Instructor: Dr. Paul Regier Course format: Online
Email:
Office hours: paulregier.com/office-hours/

1 Course Description

This course explores the structure, language, and thought processes of mathematics.

1.1 Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply concepts from multiple mathematical disciplines to real-world problems (e.g. growth models, finance, probability, logic).
  2. Interpret data in multiple representations (graph, table, visual, etc.).
  3. Justify mathematical ideas using valid terminology.

The above course outcomes are for equivalent transfer courses, as defined by the Course Equivalency Project (CEP). Descriptive and measurable course- and module-level learning outcomes developed and used throughout Canvas.

1.2 Required Materials

  1. Regular access to a computer with:
    • Internet and a standard Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
    • Working video camera and microphone
  2. Textbook: Math in Society, by David Lippman, Edition 2.5, Open Source licensed under States License (Links to individual chapters provided in Canvas.)

1.3 Prerequisite Knowledge Required

  1. Proficiency with basic algebra: adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying to solve for an unknown.
  2. Basic use of a scientific calculator (see preliminaries in Unit 1 Notes)

1.4 Technical Skills Required

  1. Ability to navigate and use a learning management system (Canvas)
  2. Ability to access and use spreadsheet programs (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets)
  3. Ability to log into Microsoft Teams for course problems sessions and office hours
  4. Ability to prepare an online presentation and record presentation (instructions for this provided)

If you ever need help with Canvas, check out the help features provided by Canvas, shown below:

2 Course Format

This class will run asynchronously online, meaning for weekly assignments, you will watch recorded videos and use them to complete quizzes and assignments.

However, after the first week, I will hold weekly 2-hour problem sessions for you to get help on any topics you want.

  • I will schedule this time shortly, based on when you are most available.
  • To incentivize attendance, I will allow anyone attending the problem session to bring, work on, and submit for full credit the Written Homework assignment that was due the week prior (more details below).

3 Assessment

Course grades are made up of the following components:

Video Quizzes 10%
Written Homework 5%
Online Homework 20%
Group Projects 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
Final Reflection Paper 5%
Total 100%

After rounding the final grade to the nearest percent:
\(A = 90-100\%, B = 80-89\%, C = 70-79\%, D = 60-69\%, F = 0-59\%\)

Note: Assignments and exams in this course are weighted by category, meaning that point values may not necessarily directly translate between assessment categories.

3.1 Video Quizzes

Video quizzes will be assigned with each new topic to assess your basic understanding of the material. Each quiz allows two attempts, with only the most recent score recorded. If you can answer the quiz questions accurately without watching the video, that shows you understand the material well enough. Otherwise, please watch the video and/or review the corresponding notes section before submitting your final attempt.

Video Quizzes are due on Fridays at 10 pm. From the moment you log into this course, every video quiz for the semester is posted. Since all due dates are posted in Canvas, I will NOT grant extensions for quizzes you simply forgot to complete. Please refrain from emailing me to request extensions for missed quizzes; if you do, I will refer you back to this paragraph in your syllabus.

However, if after completing a quiz you find that you struggled with part of the material, please bring your questions to class or office hours. I am more than happy to review the material with you, and in many cases, I can reopen the quiz for one additional attempt.

3.2 Written Homework

Each week, you will have a set of written homework problems from the course notes to help you start applying each topic. For some of the problems, video walkthroughs will be provided to check your work. You will submit a PDF or JPG (scan or saved PDF) of your work on these problems for completion credit.

Written homework assignments are due on Fridays at 10 pm. Late online homework submissions are accepted with a 10 percent deduction per day late.

3.3 Online Homework

Online homework serves as a tool to help you study, practice, explore, and test your understanding of the material as we cover it in class. Combined with active class participation, dedicating sufficient time to online assignments is one of the most effective ways to prepare for exams.

Homework exercises are assigned weekly, averaging about 10 questions per assignment. Each correct response earns 1 point, and problems are graded automatically upon submission. If you miss a question, it will show the answer, allowing you to self-diagnose your mistake, and then you can try a similar problem until you get the question correct! You can ask questions in class or on the discussion board about any homework questions for which you have difficulty.

Homework exercises are due at 10 p.m. Deadlines are firm, and access to assignments will close at the due time. To avoid last-minute issues, I strongly recommend starting homework earlier in the week.

3.4 Group Projects

In each of the four units, you will be assigned to work on a detailed application problem involving the concepts from that units. This will provide opportunities for exploration of the topic being covered, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning. You will have the option to work with one or two other students if you choose. These problems will usually involve more open-ended questions that require a bit more work, conceptual understanding, and possibly outside research, a written solution or explanation of your work, and a recorded presentation of your solution. You will be graded out of 20 points on the following:

  • Presentation – Record a presentation of your solution to your portfolio problem, then watch and comment on two of your peers’ presentations. I will also watch and give feedback on your presentation.
  • Participation – You will provide a self-evaluation of your engagement and contributions to the solution to the project.
  • Written write-up – You will write, edit, and submit one write-up, receiving a group grade. The write-up will be due the Saturday following the group presentation.

Late project presentations and write-ups will incur a 10% penalty/day past the due date. See due dates on the Canvas Homepage and respective project assignments/rubrics for more details.

Time will be provided in problem sessions to begin work on the problem of your choice; however, if you choose to work in a group, you will need to coordinate with your group work outside of class.

To protect your data and privacy, the work by others in this course is not to be shared outside this course without explicit permission.

