Math 195Q: 
                                         Introductory College Algebra and
                                       Mathematical Modeling

                                                                    Spring 2006

I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already                                        Coping with Math anxiety
an adept in it: your head will be less muddy, and  you will leave                                      -- a great article for you
off tormenting your neighbors about paper  and packthread....  
                                                                       Samuel Johnson                                            Instructor's Resources
                                                                                                                                           --  Group Projects and Handouts

                                                                                                                                         Student's  Handouts  
  Picture Gallery (2006 Group Project-- The Largest Box)                                                   --  Take with you for your next Q course
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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 --                                 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

                                                                                                                                                   
General Information:

Math 195Q is a course designed to serve as preparation for all the other Q courses offered at UConn. It emphasizes two components, the mastery
of which are equally important for success in any course employing mathematics. The first component is made up of  the collection  of fundamental
algebraic concepts and their manipulations. Most of this material is taught in High Schools and Community Colleges under the name Intermediate
Algebra or Algebra II. Math 195Q covers this material using a college algebra approach. The second component consists of using these algebraic
concepts for solving multi-step problems from other disciplines. This practice is called Mathematical Modeling, and is the part of the course that gives
Math 195Q its unique interesting flavor, liveliness and usefulness beyond a usual Intermediate Algebra course. Students will work on mathematical
modeling projects in small groups. Math 195Q is offered this year for the first time, as an experimental course, and is intended to become a permanent
replacement of Math 101. Math 195Q earns students 3 Q credits which count towards graduation.

Other Requirements:  A simple Scientific Calculator, for example TI-30Xa.

Expectations:

You are expected to attend all classes. To encourage attendance there will be occasional assignments due at the end of the class, or one-question quizzes
at the beginning of the class. You are responsible for everything that happens in class. If you miss a class, you are expected to find out what happened
either from me or from your classmates. You are also expected to work outside of class about 4 hours per week. Most of all, I hope that as the course
progresses you will get excited about what you are learning and delight in your own, perhaps unexpected, ability to solve mathematical problems.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned after every section, collected every Tuesdays, and returned the following class. Homework assignments will consist of
exercises selected from the Practice Exercises in the Syllabus table below, and  projects provided as handouts in class. There will be individual
assignments and group assignments. Group assignments will be graded, individual assignments will carry exam points (this will be explained in class).
The majority of homework assignments will be done outside of class, but we will devote 30 to 50 minutes every Monday to questions related to
difficulties in the homework. You are encouraged to work with other students in this class on all your homework assignments.

Calculator Policy:

No calculators are allowed during exams or quizzes. All calculations required in these instances can reasonably be done by hand. Calculators will be
used for mathematical modeling group projects using real data, and other in-class and homework assignments where hand calculations may be
too time consuming.

Tutoring Options:

I welcome and encourage you to come to me with any difficulties arising in this class. If you have difficulties coming to my office hours, talk to me, and we
will find another time when we can meet. If you feel you need additional help, there are a variety of other tutoring options:

On-Campus Free Tutoring:        Available at the Q Center, the Math Center,  through the Peer Tutoring Program, and as private tutoring.  
                                                          
Prentice Hall Tutoring Center:  Free text-specific online and phone tutoring Sunday - Thursday. Access Code in your textbook package.

On-Line Helpful Web Sites:       A few recommended Web Sites that provide help in the form of simple explanations, useful examples,
                                                             sample exam questions, and on-line answering of your questions:
                                                             Companion Web Site: Your Textbook companion site.                            
                                                             Ask Dr. Math:  At the Math Forum @Drexel University.                            
                                                             Math for morons like us:  From the ThinkQuest Library.

There will be three in-semester, in-class exams and a Final Exam. None is strictly cumulative, but there will be overlap of material between the exams.
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS unless there is a very serious emergency for which you provide proof.

For help with location of the Final Exam Building click on The Campus Map.

Grading Policy:

Homework, Quizzes, and Group Projects: about 12%.  Each Exam (including the Final Exam): about 22%.

Syllabus:

Expect the course to cover 2 to 4 sections from the textbook, and 1 or 2 Group Projects each week. The suggested Practice Exercises in the table below
are designed to provide you with plenty of practice for a thorough understanding of the concepts taught in class. The actual homework assignments may vary
according to progress in class. If you miss a class, and cannot find out which of the Practice Exercises were assigned as homework, do all the Practice
Exercises suggested in the table for the missed sections. In addition, a number of fun and interesting projects highlighting applications of the material will be
handed out in class every week-- usually on Mondays. Those will be selected from the activities labeled Group Projects in the table below. You will work
on them together in small groups during class time, and complete them as out-of-classroom homework projects. Instructors of  Math 195Q or Math 101
may find the Group Projects by clicking on the Instructor's Resources icon at the top of the page. If you forgot the password send an e-mail to Sarah Glaz.