MGF 1107--MATHEMATICS FOR LIBERAL ARTS II

St. Petersburg College

3 credit hours

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Term: Fall, '11 (begins August 22, 2011)           Syllabus revision date:  6-3-11

Table of syllabus topics
Course Information
Course Policies
Instructor & Department Course Orientation
Textbook & Materials Grading
Meeting Information Attendance & Withdrawal
Important Dates Conduct & Academic Honesty
Course Description & Prerequisites Technical, Academic & Student Support & Special Accommodations
Course Goals & Objectives Emergency Preparedness
Class Schedule Campus Safety & Security
Assignments SPC Syllabus Addendum

 

INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT

INSTRUCTOR

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TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS 

    REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION

Required course package (includes textbook and riddle booklet):

Math Is Everywhere! Explore and Discover It!--Fourth Edition--James J. Rutledge
Riddles for Fun and Profit: The Heart of Mathematical Thinking--James J. Rutledge

                Pearson Custom Publishing, ©2010. 

Note:  Both of these items are packaged together as a course package with a single ISBN as noted below.

There are two course package format options; you may choose either option as your required textbook package:

  1. Print version with eBook access--Math Is Everywhere! Pk St. Pete College:  Course package ISBN: 978-0-5587-3895-2. 

          --- OR ---
     
  2. eBook version--Math Is Everywhere! (Access Card for eBooks):  Course package ISBN: 0-5588-0724-0. 
     
    • Required Classroom Companion for eBook users who enroll in on-campus course sections:  ISBN: 0-5588-3552-X. 

SPC campus bookstores at St. Pete/Gibbs, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs will have copies of the course package for Math Is Everywhere! (Fourth Edition), available at the beginning of the semester.  The course package may also be ordered online from the SPC Online Bookstore at:  http://www.spcollege.edu/textbooks/   

The eBook textbook course package will also be available for purchase directly from the publisher via our ANGEL course.

Note:  eBook access code registration and login access for the eBook version of the package will be provided within each ANGEL class shell for both online and on-campus classes.

  I trust that you'll find both the textbook and the riddle booklet to be readable, accessible, user-friendly and, most importantly, enjoyable.    

The print version of the textbook was designed in order to minimize the cost to the student as well as provide convenience--hope you enjoy it!

  • ease of transport to classes--students can easily remove selected chapters or sections from the binder to carry them to class and avoid having to carry the entire textbook.
  • black-and-white color, three-ring binder and non-glossy pages to keep publishing costs to a minimum

The new eBook version of the textbook was created to provide a lower-cost alternative to the print version. 

Note:  The Third Edition is no longer current.  These materials have been substantially revised in the Fourth Edition.

Note:  If you reside out-of-county, out-of-state or in another country, efollett.com provides an option to have your text shipped to you for an extra fee. 

Required hardware: 

Online format:  Computer with Internet connection (preferably high-speed) in your home.  Please do not attempt to take this course online unless you meet this requirement.  Students who have attempted to take this online course without an Internet connection in their homes have generally not been successful. 

On-campus and blended formats:  Computer with Internet connection (preferably high-speed) in your home is extremely advantageous but not required; you are welcome to use the college student computer labs and/or library on campus to access the Internet but you will need to plan considerable time in your schedule so that you can visit the labs or library.

All formats--online, on-campus and blended:  Scientific calculator (a graphing calculator is helpful but not necessary--there are online graphing calculators available for use).  Alternatively, you may use the scientific calculator built into your computer's Windows operating system.  Click on Start/Programs/Accessories/Calculator, then click on View/Scientific to access the scientific version.  You may also download a scientific calculator app to your cell phone.

Note:  To see whether your computer meets the general requirements for online classes, please visit the SPC eCampus Web site and make use of the automated system checkup provided there and review the technical requirements for online classes:   http://www.spcollege.edu/Central/utilities/systemCheck/

Required software:

Word processing software.  Microsoft Word is the preferred and recommended software although you may use other word processing software if desired.

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Helpful, but NOT required:   

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Recommended Web browser: Internet Explorer 8.0. 

IMPORTANT:  If you are using a Macintosh computer, then you must use the Firefox browser (available at no cost from mozilla.com).. 

IMPORTANT:  For ALL computers, the Safari and Chrome browsers are not yet compatible with ANGEL.  Please use the Firefox browser instead.

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Note: Tutorials will be provided within the course on using ANGEL features such as email, discussion forums, drop boxes, saving your documents, and using Microsoft Word and Excel software features (if you have installed these Microsoft programs on your computer).

