fireHOME PAGE OF MATH 108V:

Mathematical Modeling in the Environment

Spring 2005


Sarah Glaz

glaz@math.uconn.edux
(click on link and remove end x)

Office: MSB 202
Phone
: (860) 486 9153

Office Hours
: T, Th 1:45 - 2:45 and by appointment
Open Door Policy: You are welcome to drop by to discuss any aspect of the course anytime on the days I am on campus-- Tuesdays and Thursdays.

General Information:

This course will provide an interdisciplinary, in-depth introduction to several important environmental issues such  as ground water contamination, air pollution
and handling of hazardous materials. We will consider the key physical and chemical processes, and the  legal, political and ethical implications, along with the
quantitative aspects involved in these issues. You will learn how mathematical models are used naturally and routinely to help analyze these issues fully.
Computers will be used to keep virtual involvement in environmental issues  via the Internet; to keep track of data using  EXCEL spreadsheets; and to analyze
hazardous material case scenarios using a user friendly, interactive HazMat program called ALOHA. In addition, we will maintain contact with agencies or
industries involved in environmental issues through field trips or guest speakers.

pictures  Math 108 Math Day Poster  Advance_Article  2001 UConn Advance's Article On Math 108
pictures  Math 108 Picture Gallery Green_Math  2002 UConn Traditions' Article: "Green Mathematics"
green ball  2004 AAUP Excellence in Teaching Innovation Award
green ball  MAA Committee on Math &  Environment, Course Link 
green ball  MAA CUPM Report: 
      Illustations for Recommended Courses


Spring 2005 Scheduled Guest Lecture:   Math Majors, Graduate students and faculty members are welcome to join the Math 108 class for an
                                                                             exciting presentation:

                                                                    Thursday, March 31, 11 - 12:00, MSB  403
                                                                   
                                                                     Presenter: Jonathan Bilmes
                                                                                       Executive Director
                                                                                       Bristol Resource Recovery Facility Operating Committee
                                                                                       & Tunxis Recycling Operating Committee
                                                                     Title:        Municipal Solid Waste to Energy Fundamentals Including Compatibility With Recycling.

Class Meeting Times/Place: Tuesday, Thursday 11 - 12:15. Classroom  MSB 403, and Computer Lab MSB 203.
                                                      All classes start in MSB 403. Almost every Thursday we will move over to the Computer Lab for the last hour of the class.
                                                      If you are late and find no one in MSB 403, please come to the Computer Lab.

Computer Lab Operating Hours:    green ball  MSB 203: Undergraduate  Mac Lab

Textbooks:                          Required: Mathematical Modeling in the Environment, by Charles R. Hadlock. MAA, 1998.
                                                      Recommended: Microsoft EXCEL 2002 Simplified, IDG Books 3-D Visual Series, maranGraphics.
                                                      Supplementary Material For Chapter 4 will be given as handouts in class.

Other Requirements:           Required: A simple Scientific Calculator , for example TI-30Xa.
                                                      Optional: A Math Department Computer Lab Account (Free).
                                                      Optional: A Jump (Key) Drive (32 MB or more) for saving computer work.
                                                      (The last two items will be discussed in class, and can be handled after classes start)

Homework Policy:

Homework will be assigned every class and collected every Tuesday. They will be returned the following Tuesday with remarks or graded. Most of the
homework assignments will carry exam points rather then grades (I will explain this in more details in class). There will be 2 - 6 exercises every week. Most 
homework assignments will be group projects. The total weight of the homework grades will be about 10% of the total grade of the course.

Computer Component:

Some of the homework assignments involve use of computers. These include Web Searches, use of EXCEL, and use of  the interactive HazMat program
ALOHA. Because Math 108V satisfies a  General Education C requirement,
students must obtain a passing grade on the computer assignments in order
to pass this course.
This is university policy and cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Please, MAKE SURE YOU TURN IN ALL COMPUTER
ASSIGNMENTS!

Exam Schedule:                   Exam 1:  Thursday, February 24, 11:00 - 12:15, Room MSB 403
                                                      
Exam 2:  Thursday, April 7, 11:00 - 12:15,  Room MSB 403
    
                                                   Final Exam: Wednesday, May 4, 10:30 - 12:30, Room Chem A203
                                                       For help with location of the Final Exam Building click on The Campus Map.

Grading Policy:                        Homework: about 10%. Each Exam: about 30%


Links To Internet Resources:
           greenball  Math 108 LINKS  

                                                      This page includes links to general and chapter specific information sites, software download sites (ALOHA, CAMEO),
                                                      online Calculator and  Conversion Tables sites, and more .

Syllabus:                             Assignments may occasionally vary according to progress in class.
                                                      Approximate schedule: four weeks for each of the chapters 2, 3 and 4; additional two weeks for Chapter 1, reviews, Exams,
                                                      and guest speakers or field trips.
                                                      A *  denotes an exercise using computers. All stared exercises MUST be handed in.
 
Section Topic Reading Assignment Homework
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1 Environmental Math Autobiography




Chapter 2


Section 2.1 Background to groundwater 2.1 page 11-12: Exercises 1*, 2*
Section 2.2 Physical Principles 2.2 page 15: Exercise 1*, 2*
Section 2.3 Quantitative Issues 2.3
Section 2.4 Darcy's Law 2.4 page 30-31: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4
Section 2.5 Interstitial Velocity 2.5 page 36: Exercises 1, 2, 3
Section 2.7 Head Contour Diagrams (Calculators)
2.7 page 44: Exercises 1,2 (Calculators)
Section 2.7 Head Contour Diagrams (EXCEL)
page 44: Exercises 1*, 2* (EXCEL)
Exam  1






Chapter 3


Section 3.1 Background to air quality 3.1 page 59-60: Exercise 2*
Section 3.2 Physical Principles 3.2 page 72: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 5
Section 3.3 Typical Quantitative Issues 3.3 page 74-75: Exercise 3*
Section 3.4 Exponential Functions 3.4 page 79: Exercises 1,2,3,4(Calculators)
Section 3.4
Exponential Functions (EXCEL)
age 79:Exercises1*, 2*, 3*, 4*(EXCEL)
Section 3.5 One Dimensional Diffusion 3.5 page 81-82: Exercises 1*, 2*, 3*, 4*
Section 3.6 (Optional) Two Dimensional Diffusion 3.6 page 85-86: Exercises 1, 2*, 3
Section 3.7 The Basic PLUME Model 3.7 page 95-96: Exercises 3*, 4*
Exam 2






Chapter 4


Section 4.1 Background To HazMat 4.1 page 108: Exercise 1*
Section 4.2 HazMat Practices 4.2
Section 4.3


            4.3.1.1 Physics And Chemistry Basics 4.3.1.1 page 113: Exercise 1*
            4.3.1.2  Physical Properties Of Matter 4.3.1.2 page 119: Exercise 1*, 3, 4, 5
            4.3.3 (Modified) Toxicity Hazards 4.3.3 and Supplementary Material
Homework 1*  (Handout)
ALOHA: Analysis of Case Scenarios  Case Scenarios Supplementary Material Homework 2*  (Handout)




Final Exam



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This page is maintained by Sarah Glaz pooh                  
Last modified: Spring 2005