COURSE INFORMATION
| Instructor Name
|
George Scarborough
|
| Building/Office Number
|
Shahan Event Center (SHA), Room 128
|
| Office Hours
|
TBA
|
| Virtual Hours
|
TBA
|
| Office Telephone
|
(409) 882-3390
|
| Email Address
|
george.scarborough@lsco.edu
|
Course Description
MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics I (27.0101) AC 3-3-0
Intended for Non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. Topics may include introductory treatments of sets, logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications. Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course.
Required Textbook & Materials
Denley K., and Hall, M., Viewing Life Mathematically: A Pathway to Quantitative Literacy + Integrated Review
2nd Ed. 2022 Hawkes Learning Systems |
|
Software, E-book (Required) |
9781642774900 |
|
Physical Textbook (Optional) |
9781642774902 |
Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Core Objectives
|
Course Level Learning Outcomes |
Core Objective |
Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects |
|
1. Apply the language and notation of sets. |
COM, CT, EQS |
1. Homework will include being able to analyze Venn diagrams involving more than one set, solving problems and drawing conclusions based on real world applications. Using inductive, deductive reasoning conjecture and counterexamples.
Understanding of charts, graphs, and problem-solving procedures. |
|
2. Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence. |
COM, CT, EQS |
2. Homework and tests requiring written ability to translate statements into symbols and words; construct truth tables and be able to interpret these in real life situations; write four variations of conditional statements using formal symbolic logic; analyze forms of valid and invalid arguments in words and symbols. |
|
3. Solve problems in mathematics of finance. |
CT, EQS |
3. Homework assignments and test will require students to use formulas and calculate sale price & discounts, simple & compound interest, analyze and make decisions regarding different types of savings and debt instruments |
|
4. Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems. |
CT, EQS |
4. Homework and tests will require the use of combinations & permutations to calculate basic, conditional and joint probabilities using formulas and/or calculators |
|
5. Interpret and analyze various representations of data. |
CT, EQS |
5. Homework and tests will require analysis of graphs, charts, & frequency distributions; using formulas and/or calculators to find measures of central tendency, dispersion & relative position; analysis of normal distribution curves using z-score tables, calculators and/or the empirical rule; using technology to input data points and describe linear correlation and regression equations. |
|
6. Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health literacy, and civic engagement. |
COM, CT, EQS |
6. Read and interpret authentic texts such as advertisements, consumer information, government forms, and journalistic articles containing quantitative information, including graphical displays of quantitative information. May be required to provide written critique or justification based on knowledge of sets, logic, probability & statistics, and personal finance. |
Course Topical Outline
|
Week of |
Section |
Title |
Assignment |
Week 1
M 10/23 |
|
Syllabus & Introduction |
M 10/30 |
|
1.1 |
Thinking Mathematically |
|
1.2 |
Estimating and Evaluating |
|
1.3 |
Problem Solving: Processes and Techniques |
Week 2
M 10/30 |
2.1 |
Set Notation |
M 11/6 |
|
2.2 |
Subsets and Venn Diagrams |
|
2.3 |
Operations with Sets |
|
2.4 |
Applications and Survey Analysis |
Week 3
M 11/6 |
|
Test 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) M 11/6 – Th 11/9 |
Th 11/9 |
|
3.1 |
Logic Statements and Their Negations |
M 11/13 |
|
3.2 |
Truth Tables |
|
3.3 |
Logical Equivalence and De Morgan’s Laws |
|
|
3.4 |
Valid Arguments and Fallacies |
Week 4
M 11/13 |
4.1 |
Proportions, Percentages, and Ratios |
M 11/20 |
|
4.2 |
Using Percentages |
|
6.1 |
Understanding Interest |
|
6.2 |
Saving and Investing |
|
6.3 |
Borrowing Money |
Week 5
M 11/20 |
|
Test 2 (Chapters 3 & 6) M 11/20 – M 11/27 |
M 11/27 |
|
10.1 |
Introduction to Probability |
M 11/27 |
|
10.2 |
Counting Outcomes |
|
10.3 |
Probability of Single Events |
|
|
10.4 |
Addition and Multiplication Rules of Probability |
|
|
|
Thanksgiving Holiday (11/23-24) |
Week 6
M 11/27 |
10.5 |
Binomial Probability |
M 12/4 |
|
10.6 |
Expected Value |
|
11.1 |
Statistical Studies |
|
11.2 |
Displaying Data |
|
11.3 |
Describing and Analyzing Data |
Week 7
M 12/4 |
|
Critical Thinking Assignment (10% of course grade) |
M 12/4 |
|
11.4 |
The Normal Distribution |
Th 12/7 |
|
|
Test 3 (Chapters 10 & 11) Open M 12/4 – Th 12/7 |
Th 12/7 |
|
|
Final exam Open F 12/8 – M 12/11 |
|
Week 8
M 12/11 |
|
Final exam due |
M 12/11 |
|
|
All past due course work is due by 12/12 |
T 12/12 |
Major Assignments Schedule
|
Test 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) |
M 11/6 – Th 11/9 |
|
Test 2 (Chapters 3 & 6) |
M 11/20 – M 11/27 |
|
Test 3 (Chapters 10 & 11) |
M 12/4 – Th 12/7 |
|
Critical Thinking Assignment |
M 12/4 |
|
Final Exam |
F 12/8 – M 12/11 |
Final Exam Date
December 8, 2023 - 12:00 AM
Through December 11, 2023 - 11:59 PM
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Honesty
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Electronic Communication
LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.
