MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
California State University, Fullerton
02/8/2004
Response to the nine GE Curriculum Review Questions
Math 135 Business Calculus
1. NEED:
This course is appropriate to the GE program because it enhances students’ awareness
of themselves in a complex universe by providing them with the knowledge and skills
of mathematical analysis and quantitative reasoning. The course provides an
overview of the greatest intellectual achievement of humankind, namely, calculus,
and its application to the business and economics. For the students majoring in
accounting, business administration, economics, finance, information systems and
decision science, management, and marketing, this course enhances their ability of
critical thinking, problem solving, and communicating efficiently these perspectives.
2. AUDIENCE:
The intended audience is for all students in the College of Business and Economics.
It is among the required low division core courses for those students.
(a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) About 600 students take this course each semester. Almost all are majors in
College of Business and Economics.
3. LEARNING GOALS:
a. To understand and appreciate the varied ways in which calculus is used in
problem solving, such as graph sketching, function maximizing-minimizing, etc.
b. To understand and appreciate the varied applications of calculus to real-world
problems, such as marginal analysis for cost and revenue, profit maximizing,
elasticity analysis, etc.
c. To perform appropriate numerical calculations, with knowledge of the underlying
mathematics, and draw conclusions from the results.
d. To demonstrate knowledge of fundamental calculus concepts, symbols, and
principles in differentiation and integration.
e. To solve problems that require mathematical analysis and quantitative reasoning,
such as model fitting, maximum-minimum problems, etc.
f. To summarize and present mathematical information with graphs and
spreadsheets that enhance comprehension.
g. To utilize inductive and deductive mathematical reasoning skills in finding
solutions, and be able to explain how these skills were used.
h. To explain the overall process and particular steps by which a mathematical
problem is solved.
i. To demonstrate a sense of mastery and confidence in the ability to solve problems
that require mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.
These goals are achieved through the course work, including homework, classroom
activities, quizzes, exams, and projects, which require the students to demonstrate
understanding of the mathematical concepts presented in the course and to apply
these concepts to the solutions of real-world applications.
4. COHERENCE AND INTEGRATION:
Generally, as noted above, the course focuses on developing skills and knowledge
that enhance students’ awareness of themselves in a complex universe. This course is
coherent with and integrated into the GE program by the facts of its satisfaction of the
goals to which the GE program is aimed. This course may positively impact other
GE courses by providing the needed element of mathematical reasoning, analysis, and
computation.
5. WRITING:
The GE writing requirement is met through one of two types of assignments left to
the discretion of the instructors teaching Math135. The first type of the assignments
requires the students to submit weekly reports on basic concepts and skilled learned
and questions raised. The second type of the assignments requires the students to
complete an extended time period project (typically three to four weeks). Such
projects are mini-research projects requiring students to frame and solve real-world
business or economics problems that relate to the mathematical tools of calculus. The
end product of this assignment is a written report in which students must provide
background for the problem, the details and description of their solution, and a
summary or conclusion along with appropriate discussion. All reports will receive
careful, detailed comments that reflect the following assessment standards: In
particular, projects are assessed on mathematical content, use of appropriate notation,
writing style and grammar, and overall presentation with attention given to charts and
graphs. These assessments will provide students with helpful guidance on how they
could improve the overall quality of their written work.
6. GRADING:
In addition to the homework, quizzes, and exams, the writing performance, as
assessed by the standards listed in part 7, is one of the accepted criteria for
determining a student’s course grade. The writing performance generally contributes
to ten percent of the student’s overall grade.
7. ASSESSMENT:
The assessment of student understanding and comprehension of course work in
Business Calculus is found in the homework, quizzes, exams, and the writing reports.
Particularly, the homework, quizzes, and exams will be assessed according to the
criteria that match up with the learning goals (a) to (e) and (i) listed in part 3. The
reports or projects will be assessed according to the flowing criteria that match up
directly with the basic learning goals of the course:
• show an understanding of how mathematics is used in solving problems raise in
business or economics?
• demonstrate appropriate numerical calculations and conclusion from the results?
• demonstrate knowledge of fundamental calculus concepts, symbols, and principles?
• summarize and present mathematical information with graphs and spreadsheets that
enhance comprehension?
• demonstrate clarity of presentation and persuasiveness of argumentation?
8. PREREQISITIES:
Passing score on the ELM or exemption; three years of high school mathematics,
including two years of algebra and one year of geometry; and Math115 or 125 or
equivalent or a passing score on the Mathematics Qualifying Exam (MQE).
9. SCHEDULEING:
Each semester the department offers around 20 sections of this course on various days
and times to meet students’ needs.
Course Syllabus
Math135 Business Calculus
Spring 2004
Course Information
Lectures: MWF 11:00-11:50 MH655, 12:00-12:50 MH504
Instructor: Maijian Qian
Office: 161E McCarthy Hall
Phone: 278-3680
E-mail: mqian@fullerton.edu
Office Hours: MWF 8:15-8:50, 10:00-10:50. Available at other times by appointment.
Prerequisite: Pass the MQE or Math115 or 125 or equivalent with a “C” or above.
Text: Calculus and Its Applications, Eighth Edition, by Marvin L.Bittinger, Addison
Wesley Longman, 1999.
Course Outline and Homework Due Date:
See the separate page.