Note: All online course materials are copyright ©2005-2011 by James J. Rutledge. 

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MEETING INFORMATION

Class meeting days, times and rooms (for on-campus class sections only):

Note:  Online class sections have no meetings on campus; these sections are conducted completely online.

See Attendance Policy below for details on attendance requirements.

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IMPORTANT DATES

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COURSE DESCRIPTION & PREREQUISITES                           

PREREQUISITES 

Prerequisite: MAT 1033 or appropriate score on the SPC mathematics placement test.

Important Note:  You may take MGF 1106 and MGF 1107 in either order, or even simultaneously if you wish; neither course is a prerequisite for the other.

Note:  For online students, there are NO required visits to campus.  The online version of this course may be taken entirely from a distance and former students have completed this course while living out-of-state or in other countries.  This is one of the many benefits of online courses and distance education!        

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The intent of MGF 1107 is to present topics demonstrating the beauty and utility of mathematics to the general student population and to provide knowledge and skills useful for college, life and career.  The course will include topics related to patterns and reasoning, growth and symmetry, linear and exponential growth, and personal finance; mathematical connections with music, art, architecture and nature will be explored.  History of mathematics, critical thinking skills, problem solving strategies and appropriate use of technology will be emphasized throughout the course.  Special emphasis is given to providing students with a positive experience with math; classes will be taught using a project-based approach rather than formal tests and exams. This course is designed to satisfy three credits of the Gordon Rule which requires “Six semester hours of mathematics coursework at the level of College Algebra or higher” but is not a prerequisite to any other mathematics course.  47 contact hours for on-campus classes.   

   For more details about the course, please visit my SPC eCampus course information page and click on one of the current listings for MGF 1107.

   For a complete course description, see the SPC Approved Course Outline.
 

COURSE WELCOME PAGE

For an overview of this class and encouraging comments from former students,  please access my MGF1107 Welcome Page .  Some excerpts are provided below:

Looking for an interesting and relevant math class?

You have come to the right place! You'll soon discover that mathematics has many fascinating and practical connections to music, art, architecture, nature, sports, finance, food, and much more, and I'm confident that you will thoroughly enjoy this course of study and its unique, project-based textbook, Math Is Everywhere!  Explore and Discover It!

Math anxiety?

No problem! You may relax. This class does not have any formal tests or exams; instead, grades are based on a series of projects, activities, and Web-based research assignments. 

Ever wish that math were more enjoyable?

You will find that the variety of topics and assignments presented in this course are actually quite enjoyable. I can't offer a money-back guarantee, but former students have reported that they really did enjoy this course!  :-)

Examples of student comments from previous semesters:

I have actually used the words "Math" and "Fun" in the same sentence many times during this class which is something I have never done before.  I will recommend this class to everyone (especially math-phobics) and thank you for changing my attitude about math.

For the first time I can say that I didn't feel the anxiety that I would normally feel. I was calm, and didn't even break out into a sweat! There hasn't been a project that I didn't enjoy. Now I find myself wondering about the math in everything I look at. 

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COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES   

    COURSE GOALS

Major Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will demonstrate a mathematical understanding of patterns and reasoning.
  2. The student will demonstrate a mathematical understanding of natural growth patterns
    and symmetry.
  3. The student will demonstrate a mathematical understanding of linear and exponential
    growth and decay models.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of financial mathematics.

For a detailed description of the SPC college-wide student performance objectives associated with the above learning outcomes, please visit:  http://www.spcollege.edu/spg/math/rutledge/MGF1107(20011)20021.pdf

For a correlation between these learning outcomes and performance objectives and the textbook content, including projects and activities, please visit:  http://www.spcollege.edu/spg/math/rutledge/1107LearningObjectives.pdf

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Course Textbook, Objectives and Goals

  Math Is Everywhere! Explore and Discover It! is a unique, project-oriented mathematics textbook and course of study for college students, particularly those who are Liberal Arts majors, and for anyone interested in mathematics and its relevance and application in today’s world.

  This text was written to engage students in active learning and to reveal the beauty, practicality and pervasiveness of math in our daily lives.  Math Is Everywhere! provides an effective means by which students can  enter into a new relationship with math and find empowerment in their own analytical reasoning and critical thinking abilities.  The text conveys a sense of enthusiasm, offers encouragement for success, and provides a wealth of opportunities for students to become actively engaged in mathematics in interesting and enjoyable ways.

