Instructor: Dr. Paul Regier Course format: Online, with in-person exams
Email:
Office hours: paulregier.com/office-hours/

1 Course Description

This course explores the structure, language, and thought processes of mathematics. This is a 3-credit-hour course.

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 are 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 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 office hours
  4. Ability to prepare an online presentation and record a 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.

Midterm and Final Exams will be proctored and in person (see Assessment section)

2.1 Tips for Success

  • Log into Canvas at least 3–4 times per week.
  • Start homework early to allow time for questions.
  • Attend office hours and the SSC regularly, even if you feel “mostly caught up.”

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 office hours. I am more than happy to review the material with you. In these cases, reopening quizzes is discretionary and typically requires evidence of effort (e.g., video notes, specific questions).

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 written 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. 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! (Or until due date is reached.) You can ask questions in office hours or on the discussion board about any homework questions for which you have difficulty.

Homework exercises are due at 10 p.m. either Wednesdays or Fridays (see course calendar). 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 unit. 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 group 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. Students who work individually will receive an individual grade equivalent to the group grading structure.

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.

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 in-person proctored midterm and final exams. Exam dates are below and are listed on the Canvas homepage. Put these dates in your calendar and email me as soon as you become aware that you may have an unavoidable or university-sanctioned conflict with either date.

Midterm Exam: Tuesday, October 13, 12:00–1:25 PM, Austin 206
Final Exam: Thursday, December 3, 12:00–1:25 PM, Austin 206

You will take each exam using a laptop computer or tablet. Phones may not be used to take the exam. A nearby computer classroom will be reserved for students who do not have access to a laptop or tablet. If you have a laptop or tablet available, please bring it with you so that the computers in the reserved classroom remain available for students who need them.

You may also bring and use:

  • one side of one 8.5 × 11-inch sheet of formulas, notes, or other information you want to use during the exam.
  • scientific calculator (or Desmos on your computer)

Scratch paper will be provided.

Exams will primarily test your skill in solving problems related to the topics previously covered. Problems will be similar in format to the homework problems and portfolio projects assigned.

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

Please anticipate the following response times for course communication:

  • 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 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 by email, discussion post, message, or any other electronic format, remember that you are communicating with real people. Practice the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated. Before you send or submit something, consider its tone and ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable receiving this message?”

  2. Communicate Clearly and Professionally: In all course communication with your instructor and classmates, be respectful, professional, and clear.

    • Check your writing for spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.
    • Think about what you want to communicate and state it clearly.
    • Avoid excessive slang, abbreviations, or acronyms that others may not understand.
    • Avoid writing entire sentences or posts in ALL CAPS, which can come across as yelling.
    • Disagreement is fine; personal attacks, insults, or disrespectful responses are not. Inappropriate discussion posts may be removed and addressed with the student.
    • Be courteous and assume good intentions when possible.

  3. Respect Other People’s Time: Keep emails, messages, and discussion posts focused and relevant. Include enough information for others to understand and respond to your question, but avoid unnecessary text or unrelated content. Before sending a message, consider whether your communication is clear, useful, and appropriate for the course.

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

Using AI tools to check understanding or generate practice problems is allowed; submitting AI-generated content as your own work is not. Submitting any academic work that originates from another source (including AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Bing, etc.) as your own is academic misconduct.

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 Disability Services

The university is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who may require an accommodation to fully participate in class should contact the Office for Accessible Education, as soon as possible, to explore what arrangements need to be made to ensure access. The Office for Accessible Education can be reached by email at . Please note: Reasonable accommodations cannot fundamentally alter any course requirements or lower academic standards for a course

5.6 Illness

Regular engagement with course materials and deadlines 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, please email me to let me know. Then, when you are well, contact me ASAP to make plans to make up missed work. 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.

5.7 Important Dates

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

5.8 Syllabus Addendum

The Syllabus Addendum on the USAO website is a resource for all USAO students. This includes the academic calendar, where to request accommodations with the Office of Accessible Education, weather procedures, tutoring at the Student Success Center, and more. Also on this page is the policy on Academic Honesty.

5.9 Course Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course as necessary, with appropriate notification to students.

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) toward online assignments.

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