Syllabus for M 105-03
Fall Semester 2017
Instructor: John Hoover / LA 830 / 406 657-2921 /
Email me at my jhoover@... address, and NOT through the D2L website.
Textbook: Thinking Mathematically 6th Edition, Robert Blitzer,
Pearson Education, Inc., © 2015.
Course Content: To include the following –
- Chapter 2: Set Theory –all sections areto be covered
- Chapter 4: Number Representation Calculation 1, 2, & 3
- Chapter 8: Personal Finance –all sectionsto be covered
- Chapter 9: Measurement - all sections to becovered
- Chapter 12: Statistics - all sections to becovered
Course Objectives:
The main objective of contemporary mathematics is to enable students to appreciate and apply
quantitative reasoning to real-world problems. Upon successful completion of the course,
students should be able to
- analyze sets, perform operations on sets, andconstruct Venn diagrams to represent sets;
- explainnumber representationand computation inpositionalnumeration systems;
- understand and use the common US and metric units invarious applications;
- solve basic problems involving interest, annuities, loans and credit cards;
- understand andinterpret the basic definitions of descriptive statistics.
Assessment:
Based on points earned working a combination of homework (30%), quizzes (30%) and test (40%) items. Scoreswill be accessible to you at the MML (MyMathLab) course siteand not through a D2L gradebook.
Quizzes & exams cannot be taken until you’ve scored at least80% on related homework.
Re Homework: Each section (from Chapter 2 on) has a homework assignment. The absolute
deadline for these is 11:59 PM of the last day of classDecember 14th. This gives everyone a
chance to improve their homework scores even after quiz and exam due dates have passed.
Re Quizzes & Exams: You are required to take 10 quizzes, 4 exams, and a final exam.
These will all be worked online and must be completed by their assigned due dates.
Important: You will getthree chances at each quiz and two at each exam, but know
that some problems will be regenerated (same questions with different numbers)
each time you retake aquiz or exam(only your best scores will count).
The following scale will be used to determine your final (please note signed) letter grade –
A-: 90 – 92 (3.7 GP) / A : 93 – (4.0 GP) / -B-: 80 – 82 (2.7 GP) / B : 83 – 86 (3.0 GP) / B+ : 87 – 89 (3.3 GP)
C-: 66 – 69 (1.7 GP) / C : 70 – 75 (2.0 GP) / C+ : 76 – 79 (2.3 GP)
D-: 60 – 61 (0.7 GP) / D : 62 – 63 (1.0 GP) / D+ : 64 – 65 (1.3 GP)
Incompletes: An Incomplete is given only when a student has been in attendance for at least
three-fourths of the semester, but have - due tocircumstances beyond their control - been
prevented from completing all the requirements of the course. An Incomplete must be made
up within one calendar year or the grade will revert to an F (this is all officially stated in
the current university catalog).
Regarding DSS: If you have a disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please
contact me to discuss the situation. Validation from Disability Support Services authorizing your
accommodations will be needed (the DSS number is 657-2283 and they are located in COE 135).
Academic Support Center (ASC):
University Campus ASC is located in the Student Union Building (SUB) and is open Monday thru
Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Online tutoring hours for math will
be Sunday thru Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The City College Academic Support Center
isopen M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ASC is located on the west side of the commons in
the “Learning Commons” area in room A017. Tutoring will be available by appointment. Please
inquire within about subject and tutor availability or ask Rebekah Reger at 406-247-3083.
Student Responsibilities:Some of you will face personal situations during the semester that will take priority over this class.When possible, accommodations that are fair to you (and the other students) will be made – ifI am informed in a timely manner. Every assignment has
a due date and it is critical you adhere to them. In taking this course, you areagreeing to the terms in this syllabus and implying you have the necessary skills prerequisite for this course.
It is important to complete assignments on time, so be sure to monitor the due dates (this
is especially true for the quizzes and exams).
Homework & Tests: You will access the homework, quizzes, and tests after registering at
the following website:
To register, click on the Register button, have your MML access code handy, and follow
their directions. You will need the following information -
School: MONTANA STATE UNIV – BILLINGS
Textbook: Thinking Mathematically, 6th Edition
My Course: M 105-03FallSemester 2017
Course ID:hoover20806
Make sure you run the Browser Check before beginning any work. Also, if you are new to
MyLab/Mastering, then I would suggest working the orientation exercises and checking out
the “How To Enter Answers” tutorial. You can buy an access code if you already have a text
but not a code. Go to the Pearson MyLab/Mastering website and follow their directions.
Technical Issues: Odd things can happen on the internet: emails do get lost, servers might
disconnect, and logins are sometimes impossible. Therefore, a critical bit of advice –
Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments!
Questions: If you have questions relating to course content (homework, quiz, & test questions,
due dates), then ask me in class or via email at jhoover@msubillings.edu, but for MyMathLab
technical issues it will be necessary for you to contact Pearson Technical Customer Support at
htttp://247pearsoned.custhelp.com.
Temporary Access: If you are waiting for financial aid and cannot pay immediately, then you
can access the features in the online course without payment for up to 14 days. The temporary access option enables you to start your coursework and avoid missing any deadlines.
You will get reminder emails with payment instructions before your temporary access expires.
To stay in the course, use an access code or pay by credit card or PayPal. If you don't pay by
the expiration date, you lose access to your course and get an expiration email with payment
instructions. Once you pay for full access, you regain any coursework you completed before
losingaccess.Note that the temporary access option maybe usedjust once per course.
Some Relevant Dates:
Class Begins / September 6Last Day for Registering/Adding Classes / September 14
Last Day for Withdrawing/Dropping Classes w/ a Partial Refund / September 26
Last Day to Drop Classes w/o Instructor Permission (0 Refund) / October 24
Last Day to Drop with Approval of Advisor and Course Instructor / November 21
Last Day of Exams and Class Ends / December 14
General Policy Notes & Advice:
- Youwill need a ‘good’ calculator (a TI model is recommended).
- It is your responsibilityto remain informed about class assignments.
- Take deadlines seriously as extensionswill be givenonly if justified.
- Emailsare to besigned& shouldinclude M 105 in the subject heading.
Links You May Find Helpful –