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CRN: 3416 Course Information Sheet Fall 2007
MTH 121 Section 107
1:00 - 1:50 MWF SH 513
I. General Information
Instructor: Dr. Laura Adkins Office hours: 2:00 – 3:00 MWF
Office: SH 765 9:00 – 10:00 TTh
Office phone/e-mail: 696-3034 / AdkinsL@marshall.edu
Text: Using and Understanding Mathematics, A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, by Bennett & Briggs (4th Edition)
Additional Supplies: Calculator with a y x (exponent) key
Prerequisites: MAT 097, MAT 097E, MAT 087, or MAT 095; or math ACT > 19, or math SAT > 460; or placement 100
Course Description: Concepts and Applications of Mathematics (3 hours) A course for non-majors that develops
quantitative reasoning skills. Topics include logical thinking, problem solving strategies, linear modeling,
beginning statistics and probability, exponential and logarithmic modeling, financial and geometry concepts.
Course Objectives: Students should …
1. … be able to think critically about quantitative issues covered in the news, particularly issues covered in the newspaper or a weekly
news magazine.
2. … be able to make decisions on quantitative issues that confront them in both their personal lives and in their lives as voting citizens.
3. … be prepared with the quantitative skills needed for subsequent college course work, in particular, for their Integrated Science course.
4. … develop the ability to reason quantitatively and to clearly explain their reasoning in written form, so that they will be prepared for the
challenges of modern careers.
II. Attendance Policy
Attendance records will not be used to compute grades (except possibly in borderline cases). However, missing class
can be expected to significantly reduce your chances of success.
III. Testing and Grading
A. The following grades will be taken, on the indicated dates.
Essential Skills Quizzes 70 pts. (schedule on the reverse)* * See reverse for
Homework Quizzes 70 pts. (daily)* explanations of
Project Reports 60 pts. (due with Tests 1, 2, 3)* these grades.
Test 1 100 pts. Wednesday, Sept. 12
Test 2 100 pts. Monday, Oct. 8
Test 3 100 pts. Wednesday, Oct. 31
Final Exam 100 pts. 12:45 – 2:45 PM Friday, Dec. 7
Total 600 pts.
B. All make-up tests will be given on a single day, Tuesday, Nov. 27. (See topic D below.)
C. The semester grade will be based on the percentage 90 -100% – A
of the 600 possible points, using the following scale. → 80 - 89% – B This scale MAY
70 - 79% – C be lowered slightly.
60 - 69% – D
D. Missing Exams 0 - 59% – F
- If you miss a test due to an unexcused absence, you will receive a grade of 0 for that test.
- If you miss a test due to an excused absence, you must provide verification within one week of the test.
You will then be allowed to take the make-up test on Nov. 27.
This test will be SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT than the original test.
- If you cannot be at the final exam, let me know as soon as you know. A missing final exam score means an
automatic grade of F for the course.
E. Cheating
- In a case of suspicion, a student may be asked to re-take the test.
- Confirmed cheating will result in a grade of 0 on the test.
IV. Miscellaneous
Free tutors are on duty in SH 526; a schedule will be posted shortly. Free tutors are also available through University
College, in CTC B4. Call 696-3169, e-mail tutoring@marshall.edu, or go to www.marshall.edu/uc .
Free tutoring is available for military veterans; contact the VA or see me for information.
The last day to drop this class is Fri. Oct. 26. The last day to withdraw completely for the semester is Tues. Dec. 4.
QUIZZES AND PROJECTS
There will be a short quiz (either an Essential Skills Quiz or a Homework Quiz) at the end of each class, except test days
(and sometimes the first day after a test). Essential Skills Quizzes will begin 10 minutes before the end of class, and
Homework Quizzes will begin 5 minutes before the end of class.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS QUIZZES
There will be 7 of these quizzes, covering skills we consider essential. They will be given in class on the following dates:
Number Topic Class Date Reference
1 Basic Operations Wed. 8-22 Sample Quiz 1 * Dates are
2 Fractions Wed. 9-5 Sample Quiz 2 Text pp. 86-87 tentative.
3 Powers & Roots Fri. 9-14 Sample Quiz 3 Text pp. 105, 253-254
4 Scientific Notation Mon. 9-24 Sample Quiz 4 Text pp. 105, 156
5 Algebra Wed. 10-10 Sample Quiz 5 Text p. 240
7 Graphs (Fri. 10-19)* Sample Quiz 7 Text: 5C, 5D, 6A, 6C
6 Logarithms (Wed. 11-14)* Sample Quiz 6 Text pp. 531, 588
Each quiz will be worth 10 points, for a total of 70 points.
Sample Quizzes: Before each Essential Skills Quiz, you will be given a sample quiz to help you prepare. As an
optional practice, you can complete the sample quiz on your own and submit it to me. If you do so by the
deadline printed on the sample quiz, I will correct it and return it to you in time for you to use the feedback
to prepare for the official Essential Skills Quiz.
If you are dissatisfied with your score on any quiz, you may try again on your own time. In order to encourage you to
be ready for the quizzes before you take them, you will get full credit only on the first attempt. The second
attempt will be worth only 90% of the points earned. The third attempt will be worth only 80% of the
points earned, etc.
You will not be allowed to take your quiz away with you, but you may go over the quiz with me in as much detail as
you wish before you re-take the quiz.
HOMEWORK QUIZZES
Homework quizzes will be taken directly from the homework assigned at the previous class.
You will have 5 minutes before the quiz begins during which you can ask questions about the homework.
Each homework quiz will be worth 5 points. The top 14 of these scores will be used, for a total of 70 points; the rest
will be dropped.
You will be allowed to use your notes on homework quizzes, but not your textbook. (So, if you’ve done your
homework, you can simply copy your work onto your quiz).
If you miss a homework quiz due to an excused absence, you will be allowed to make up the quiz on your first day
back to class. Homework quizzes missed because of unexcused absences cannot be made up.
PROJECT REPORTS
You will be required to submit 3 written reports during the semester. These reports will involve the following topics.
Project 1 – Due on Wed. Sept. 12 – Fallacies in the Media
Project 2 – Due on Mon. Oct. 8 – Choosing a Mortgage
Project 3 – Due on Wed. Oct 31 – Statistical Studies in the Media
Each report will be worth 20 points, for a total of 60 points.
Your reports will be graded on the quality of your writing as well as your use of the relevant quantitative skills. So
pay attention to spelling, grammar, sentence structure, etc.
Several weeks before each report is due, you will receive detailed instructions explaining exactly what it expected.
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