Math 104 Elementary Mathematical Modeling Spring 2008
Daily Syllabus Peter Greim's home page MACS home page Registrar's page Citadel home page
Class:
Tu, Th 9:30-10:45 (section 06) in TH 203
Tu, Th 1:00-2:15 (section 07) in TH 203
Instructor: P. Greim, Thompson 329, Tel.
953-5035, Email: peter.greim@citadel.edu
http://macs.citadel.edu/~greimp
Office hours are posted at my door and at my class schedule web page. You can read it as long as you are using a Citadel terminal. The class schedule will give you an idea which times might be available if you need to make an appointment.
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra
Text: Elementary Mathematical Modeling (Citadel Military College Edition) by Mary Ellen Davis, C. Henry Edwards. Prentice Hall.
ISBN 0-536-27076-7.
Covered material: Chapters 1 – 6 (see the course calendar for details)
Description:
”Modeling” in this course means fitting to a real-world data set one out of a large family of available (mathematical) functions. From the properties of that function we can infer information about the situation described by the data set. The available function types are linear, quadratic, higher degree polynomial, logarithmic, exponential, logistic. We will consider the “least-squares” criterion and use it to measure the “goodness of fit” of any such function. You will learn how to let calculators and spreadsheets calculate an approximation to the “best fit”. To make educated choices which type of function to use, we need to study the properties of these function classes. Familiarity with elementary algebra is necessary.
Calculators and spreadsheets
You will need a graphing calculator in class. I assume you have a TI83 or 84. If you have a more advanced calculator (like a TI89), then you need to learn on your own how to perform the required operations. The MathLab offers two evening calculator workshops in Thompson 203 from 8:15 to 9:30: TI83/84 on Tuesday, 15 January, and TI89 on Thursday, 17 January. We will also use MS Excel.
Grades
are based on the final, 4 tests, homework assignments, quizzes, and a take-home project. Each test counts 100 points, except your worst which counts only 50; homework and quizzes count 200 points together, the project 50, for a total of 600. The final exam counts 200 points. You'll receive 3 points extra credit for each correctly solved problem of the week. (See Prof. Trautman's webpage http://155.225.48.46/potw/potw.htm, and look out for weekly announcements on the MACS bulletin boards.) I will follow the usual 10% per grade scheme and not grade "on a curve". However, if after grading a test the statistics show a particularly bad performance of the whole class at one problem, I may adjust that problem's weight within the whole test. All tests are open-book.
Missing a test unexcused will result in a score of zero. I will not allow you to miss a test because of a lack of preparation. If your absence is excused, I may choose to drop it and prorate the other test and homework scores, or give you a comprehensive make-up test at the end of the semester. Guard duty is no excuse for missing a test.
You can check your standing in the course here. You'll need to know your code number to identify your record. It will be on your first exam.
Homework
Since its total weight is only 25%, you can ignore the homework and still make a "C" in the course, right?
Wrong. You don't even have a remote chance to pass the course without doing the homework. Not only will it enable you to test your understanding of the material you saw in class - you will understand mathematics through trying, failing, and eventually succeeding in solving the problems.
When you work problems, first try to do them by yourself. After that, whether you succeed or not, you may discuss them with others. You will learn from talking about mathematics. However, do not copy homework from others. I want you to understand a problem solution (either through own research or discussion) and then formulate it in your own words. Discussing a problem solution with a classmate, understanding it, and then formulating it in your own words is allowed. Copying a solution from others is not. After each class period, try to do the problems listed in the syllabus for that day. Identify the ones that you can't do on your own. Tell me at the beginning of the next class period which they are; we will discuss some of them. On that day I'll tell you which problems of that set you are to turn in at the beginning of the following class period. The due date for each problem set will also be noted on the course calendar web page. -- Instead of collecting the homework, I may quiz you on it.
Occasionally I may let you do or redo part of a test as take-home. In that case you are completely on your own - almost. I am the only person with whom you may discuss a test problem before turning it in.
Most of the homework is to be submitted on the web, but some on paper. The two due date columns in the course calendar are for the two modes of submission. Homework on the web is always due at 23:59 p.m.; the paper homework is due at the beginning of class.
Help
is available: you may work with other students, see me after class, during office hours, or make an appointment (or just drop by my office, taking a chance that I may be busy). There is also individual and group tutoring (at no cost) in the MathLab. See Jeff Ragan on the first floor. I’m on campus Monday nights and, by appointment only, Thursday nights.
One last advice: when you are getting behind (or can't even get started right) - let me know right away. I'll go out of my way to help you if you try. Your grade will be based on your success - not on your effort. However, your effort will determine how much I help.