3.5 Exams

There will be an online proctored midterm and final exams. Exam dates are listed on the Canvas homepage. Please put these dates in your calendar and email me as soon as you find you may have an unavoidable or university-sanctioned conflict with any dates.

Exams will primarily test your skill in solving problems related to the topics previously covered. Problems will be similar/in the same format as the homework problems and portfolio projects assigned. Immediately following the exam, your written work may also be submitted for credit awarded for your problem-solving process.

3.6 Final Reflection Paper

As a metacognitive reflection of your work in this course, a two to three-page final reflection paper will be assigned, due finals week. See the Canvas assignment and the accompanying rubric for details.

4 Course Communication

Be aware and anticipate the following response times for the following types of correspondence:

  • Student –> Instructor: For emails to the instructor sent after 8 am on Monday but before noon on Friday, please allow 24 hours of response time. Messages left after midday Friday may take up to 72 hours. Holidays excluded. Messages sent via email generally will receive quicker responses than messages sent in Canvas.
  • Instructor –> Student: Students are expected to check and be aware of information sent via email and Canvas announcement posts regularly and respond if needed following the same guidelines described in the above item.
  • Student –> Student: When working with other students (e.g. homework or group projects), students are advised to exchange contact information of some sort, as well as check and read email/group messages regularly.

In all course communication with your instructor and classmates, please follow these net etiquette (netiquette) guidelines: 1

  1. Remember the Human: When communicating electronically, whether through email, instant message, discussion post, text, or some other method, practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Remember, your written words are read by real people, all deserving of respectful communication. Consider the tone of your emails and discussion posts before you press “send” or “submit.” Ask yourself, “Would I be okay with this if someone else had written it?”
  2. Make yourself look good: In all course communication with your instructor and classmates, be professional and polite. One of the great things about the virtual world is the lack of judgment associated with your physical appearance, the sound of your voice, or the clothes you wear. You will, however, be judged by the quality of your writing, so keep the following tips in mind:
    • Always check for capitalization, spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
    • Think about what you want to communicate and state it clearly.
    • Avoid slang and acronyms like ROTFL for “rolling on the floor laughing.”
    • Don’t use ALL CAPS for entire sentences or posts, which denote yelling at someone. Any form of attack or inappropriate response within any form of communication with other students or faculty is unacceptable and if done in a discussion post will be removed immediately accompanied by a warning.
    • Be pleasant and polite.
  3. Respect other people’s time and bandwidth: Electronic communication takes time: time to read and time in which to respond. Most people today lead busy lives, just like you do, and don’t have time to read or respond to frivolous emails or discussion posts. As a virtual world communicator, it is your responsibility to make sure that the time spent reading your words isn’t wasted. Make your written communication meaningful and to the point, without extraneous text or large attachments that may take forever to download.

5 Other Information

5.1 Canvas Help

For help with Canvas, check out the help features provided by Canvas, shown below:

5.2 Student Success Center (SSC)

The Student Success Center (SSC) offers FREE individual tutoring, hosted on the top floor of Nash Library! See the SSC website for hours and link for scheduling an appointment. It is very helpful to come to tutoring appointments with your specific questions or topics.

This and other useful resources are also provided in the “Student Resources” tab in Canvas.

5.3 AI Policy

While the use of the internet and AI is acceptable for brainstorming and generating ideas on a topic, keep in mind that AI-generated results and sources are often made up, and thus must be verified.

Moreover, it is cheating to submit any academic work that originates from another source as your own, including AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Bing, etc.

When the use of AI tools is explicitly permitted on an assignment, all content from AI tools used must be cited as such, following current AI citation styles appropriate to your discipline (MLA, APA, Chicago style).

5.4 Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty in any form is a violation of the Academic Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. There is a zero-tolerance policy in this course for any form of plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, forgery, or any other type of academic dishonesty. Violations will be addressed one-on-one with the instructor with a report submitted to the Academic Integrity Committee.

For more on the Academic Code of Conduct please see the USAO student handbook.

5.5 Accessibility Policy

The University’s accessibility policy is on page 15 of equity policy.

5.6 Disability Services

The University has a continuing commitment to providing accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To fully participate in this class, those with disabilities who may need accommodation should contact Disability Services, as soon as possible. For this semester, please do this by emailing the Disability Services Office at .

5.7 Illness

Regular class attendance is necessary to achieve the course objectives. Thus, taking care of your health and avoiding unnecessary exposure to illness is an important part of your success.

However, if you do fall ill for any reason, I want you to be able to rest. Please do not come to class if you are sick. If you are ill, please email me to let me know. Then, when you are well, contact me ASAP to make plans to make up missed work.

If you are absent from class, you are still responsible for completing all course requirements. As the instructor, I will work with you to make up work. However, it is your responsibility to contact me to make plans for making up missed work as soon as you are well. Do not wait until the end of the semester to make up missed work.

5.8 Important Dates

It is your responsibility to be aware of all dates listed in the USAO academic calendar.

5.9 Course Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this course as deemed mutually beneficial or necessary to all involved, with appropriate notification.

I encourage any feedback you have at any point during the semester. If you find any structural or content errors in any current course materials, let me know politely and respectfully via the Course Corrections discussion in Canvas, via email, or in person. If you do so, I will give one point extra credit (per correction).

  1. Partially adapted from The Core Rules of Netiquette. Shea, V. (1994). Netiquette (Online ed., pp. 32-45). San Francisco: Albion Books.↩︎