Syllabus for MA 111-009Introduction to Contemporary MathematicsFall 2009Course: MA 111-009, MWF 9:00–9:50, CB 341Instructor: Carl LeeOffice: 967 Patterson Office TowerMailbox: 715 Patterson Office TowerPhone: 257-1405 (or 257-3336 to leave a message)Email: [email protected] Hours: MWF 10:00–10:50, and by appointment.Text: Tannenbaum, Excursions in Modern Mathematics, seventh edition, second customprinting for UK, Pearson.Course Web Page: www.ms.uky.edu/~lee/ma111fa09/ma111fa09.htmlCourse Description: This course explores mathematical methods in a series of appliedareas, such as the mathematics of social choice; management science; shape, growth andform; and basic statistics. The course is not available to persons who have received creditin any mathematics course of a higher number with the exception of MA 112, MA 123, MA162, MA 201, and MA 202. The course does not serve as a prerequisite for any calculuscourse. Credit is not available on the basis of special examination.Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra and a Math ACTE score of 19 and above,or MA 108R, or math placement test.Expected Course Outcomes: For most of the students, this course will be an introductionto some modern mathematical methods in application to real life problems. It is expectedthat by the end of the semester, the students will acquire an informal understanding of avariety of new mathematical methods and will be able to appreciate their power and beauty.1Schedule: The following constitutes an approximate schedule (subject to adjustments) forthe course:Unit 1: The Mathematics of Voting, August 26 to September 11, with the Unit Exam onSeptember 11.Unit 2: The Mathematics of Touring, September 14–28, with the Unit Exam on Septem-ber 28.Unit 3: The Mathematics of Symmetry, September 30 to October 14, with the Unit Examon October 14.Unit 4: The Geometry of Fractal Shapes, October 16–30, with the Unit Exam on Octo-ber 30.Unit 5: The Mathematics of Money, November 2–16, with the Unit Exam on November 16.Unit 6: Descriptive Statistics, November 18 to December 11, with the (partial) Unit Examon December 4.Attendance: Attendance is required. If you miss a class for any reason, please explain yourabsence in writing as soon as possible (at least two weeks in advance for scheduled excusedabsences). Your absence will be excused if it is due to serious reason (such as illness, deathin the family, or travel organized by UK — see the official list of excused absences in the“Student Right and Responsibilities,” Se ction 5.2.4.2,www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html). Students absent due to an excused absencebear the res ponsibility of informing the instructor about their excused absence within oneweek following the period of the excused absence (except where prior notification is required)and of making up the missed work. The instructor shall give the student an opportunity tomake up the work and/or the exams missed due to an excus ed absence.Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments. It is expected that you regularlyread in detail the relevant sections in the textbook and work on all assigned problems.However, sometimes only part of the problems will be graded. It is fine to work together onhomework, but you must write up your own solutions in your own words.Quizzes: There will be approximately one quiz per week. Quiz problems will be eithertaken directly from your homework problems or very similar to them. Occasionally you will2be asked to define a notion or state a theorem. Make sure you read the text carefully andknow all the main definitions, formulas, and results.Exams: There will be six in-class exams, one following each unit, together with an optionalfinal exam (see further explanation below). Students with officially recognized special needs,in particular those who need extended time for the tests, will have their exams scheduledat different dates. If this is your case, please inform the instructor and provide supportingdocumentation as early as possible during the semester.Optional Final Exam: Monday, December 14, 10:30 am, in our regular room, CB 341.See further explanation below.Grading Policy: You will receive a score (out of 100) for each unit, based on the followingpercentages:5% Attendance35% Homework20% Quizzes40% Unit ExamYour final course score will be the average of these six Unit scores. Your letter grade will bedetermined according to the standard 10% scale:90–100% A80–89% B70–79% C60–69% D0–59% EThe optional Final Exam will provide you the opportunity to select and try to improve upto two of your Unit Exam scores.Cheating: Students are encouraged to work together on the course material. Part of thework in class will be group work that will provide ample opportunity to exchange ideas andlearn from each other. As mentioned above, working together on the homework assignmentsis permissible, but you must write up your solutions in your own words, and not simplycopy someone else’s work. Any kind of communication with other students during a quizor an exam will be considered cheating and prosecuted according to university regulations.3Cheating and plagiarism can lead to significant penalties. See Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of StudentRights and Responsibilities, www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html.Calculators: For part of the course you will need a scientific calculator. Using the calculatorduring a test for any reason other than performing the required calculations (for example,to recall a previously stored formula) will be considered cheating.Help and Conflicts: Occasionally, you may need extra help. Feel free to visit me duringmy office hours, or, if inconvenient, contact me for an appointment. In case you disagree withone of my decisions and feel that an outside intervention is necessary to resolve the conflict,the first person to contact is Dr. Serge Ochanine (MA 111 Course Coordinator, POT 837,257-8837), or Dr. Jakayla Robbins (Director of Service Courses, POT 767, 257-4802).Important Dates:August 25 — Tuesday — Last day a student may officially drop a course or cancel registrationwith the University Registrar for a full refund of fees.September 1 — Tuesday — Last day to add a class for the 2009 Fall Semester.September 1 — Tuesday — Last day to officially withdraw from the University or reducecourse load and receive an 80 percent refund.September 7 — Monday — Labor Day - Academic Holiday.September 16 — Wednesday — Last day to