MAT 101: Contemporary Mathematics

Course Description

This course will focus on the application of mathematics to today’s world. Topics include street networks, producing and describing data, number and bar codes, weighted voting and apportionment, social choices and linear programming applications. (3 credits)

Recommended Prerequisite

  • MAT 100: Elementary Algebra or High school Algebra

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of basic Mathematics and algebra in today’s world
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning and implications of basic techniques
  3. Demonstrate critical judgment and decision-making ability using quantitative tools
  4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the power and scope of analytical thinking

Course Activities and Grading

Students will be assessed as follows:

AssignmentsWeight

Quizzes

30%

Collaborative Project

30%

Discussions

10%

Final Exam

30%

Total

100%

The mid-semester grade will be based on the average of the first two online quizzes (60%) and level of required participation in chapter threaded discussion

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • COMAP. For All Practical Purposes: Mathematical Literacy in Today’s World. 11th ed. New York: Freeman and Company, 2022. ISBN-10: 1-319-05746-2 or ISBN-13: 978-1-319-05746-6 [Looseleaf version]

Additional Materials and Resources

  • Within the online course shell, students will find a list of suggested problems for each textbook chapter. Students are highly encouraged to focus ONLY on those sections of the chapter that correspond to the suggested problems. These are clearly delineated in the textbook through the headings for each section of problems.
  • A collaborative (group) project will be assigned during the second week of the course. Students will have the opportunity of selecting a specific topic (first come, first served) and those that select the same topic will form a group for that particular project. E-mail notification will be sent to all students when the project details are posted and students are asked to wait until they receive that announcement prior to selecting project choices.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Topics

Assignments

1

1,2,3,4

Chapters 1 & 2– Urban Services; Business Efficiency

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 1
    • Chapter 2
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

2

1,2,3,4

Chapters 3 & 4 – Planning & Scheduling; Linear Programming

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 3
    • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Complete Quiz
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

3

1,2,3,4

Chapters 5 & 6 – Exploring Data; Distributions & Relationships

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 5
    • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

4

1,2,3,4

Chapters 7 & 8 – Data for Decisions; Probability

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 7
    • Chapter 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Complete Quiz
  • Choose Collaboaration Project Topic
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

5

1,2,3,4

Chapters 9 & 10– Social Choice; Weighted Voting Systems

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 9
    • Chapter 10
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Continue working on the Collaborative Project
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

6

1,2,3,4

Chapters 12 & 13 – Fair Division; Apportionment

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 12
    • Chapter 13
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Continue working on the Collaborative Project
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

7

1,2,3,4

Chapter 20 – The Economics of Resources

  • Read and Review:
    • Chapter 20
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review lecture videos
  • Participate in Discussion Forum
  • Complete Homework Problems
  • Complete Collaborative Project
  • Complete Practice Quizzes (optional)

8

1,2,3,4

Complete Online Final Exam

  • Read and Review:
    • All chapters covered for Final Exam
  • Review for Final Exam
  • Complete Final Exam
  • Complete Course Evaluation

Ch

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.