Section
01 : M ,W 3 – 4:15 (O 200) ; F 3-4:15 (O 109)
Dr. Richard Di Dio
O-237, x1792
Office Hrs:
MWF 9:00-10:30, T 10:30-12:00 & by appt.
CSC 170 is an introduction to the use of technology
as a tool for solving problems in mathematics, learning mathematics and
building mathematical conjectures. The
technology includes electronic spreadsheets, a Computer Algebra System (CAS),
and a graphing calculator. In addition
to straightforward use of these tools, programming within all three
environments will be covered, including spreadsheet macros, structured CAS
programming, and calculator programming. Numerous on-line mathematics resources
(e.g. applets) will also be featured.
Students will also learn details of the La Salle
computing environment, including an introduction to the La Salle network and the
mylasalle portal. An
introduction to MS-Word will include Equation Editor and Object Linking and
Embedding with Excel.
The
goal of the course is that students consider technology as essential for
learning and creating mathematics, as well as solving specific quantitative and
theoretical problems.
Mathematical
topics include
-
Functions
in 1-variable - polynomials, rationals, transcendentals
-
Implicitly
defined functions
-
Methods
for finding Function roots
-
Differential
& Integral Calculus
-
Recursion
-
Differential
Equations
-
Sequences
and series
-
Functions
of 2-variables
-
3-D
plotting
-
Systems
of Linear and non-linear equations
-
Matrix
Algebra
Spreadsheet MS
Excel
CAS Maple
Calculator TI-86
Texts
-
Cheung,
Keough, and May, Getting Started With MAPLE, 2nd Ed,. Wiley,
2004
-
Excel
2000, Complete Concepts and Techniques
-
TI-86
Manual
Communication: e-mail & web
All class information, including news,
assignments, exam news, class notes, etc., will be available through your mylasalle
page. E-mailing must be done through mylasalle. It is your responsibility to check the class
site daily!
Grading
·
Lab
Quizzes (approx. 10), worth 25% of final grade. (Lowest score dropped)
·
Two
Semester Exams, each worth 12.5% of final grade.
·
Cumulative
Final, worth 20% of the final grade.
Counted as 32.5% and lowest semester test dropped if beneficial.
·
Projects
(approx. 5-6), worth 25% of final grade.
·
Participation,
worth 5%
|
< 60 |
60 |
64 |
68 |
72 |
76 |
80 |
83.3 |
86.6 |
90 |
93.3 |
|
F |
D- |
D |
C- |
C |
C+ |
B- |
B |
B+ |
A- |
A |
Exams
·
The
following dates are approximate.
|
Test 1 |
Monday, October 6, 2003 |
|
Test 2 |
Monday, November 24, 2003 |
|
Final |
Week of December 8-12 |
·
The
final exam will be cumulative. There
will be no exemptions from final.
·
No
make-up semester exams given. One missed exam will count as the drop test.
Missing more than one semester exam, or not taking the final exam, will result
in failure of the course.
Projects
·
Excel,
Maple, or Excel/Word or Maple/Word reports
·
One
week for completion
·
50%
late penalty/day
Participation Grade
Your participation grade will be an automatic 5% if you are always
present and on time, always carry your textbook and calculator, and any other
required materials (e.g. disk), and are prepared for class, ask and answer
questions, etc.
Attendance
·
Grade
lowered one step for every two unexplained absences/late arrivals
Notes
·
Exams
are on-line.
·
Calculator
borrowing during an exam is not permitted
·
Plagiarizing
during exams/quizzes, or on projects will result in a failing grade in the
course for all parties concerned.