ISP 120 Quantitative Reasoning
Dr. David Allbritton Fall 2005
Time and Place:
MW 3:30-5:00
Room 202 Levan first meeting; also QR
Lab (SAC 268)
Course Web Page: http://qrc.depaul.edu or http://condor.depaul.edu/~dallbrit
Course Description:
In this course, students will study issues in the sciences, social sciences, and management in which quantitative data plays a significant role. A variety of analytical approaches will be explored, including numerical, graphical, verbal/logical, and algebraic. Extensive use will be made of computer tools such as e-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the World Wide Web.
Objectives:
The Quantitative Reasoning course is designed to help students achieve the following objectives:
be aware of the variety of ways in which numbers are used.
understand orders of magnitude and scientific notation.
make estimations in real world problems.
understand and critique quantitative arguments, whether given numerically, graphically, or in written form.
interpret graphs.
create graphs to describe quantitative data.
use basic computer tools to analyze data.
become acquainted with basic mathematical models and their limitations.
Required Materials:
3.5" diskettes: Bring at least two of these to every class. Label each with your name and e-mail address in case they become misplaced. Also label each by subject so that you can keep track of your work.
Prerequisites:
Math 101, placement through the advising process, or permission of the instructor.
Course Format:
The course will be a mixture of discussion, cooperative group activities, and work on the computer in the Quantitative Reasoning Center (SAC 224). Sometimes class will begin in our regularly scheduled classroom; more frequently it will start in the Quantitative Reasoning Center. One goal of the first two weeks is for you to become comfortable with the Quantitative Reasoning Center's Windows computer environment and the tools to be found there. During the course you will learn to use many computer tools, among them
the World Wide Web
the word processor Microsoft Word
the spreadsheet Microsoft Excel
the presentation software PowerPoint.
As with learning any other skill, mastering these will require practice during class time and afterwards. The Quantitative Reasoning Center will be open in the evening and on the weekend; tutors are on call whenever the lab is open. Another general purpose computer lab SAC 235, located right around the corner from the Quantitative Reasoning Center, has extended hours into evenings and the weekend.
Evaluation:
|
|
Date |
Weight |
|
Final |
see course schedule |
30% |
|
Midterm |
see course schedule |
20% |
|
Written Project |
see course schedule |
20% |
|
Presentation of Project |
Last two class meetings |
10% |
|
Out of Class Assignments |
Usually due every week |
10% |
|
Participation |
|
10% |
An expanded description of each follows:
Final Exam (30%) A final exam will be given in the lab on the date listed in the schedule. A passing grade on the final exam is required in order to pass the course.
Midterm Exam (20%) An in-class midterm examination will be given during class on the date listed in the schedule. There are no makeup exams in this course. If you cannot take an exam due to illness or family emergency, you must inform me in advance by phone or email. An unexcused missed examination will count as a 0. An excused missed exam is dropped, and the remaining exams are more heavily weighted in the final grade.
Written Project (20%) A written project involving variety of different computer and analytical tools from the course will be due on the date listed in the schedule. I encourage you to hand in a draft of this paper. I must receive the draft no later than two weeks before the due date, so that I can read it and respond to your work. There is a late penalty of one half grade per each class meeting that the paper is late.
Presentation of Project (10%) A PowerPoint presentation based on your written reports. Presentations will be held on the last two regularly scheduled days of class. Attendance these days is mandatory.
Out of Class Assignments (10%) Most weeks there will be an assignment to be done outside of class. The assignments are posted on the course web page; the assignments include problems from the text. Homework assignments can be submitted collaboratively or individually. If you submit an assignment as a group you must follow the following guidelines: 1) there is only one submission for the entire group and all group members receive the same grade 2) each group submission must include a signed statement that each group member fully participated in the assignment.
Participation (10%) Class attendance and participation are important. Much of the class time will be spent working in groups doing exploratory activities that embody a collaborative "learn by doing" approach. I will frequently collect these activities, and your entire group will receive the same grade for the activity. Each activity must include a signed statement that each group member participated fully in the assignment. You must be in class the day the activity is assigned in order to turn it in with your group. Do not put other group members’ names on the activity if they were not present in class. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to do the activity on your own and turn it in by the beginning of the next class meeting after it was assigned. A copy of an email message from the instructor acknowledging your excuse for the absence must be attached to the assignment to receive credit.
Absences. More than one unexcused absence during the term will have a negative effect on your Participation grade for the course. Work missed due to an unexcused absence can not be made up. For an absence to be excused you must notify me by email before class that you will be absent and explain why. If an extreme circumstance makes prior notice impossible, you must email me as soon as possible and provide documentation of the extreme circumstance upon your return. Assignments missed due to excused absences must be accompanied by an email from the instructor authorizing you to turn in the assignment late. Thus you must always notify me by email of any excused absence (in addition to providing written documentation).
Office Hours and Contact Information:
See my web page: http://condor.depaul.edu/~dallbrit
Remarks:
Grades of Incomplete are given only in cases of medical emergency or other highly unusual emergency situations. If such a situation should occur, please inform me as soon as possible.
Academic Integrity
I will adhere to university policies on academic integrity as described in the DePaul University Student Handbook (http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/handbook/ or http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/handbook/code16.html).
Course Schedule and Materials:
See the course web page: http://condor.depaul.edu/~dallbrit