Contents
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course covers a practical breadth of mathematics, with a focus on math encountered in everyday life. It aims to show the relevancy and usefulness of mathematics and to make it meaningful by putting it in an appropriate context. In this course there is a focus on problem solving with a hands-on and learn-by-doing approach.
This course meets Monday through Friday. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are lecture days and discussion is held on Tuesday and Thursday.
COURSE MATERIALS
- Calculator: A scientific calculator is required. Please always have one in class (cell-phone calculators are okay EXCEPT FOR QUIZZES). You are allowed to use calculators on all assessments. If you are planning to take additional mathematics/statistics courses, a Texas Instruments graphing calculator is recommended.
- MyOpenMath: This is computer-based learning software. You will use MyOpenMath (MOM) for online homework. In MOM, you will have access to an electronic version of a text book. MOM is an open-source platform and so is FREE.
COURSE TOPICS
Unit I: Geometry, Measurement, and Unit Analysis - Chapters 1 & 2
Unit II: Linear Equations - Chapter 3
Unit III: Personal Finances - Chapters 4, 5, & 6
Unit IV: Statistics - Chapters 10, 11, & 12
COURSE DESIGN
Lecture
- Find the lecture schedule under Schedule.
- For each lecture, there will be an associated worksheet which will serve as a note-taking guide. Worksheets will be provided in class, but they will also be posted under Lecture Notes in BlackBoard.
Lecture Attendance
- In order to successfully complete the course, your active involvement in learning is essential. Therefore, a serious commitment on your part to attend both the lectures and the discussion/problem sessions is a basic requirement of that. Attendance in the course will be taken in lecture starting with week 3.
- A percentage of below 75% attendance in lecture will result in a drop of one letter grade for the course as a consequence.
- Below 50% attendance will result in an automatic F for the course.
- There are 38 lectures (starting the third week of class) that count towards attendance. 10-19 absences will result in a drop of one letter grade. 20 or more absences will result in an automatic F for the course.
Online Homework
- Homework is done online via the MyOpenMath website.
- There is a homework assignment associated with each lecture and will be posted at 5am that morning.
- Homework is due the following lecture day at 11:59pm; due dates will be given in MOM.
- There are 36 online homework assignments; the lowest 3 scores will be dropped.
Written Homework
- There are 10 written homework assignments; the lowest 1 score will be dropped.
- Written homework assignments will be posted on BlackBoard and become available when beginning the corresponding chapter.
- You will be responsible for scanning and uploading the written homework to an online grading system, Gradescope. YOU MUST USE THE TEMPLATE PROVIDED ON BLACKBOARD.
- The first written homework assignment is designed as practice to familiarize with Gradescope: if you answer all the questions and turn it in, you will receive a 100.
- All other written homework assignments focus on application problems.
- Written homework due dates will be posted on BlackBoard.
- NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED.
Discussion worksheets
- During discussion, you can work individually or in groups on problems.
- The focus of discussion worksheets is to practice mathematical techniques and enhance understanding.
- Discussion worksheets will be provided.
- Beginning the second week of classes, one worksheet will be collected and graded weekly; the three lowest scores will be dropped.
- Prompt Attendance and participation in discussion on the day of a graded worksheet will automatically give you a 70%.
- There are no make-ups for discussion worksheets, even with an excused absence.
- There will be no discussion following the day a project is due.
Projects
- Each unit has an associated project.
- Projects will be turned in during lecture.
- Projects will be posted on BlackBoard and become available near completion of a unit.
- Project due dates will be posted on BlackBoard.
- Each day a project is late, you will receive a 10% deduction from your score. The end of class is the cutoff time.
Final Exam
- General topic - statistics
- The final project consists of a take-home portion (project 75% of the grade) and an in-class portion (final quiz, 25% of the grade).
- The in-class portion is given during finals week: TBA
GRADING
Point totals of individual assessments will vary and so all will be scaled to 100 points. All grades will be recorded in BlackBoard.
As seen below, your grade is an weighted average.
The course grade will be distributed as follows, using averages of each category.
| Online Homework | 20% |
| Written Homework | 20% |
| Discussion worksheets | 20% |
| Projects | 20% |
| Final Exam (75% Project + 25% Quiz) | 20% |
A final grade will be given based on a standard scale:
| 90% - 100% | A |
| 80%-89.99% | B |
| 70%-79.99% | C |
| 60%-69.99% | D |
| below 60% | F |
TUTORING
Free tutoring is available at the LAS Math & Science Learning Center, located in SES 3510.
- Laptops are available for check out.
- Open Monday through Friday 8am-6pm.
Tutoring at the Daley Library by the math librarian, David Dror.
- Go to the reference desk.
- Thursdays 5-7 pm.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
As an academic community, UIC is committed to providing an environment in which research, learning, and scholarship can flourish and in which all endeavors are guided by academic and professional integrity. All members of the campus community - students, staff, faculty, and administrators - share the responsibility of insuring that these standards are upheld so that such an environment exists. Instances of academic misconduct by students will be handled pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy: Student Disciplinary Policy.
ACADEMIC DEADLINES
Current academic calendar and the list of deadlines can be found here.
DISABILITY POLICY
Students with disabilities who require special accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Students who need exam accommodations must contact ODS in the first week of the term to arrange a meeting with a Disability Specialist.
Please contact ODS at 312/413-2183 (voice) or 312/413-0123 (TTY)
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
Students who wish to observe their religious holidays shall notify the faculty member by the tenth day of the semester of the date when they will be absent unless the religious holiday is observed on or before the tenth day of the semester. In such cases, the student shall notify the faculty member at least five days in advance of the date when he/she will be absent. The faculty member shall make every reasonable effort to honor the request, not penalize the student for missing the class, and if an examination or project is due during the absence, give the student an exam or assignment equivalent to the one completed by those students in attendance. If the student feels aggrieved, he/she may request remedy through the campus grievance procedure. Access the religious holiday calendar.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
UIC is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity involving students and employees. Freedom from discrimination is a foundation for all decision making at UIC. Students are encouraged to study the University's "Nondiscrimination Statement". Students are also urged to read the document "Public Formal Grievance Procedures". Information on these policies and procedures is available on the University web pages of the Office of Access and Equity.
