Math 1107 (3 credits)

Introduction to the Mathematical Sciences
MATH 1107
Bemidji State University

Instructor and TA Contact Information

Name:

Dr. Todd Frauenholtz

 

Leslie Bellanger

 

 

Email:

TFrauenholtz@BemidjiState.edu

 

 

Phone:

218-755-2817

 

Leslie.Bellanger@Live.BemidjiState.edu

 

 

Office:

Hagg – Sauer #372

 

Math Help Room (in Library)

 

 

Office Hours:

M W F  10 - 11 am

 

Tues & Thurs 12-1

 

 

Grade Sheet

Deadline for dropping the course: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/calendar/

 

Overview of the Course / Course Description

This course integrates the study of algebra, statistics and computing.  Topics include functions, graphical and tabular analysis, rate of change, syntax and semantics, the process of computing, data manipulation, sampling, statistical measures, basic probability, correlation.  Examples are drawn from a wide range of disciplines and content will be taught within the framework of discipline-specific examples.  Students will learn to use the software package Microsoft Excel.  The prerequisite is MATH 0800.

 

Course Website

The website address for this course is http://faculty.bemidjistate.edu/tfrauenholtz. This website will contain many resources for the class.

 

Course Prerequisites

The prerequisite is MATH 0800 with a grade of C or higher or consent of instructor.

 

Liberal Education Requirement at BSU

This course meets the liberal education requirement at BSU in Category 4.

 

Course Structure

Introduction to the Mathematical Sciences will be taught in a laboratory environment.  The course is 3 credits and will meet 3 times per week for two hour sessions.  The sessions will be a mix of lecture, individual work, and group work.  Student participation and activity learning will be stressed.

 

Homework Policy

  • Homework will be assigned throughout the semester and students are expected to complete homework outside of class time, although sometimes students will be given opportunities to work on the homework during class time.   Students may work on homework individually and in group settings.
  • Students are encouraged to discuss the homework assignments with each other as well as with the faculty.  Students can learn a lot from their peers.

Required text(s), materials, and software

  • Access to the software package Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Excel is found in all BSU student computer laboratories.
  • A 256 MB or greater travel drive OR fluency with OneDrive.

Learning Objectives / Course Objectives

Students will be learn basic algebra, statistics, and technology skills within the context of university wide discipline specific topics.  Students will gain basic proficiencies with using Microsoft Excel to solve problems in the mathematical sciences.
The following topics will be covered in the course.  The amount of detail and rigor of each topic included in the course will vary depending on the topic and level of presentation.

  • Algebra Topics
    • Functions
    • Functions given by formulas
    • Functions given by tables
    • Functions given by graphs
    • Functions given by words
      • Graphical and Tabular Analysis
    • Tables and trends
    • Graphs
    • Solving linear equations
      • Linear Functions
    • The geometry of lines (slope/intercept)
    • Modeling data with linear functions
    • Direct Variation
    • Linear regression
      • Other Common Functions
    • Multiple representations
    • Modeling data
    • Graphical solutions to systems of equations
  • Technology Topics
    • Syntax and Semantics
    • Understanding Processes
    • The notion of a “variable” in computing
    • Formulas and expressions
    • Making decisions
    • Using functions
  • Statistics Topics
    • Collecting and displaying data in tabular and graphical format
    • Types of data
    • Measures of central tendency
    • Measures of dispersion
    • Shapes of distributions
    • Correlation and association
    • Brief introduction to linear regression

     

Course Requirements and Grading Scheme

All quizzes and tests must be completed on time unless arrangements have been made prior to a quiz or test.  Quizzes will be given frequently and they may be unannounced.  There will be four exams during the semester and one final exam.  The final exam is on Wednesday, May 6 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.


Grade Calculations

Percentages

Homework/Projects/Attendance

20%

Quizzes

15%

Exams I, II, and III

40%

Final Exam

25%

Grading Scale for Course

Grade

Points Range

A

[90%, 100%]

B

[80%, 90%)

C

[70%, 80%)

D

[60%, 70%)

F

[0, 60%)

 

University Policies & Procedures

Go to http://www.bemidjistate.edu/studentaffairs/stguide/polproced.html for BSU “Policies & Procedures.”
Incomplete:  An incomplete (I) grade will only be given in documented emergency situations.  Bemidji State University policies will be followed.

