Wake Technical
Community College
Course
Lab
MAT 140/140A
Mathematics and Physics Dept.
Mathematics and Sciences Division
Spring
2010
Course Syllabus
Section
4221/0009
Survey of Mathematics
LECTURE
LAB
CREDIT
3
2
4
semester hours
Description
This course provides an introduction in a non-technical setting to selected topics in mathematics. Topics may
include, but are not limited to sets, logic, probability, statistics, matrices, mathematical systems, geometry,
topology, mathematics of finance, and modeling. Upon completion, students should be able to understand a
variety of mathematical applications, think logically, and be able to work collaboratively and independently.
This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core
requirement in natural sciences mathematics.
Lab Description
This course is a laboratory for MAT 140. Emphasis is placed on experiences that enhance the materials
presented in the class. Upon completion, students should be able to solve problems, apply critical thinking,
work in teams, and communicate effectively.
Allocation of Lab Time
The two hours designated for lab activities in Survey of Mathematics will be integrated within the 5 hours of
contact time.
Last Day to Withdraw without penalty is March 22nd, 2010
Pre/Co requisites
MAT 070 or a satisfactory score on the mathematics placement instrument. MAT 140A is a laboratory and a
required co requisite for MAT 140. You must be registered for the same sections of MAT 140 and MAT 140A
in order to receive credit. You will receive the same grade for both MAT 140 and MAT 140A.
Students who have not met the prerequisite(s) and/or co-requisites may not remain registered for this course.
Required Textbook(s)
USING AND UNDERSTANDING
MATHEMATICS: A
QUANTITATIVE REASONING
APPROACH, 4th Edition,
Bennett and Briggs, Addison
Wesley
ISBN13: 9780321482648
ISBN10: 0321482646
MAT 140
LAB MANUAL
Published by the M & P
Department, WTCC
MyMathLab Access Kit
(Bundled with new textbooks,
purchased separately otherwise)
Required Technology
A graphics calculator is OPTIONAL
for this course. The student may want
to use a calculator for numerical
calculations. Students will be required
to use a spreadsheet such as Excel.
Excel will be the technology used for
instruction in this course.
In keeping with the college’s mission statement, this course will promote Wake Tech’s
institutional values.
Respect – Instructor and students will foster an environment that is respectful of all.
Responsibility – Instructor and students will foster an environment that promotes taking responsibility for
one’s actions and obligations.
Critical Thinking – Instructors and students will strive to improve the critical thinking skills of analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation.
Communication – Instructor and students will strive to ensure that both written and oral communications
are clearly understood.
Collaboration – Instructor and students will strive to develop collaborative skills.
For the Student:
Instructor’s Name
Nancy Rivers
Office Number
BD 463
Department’s Web Site:
http://www.waketech.edu/math
Office Hours
TTh 12:00 – 2:00
F 10:00 -10:50
For the Department:
Phone #
919-532-5564
12/16/09
Date Revised
Email address
njrivers
@waketech.edu
ALMS
Author
Students with Disabilities
Disability Support Services is available for students who require academic accommodations due to any
physical, psychological, or learning disability. To determine disability eligibility, contact the office at 108-S
Holding Hall or call 662-3405 (TDD 779-0668).
Additional Learning Resources
1. Course instructors are available during office hours.
2. The Individualized Learning Center (ILC) provides tutors free of charge.
3. Videos are available on MyMathLab and in the ILC that cover topics in MAT 140.
4. Peers are a good source of help. Study groups are encouraged and can meet regularly in the mathematics
lab in the ILC.
5. The instructor’s webpage or Blackboard may be used to provide students with information and
supplemental material.
6. The publisher’s MyMathLab is an online resource including video clips, practice problems, animated
problem solving, and tutorial exercises.
Attendance
The college attendance policy, as stated in the General Catalog,
will be followed. This policy states (in part) that "Students are
expected to be in attendance at least 90 percent of all scheduled
class hours. In the event that a student's absences in a class
exceed 10 percent and the absences are not justified to the
satisfaction of the instructor, the instructor will submit a Student
Course Withdrawal Form." If you stop attending after the last
day to withdraw without penalty, you will receive a grade of
“WF.” A grade of “WF” is treated as an “F” and affects the
grade-point average. In cases of extenuating circumstances
(usually in the event of documented medical problems) an
instructor may give a grade of “WP” when the last date of
attendance is after the last date to withdraw. A grade of “WP” is
equivalent to a “W” in terms of the grade point average.
Tests and Exams
There will be 4 one-hour tests and a
comprehensive final exam. No make-up
tests or quizzes will be given. The
final exam grade may be used to replace
the lowest test grade.
Students will be given a designated
amount of time to complete all tests. The
time will begin when the tests have been
passed out. Students who come in tardy
will not be given additional time. Other
arrangements may be made if the student
is able to contact the instructor ahead of
time.
