Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Math 1030

MATH 1030-01

Course: MATH 1030-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MATH
CRN: 31598

Course Description

An exploration of contemporary mathematical applications with a focus on developing quantitative reasoning skills. Students will represent and analyze multiple concrete real-world problems using quantitative tools. Topics include voting theory, graph theory, financial mathematics, statistics, and probability. Additional topics from geometry and modeling may also be discussed. Appropriate for non-science majors, the course is designed to foster an appreciation of mathematics and involves limited algebraic manipulation. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MATH 1010 or MATH 0990 or MATH 0970 or MATH 0930 or adequate test score within the last two (2) years - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B- (MATH 0970/0990), C (MATH 1010) Prerequisite Test: ACT Math Subscore (18) or ALEKS PPL (30) Prerequisite Can Be Concurrent? Yes (MATH 0930) Registration Restriction(s): None General Education Category: Quantitative Literacy

Required Texts

Optional: Math in Society, by David Lippman

This is a FREE textbook.  You can view or download the entire textbook here.  The textbook sections are also available on Canvas. If you want a printed copy, you can order a paperback copy here.

Required Materials

A basic scientific calculator with exponents will be necessary to do some assignments and test problems.  A graphing calculator can also be used, but is not required.  Calculators may be used during tests, but cell phones, tablets, etc. will not be allowed during tests.  Please make sure you have an actual calculator (not just a phone app) for all of your assignments so that you can practice using the calculator correctly before you have to use it on a test. I use the TI-30XIIS scientific calculator (Walmart Link and Amazon Link) and I recommend it as a low-cost investment if you do not already have a scientific calculator. 

Course Outline

This course consists five units that cover five topics of mathematics that are particularly applicable in the real world (graph theory, finance, voting theory, probability, and statistics). Each unit is between 2-4 weeks long and consists of a variety of assignments to help you learn the material and a unit test to assess your understanding of the material.

Assignments: The purpose of assignments is to help you learn and practice mathematical concepts. There are 4 types of assignments in this course:
  • Videos (1 pt): The purpose of the videos is to introduce the new concepts. You should watch the videos before coming to class.
  • Worksheets (10 pts): The purpose of the worksheets is to give you an opportunity to practice and discuss the new concepts. All of the worksheets will be completed in your groups but you will need to turn in your own copy of the assignment. Work must be shown to receive completion credit for the worksheets. 
  • Quizzes (5 pts): The purpose of the quizzes is to assess your personal understanding of the concepts you practiced in class. You must complete the quizzes by yourself and you may not ask tutors, the internet, or your classmates for help. You are welcome to use your notes on the quizzes.
  • Projects (10 pts): The purpose of the projects is to deepen and expand your understanding of the new concepts. The projects often will not be directly covered on the test but they may help you prepare for the test because they are applications of the core concepts of the course. 
Tests: There will be five unit tests taken throughout the semester and a cumulative final exam. All tests will be taken in the SUU Testing Center located in ELC 209. Please visit the Testing Center's website for their hours of operation and policies. Students are required to complete every unit test and the final exam may be optional per the attendance policy.  A score of zero will be given for missed tests.

Course Requirements

Grading
20% of the final grade will be earned through assignments.
80% of the final grade will be earned through tests.

Grades will be awarded as follows:
        A       above    93                                 B–     80    -     82                                D+     67    -     69
        A–     90    -     92                                 C+     77    -     79                                D        63    -     66
        B+     87    -     89                                 C        73    -     76                                D­–     60    -     62
        B        83    -     86                                 C­–      70    -     72                                F       below    60

Canvas Gradebook
The grades for this class will be kept in the Canvas gradebook.  You are encouraged to regularly monitor your grade on Canvas for progress updates and to verify that your scores are accurate.  If there is an error in the gradebook, contact me to have it corrected.  You are encouraged to keep graded paper-based assignments, so that in the case of an error in the gradebook, you have evidence of the correct score.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and tests must be completed and submitted by the due date to receive credit.
 
