Course Syllabus

MATH 1030 Quantitative Literacy

Course Description

Quantitative Literacy is about viewing Mathematics from a countable, predictable, and creative standpoint. Students learn how and where to find geometry, pattern, logic, cryptography and statistics in their natural world and in society. The discoveries are made using a little bit of algebra, art, trigonometry and other skills to critically process the concepts in the course. This course is designed for students seeking an AA or non-stem AS degree. Math 1030 is not a prerequisite for Math 1040, 1050 or 1060.

Justification

This course accomplishes the objectives of the Quantitative Literacy requirement in the State of Utah and is an option for students seeking to fulfill the mathematics requirement for an AA or AS degree. Through an agreement with USHE, this course is equivalent to the Quantitative Literacy course at all state institutions and carries the same prefix and number.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will explore both familiar and unfamiliar branches of math and connect them to patterns in the natural world and processes in society. One example includes the Fibonacci sequence and its relation to spiral growth of many things like seashells, pinecones, broccoli, and ferns. Another example is the relation between topology, graph theory and game theory and their uses in CGI technology for movies and video games.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. In addition to solving equations and math problems, students will also conduct research and apply the learned mathematical concepts, ideas, and theorems in various contexts and fields (e.g. history, politics, art, etc.).  
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will explore and apply mathematical knowledge and skills to solve problems in a variety of disciplines (e.g. computer science, banking, sports statistics and psychology, politics, voting theory, etc.).
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will use analytical, creative, and critical thinking to solve a variety of problems in multiple contexts.  In this problem-solving process, students will carefully examine the information provided, make a plan to achieve the goal of the problem, implement that plan, and then evaluate the effectiveness and validity of their plan and their solution.  They will also explain their process and their rationale for the plan, and present their findings and conclusions in a variety of ways (e.g. videos, art, computer programs, songs, poetry, oral presentations, written reports, etc.).
5. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason quantitatively.  Students will explore and apply quantitative reasoning in a variety of contexts.  Some of the mathematical ideas, concepts, and skills that students will explore and apply may include voting theory, the pigeon-hole principle, knot theory, geometric patterns and sequences, cryptology, etc.  

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to interpret various graphs, diagrams, equations, tables, etc. and use them to draw quantitative conclusions about questions in the course as well as explain their reasoning. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to interpret various graphs, diagrams, equations, tables, etc. and use them to draw quantitative conclusions about questions in the course as well as explain their reasoning.
2. MATHEMATIZATION: Convert quantitative or mathematical information into appropriate mathematical representations and/or models such as equations, graphs, diagrams, or tables, including making and evaluating important assumptions as needed. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to make and interpret various graphs and charts.
3. CALCULATION: Use algebraic skills and techniques to solve problems, including the ability to identify and correct errors in calculations and understanding the role and proper use of technology in assisting with calculations. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to perform basic calculations to solve problems. While this course uses very little algebra, several other branches of mathematics discussed in this course also require calculations.
4. ANALYSIS: Draw appropriate conclusions through quantitative or mathematical analysis of data or models, including understanding and evaluating important assumptions in order to recognize the limits of the analysis. Students who successfully complete this course will analyze and solve a variety of real-world applications and provide quantitative evidence for their answers and conclusions by showing their calculations and using graphs, charts, tables and drawings.
5. APPLICATION / CREATION: Solve concrete and abstract problems across multiple disciplines.  This course can span concepts across mathematics, economics, politics, history and many other disciplines. In the course of their mathematical explorations, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving (making judgements and evaluating their conclusions) in multiple subjects.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Constructing quantitative, logical arguments.
2. Understanding and using mathematics as a language to communicate
3. Exploring and analyzing mathematical concepts using technology as appropriate.
4. Estimating, reasoning through and making sense of mathematical processes and results.

Course Content

This course may include any of the following:game-theory, problem-solving, critical thinking and logic, counting, patterns in nature, primes, modular arithmetic, cryptology and sets, infinity with multiple contexts, trigonometry, the golden ration, symmetry, non-Euclidian geometry and dimensions, topology, graph theory, Euler circuits, Hamiltonian circuits and networking, fractals, Julia sets and the Mandelbrot set, probability, statistics, risk, money, and voting.