Grading System
Grading is on a points system. There are 900 points available during the semester and your semester
average will be determined by dividing your total points earned by 900.
Each of the four tests will be worth 100 points and the final exam will be worth 200. Homework, Quizzes, and
other work on Course Compass will combine for 100 points. Projects (2, 1 requiring a class presentation) will
be worth 50 points each. Excel work will combine for 100 points. Grading will be on a “10-point scale”. NO
LATE WORK will be accepted for ANY reason. Under no circumstances will a student whose test average is
below 60% receive a grade higher than a "D" for the course.
Goals of the Course
1. Students will master the material outlined in the syllabus.
2. Homework and class work activities will increase the problem solving skills of the students.
3. Students will appreciate the applications found in material covered in this course.
4. Students will learn to communicate their thoughts and ideas regarding mathematics.
Benchmarks
After completing the course, students should be able to:
1. Solve problems utilizing unit conversion;
2. Use problem solving strategies;
3. Determine the probability of an event;
4. Solve problems involving counting techniques;
5. Interpret and make accurate predictions using
statistical data;
6. Critically examine/read graphs and articles that
include statistics;
7. Find and interpret the line of best fit for a data set
using appropriate technology;
8. Solve linear and exponential equations;
9. Graph linear and exponential equations using
appropriate technology;
10. Model real world data using linear and
exponential functions;
11. Solve real world applications;
12. Find perimeter, area, volume and surface
area of geometric figures;
13. Solve real world problems about annuities,
loans and mortgages;
14. Demonstrate basic skills with spreadsheets.
Other Notes
The last date for withdrawing from the course without
In addition to teaching the student to apply
This course has been listed as
penalty is
mathematical skills, this course will also
a web-assisted course. The
March 22, 2009.
strengthen the student’s ability to work in a team, instructor may utilize email
Students who attend class after that date will receive a
utilize technology as a tool, and to communicate and/or the Internet to provide
grade of A, B, C, D, F, WF, or WP. It is the responsibility
mathematically. Therefore, the student will be
students with material
of the student to obtain a course withdrawal form, get it
required to work collaboratively and to work on
necessary for success in this
signed by the appropriate people (including the
team-assignments outside of class
course.
instructor) and submit it to the registrar.
Departmental Policies for Math & Physics: http://mathandphysics.waketech.edu/pol-attendance.php
Additional information for the student can be found at: www.waketech.edu/math/syllabus/
Schedule of Instruction. This is subject to change
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Sections/Topics
Introduction
Unit Conversions with Technology
2A,B Compound Units and their uses
2B Density and Concentration
Geometry of Compound Objects
3A Uses and Abuses of Percents
Using Excel as a Calculator
3B Scientific Notation and Scale Models
3E How Numbers Deceive
Excel Test 1
Review
Test 1
9A Introduction to Functions
Independent adnd Dependent Variables
9B Interpreting Linear Graphs
9B Linear Models given slope and y-intercept
9B Linear Models given real data
Linear Regression on Calculator and Excel
Project 1 Assigned
Introduction to Exponential Functions
8A Comparison of Linear vs Exponential Functions
9C Writing Exponential Models
Solving Equations with Goal Seek
8C Real Population Growth
Review
Test 2
Excel Test 2
Project 1 due
Project 2 Assigned
4A Personal Finance and Budgets
4B Compound Interest
4C Savings Plans and Investments
4D Loan Payments and Amortization
4D Types of Mortgages
4E Income Tax Basics
4F Federal Budget
Excel Test 3
Homework
2A 29-35 odd, 47, 57-77 odd, 85, 87
2B 52,73 – 79 odd, 83, 93, 99
Lab homework
3A 43-97 every other odd
Excel Lab 1
3E 21-29 odd
9A 21-35 odd
9B 21-43 odd
8A 19-39
9C 37-45 odd, 49, 51
Excel Lab 2
8C 31-41 odd
Mathematics and Finance Lab (p. 49-50)
4A 23-51 odd
4B 53-69 odd
4C 45-67 odd
4D 23-57 odd
Excel Lab 3
4E 29-51 odd
12
Review
Test 3
Graph Critiquing
5A Intro to Statistical Studies
5B Should You Believe a Statistical Study?
5C Statistical Tables and Graphs
7AFundamentals of Probability
7B Combining Probabilities
13
14
15
Exams
7C Expected Value
Test 4
Excel Test 4
Final Exam
Excel Test
Media Search
5A 25-59 odd
5B 19-35 odd
5C 25-45 odd
7A 23-53EOO, 57-65 odd, 73, 75
7B 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31, 33, 37-55 odd, 59, 61,
63
7C 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47
Final Exam Review
The last day to withdraw from this course without penalty is
Monday, March 22, 2010.
The last day of instruction this semester is
Friday, April 30, 2010
Final Exams are May 3rd - 7th 2010