Course Information for Math for Business and Economics

Overall Course Description

This is a course for business students including sets, basic algebraic properties, linear equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, the exponential and logarithmic functions, the mathematics of finance, systems of linear equations and matrices, linear inequalities and linear programming, the simplex method, and an introduction to probability.

Required Texts/Materials

The required textbook for this course is:

Finite Mathematics, by Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen 10th ed. (Prentice-Hall)

Other materials include:

Scientific Calculator that handles exponents, logarithms and simple
probability and statistics. TI calculators are highly recommended for
student use. Other calculator brands can also be used.

Course Evaluation/Grading Scheme


	Number	Points	Total

Homework	15	5-15	150
Test	3	100	300
Final	1	120	120
Total			570
Extra Credit Projects	3	10

The grading scheme is:


Grade A	90%	513	~	570
Grade B	80%	456	~	512
Grade C	70%	399	~	455
Grade D	60%	342	~	398
Grade F		0	~	570

There are 3 tests and 1 final. Each test includes the sections covered during that period of time. Please refer to the course calendar for the sections to be included in a particular test. The final is partially comprehensive. It includes the sections covered during the last period of the semester and chapters 1 and 2. Extra credit projects are optional. They are intended to help the students who want to do extra work to boost their test scores.

Missed Exam Policy

All the tests in this course will be given in class according to the course calendar. If a student knows that he is going to miss a test, he should notify the instructor in advance to make the arrangement to make it up in the testing center. If something unexpected comes up and the student cannot take the test on the test days, student should contact the instructor by phone or by email to make arrangements to take the test on another day. Each student can only make up one missed exam.

Homework Policy

Homework assignments are given every week and are due the following Monday. No late homework will be accepted unless the student can give reasonable excuse and submit it on or before the following class meeting. If the student cannot turn in the homework in person, he must place it in my mailbox on campus before the deadline ( the class meeting time ). Each student can only turn in 2 assignments late. Students should work out all the assigned problems neatly. The instructor will choose 4-6 problems to grade and give credit to the assignment according to these problems.

Attendance Policy

It is very crucial for the students to prepare for and attend classes in order to succeed in the course. Students should pay attention to the lectures and take notes. They can raise questions about the textbook and lecture materials. Thus they can learn the approaches the instructor takes to solve problems. If you have to miss a lecture, you need to try to get the class note from your classmate and study it before you come to the next class so that you can catch up with the next lecture. The tutors in the learning lab can help you understand your note and give you guidance in solving problems, but you should try your best to come to the lectures and do the homework assignments. In view of all these, attendance is required in this course. Students who miss more than 4 classes may be withdrawn.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences (4) but makes no commitment to do this for the student. After the withdrawal date (Apr 18), neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR - 16 Weeks


Week 1 (Jan 10)	Introduction, 1.3-1.4	Week 9 (Mar 7)	4.6 - 5.2

Week 2 (Jan 17)	2.1	Week 10 (Mar 21)	5.3, 5.4

Week 3 (Jan 24)	2.2 - 2.3	Week 11 (Mar 28)	6.3, 6.4, Test 3

Week 4 (Jan 31)	Test 1, 3.1	Week 12 (Apr 4)	7.1 - 7.2

Week 5 (Feb 7)	3.2 - 3.3	Week 13 (Apr 11)	7.3, 7.5

Week 6 (Feb 14)	3.4, 4.1 - 4.2	Week 14 (Apr 18)	8.2 - 8.4

Week 7 (Feb 21)	4.2 - 4.3	Week 15 (Apr 25)	8.5, 1.1, 1.2

Week 8 (Feb 28)	Test 2, 4.5 - 4.6	Week 16 (May 2)	Review, Final Exam

For a complete course information, please refer to the first-day handout.