Syllabus for Math Tools for Economists I (Econ 1078-001) - Spring 2009

Homeworks and Quizzes

Cuurent Grades

Instructor:

        Rob Tischer            

Class Meeting Times:

M W F 12:00pm-12:50pm  HALE 230

Final Exam

Monday, May 4, 2008, 4:30pm

Office Location:

Norlin N520 (Norlin Library 5th floor NW Tower)

Email:

        robert.tischer_at_colorado.edu

This is the best way to contact me, if you won’t get a reply within 24 hours please assume that I didn’t get your email and resend it.

Class Website:

http://webfiles.colorado.edu/tische/econ1078/index.html

This is instructor’s web page. Relevant material to the course will be posted here.

ECON1078 Common Page

This is the web page developed by all Econ 1078 instructors. You can find homework and exam problems from previous semesters there.

Office Hours:

Monday 11:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday 11:00am-12:00pm

By appointment 1 hr per week

Course Description and Objectives:

The goal of this class is to provide students with the mathematical tools needed for future courses in business and economics. We will cover polynomials, functions, present and future values, solving systems of equations, logic, probability, and differentiation.

Textbook:

Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis, 2^nd or 3^rd edition, by Knut Sydsater, and Peter Hammond is required. 1088 adopts the same textbook. This is a very good reference book, which can always help to refresh your knowledge of algebra and calculus.

.Calculator Note:

As this is a course designed to teach mathematical techniques you will need a calculator that can do basic arithmetic functions. These include adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. While a graphing calculator may be useful in doing some of the homework problems, you cannot use a graphing calculator on the exam.

Grading:            

            Grades will be determined on the basis of your performance on 5 quizzes, homework assignments, 2 midterms, and a final exam. Your lowest quiz grade and homework assignment grade will be dropped and the others averaged together to obtain your quiz and homework assignment grades. The quiz grade is worth 15% of your over all grade, and the homework assignment grade is worth 10% of your overall grade..

The midterms will be administered on February 11 and April 1 in class. Each test is worth 25% of the course grade. The midterms are not cumulative and will cover only the material since the previous test.

The final exam is scheduled for May 4^h (Mon.) from 4:30pm to7 pm. The final exam is worth 25% of your grade. The final exam will be cumulative. If you have three final exams scheduled for this day, and this is the last of your exams, you can take the final on another day. Please speak with me as soon as possible if this is the case.

100-93% A        73-76% C

90-92% A-        70-72% C-

87-89% B+        67-69% D+

83-86% B          63-66% D

80-82% B-         60-62% D-

77-79% C+        below 60% F

            5 quizzes (Drop the lowest) – 15% of total

           Homework Assignments - 10% of total

           2 Midterms – 25% each of total

           Final -25% of total

Make-Up Exams:

            There will be NO make-up homework assignments, quizzes, or exams for this class If you miss a midterm exam with a documented excuse, the weight given your final exam will be increased.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Honor Code:

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html  and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

Expectations of Classroom Behavior:

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions.
See polices at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html   and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

Absences:

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  Please notify me as soon as possible so that the proper arrangements can be made. Students can see full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Disabilities Statement:

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices.

Time extensions for exams must be approved by me prior to the exam. If you have not talked to me personally prior to the exam you will not be granted an extension.

Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate
legally mandated reasonable accommodations.  Other letters/requests you
may receive from agencies such as the Wardenburg Student Health Center,
or other health providers, such as physicians or counselors, are
recommendations you may choose to follow to assist students but are not
necessarily legal mandates.  The syllabus statements and answers to
Frequently Asked Questions can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices