INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: MEP 443; phone: 572-5794; email: longa@nku.edu
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: MWF 9:00-9:50, Honors 101.
EXPECTED BACKGROUND: A math ACT score of 18 or better, C or better in MAH 099, or placement; and an open and curious mind, and the willingness to put aside any preconceived prejudices against or dislikes for mathematics.
TEXT: None! That's good news, and bad news....
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This honors section of MAT115 is part of a special curriculum studying one local census unit -- census tract 505 -- centered on Newport, KY. We will be examining statistical techniques that allow us to distinguish that census block from others, such as measures of central tendency and variation; regression; analysis of variance; and, in particular, graphical methods for displaying and illustrating important information that characterizes census tract 505. The course will require hands-on interviews and reports, and summary reports that will focus on improving your writing and presentation techniques (as well as your math skills).
COURSE GOAL: To serve the community while learning some interesting and useful mathematics.
GRADING:
| Your grade will be determined as follows: |
|
I use the standard grading scale, with a small buffer zone for the assignment of plus/minus grades:
| <60 | 60-70 | 70-71 | 71-79 | 79-80 | 80-81 | 81-89 | 89-90 | 90-91 | >91 |
| F | D | C- | C | C+ | B- | B | B+ | A- | A |
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned occasionally, and each assignment will be handed in for grading.
PROJECT: Your project will be a study related to either Kentucky's Census tract 505, or the mathematics we study with an eye of determining how 505 is different from (or the same as) other census tracts. At the end of the course (the last week of classes) we will present our projects to each other, and to a few selected faculty members. You might think of this as a poster presentation, or a powerpoint presentation (although I'm flexible -- I'm always hoping for a presentation via interpretive dance!).
ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned or discussed in class. Attendance will be taken, and may be used along with class effort (as measured by participation - asking questions, answering other students' questions, group work, etc.) to resolve borderline grades.
WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of W is October 26th. After that day it is not usually permitted.
OFFICE HOURS: MW 10:00-11:00, 12:00-1:00;TR 10:00-12:00; F 10:00-12:00. I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached with a smile.
Notes: