MATH 350: Mathematical Models in Biology

SP2013                  Section 002                           3 credit hours

Instructor:	Dr. Rusinko		Instructor’s Teaching Schedule:	TR: 9:30-10:45 SIMS 114
Office:	Bancroft 167
Office Phone:		803-323-4643	Office Hours:	Mondays: 3:30-5:00 Fridays: 12:30-2:00 Or by appointment
Math Department:		803-323-2175
Campus Email:		rusinkoj@winthrop.edu

The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to this syllabus. Students will be notified in class & by email.

A complete syllabus and schedule is available at:  www.winthrop.edu/cas/math/syllabus.

Grading Policy

Weekly Projects                                   35%

Tests                                                       15% each (total 45%)

Final Exam                                             20%

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Average	>92	>90	>88	>82	>80	>78	>72	>70	>68	>60	<60
Letter Grade	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	F

Assignments/Assessments

Test dates: 2/5,3/7,4/16

Text, Materials, and Resources

· Required Text: Mathematical Models in Biology: an Introduction ISBN: 0521525861  by Elizabeth Allman and John Rhodes.

· MATH350 students are expected to have a scientific calculator and to use the Mathematica and Matlab software available in all ACC labs.

· Students are encouraged to use office hours as a way to receive extra help.

· Students are encouraged to take advantage of Winthrop’s Academic Success Center www.winthrop.edu/asc

Course Policies (section specific policies may be added on the full syllabus)

1. Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 323-3290.  Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.

2. Review the student code of conduct for university polices on academic misconduct. Academic misconduct will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade on the assignment and/or in the course. The full handbook is available online at: (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf) 

3. All electronic devices (including cell phones) other than a calculator should be set to silent and kept in your book bag or purse throughout class time unless otherwise instructed.

4. Students may not use cell phones, MP3 players, or other electronic devices in place of a calculator. Students may not share calculators during quizzes, tests, or the final exam. Any student caught using an unapproved electronic device during a quiz, test, or the final exam will receive a grade of zero on that assessment and the incidence will be reported to the Dean of Students.

SU Deadline:	F 1/11	Course Withdraw Date:	F 3/6
Spring Break:	M 3/11 to F 3/15 * Students are strongly encouraged to attend the MAA conference during spring break.	Final Exam:	8:00 a.m. W 4/24

Course Website: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/rusinko/math_350.html
Course Goals and University Level Competencies

Course Goals/Student Learning Outcomes	University Level Competencies
Students are able to communicate mathematical ideas, demonstrate mathematical reasoning skills and create and evaluate mathematical conjectures at various levels of formality.	Competency 1 Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. Competency 3 Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live. Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens.
Students apply fundamental mathematical concepts and techniques to solve problems and evaluate results.
Students demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate technologies to the study of mathematics and effectively use such technologies to investigate and develop an understanding of mathematical ideas.

What makes a successful mathematics student?

University level mathematics courses differ dramatically in pace, content and depth from high school mathematics courses.  Memorization and algorithmic computation are heavily emphasized in K-12 education but do not provide the skills required to compete in the 21^st century academic or business world.  To help better prepare students for life beyond the classroom, Winthrop University mathematics courses emphasize conceptual understanding, application of concepts and clear communication of mathematical work.  You are capable of making this transition but may find that the study habits that were sufficient for previous mathematics success are not developed enough to meet this new higher standard.  Students who succeed in making this transition typically do ALL of the following.

• Attend and actively participate in 100% of the class meetings.
• Complete 100% of course assignments on time (expect to spend 9 hours per week outside of class)
• Read material in textbook before coming to class.
• Get help at the beginning of the semester with holes in their calculus or computer background.
• Develop a network of peers to regularly study with.
• Visit office hours on a regular basis (100% of the time they are confused and sometimes just to say hello or talk about their futures).
• Engage in academic activities outside of the classroom (example: join Nu Epsilon Rho Delta the student math club)
• Take advantage of campus resources (office of disability services, Center for Career and Civic Engagement, International Center…)

Innate mathematical ability or prior coursework is not required to have a successful academic career. If envision yourself having difficulties emulated the above behaviors please talk to me ASAP.  I want to help you help yourself.

MATH 350 teaching philosophy

To help better develop mathematical maturity and independence and to optimize the amount of constructive time spent working on serious mathematics problems, this class will flip the traditional structure of a mathematics course.  Students will work through new material at home, and begin working on basic problems BEFORE the class meeting assigned to that section.  The class meetings will be spent fleshing out the more complicated details of the material, and guided problem solving on the more challenging problems.  This non-traditional education model REQUIRES a significant amount of work to be performed by the student outside of class.  This model also allows the instructor to be present and assist in the most challenging moments of the course.  This model of education should better prepare students to become independent thinkers and researchers.

Weekly Projects:   The weekly coursework for each student should take nine hours outside of class.  Each week the student must complete, and will evaluated on the following tasks:  Step 1) actively read the sections assigned for Tuesday’s meeting Step 2) Complete all basic exercises from the assigned sections before Tuesday’s class meeting.  Step 3) In class Tuesday, clarify any questions from the reading and exercises Step 4) In groups, work on completing all problems by the beginning of Thursday’s class Step 5) Clarify any remaining problems in class on Thursday Step 6) Begin one project in class on Thursday Step 7) Submit weeks’ problems and project by 5:00 p.m. on Friday.  EACH of these steps will contribute to your weekly assignment grade.

Missed Test Policy:  There will be no make-up tests.   Exceptions to this policy will only be made for students who have made prior arrangements for University related activities or under extraordinary circumstances.

Attendance Policy

The University Attendance policy as stated in the 2012-2013 catalog (http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/recandreg/Catalogs/12-13/Academic-Regulations.pdf): if a student’s absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N if the student withdraws from the course before the withdrawal deadline; after that date, unless warranted by documented extenuating circumstances as described in the previous section, a grade of F or U shall be assigned.

Tentative Course Calendar

Day	Sections
T 1/8	1.1-1.2
R 1/10
T 1/15	1.3-1.5
R 1/17
T 1/22	2.1-2.2
R 1/24
T 1/29	2.3-2.4
R 1/31
T 2/5	Chapter 1-2 Projects
R 2/7	Test 1
T 2/12	3.1-3.2
R 2/14
T 2/19	Guest Lecture
R 2/21	3.3
T 2/26	7.1-2
R 2/28
T 3/5	Projects Chpt 3 ,7
R 3/7	Test 2
T 3/12	Spring Break
R 3/14	Spring Break (MAA  conference)
T 3/19	Test 2 cont.
R 3/21	4.1-4.2
T 3/26	4.3
R 3/28	Reschedule
T 4/2	4.4-4.5
R 4/4
T 4/9	5.1-5.3
R 4/12
T 4/16	Test 3
R 4/18	review

Final Exam 8:00 Wed. 4/24