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Instructor: Dr. Julie M. Clark |
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Office: Dana 105 |
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Phone: x6524 |
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email: jclark@hollins.edu |
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A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended. You'll need to bring it to class EVERY day.
A loose-leaf note book.
This is a course about studying real problems through the use of mathematical models. The emphasis of the course is conceptual understanding through applications of concepts to real-life situations in a variety of disciplines.
My primary goals for this course are for you to:
see connections between mathematics and other disciplines
analyze real-world phenomena using a variety of mathematical models, and
develop strategies and techniques for applying mathematics to solve problems.
The idea is for you to be able to think and talk coherently about an idea, not merely describe it by giving an example. I hope to motivate what you are doing by looking at relevant applications, having you keep in mind what you are doing as you do it. Too often, "knowing mathematics" is equated with memorizing a bunch of procedures – this is an erroneous idea. It is essential that you understand why you do what you do when you solve a particular problem in order for you to be able to solve other problems.
My secondary goals for your work in this course are:
to lead you to improve your ability to read a mathematics book independently
to increase your skills in communicating mathematics, and
to enhance your ability to work collaboratively with your peers.
I hope to make you each an active learner, and to capture your interest and imagination. To this end, I believe that understanding results from investigation and discovery – not merely from passively listening to me lecture. I hope that you will spend a significant part of our class time engaged with the material by working through activities that are carefully designed to lead you to discover or re-enforce fundamental modeling ideas for yourself. You will be working collaboratively with group members on these activities. Many times, my role during class will be to mill about the room, answering your questions and prodding you toward a better understanding of the material. I will also lead class discussions and present mini-lectures and explanations where appropriate. However – you should expect to take control of your own learning!
During the semester, there will be class /lab activities, homework problems, two quantitative reasoning projects, 2 in-class tests, and a final comprehensive exam. No make-up tests/exams will be given! If you are unable to take a test at the scheduled time for any reason, you must discuss that with me IN ADVANCE. If you miss a test without consulting me in advance, you will receive a zero grade for that test.
The 2 in-class tests are tentatively scheduled for the following dates:
1) Wednesday, October 8th
2) Wednesday, November 12th
Homework will be assigned, collected and graded on a daily basis. Late papers will be accepted only at the beginning of the class immediately following the day on which it was due, but such papers will suffer at least a 10% penalty. Students are permitted and in fact, encouraged to work together on homework but working together implies a roughly equal contribution from all those involved. Homework assignments must be written up neatly and legibly; otherwise they will not be accepted or graded.
Regular class attendance is an indication of your interest in and commitment to this course. Students are expected to attend class every day, to participate in class discussions and activities, and to ask relevant questions. Approximately 5% of your final average will be based on attendance/class participation. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class, so a late arrival will count as an absence. If you do miss a class, you are expected to make-up the missed work before you come to the next class.
Each of these assessments will contribute the following to your final grade:
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attendance/participation |
5% |
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homeworks, lab assignments, etc. |
20% |
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projects |
25% |
| 2 in-class tests (15% for the lower score and 20% for the higher score) | 35% |
| final exam | 15% |
Office hours will be announced in class and posted here and my office door. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these hours if you need assistance. Please feel free to come by my office or call me at home anytime to help you with this learning process. Success in this course requires a team effort. At a minimum that team consists of you, me, and your classmates. If you need help - ASK!!!! If my office hours are not convenient for you, I am quite willing to set up a time that works for both of us - just ASK!!! Moreover, please don't wait until you have been having problems for 2 or 3 weeks. Understanding the material as we go along is crucial to success in this course.
Student tutors will be available in the Center for Learning Excellence located on the ground floor of Middle East. Hours are posted here, on the door of Dana 106, and at the Center. You may either make an appointment or drop in during the operating hours. The tutors will assist you with your assignments but will not provide you with the answers. Always bring your textbook, assignments and all other course materials with you.