 

Accessibility Services

Your instructor would like to make sure that all the materials, discussions and activities that are part of the course are accessible to you.  If you would like to request accommodations or other services, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.  It is also possible to contact Accessibility Services, Decker Hall, 202.  Phone: 218/755-3883 or E-mail address accessibility@bemidjistate.edu.  Also available through the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.

 

Change in Course Syllabus

The Instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as this course proceeds if the
need arises. Should a change be required the class will be notified.

 

Tentative Course Calendar

Week 1

Introductions, pre-test, and data collection [Algebra tests, answer sheets, meter sticks, data sheets, review sheets, informed consent, computer access]

Variation in data [Stats tests, answer sheets, meter sticks] Class Data

Assignment #1 - email class data to Todd, Handout Algebra Review #1 & #2, Island problems [Algebra reviews, Island problems]

Week 2

MLK Day

Island problems - verbally, pictoral or concrete representation, graph, algebraic formula, table, Excel spreadsheet; REVIEW class data

Island problems - multiple representations quiz. Consider the 100 island problems!

Week 3

100 island problems

Statistics -- descriptive (tables, graphs, presentation, summarizing) and inferential (infer, predict, estimate, make decisions)

Types of data -- quantitative and qualitative

Can we standardize shoe size with foot length using the WWW as a resource?

Samples and populations in statistics (mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation)

Week 4

Measures of center and measures of dispersion (spread) -- maybe even a quiz

Calculating standard deviation -- what's going on? Relative and absolute references

M&M data -- display data using two graphs to make prediction

Week 5

M&M data presentations

M&M data presentations and review for test

TEST #1

Week 6

Scaling -- doubling a recipe, 1.5 x recipe. Rate, ratio, and proportion worksheet.

Heartbeats -- how many times will your hearbeat in a lifetime? What proportion have you used? What proportion remain?

Possible quiz on rate, ratio, and proportion.

Week 7

Orange juice, its not just for breakfast any more. Which mix is the most orangey? Rate, ratio, and proportion.

Different animals and different heartbeats -- hypothesis development

Data collection on heartbeats and testing your hypothesis

Week 8

Robert Wadlow's forearm length -- and your forearm length. Examining error in models.  Skewness in graphs.

Review rate, ratio, proportion with examples of each

Test #2

Week 9

Deal or NO DEAL!

Wingspan as an estimator of height. Is this accurate or precise or both or neither? Discussion of bias and variablility

"Statistics You Can't Trust" by Steve Campbell, Ph.D. and "What's Wrong in these Scenarios"

Week 10

Archery target scores data Looking at skewness of graphs

Understanding graphs, slope and intercept

Matching and Analyzing graphs with slope and intercept

Week 11

Download the grades from the four courses currently being taught. Explain the skewness, where the mean and median are (relative to one another). Construct histograms to display the data.

Review day STARTING at 9 am

Test 3 -- standard deviation, if / then, slope & intercept (interpreting graphs). Computer file

Week 12

Veteran's Day -- no classes

Discrimination or not? (NCTM Navigations) and introduce standard deviation in a normal distribution from spread data

Discrimintation or not? Spitting seeds at the Watermelon Thump!

Week 13

Normal distributions quiz

Tippy / Stable in Excel

If / then in MS Excel

Week 14

 
No classes -- Thanksgiving break
No classes -- Thanksgiving break

Week 15

McNobel prizes? Boston Marathon -- predicting the winning time in 2028.
Pigs and chickens -- counting heads and feet
Class test -- constructing linear models

Week 16

Review for final
Reading day
 

 

Final Exam – 2 Hours Comprehensive on Wedbessday, May 6 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

There are some data you will need here.

 

Current Grade Sheet


Todd's Homepage | Todd's Favorite Links

updated 1/14/2020
by Todd Frauenholtz