Syllabus

Course Description

This course is an introduction to mathematical ideas and techniques that are useful in understanding and solving problems arising in economics and business. Mathematical concepts are introduced through interesting business problems. Using available computer technology, real life problems, which may lead to non-trivial computations and graphs, are considered. Topics include integration, differential equations, Taylor polynomial approximations, unconstrained and constrained optimization for functions of several variables, probability and statistics, with interesting real-life applications throughout.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course you should have learned the basic calculus ideas and techniques that are useful in understanding and solving problems arising in economics and business. It will enhance problem solving skills, critical thinking, rational decision making and appreciation for mathematics. Our major goals include:

1. Students will be able to identify and explain fundamental principles and theories in calculus and its applications to business.
2. Students will be able to identify connections between mathematical ideas and life experiences.
3. Students will be able to express ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively.
4. Students will be able to analyze, question and evaluate ideas, assumptions, arguments and points of view.
5. Students will be able to apply ideas, theories, principles, and concepts in new contexts and situations, and solve real world problems that are quantitative in nature.
1. Understanding mathematical symbols and formulas.
   Learn how to read and understand mathematical symbols and formulas and to be able to express thoughts in symbols and equations. Realize that each formula expresses a precise and clear relation between the variables involved. It is often said, that the best way for clarifying one's thoughts is to put them into an equation. Equations are not there to be memorized but to be understood. In many situations they form the bridge between mathematics and our world.
2. Emphasizing conceptual learning.
   For example, understanding the definite integral as expressing total change by summing up instantaneous change is fundamental for being able to use it. More importantly, by learning the fundamental concepts you are able to understand that there is a commonality in the world of mathematics and there are connections. There are fundamental concepts (like the integral) from which many others are derived (like future and present value of income streams and the producer and consumer surplus). This learning helps you see the big picture of mathematics and its connections to our world.
3. Learning modeling skills.
   They include describing the situation under consideration clearly, translating appropriate aspects into equations using suitable variables, symbols, and mathematical concepts, and interpreting possible mathematical solutions in terms of the original process. Models should be thought as approximations of real situations and as such require continuous adjustments.
4. Making connections.
   We stress the connections between mathematics and modern society by considering a wide variety of problems ranging from environmental and economic issues to social and political situations that can be modeled and solved by mathematical means. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your own connections between the mathematics considered in the class and your other courses and consider working on a special project that exploits your own interests and expertise.

Prerequisites

MATH 10250 Elements of Calculus I or equivalent

Required Textbooks

• Calculus: Ideas and Applications (ISBN 0471654957), by Alex Himonas and Alan Howard.
• Calculus: Ideas and Applications, Student Solutions Manual

Other Reading

Activities and Technology manual

Grading

Missed exams

Note that there will be three Midterm Exams and a Final Exam. A student who misses an examination will receive zero points for that exam unless he or she has written permission from the Dean of the First Year of Studies. Please be aware that travel plans, sleeping in, defective alarm clocks, etc. are not considered to be a valid excuse by the Dean of the First Year of Studies! If you have a valid excuse (illness, excused athletic absence, etc.) for missing an exam, please see me ASAP (preferably before the exam) and a makeup exam will be scheduled.

Exam conflicts

Students with more than 2 finals in one day, or more than 3 finals in a 24 hour period, may negotiate to change the time of one of these finals. If you intend to request to have the time of your Math 10260 final changed, you must talk to your instructor by November 30.

Honor Code

Examinations, homework and quizzes are conducted under the honor code. While collaboration in small groups in doing homework is permitted (and strongly encouraged) in this course, copying is not. In particular, copying from the Student Solutions Manual is a violation of the Honor Code. Exams are closed book and are to be done completely by yourself with no help from others.

Homework

Homework problems are assigned daily. You are encouraged to work on homework problems in groups, but the assignments must be turned in individually. Remember that you will not learn anything by simply copying another student's work or the Student Solutions Manual. The main purpose of the homework is to help you learn the material and assess yourself. Experience shows that students who take their homework seriously do very well in the course because they have a better understanding of the material.

Homework Policy

Your work has to be clearly and logically written; showing method of solution not just a final answer. Please staple your work together. Any homework assignment failing these standards will NOT be graded. Homework assignments will be collected in each class according to the schedule posted on the Math 10260 web page. The three lowest homework scores will be dropped. Absolutely no late homework will be accepted. If you need to attend a school related event, you may turn in your homework early or arrange to have your peer to turn in your homework on the day it is due.

Online Quizzes (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

At the end of each chapter there will be a computer review-quiz. University of Notre Dame enrolled students may access the quiz at the web address http://oit.nd.edu/concourse/. The login name is the NetID and the password is the usual one a student uses to read email. For more information, refer to the Math 10260 website.

Online Quiz Submission Policies (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

All submission deadlines for online quiz on CONCOURSE are fixed. You are highly encouraged to SUBMIT your quiz well ahead of deadlines. We DO NOT accept excuses like: "My computer/Web servers shut down just before I could submit my quiz on time." Save your work often while working on your quiz. This ensures that no work is lost BEFORE the submission deadline. Enough "buffer" time is given to ensure timely submission of your work. In addition, after the deadline of a quiz, you have 48 hours to complete a late quiz to obtain up to 79% of the full score.

Project

The goal of these projects is to give students the opportunity to make their own connection between mathematics and modern society by considering a wide variety of problems ranging from economic and environmental issues to social and political situations that can be modeled and solved by mathematical means. They will help students establish connections between Math 10260 and other courses. In addition, they will provide students with an opportunity to interact and collaborate with classmates. Please read project rules and the project options open to you.

Class Attendance (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

A first-year student enrolled in this course who accumulates more than 3 unexcused absences may be given an F.

Classroom Policies (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

On a typical class day, your instructor may begin the class answering questions, with the remainder of the class being the day's "lecture". Your instructor may set aside some class time for you to work on Activity Sheets alone or in small groups. Sometimes, these will be collected and graded. If you have numerous questions on some topic, you should see your instructor sometime before the next class as there will likely not be sufficient time to answer all of your questions. During "lectures" you are encouraged to actively participate by answering and asking questions. Please do your best to show up on time and quietly enter the room when this is not possible. Please remember to respect your peers who are here to learn. Indeed, class disruptions will not be tolerated and the offfending parties will be asked to leave.

Study Suggestions (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

After each lecture, it is often useful to go back over it. Ask yourself what is the main problem of the day and then review its solution. Rewrite your notes in your own words if that helps. Read the corresponding section(s) of the book and see if the examples there make sense. Then begin the homework problems. If you have questions, try to get help before the next class. It will also be very helpful to look over the portion of the text to be covered in the next class and come to class prepared with questions about any part of the material that is unclear to you.

Getting Help (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

You can get help for mastering the course material from the following three avenues below. More information can be obtained from the MATH 10260 website.

Instructor's Office Hours (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

The schedule will be posted on Math 10260 website or make an appointment to meet your instructor. It is important that you see your instructor soon when you have difficulty with the course. The earlier you meet with your instructor, the more we can do to help and advise.

Mathematics Department Help Session (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

There will be help sessions offered by student tutors. The schedule will be posted on Math 10260 website. Please note that the tutors are NOT there to do your homework. In fact, tutors are instructed to guide you to the answer and not to do your homework. Please do not ask the tutors to grade your homework, and be specific about what you like to discuss.

Learning Resources Center (LRC) Help (for students enrolled in this course at ND)

You may also obtain valuable assistance from the LRC in the First Year of Studies:

• Math 10260 Tutoring Program,
• Math 10260 Collaborative Learning Program,
• Math 10260 Workshops/Review Sessions.

If you wish to participate in the Tutoring Program or Collaborative Learning Program, you must sign up with Ms Nahid Erfan, Director of LRC. Regular attendance is required for these programs. Sign-up and regular attendance is not required for the Math 10260 Workshops/Review Sessions. The schedule will be posted on Math 10260 website.

Calculators

You may use a graphing calculator on homework assignments and exams.