CIS 0823. Mathematics for a Digital World

Section 001, Fall 2010

Syllabus

Instructor

Dr. Pei Wang
OFFICE: Room 1015B, Wachman Hall (Computer Activity Building)
ADDRESS: CIS Department, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
PHONE: (215)204-9255 (during office hours)
EMAIL: pei.wang@temple.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 10:00 - 11:30 AM, and by appointment

Teaching Assistant

Xueli (Shirley) Huang
OFFICE: Room 1044, Wachman Hall (Computer Activity Building)
ADDRESS: CIS Department, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
PHONE: (215)204-9259
EMAIL: xueli.huang@temple.edu
Office Hours: Monday 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Friday 1:00 - 3:00 PM on Friday, and by appointment

Time/Place

Lecture: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30 PM - 1:50 PM, Tuttleman Learning Center 302
Recitation: Monday 12:00 PM - 1:50 PM, Tuttleman Learning Center 302

Prerequisite

A grade of C or higher in Math 0701 (0045) or 0702 or higher, or placement into Math 1021 (C073) or higher

Course Description

How can I tell if an e-mail message is really from my bank? If I do online banking, can other people see the information? Does playing the lottery make sense? Does it make sense to draw for an inside straight? How can polling results differ so much from the election --- or do they? Sometimes the winner of an election in the U.S. gets much less than 50% of the vote. Would it make sense to have a run-off in such cases? How long will the world's oil last, assuming that we use more each year? How long will a million dollars last you, assuming it earns interest until you spend it? If you bought your text online, could someone tap into the Internet and get your credit card number when it's transmitted? Why does the VIN on your car have so many digits?

Note: (1)This course fulfills the Quantitative Literacy (GQ) requirement for students under GenEd and a Quantitative Reasoning (QA or QB) requirement for students under Core. (2) Duplicate Course: Students cannot receive credit for C+IN SC 0823/0923 if they have successfully completed MATH 0823/0923.

Required Textbook

For All Practical Purposes: Mathematical Literacy in Today's World, 8th edition, by COMAP

Required Device

Scientific calculator with one-variable statistics functions, such as TI-30Xa

Schedule

See course website at http://www.cis.temple.edu/~pwang/0823-MW/0823-index.htm.

Grading

• Exams: 40% (two mid-terms and a cumulative final, 10% + 10% + 20%)
• Quizzes: 20% (in class, no makeup)
• Homework: 20%
• Project: 15% (to be assigned after the first month)
• Class Attendance and Participation: 5%
• For exams and quizzes, it is allowed to bring a calculator and a single page of paper (8.5 by 11 inch) with notes on both sides.

Policies and Rules

• Attendance to all lectures and examinations is required. Late arrival or early leaving are not allowed except in special situations.
• No eating, talking, sleeping during the lectures.
• No usage of cell phones or laptop computers during the lectures.
• For the last days to drop or withdraw, check the Academic Calendar.
• Students with special needs: Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible.
• The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02.
• Students should also be familiar with the University statement on academic honesty found at the following link http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Responsibilities_rights/responsibilities/responsibilities.shtm