
3)
(chp
9)
(chp
10)
10/Supplements)
Week
7:
Collecting
data
Week
8:
Statistics
Week
9:
Final
Week 10: Historical counting methods (Supplement)
(chp
(chp
13)
14)
review
Late
Work
Policy
The online Homework and Skills Test deadlines are extremely firm. The link to these
assignments will actually disappear at midnight on the due date, and the assignment must
be completed before midnight. Because of this, I strongly recommend that students not
wait until 11:50pm to start the test, in case if they have problems logging in or something.
The Graded Assignments deadlines are also very firm, since you have the entire week to
work on them. If a graded assignment is turned in late, I will never give more than 50%
of
the
possible
points.
If something major comes up (a death in the family, hospitilization, etc.), go ahead and
email me or call me to let me know, and we can work something out.
About
Taking
an
Online
Course
Taking an online course for the first time can be a daunting undertaking. Compared to
traditional on-campus courses, they have their pros and cons. More and more people are
taking courses online mainly because of the convenience. This course is asynchronous,
which means students and the instructor are not necessarily online at the same time.
Messages are posted to the discussion boards by both students and facilitators any time of
day or night. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This
allows you to take a class anytime you want. You are not tied down to a specific hour of
the day, Monday through Friday, as with traditional college and university courses.
Most students will agree that online courses require more involvement time than
traditional classes. It is not uncommon to spend around 15 to 20 hours each week on a
course. However, the amount of time you would normally spend commuting to a campus,
waiting for class to start, and then commuting home, can now be spent constructively on
the course. As a result, many studies have shown that online courses generally produce
higher grades and greater learning than traditional courses. But it does require a very
committed
student.
Another con is the lack of physical interaction that occurs in a traditional course. This,
however, is actually a pro. Many personal and individual biases are eliminated because
we can't see each other (unless you opt to post a picture of yourself). Quite often the
person who is normally inhibited in an traditional class is very active in an online class.
Also with this asynchronous model there can be multiple "conversations" happening
simultaneously. You can respond to any or all of the discussion threads at any time,
something that is impossible in the traditional classroom. As a result, you will get to
know your fellow classmates much better than any lecture class you have taken or will
take. But, when your interaction is lacking, the entire class suffers. You have to be an
active member of the class.
Getting
Help
The discussion board is a forum where you can ask questions about the reading or
homework, and get help from me or your classmates. The idea is to have the class operate
like a study group - with all of you working together to further your learning. This is what
distinguishes an online class from a traditional distance learning or math lab course.
Use the Discussion Board to ask for help on problems you don't understand how to do. If
you do understand how to do the problems, help out your classmates by answering
questions on the discussion board.
I will monitor the homework discussion boards, and will respond to questions if they go
unanswered, or if someone provides an incorrect response. If you have additional
questions, didn't understand the answer someone gave you, or have a question that has
gone unanswered, don't hesitate to email me and ask questions. However, please use the
discussion boards first, so that others can benefit from your questions.
I can't stress enough that without being able to see the expression on your face, there's no
way for me to judge if you understand my or a fellow student's explaination to your
questions. So, you need to be proactive about your learning, and ask for more
explaination when you need it. Again, you can do this via email to me, or in the
discussion boards.
In addition to the discussion board and emailing me, you are also welcome to come see
me on-campus if your schedule allows. See the Instructor Information to see what my
office hours are this quarter.
Additionally, you can get help from the drop-in tutors at the Academic Support Center on
either campus. Be aware that not all tutor have taken this math course, and may have
difficulty helping you. Writing tutors are also available to help with writing assignments.
Instructor
Contact
You can contact me via the discussion boards, email, messages, by phone, or in person.
Please check Instructor Information for my email address, phone number, and office
location
and
hours.
If you have general questions about the course, you can ask them in the "Ask David"
discussion forum. If the question is of a personal nature, feel free to email me.
If you have questions about the homework or readings, you can ask them in the weekly
discussion forums. Feel free to email me, call me, or visit me for additional help.
When you post a message or email me, please understand that I am not online all the
time. Please allow at least 24 hours for me to respond to your questions, possibly longer
on the weekends. Because of the asychronous nature of the course, please ask questions
early enough to allow time for a response.
Grading
The first day of class there is a bio quiz and syllabus quiz.
Each
week you
will
have
online
Homework.
Each week (except for the week of the final) you will have a Skills Test.
Each week (except of the week of the final) there will be a written/extended assignment.
There
will
be
a
proctored
final
test.
Online
homework
will
count
for
20%
of
your
Skills
Tests
will
count
for
20%
of
your
Written assignments
will
count
for
20% of
your
The Final will count for 40% of your course grade.
course
course
course
grade.
grade.
grade.
Your weighted percent in the class will be converted to a decimal grade via this scale:
90-100%:
3.5-4.0
80-89%
:
2.5-3.4
75-79%
:
2.0-2.4
70-74%:
1.5-1.9
60-69%:
0.7-1.4
Below 60%: 0.0
Academic
Integrity
Online courses have the same academic integrity as any other college course. You can
trust that I will respond to your questions and comments in a timely manner, as well as be
timely
and
fair
in
grading
submitted
assignments.
As your instructor, I trust that you will make your best effort to complete the activities in
a timely manner and to the best of your abilities. If there is an unforeseen change in your
schedule feel free to contact me for alternative arrangements. I expect that the work you
submit for this course will be your own work. Cheating and/or plagiarism will not
be tolerated. Please refer to the college's Academic Dishonesty policy for more details.
Online
Etiquette
Much has been written about online etiquette. The old saying, "Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words will never hurt me." is suddenly untrue. Words are our sole
means of communication. Many times a sarcastic phase you make to a friend is softened
with a smile or eye contact. In an online situation, that same phrase can be very hurtful if
read differently. Remember treat everyone the same way you would want to be treated:
with
respect.
There are ways to express emotions without words. These are called emoticons. You've
probably seen several already in computer writing: ;-) :) :o) :-( etc., These are actually
faces turned on their side to represent emotions. They take the place of body language
and facial expressions that are a natural part ofcommunication. In this setting, it's difficult
sometimes to discern between sarcasm and criticism. Using emoticons can often convey
the
context
of
the
comment
when
words
can't.
Most importantly, this class will be free of sexual, verbal, and racial discrimination or
harrassment.
Disability
Services
Students with disabilities who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary
aids or services to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements are
encouraged to register with the Access and Disability Services (ADS) Office, Sunrise
Building (Ft Steilacoom), or Room 102A in the Administration Building (Puyallup). You
may also call the ADS Office to make an appointment to meet with the ADS Coordinator
at (253) 964-6526 or 964-6527 (Ft Steilacoom), or at (253) 840-8335 or (253) 864-3301
(Puyallup).