Learning goals:
a. To understand and appreciate the varied ways in which calculus is used in
problem solving, such as graph sketching, function maximizing-minimizing, etc.
b. To understand and appreciate the varied applications of calculus to real-world
problems, such as marginal analysis for cost and revenue, profit maximizing,
elasticity analysis, etc.
c. To perform appropriate numerical calculations, with knowledge of the underlying
mathematics, and draw conclusions from the results.
d. To demonstrate knowledge of fundamental calculus concepts, symbols, and
principles in differentiation and integration.
e. To solve problems that require mathematical analysis and quantitative reasoning,
such as model fitting, maximum-minimum problems, etc.
f. To summarize and present mathematical information with graphs and
spreadsheets that enhance comprehension.
g. To utilize inductive and deductive mathematical reasoning skills in finding
solutions, and be able to explain how these skills were used.
h. To explain the overall process and particular steps by which a mathematical
problem is solved.
i. To demonstrate a sense of mastery and confidence in the ability to solve problems
that require mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning.
These goals are achieved through the course work, including homework, classroom
activities, quizzes, exams, and projects, which require the students to demonstrate
understanding of the mathematical concepts presented in the course and to apply these
concepts to the solutions of real-world applications.
Exams: There will be four midterm exams given on the dates indicated on the separate
page. There will also be a comprehensive two hour final exam during finals week. There
will be no makeup exams except in very unusual circumstances. If you must miss an
exam, you should contact me at least 24 hours beforehand.
Homework: Homework forms an important and integral part of every mathematics
course. There will be 12 homework assignments, each counting 20 points, that will be
collected on the days indicated on the syllabus. Each set of the homework assignments
consists of two parts: The first part has odd numbered problems, which have solutions in
the end of the book. This part is worth 8 points. The second part has even numbered
problems, which will be graded. This part is worth 12 points. The lowest two scores will
be dropped for a homework total of 200 points.
Projects: There will be a three-part project worth 100 points. Your score (out of 100
points) will be based upon your written presentation as well as the mathematical content
according to the following guidelines:
Mathematical Content (50 points): Your approach, procedure derivations, and
calculations should be clear, complete, and correct.
Presentation and Style (30 points): Your project should include the general
background of the problem along with your work and conclusions. The report
should be a cohesive presentation that a reasonably literate individual who knows
calculus can follow and appreciate. The report should not be written up as though
you were solving a series of separate homework problems.
Grammar (10 points): You should use correct English.
Mathematical Notation (10 points): You should use correct and appropriate
mathematical notation.
Extra Credit (up to 10 points): Any imaginative ideas, mathematical or artistic
additions, historical background, etc., which go beyond normal expectations will
be rewarded.
Study Habits: An average student should expect to spend about eight hours outside of
class time each week on this course. As the course progresses we are continually
building on the material that we have previously introduced. It is very important both for
your understanding of the material and for preparing for exams that you work all the
assigned problems as soon as the material is covered in class. If you fall behind you will
find it very difficult to catch back up.
You are strongly encouraged to make full use of my office hours. If you cannot make
them then we can easily set up an appointment for a more convenient time. In addition,
you can get help at the Math Tutoring Center, MH187B.
Homework solutions: After each due time, solutions can be downloaded from the
following address: http://math.fullerton.edu/mqian/qian/Web135/index.html.
You may choose to add it into your bookmarks.
Grading: Each midterm exam will count 125 points and the final exam will count 200
points. Homework will count 200 points and the project will count 100 points. The
course grade will therefore be based upon a total of 1000 points. Grading scales:
A: 895-1000; B: 785-894; C: 670-784; D: 560-669; F: 0-559.
Academic Integrity: Students who violate university standards of academic integrity are
subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the
university. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, or other students, and the
university, polices on academic integrity are strictly enforced. Examples of academic
dishonesty include, but are not limited to: (1) copying from another students quiz or
exam; (2) allowing another student to copy your work; and (3) copying homework
solutions form the text solutions manual.
MATH 135 Spring 2004 Course Schedule
Date
2Feb
Section
Date
Section
Date
Section
Introduction
4
2.1
6
2.2, 2.3
9
2.3, 2.4
11
2.5 (hw1, 2.1-2.2)
13
2.6
16
President Day
18
2.7
20
2.8 (hw2,2.3-6)
23
2.9, 3.6
25
PS(hw3, 2.7-9,3.6)
27Jan
T1 (Ch2, 3.6)
1Mar
3.1-3.2
3
3.1-3.2
5
3.3 (PJ1)
8
3.4 (hw4,3.1-2)
10
3.4
12
3.5 (hw5,3.3-4)
15
3.5
17
PS (hw6,3.5)
19
T2 (3.1-3.5)
22
4.1
24
4.2
26
4.3
29
Spring
31
Break
5
4.4
7
4.6 (hw7,4.1-4)
9
5.1 (PJ2)
12
5.2
14
5.3
16
5.4 (hw8,4.6-5.3)
19
5.5
21
5.7
23
PS (hw9,5.4-7)
26
T3 (Ch4,5)
28
6.1,6.2
30
6.2
6.3
5
6.4(hw10,6.1-3)
7
6.4, 6.5
10
6.5 (PJ3)
12
7.1,7.2(h11,6.3-5)
14
7.3, 7.4
17
7.4
19
PS (hw12,7.2-4)
21
T4(Ch6,Ch7)
26
Final 1200
28
Final 1200
3May
2-Apr
Break