Mathematics is the language of science. It is the art of problem-solving. And if we care to look closely enough at the world around us, we will be amazed at the mathematics at play. It is my hope as your professor that you will take from this class a newfound appreciation of how mathematics fits into your world. Whether you are interested in the microscopic cells and chemical reactions occuring in your body, the local geography of the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the global changes in our climate, the large-scale behavior of our universe, or maybe you are just interested in playing video games and listening to music - all of these things can be better understood, better explained, better appreciated with mathematics.
The catch is, however, that it takes a lot of work to understand the math behind the world. But the rewards are exponentially greater than the pain required to learn something new. This semester you will learn a lot of new mathematics and you will perhaps be surprised to see how far it will take you toward understanding your world a bit better.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course you will be prepared for calculus. This means that in this course you will manipulate mathematical statements and solve mathematics problems. We will also graph functions and learn several equation solving techniques. We will use exponents, logarithms and trigonometric equations to solve real-world problems and measure natural objects and phenomena. Perhaps more importantly, you will gain an appreciation of the presence of mathematics in our daily lives.
Resources
Math is not a spectator sport. You will have to get your hands dirty and it will not always be easy. There are many resources available to help you via the links on right.The box in the upper right contains updated information, such as the syllabus which contains information on prerequisites, grading policy, homework, study resources and a tentative course calender. The required textbook is pictured above, and can be found in the bookstore or online.
Want free sources to freshen up your algebra? Look here.