Professor
Jason Bintz
Office: Paine 209A
E-Mail: jason.bintz@houghton.edu
https://jasonbintz.rbind.io
Contents
Course Description
Textbook
Calculator
Exams
Quizzes
Homework
Homework Guidelines
Grading
Academic Honesty
Accomodations
Resources
Time Commitment
Course Description
This course is an introduction to a variety of mathematical topics that are relevant for analyzing problems in the life sciences and provides the mathematical background required for Calculus for the Life Sciences or Calculus I. Topics include descriptive statistics, linear regression, exponential and logarithmic functions, difference equations, matrix algebra, and basic discrete probability theory. Scientific software will be used throughout the course. Satisfies IS – Creation: Math. Fulfills General Education Mathematics requirement. Liberal Arts. Students who received an SAT Math score of 550 or lower or equivalent who need to take Calculus for the Life Sciences or Calculus I must complete this course.
Textbook
Mathematics for the Life Sciences, Erin N. Bodine, Suzanne Lenhart, and Louis J. Gross , Princeton University Press
Calculator
In class, we will make extensive use of Desmos, an online graphing calculator. Use of Desmos, however, will not be permitted during quizzes and tests. Use of a calculator (TI-83, 84 or similar) is permitted, but you may not use a CAS (TI-89/Inspire or similar) or cell-phone. There may be tests and quizzes where the use of a calculator will not be permitted.
Exams
There will be three exams (one for each unit of the textbook) during the semester. There will also be a comprehensive final exam. The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Make up exams will only be given in extenuating circumstances; prior arrangements must be made if at all possible. Do not make travel plans that require you to miss a scheduled exam. The college final exam schedule can be found here.
Quizzes
There will be approximately five quizzes.
Homework
There will be approximately 10-12 problem sets assigned throughout the semester. These will be posted on the course website. You are encouraged to talk to other students and the professor about the problems, but you must write your own solutions and acknowledge your collaborators at the top of your work. Solutions must be clear and neat. Do not make the mistake of thinking that understanding someone else’s solution means that you are able to do the problem yourself! Finding solutions on the internet and/or copying from another student’s work is strictly prohibited.
Homework Guidelines
Homework must be neat–if your homework is illegible, it will not be graded! You must submit a physical copy of your homework–emailed homework will not be accepted! Homework is due at the beginning of class. Late homework will not be accepted. Solutions to homework questions must be clear and your process must be explained. Complete sentences should be used where appropriate.
Grading
Homework will be worth around 30% of your grade, quizzes 20%, exams 30%, and the final exam 20%. I reserve the right to change the grading distribution. Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below at a minimum (i.e., if you earn a 94% overall in the course, your final grade will be at least an A-):
| A | ≥ 96% | B | 87–91% | C | 74–82% | D | 67–69% |
| A- | 94–95% | B- | 85–86% | C- | 72–73% | D- | 65–66% |
| B+ | 92–93% | C+ | 83–84% | D+ | 70–71% | F | <65% |
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to be familiar with and comply with the college statement on academic honesty found here.
Accomodations
If you have a disability and need accommodations in this course, please discuss it with the Director of the Center for Academic Success and Advising, Ms. Sharon Mulligan. Her office is in the CASA suite (in room 222 in the Chamberlain Center) and the CASA extension is 2610. Please let me know how I can assist you as well.
Resources
Some possible places to find assistance:
- Fellow students
- Help sessions
- Office hours
- The internet; there are several good websites with calculus help that you are welcome to use for additional explanations, but you may not use the internet for solutions
Time Commitment
In accordance with the guidelines of 2–3 hours of work for each credit hour for a course, the well-prepared student should spend approximately 8–12 hours of work per week beyond the time spent in class. If you find that you are spending significantly more time than this, please let me know so that I can help you be more efficient or adjust the workload. If you are spending less time than this, you may not be investing enough time to learn well.