Do not use the Blackboard messaging system. Only use your LSCO email address.
Attendance Requirements
Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.
Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.
Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.
Make-up Work Policy
Homework will not be accepted past the final submission date. If an exam is missed, the instructor will determine what constitutes a valid excuse, and arrangements for a make-up will be made at the instructor’s discretion.
Classroom Etiquette
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Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
Exam Policy
All exams are online. The final exam score will replace the lowest test score.
Scans of scratch work will be required. We have scanners on campus, or you can use any mobile scanner app. I recommend
Adobe Scan, which is free.
Expected Time Requirement for this Course
For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.
Grading and Evaluation Method
1. There are homework assignments that must be completed using the software (Hawkes).
Each homework section requires 70-80% mastery to complete. The homework assignments will total 20% of the total semester grade.
2. There will be three unit exams throughout the semester. The major exams will
make up 50% of the total semester grade. The lowest examination grade will be
replaced by the score on the final exam if said score is higher.
3. There will be a comprehensive Final Exam which will weigh 20% of the grade. The exam will be taken on Hawkes.
4. There will be a critical thinking assignment which will be 10% of the total grade.
5. Assignment of a letter grade will be made according to the following scale:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
Tutoring requirement for low grades
If any major assignment and/or overall course grade falls below 70%, a minimum of one hour of
tutoring per week in the Gator Success Centeris required before receiving credit for
subsequent exams. The requirement will remain in place until the subsequent exam and
overall course grade are at least 70%. (Online students may use Upswingor the instructor’s
virtual office hours in lieu of coming to campus.)
Instructor Response Time
The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.
Participation Requirements
Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. (See
LSCO Student Handbook, Class Attendance.)
Review of Test Grades
If the student has an issue about a test grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three days after receiving the grade.
Student's Responsibility
This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.
Syllabus Content
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.
Textbook and Required Materials Access
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Advocacy Information
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.
Affirmative Action
LSCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment in full compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503,504); Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans Assistance Act of 1974; Article 522lk V.A.C.S.; and Executive Orders 11246 and 11758.
Title IX of the Education Amendments
LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Patty Collins, at patty.collins@lsco.edu.
Blackboard Resources
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit
https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at
https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.
Career Coach
Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.
Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.
Gator Assistance Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.
Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
Gator Success Center
Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.
Library Services
Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.
Student with Disabilities
Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.
Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor at (409) 882-3393 or visiting the Advising Office located on the first floor of the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 113. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here:
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.
Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES
Campus Closure
In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.
Civility
Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.
Contingency Plans
Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.
COVID Notification Policy
Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form. Guidance on how to proceed will be delivered to the student's email after completing the required notification form.
Credit Transfer
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
Criminal Background Policy
LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.
Drops and Withdrawals
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.
Grade of "Incomplete"
The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.
Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.
Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process
Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course
syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.
An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.
Institutional Educational Goals
Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:
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Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
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Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
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Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
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Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
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Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
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Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
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Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.
MyGator and Log-In Credentials
Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit
https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.
Policies and Procedures
LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, LSCO Student Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
Prohibited Items in the Classroom
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.
Student Privacy
The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Student Handbook, page 70. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.