UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
Regional Campus Syllabus
Course:
ECO 3401, Quantitative Tools I, 3 credit hours
0V50 – Valencia West
0V80 – Daytona
0V55 – Valencia Osceola 0V81 – Sanford/Lake Mary
0V70 – Cocoa
0V85 – Ocala
0V75 – Palm Bay
0V86 – South Lake
Term:
Spring 2014
Video Viewing
Students will need access to a computer with audio
capabilities, a high-speed (broadband) internet
connection (cable/DSL), and a Windows Media Player
for a PC or Mac. From Webcourses2 course homepage
click on Lecture Capture to view class. There is also a
link on the Modules page titled Tegrity Recordings.”
Instructor:
Mr. Bob Potter
Office:
BA2, 302W
Office Hours:
Tue. & Thurs., 3:00 – 4:15, or by appointment, January
13 – April 17 (no office hours during the 1st week of
classes and during final exams)
Phone:
(407) 823-2886
E-mail address:
Please use the Webcourses e-mail tool to contact me.
Course Description:
This is an introductory course of basic mathematical and statistical tools for
analyzing economic and business problems. It will cover a broad range of topics
so be prepared for a rapid pace.
Prerequisites: ECO 2023 and MAC 1105 or MAC 1140.
Text:
Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications 9e with MyMathLab student
access code, by Lial, Greenwell, and Ritchey. Addison Wesley. ISBN:
0321760042.
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Note: A less expensive e-text is also available through MyMathLab when you
register at http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com (formally
CourseCompass.com). Details will be explained in the first class meeting.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of ECO 3401, the student will:
 solve a linear system of equations and utilize basic matrix algebra
methods,
 use exponential and logarithmic functions as well as basic financial
calculations,
 use the appropriate rules to derive the derivative of a function,
 interpret derivatives as slopes, rates of change, and marginal concepts,
 perform unconstrained single-variate optimization, and determine the
maximum/minimum values of a function using the first-derivative or
second-derivative test,
 use the second derivative to determine the concavity of a function on an
interval and to identify the point of diminishing marginal returns,
 use the appropriate rules to derive the indefinite integral of a function,
 given a firm’s demand and supply functions, use the fundamental theorem
of calculus to calculate the total amount of consumer and producer
surplus,
 calculate the mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation of a
data set,
 demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of unconditional,
conditional, and joint probabilities and the relationships between them for
dependent and independent events,
 determine the probability distribution, expected value, variance, and
standard deviation of a random variable,
 standardize a normally distributed random variable and recognize the
probabilities associated with intervals 1, 2, and 3 standard deviations
around the mean of a normal probability distribution.
Grading:
EXAMS:
Students will take their exams on-line in the regional campus testing labs.
There will be 2 unit exams and a comprehensive final exam. Each exam is worth
100 points for a total of 300 points. Once the exam is released you will have a
specified number of days to take it. Please refer to the schedule below for the
exam schedule.
 You may bring 1 - 3” x 5” note card into the testing lab with formulas and/or
notes written on both sides. The note card must be handed-in to the lab
attendant before you leave the testing lab.
 You may bring a “non-programmable” calculator into the testing lab.
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 You will be provided with a scratch sheet that must be handed-in to the lab
attendant before you leave the testing lab.
Regional Campus Testing Information
Students will be required to take exams at their regional campus. For testing lab
information contact your regional campus. Regional campus contact information
and testing lab schedules can be found at
https://rc.ucf.edu/display/CM/Course+Management++Video+Streaming;jsessionid=18A368BF443022E98CCB7C15F0F49F93
You will receive an e-mail from your regional campus with testing information.
Tentative Exam Schedule*:
Exam
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3/Final Exam
Date/Time
Sections
 1.2
Open: Thurs., Jan. 30, 7:00am
 2.2 – 2.6
Close: Mon. Feb. 3, 11:59pm
 10.2, 10.4, 10.5
 5.1 – 5.3
 11.1, 11.3, 11.4
 12.1 – 12.5
 13.1 – 13.3
Open: Sat., March 15, 9:30am
 14.1 – 14.3
Close: Wed., March 19, 11:59pm
 17.1, 17.2
 15.1, 15.3, 15.4,
15.5
Comprehensive
Material from Unit 3:
 Intro. To Statistics,
Summarizing and
Graphing Data,
and additional
material provided
Open: Wed., April 23, 7:00am
by me.
Close: Tues., April 29, 11:59pm
 7.3 – 7.6
 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5
 9.1 – 9.3 +
supplemental
material
Selected topics from
Units 1 & 2
*The
date and coverage of the unit exams are tentative, and will depend upon
the pace of the lectures. Adjustments, if any, will be announced in class and
through Webcourses.
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After the exam grades have been released, you are encouraged to come to my
office to look over your exam. Unit exams will be available for your review until
the next unit exam opens.