Late Passes
Students will have a total of 10 "late passes" to submit late assignments or resubmit incomplete assignments. Late passes may NOT be used on tests. 
  • To use a late pass on a video assignment, watch the required videos through the video page in Modules and then leave a comment on the video assignment in Canvas to let me know that you watched them.
  • To use a late pass on a worksheet, attach the completed PDF as a comment on the worksheet assignment in Canvas. 
  • To use a late pass on a quiz, leave a comment on the quiz assignment in Canvas and I will reopen the quiz so you can take it. 
  • To use a late pass on a project, email me the completed project or give it to me in class. 
Students may ask for test extensions or additional late passes if they feel that they have extenuating circumstances and I will consider granting those requests on a case-by-case basis. 

Attendance Policy

In person attendance is expected and required for this course. Every class period, you will get 5 points for attendance with deductions determined as follows. If you earn 175 to 200 points of attendance over the course of the semester, then your final exam will be optional and if you choose to take it, your score will replace your lowest test score. If you earn 0 to 174 points of attendance over the course of the semester, then your final exam is required and all six tests will count towards your final grade.
  • Official Excused Absence - Lose 0 points
  • Attend Class Virtually via Zoom - Lose 1 point
  • Instructor Excused Absence - Lose 2 points
  • Arrive Late to Class - Lose 1 to 4 points
  • Leave Class Early - Lose 1 to 4 points
  • Non Participation - Lose 1 to 4 points
  • Unexcused Absence - Lose 5 points
If you are sick, do not come to class. Instead, email me to let me know that you are sick and then make plans with your group to attend class via Zoom or FaceTime, if you are feeling up to it. You will still receive partial attendance points for sick days if you have an Instructor or Official excused absence or if you attend class via Zoom or FaceTime.

Learning Outcomes

Unit 1 - Graph Theory
  • Identify patterns and describe them with mathematical expressions.
  • Understand graph theory as a way of representing and analyzing relationships between objects. 
  • Learn and use the definitions of basic terminology in graph theory. 
  • Explore the properties of some of the fundamental structures in graph theory (trees, complete graphs, paths/circuits, etc).  
  • Apply graph theory to a variety of real-life scenarios.
  • Introduce choice trees and factorials as counting methods. 

Unit 2 - Finance 
  • Use formulas appropriately by correctly identifying the values of variables and using the order of operations to simplify and solve for the unknown variable in the formula.
  • Understand the difference between simple and compound interest.
  • Calculate how savings annuities are grown over time and how loans are paid off over time with regular payments. 
  • Differentiate between and identify which finance formulas are appropriate to use for a variety of real-life scenarios. 

Unit 3 - Voting Theory
  • Examine the complexities that arise when a group of people vote between more than two choices.
  • Learn to determine the winner of a vote using a variety of methods.
  • Discuss the factors that should be considered to make sure that the method of choosing a winner reflects the preferences of the people in the fairest way possible. 
  • Understand apportionment as fairly dividing a fixed number of things among groups of different sizes. 
  • Learn multiple methods of apportionment that have been used historically to apportion representatives to each of the United States. 

Unit 4 - Probability
  • Build a conceptual understanding of counting methods such as the fundamental counting principle, permutations, and combinations.
  • Use counting methods to find the sample spaces of compound events and the probabilities of various outcomes in compound events. 
  • Calculate the probability of a variety of outcomes for simple, conditional, and compound events.
  • Find the expected value of simple and compound events.
  • Apply the principles of probability to a variety of real-life scenarios. 

Unit 5 - Statistics
  • Understand how statistical studies are conducted (sampling a population, collecting data, analyzing the data, reporting the data).
  • Identify sources of bias that may invalidate the results of a study. 
  • Create and interpret visual representations of categorical and numerical data sets. 
  • Calculate measures of center and measures of spread to describe and summarize numerical data sets. 
  • Explore the characteristics of normal distributions and individual data points within normal distributions. 

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Within this course, all submitted assignments should be written, developed, created, or inspired by you. If any work is created by artificial intelligence (AI) it will be considered plagiarized work and a violation of SUU Policy 6.33: Academic Misconduct. This could result in a failing grade to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students’ Office. AI is an evolving technology and will impact our academic, professional, and personal lives. It is important that as part of your education, you learn to critically think, create, and evaluate products/assignments.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are not allowed to be used in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes or are used professionally, this class will focus on learning foundations without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.