MATH 132 Topics in Mathematical Literacy

This is a college-level mathematics course, designed for college students who do not expect to need college algebra, a statistics course, or a higher-level mathematics course. Five major components are included: exponential and logarithmic functions, personal finance (including interest rates and annuities), basic logical thinking, basic principles of probability, and statistical reasoning.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

MATH 037 or an A or B in MATH 067 or MATH 070 or higher, and ENGL 086 or ENGL 096 or higher, or appropriate placement scores

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Express logical statements symbolically and translate symbolic statements into English statements.
2. Distinguish between deductive arguments and inductive arguments, and assess the validity of logical expressions using standard logical forms, truth tables, common logical fallacies, Euler Circles, and Venn diagrams.
3. Graph and identify basic properties of exponential and logarithmic functions (common and natural), including those that have undergone one or more basic transformations.
4. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations including applied problems that appear in finance and biology.
5. Use appropriate formulas, algorithms, and technology to solve problems involving investments, loans, annuities, amortization tables, savings, taxes, or credit cards.
6. Use appropriate formulas, algorithms, and technology to make informed decisions about investments, loans, and annuities.
7. Calculate basic and conditional probabilities and odds using counting rules, combinations, and permutations.
8. Use data from two-way tables, tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, and area models to determine probabilities and make informed decisions.
9. Analyze outcomes, draw conclusions, or make decisions related to risk, pay-off, expected value, or false negatives/positives in various probability and statistical contexts.
10. Identify limitations, strengths, or lack of information in studies and polls by analyzing data collection methods, sources of bias, margins of error, or misuses of statistics.
11. Solve problems requiring interpretation and comparison of complex numeric summaries including weighted averages, indices, coding, or ranking.

Course Objectives

1. Express logical statements symbolically and translate symbolic statements into English statements.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
2. Distinguish between deductive arguments and inductive arguments, and assess the validity of logical expressions using standard logical forms, truth tables, common logical fallacies, Euler Circles, and Venn diagrams.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
3. Graph and identify basic properties of exponential and logarithmic functions (common and natural), including those that have undergone one or more basic transformations.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
4. Solve exponential and logarithmic equations including applied problems that appear in finance and biology.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
5. Use appropriate formulas, algorithms, and technology to solve problems involving investments, loans, annuities, amortization tables, savings, taxes, or credit cards.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
6. Use appropriate formulas, algorithms, and technology to make informed decisions about investments, loans, and annuities.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
7. Calculate basic and conditional probabilities and odds using counting rules, combinations, and permutations.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
8. Use data from two-way tables, tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, and area models to determine probabilities and make informed decisions.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
9. Analyze outcomes, draw conclusions, or make decisions related to risk, pay-off, expected value, or false negatives/positives in various probability and statistical contexts.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quizzes

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
10. Identify limitations, strengths, or lack of information in studies and polls by analyzing data collection methods, sources of bias, margins of error, or misuses of statistics.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Class Activity

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric
11. Solve problems requiring interpretation and comparison of complex numeric summaries including weighted averages, indices, coding, or ranking.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Quizzes

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Quantitative Reasoning Rubric