POLICY CONCERNING MISSED EXAMS
Given the open testing format, make-up exams will be provided only in the
following circumstances:
 a student is required to miss the entire scheduled test period due to
mandatory participation in an authorized UCF co-curricular event, or
 a student misses an exam due to a DOCUMENTED medical or family
emergency (I will determine whether the event qualifies as an
“emergency”).
HOMEWORK:
Homework assignments will be completed on-line through MyMathLab at:
http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com
To register, you will need the student access code (all upper-case) that came
with the text and a MyMathLab ID which is provided below. If your text didn’t
come with a student access code, OR you prefer to use the online e-text, you
can purchase an access code when you register. Be sure you register for “ECO
3401, Spring 2014.” Please use your NID for username when registering. Also,
please register using your first and last name EXACTLY as it is in Webcourses.
MyMathLab ID:
potter95366
If you are using financial aid to purchase a text book and/or register with
MyMathLab, you can request a 17-day grace period that will allow you full access
to MyMathLab while waiting on financial aid.
Homework Due Dates: You must submit your assignments by the “initial” duedates identified in MyMathLab to avoid a deduction. You will be able to continue
working on assignments past the initial due date, but any work submitted after
the initial due date will incur a 20% deduction. The absolute latest date
homework can be submitted (the final due-date) is at midnight on the day the unit
exam closes. Example: The unit 1 exam closes on February 3. Therefore, the
final due date for all unit 1 homework is midnight, February 3.
Note*: Before you can submit any of the section homework assignments you
must earn a grade of 70 or better on the Algebra Review Homework.
PROCEDURAL POINTS: Every student begins the semester with 10 out of 10
procedural points. These points will be included in the point total. Points will be
deducted when students fail to follow prescribed procedures as described below:
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-
2 points: For sending me an e-mail regarding a class issue without
using Webcourses.
- 2 points: For posting a question or comment about YOUR INDIVIDUAL
GRADE on the Webcourses discussion board.
- 2 points for posting non-class related announcements on the
discussion board.
- 2 (or more) points for using profanity in a post or for malicious or
derogatory statements about other students.
- Other point deductions may be included as needed.
I will always notify you of any point deductions assigned.

Point Summary:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final exam
On-line Homework
Procedural Points
Total
100
100
100
100
10
410
The following grading scale will be used to determine final grades:
Point Total
89.5% and above
79.5% – 89.49%
Grade
A
B
Point Total
69.5% – 79.49%
59.5% – 69.49%
Grade
C
D
Webcourses:
Each student in this class is provided with a Webcourses account. You will need
your Network ID (NID) to log in to Webcourses. To learn your NID go to MyUCF
at http://my.ucf.edu.
Your default password will be an upper case “P” followed by your date of birth
using the YYMMDD format. Example: If your D.O.B. is March 12, 1983, your
default password is P830312.
The purpose of Webcourses in this class is for you to check your grades, and
communicate with the rest of the class. I strongly encourage each of you to use
the discussion tool to post questions and discussions as needed throughout the
semester. Please do not post questions about your individual performance,
grades, assignments, etc. on the discussion board. Questions concerning these
topics should be sent to me using the Webcourses e-mail tool. As explained
above, a 2-point deduction may result if you violate this request.
Webcourses can be accessed by going to MyUCF at https://my.ucf.edu and
selecting the On Line Course Tools tab.
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PowerPoint:
The power-point slides used in this class will be available from the Webcourses
content page. Please print them out before viewing the lecture.
General Guidelines:
This class will follow a lecture format.
Calculator: Most scientific calculators are sufficient for this class. However, you
should check to make sure that your calculator can perform the following
functions: x !, ln, log, e x , y x , n C r , n Pr , x ,  You may also use a financial
calculator for the financial mathematics portion of the class (Ch. 5).
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will
result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity
of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to
appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. See
the UCF Golden Rule for further information (http://goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/ ). I
will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this
University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other
words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. I
will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not
ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend
or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.
Students with Disabilities
The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in
alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need
accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the
semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be
provided until the student has met with the professor to request
accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered
with Student Disability Services (http://sds.sdes.ucf.edu/ ), Student Resource
Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116,
before requesting accommodations from the professor.
Important Spring 2014 Dates and Deadlines
 January 26: Classes begin
 January 9: Drop/Swap Deadline
 January 10: Add Deadline
 January 17: Payment deadline
 March 18: Withdrawal deadline
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April 21: Classes end
April 22: Study day
April 23 – 29: Final exam period
May 5: Grades available on myUCF
Spring 2014 Holidays
 January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
 March 3 – 8: Spring Break
Note: Due to a conference I am scheduled to attend, there will not be a lecture on
Thursday, February 6.
Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions or concerns you have
about the class. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the semester.
B. Potter
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