  Math Is Everywhere! is designed around the following seven goals:

  • to engage students in active learning through the use of projects and activities
  • to demonstrate the beauty, practicality and pervasiveness of math in our daily lives
  • to lead students into a new and refreshing relationship with mathematics
  • to alleviate student math anxiety
  • to empower students to build confidence in their analytical reasoning skills
  • to promote technological skills
  • to encourage students to become lifelong learners of mathematics

For a complete set of course objectives, please visit:  http://www.spcollege.edu/spg/math/rutledge/MGF1107(20011)20021.pdf

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COURSE ORIENTATION 

REQUIRED STEPS BEFORE BEGINNING ASSIGNMENTS

  Due to the popularity of this course and the continuing growth in online student enrollments, and due also to the project- and activity-based nature of the course that involves the submission of numerous assignment documents and use of various ANGEL features (ANGEL is the learning management system that is used for this course), I have found it both necessary and advantageous to institute a required Course Orientation.  This consists of a description of ANGEL features and specific course requirements in terms of assignment submissions and grades and is followed by a Course Orientation Quiz.

Note:  You will be able to access our ANGEL course home page on the semester begin date; however, the Unit folders containing course assignments and the Discussion forums will not be accessible until you have successfully completed the Course Orientation Quiz.

Please complete this quiz as soon as possible (ASAP) since course assignments from Unit 1 are due at the beginning of the second week of classes.

Students who do not get started immediately in this course make up a significant majority of those who are unable to complete the course successfully, so please do not delay getting started!

  To get started and to prepare for the Course Orientation Quiz, after you gain access to the course please click on the Lessons Tab. 

  After you have successfully completed the Course Orientation Quiz with a grade of 100%, the Unit folders will become accessible under the Lessons Tab.  

Note:  For online students, there are NO required visits to campus.  The online version of this course may be taken entirely from a distance and former students have completed this course while living out-of-state or in other countries.  This is one of the many benefits of online courses and distance education!

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GRADING   

GRADES

Grades will be based on a total of 800 points distributed as follows:

715 points:  Projects of various lengths and types including several writing assignments and weekly discussion postings

  85 points:  Activities (Math Is Everywhere! readings/exercises and other assignments)

In addition, a limited number of extra credit projects and activities are available; these projects and activities provide opportunity to earn up to 40 extra credit points.

  While there are no formal tests, midterm or final exams, the course projects and activities represent a SUBSTANTIAL REQUIREMENT in terms of personal involvement, effort and time; in particular, there are a number of report writing assignments involved and, as a result, much more writing required than you would normally encounter in a math class.

SEMESTER PACE AND GRADING SCALE

I would encourage you to make every effort to stay current with the course schedule and turn in your assignments in a timely manner; many students have thoroughly enjoyed and successfully completed this course, but in their own words: Don't fall behind!  (Or if you do happen to fall  behind, then get caught up quickly!). While the course assignments are interesting, enjoyable, and rewarding, this course requires a substantial amount of work on a regular basis.

Note:  As a general rule, a three-credit hour course requires 9 or more hours per week of study, preparation and class time during a normal semester; you should expect to spend an average of 9-12 hours per week on the assignments in this course in either the Fall or Spring semesters.  The shorter summer semester will require proportionately more time each week.

Note:  As you will see below, this course is NOT completely self-paced although you are welcome to work ahead at your own pace if desired and complete the course ahead of schedule. 

Semester Grading Scale
grade percent points
A 90-100% 716-800
B 80-89% 636-715
C 70-79% 556-635
D 60-69% 476-555
F <60% <476

LATE SUBMISSIONS

  You are responsible for submitting course assignments on time.  I accept late submissions for reduced credit up to two weeks after the initial due date.  Details are provided in the Course Orientation.

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SPECIAL NOTICE: STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION

  Every student is expected to complete the college Student Survey of Instruction (SSI).  This tool helps SPC evaluate and improve course material and instructional methods.  The survey will become available online during the last few weeks of the semester.  You must then submit the survey before you will be able to move on to the next part of the course.  All survey responses are anonymous, and you will be able to skip any questions that you choose not to answer.  Participating in the survey gives you a chance to provide feedback on your educational experience and helps SPC maintain superior instructional quality.  A class announcement will be posted when the survey becomes available.  Thanks for your cooperation with this college policy!

