CSM 154: Mathematical Technology Spring 2005
Section 01: M 10-10:50 (O 201) ; W 10-10:50 (O-225); F 10-11:50
(O-201)
Dr. Richard Di Dio
O-237, x1792; didio@lasalle.edu; www.lasalle.edu/~didio
Office Hrs: MW 11-12 and 2-3, T 11-12:30 , W 8:30-9AM & by appt.
Electronic Communication
All class information, including news, labs, assignments,
exam news, and class notes will be available through WebCT. This is accessible
via the mylasalle portal, the class website, or directly at http://mycourses.lasalle.edu:8700
- Past exams and calculator resources are also available at the WebCT site
- E-mailing must be done through WebCT
- It is your responsibility to check the class site daily!
Course Description
The goal of the CSM 154 is that students consider technology as essential for
learning and creating mathematics, as well as solving specific quantitative and
theoretical problems.
CSM 154 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.
CSM 154 also serves as a “computer literacy” course in which students learn
details of the La Salle computing environment as well as Fundamental Computer
Concepts, Operating Systems, File Management, Word-processing, Spreadsheets,
Presentations, WebPages, Information Literacy, Object Linking and Embedding,
and Legal and ethical issues.
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
Technology
- MS Excel
- Maple 9.5
- TI-86 or equivalent
Texts
- Cheung, Keough, and May, Getting Started With MAPLE, 2nd Ed,. Wiley, 2004
- Excel 2003, Brief Concepts and Techniques (Shelley-Cashman)
- TI-86 Manual (Other calculator manuals available through the WebCT site)
- Online Resources for Computer Concepts,MSOffice, Maple, also available at
the WebCT site
Grading
- On-line Computer Concept Quizzes (approx 8 – automatic 16% of class grade
with passing rate of 75% for each quiz, which can be taken multiple times)
- Lab Quizzes (approx. 8), worth 16% of final grade. (Lowest score dropped)
- Two Semester Exams, each worth 14% of final grade.
- Cumulative Final, worth 20% of the final grade. Counted as 34% and lowest
semester test dropped if beneficial.
- Projects (approx. 5-6), worth 20% of final grade.
| < 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
- 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.
- 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
Attendance
- Grade lowered one step for every two unexplained absences/late arrivals
- Overall Grade is reduced on a pro-rated basis if you do not always carry
your textbook and calculator, and any other required materials (e.g. )