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ATTENDANCE & WITHDRAWAL

ATTENDANCE

The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum.  The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define "active participation" in class (and therefore "attendance"), and publish that definition in each syllabus.  For this class, attendance is defined below.

General info for all class formats: 

Active participation after the first two weeks of the semester is defined as follows:

Online classes:  Although the fully online course does not involve any mandatory, on-campus class meetings, it is expected that you will access course content and make assignment submissions and discussion postings on a weekly basis.  If you have more than two weeks of inactivity, your semester grade will be at risk.  

Note:  Your earned points from participation in required weekly discussion postings and/or required weekly dropbox submissions will be used to validate your activity for each week in the semester.  Please be sure to make these discussion postings and dropbox submissions each week.

On-campus classes:  Due to the project-oriented nature of the course content, attendance at all class sessions is strongly and enthusiastically encouraged!  If you have more than two weeks of inactivity, your semester grade will be at risk.

Note:  Your earned points from participation in required weekly discussion postings and/or required weekly dropbox submissions will be used to validate your activity for each week in the semester.  Please be sure to make these discussion postings and dropbox submissions each week.

Blended classes:  Due to the project-oriented nature of the course content, attendance at all class sessions is strongly and enthusiastically encouraged and it is expected that you will access online course content and make dropbox submissions and discussion postings on a weekly basis.  If you have more than two weeks of inactivity, your semester grade will be at risk.

Note:  Your earned points from participation in required weekly discussion postings and/or required weekly dropbox submissions will be used to validate your activity for each week in the semester.  Please be sure to make these discussion postings and dropbox submissions each week.

All formats: 

WITHDRAWAL

   The college Drop Date is Thursday, October 27.   If you should find that circumstances require you to withdraw, please login to MySPC and choose "Drop/Withdraw from a class" on the right under Academics. Select the term and follow the directions to withdraw. 

   It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from a course on or before the Drop Date in order to receive a grade of W.   Failure to complete the course after the Drop Date will normally result in a grade of F although a student may choose to withdraw and receive a grade of WF.

Important Note:  Instructors are no longer be able to withdraw a student  for any reason; withdrawal before or after the college Drop Date is now a student responsibility.

SPC Withdrawal Policy (official):
Beginning January 2008, instructors can no longer withdraw students from classes. If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the responsibility of the student to withdraw either online through MySPC or with the help of an advisor in the registration office.   If the withdrawal is completed by the college Drop Date, a grade of “W ” will be recorded which does not impact the student ’s GPA.   If the withdrawal occurs after the college Drop Date, the student will receive a grade of WF (withdraw-failing). The WF grade is punitive; it has the same impact on the GPA as an F. Students in the third attempt of a course who withdraw will receive a WF regardless of the date of withdrawal.

Students who do not attend during the first two weeks of classes will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the college and will still be responsible for the tuition and fees.   Also, students who do not show sufficient active participation (i.e., completion of tests and quizzes and regular attendance) in the course by the college Drop Date will be administratively withdrawn by the college and receive a WF. Students who withdraw from all classes may be required to repay some or all of the financial aid received for the term.   Should you consider totally withdrawing from all classes before the college Drop Date, it is important that you consult the Scholarships & Student Financial Assistance office on your home campus to understand your options and the consequences of total withdrawal.

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CONDUCT & ACADEMIC HONESTY 

COURSE ETIQUETTE/NETIQUETTE: STUDENTS' EXPECTATIONS & INSTRUCTOR'S EXPECTATIONS

   Please read the SPC Online Student Participation and Conduct Guidelines for expectations concerning online conduct including netiquette for discussion participation and email content.  Please also review the SPC Expectations and Performance Targets for online students.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

  Please review the SPC Academic Honesty Policy.  It is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies, rules and consequences of violations.  There is no tolerance for cheating and academic dishonesty.  Discipline can range from a zero on that specific assignment to expulsion from the class with a grade of F.  Note that copy/pasting published information, whether it's from your textbook or the Internet, without citing your source is plagiarism and violates this policy.  Even if you change the words slightly, the ideas are someone else's, so you still have to cite your sources.  Cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy and fabrication are not allowed under the college Academic Honesty Policy.

  Most of the projects in this course are graded on individual effort--they are NOT group projects; those projects that will be completed as a group will be clearly identified by the instructor.  Copying the work of another student, allowing another student to copy your work and other forms of academic dishonesty will result in grades of 0 and possible further consequences.  College policy requires that violations be reported to the appropriate Associate Provost's office and that violations be recorded on student transcripts.

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TECHNICAL, ACADEMIC & STUDENT SUPPORT & SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

  eCampus offers a variety of technical support information via its Web site; some pertinent links are given below:

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES 

  eCampus also offers a variety academic support services for online students; some pertinent links are given below:

COUNSELING AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

  For help with counseling and advising, admission/registration, financial assistance and related issues, please visit the link below:

ADA SERVICES--SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

  If you wish to request special accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Support Specialist on any SPC campus (see table below).  If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at 791-2628.  If you will need assistance during an emergency classroom evacuation, please contact your campus learning specialist immediately about arrangements for your safety.

Learning Support Specialists ( Office of Services for Students with Disabilities)
Campus Counselor Room Phone
Seminole Linda Giar UP 110 394-6289
St. Petersburg / Gibbs Gene Oskamp AD 120 341-4316
Health Education Center Stefanie Silvers HE 182 341-3721
Tarpon Springs Barbara Thompson AD 114 712-5789
Clearwater Aimee Stubbs SS 101E 791-2710



 

 

 

 

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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

HURRICANES AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS

  In the event that a hurricane or other natural disaster causes significant damage to St. Petersburg College facilities, you may be provided the opportunity to complete your course work online.  The online Course Orientation materials will provide detailed instructions on how to do so in the event of loss of electrical power for extended periods of time or loss of access to St. Petersburg College facilities. 

  Following the event, please visit the college Web site for an announcement of the College’s plan to resume operations.  Log in to ANGEL to confirm that you have access and report any difficulty to the SPC Student Technical Call Center at (727) 341-HELP or via email at Onlinehelp@spcollege.edu.

  Please know that I will do everything possible to ensure that you can complete your course work and receive credit for this class even under adverse emergency conditions.

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CAMPUS SAFETY & SECURITY

CAMPUS SECURITY DISPATCH

  In the event of a situation that requires campus security personnel, please call the Campus Security Dispatch officer at 727-791-2560.  The officer on duty will dispatch campus security officers to the scene at the pertinent campus.

Required College announcement concerning sexual predators or offenders:

  Federal and State laws require a person designated as a “sexual predator or offender” to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE is then required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides, attends or is employed by an institution of higher learning.  Information regarding sexual predators or offenders attending or employed by an institution of higher learning may be obtained from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus or by calling the FDLE hotline: (1-888-FL-PREDATOR) or (1-888-357-7332).   If there are questions or concerns regarding personal safety, please contact the Provost, Associate Provost, Campus Security Officer or Site Administrator on your campus.

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CLASS SCHEDULE

  COMMENTS

  I hope that you thoroughly enjoy this class!  Mathematics is a most fascinating and amazingly useful subject and, as you are about to learn, it is everywhere around us! 

Note:  Assignment due dates (for full credit) and final cut-off dates (for reduced credit) are posted in each Unit folder under the Lessons Tab in ANGEL; these dates are also posted on the course Calendar and in the Milestones report.

Class Schedule
UNIT BEGIN DATE
(date on which the Unit is "assigned")		 TOPICS
1 8-22-11 Course Introduction; Analytical Reasoning--A Tool for Life
2 8-29-11 Deductive and Inductive Reasoning; Pattern Recognition
3 9-5-11 The Power of Generalization; Logical Thinking
4 9-12-11 Magic Squares; The Greeks--Students & Investigators
5 9-19-11 Number Systems and Number Bases
6 9-26-11 The Secret Language of Computers; Long-term Projects
7 10-3-11 Modulus Arithmetic & Applications; Cryptography
8 10-10-11 Mathematics and Music
9 10-17-11 Mathematical Perspective in Art; Symmetry and Tilings
10 10-24-11 Mathematics in Architecture and Nature
11 10-31-11 Fractal Geometry and Fractal Applications
12 11-7-11 Mathematical Relationships and Functions
13 11-14-11 Linear Functions and Models
14 11-21-11  Exponential Growth Models
15 11-28-11 Financial Management and Planning
16 12-5-11 Financial Management and Planning. Final cut-off date for submissions from  Units 14 through 16 is Monday, December 12, at noon (12:00 p.m.).  NO CREDIT given for submissions after noon (normal grace period does not apply and NO EXCEPTIONS will be permitted).

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ASSIGNMENTS

Please review the Class Schedule and Assignments document for a complete listing of course assignments, due dates, and individual project and activity point values.

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Copyright ©2011 by James J. Rutledge.  All rights reserved.