General Information
| Textbook |
|---|
| A First Course in Mathematical Modeling, 4th Edition by Giordano, Fox, Horton, and Weir (ISBN: 978-0495011590) |
| Scheduled Lectures | |
|---|---|
| D. R. DeFord | MWF 10:10 - 11:15 (x-hour) Th 12:15 - 1:05 |
| Instructor | Office | Office Hours | Other Resources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor D. R. DeFord | 219 Kemeny Hall | M 9-10 Th 9-11 |
ddeford@math.dartmouth.edu | More Information |
Attendance Policy
Due to the pace of the course and the range of topics that we will cover this term, daily attendance will be essential
for your success. Although it is not officially a part of the course grade, missing class could adversely affect your grade by
impacting your understanding of the material. Our class meetings will frequently incorporate activities and discussions that extend the material
beyon the presentation in the textbook. In particular, taking good notes of our classroom discussions will be especially important.
General Topics
The models that we will discuss in this course fall into broad categories, described below. Approximately two weeks
will be devoted to each family of models and each segment will be motivated with specific examples and data drawn from the
social sciences. We will begin with the basics of mathematical
modeling and relevant considerations for social processes. The specific classes of models include deterministic models,
like difference and differential equations, probabilitistic models and Markov chains, network models, game theoretic models,
and preference ranking systems.
Quizzes and Exams
There will be a quiz, consisting of short answer and mutliple choice questions, after we
conclude each topic section, approximately once every two weeks. These quizzes will occur
during class. The final exam is scehduled for 8 am on November 21 and the room will be scheduled by the registrar.
There are no midterms for this course.
Homework Policy
Mathematics is not a spectator sport and nothing can take the place of exercise and practice.
That is, you cannot learn mathematics by only listening to the lecture.
In this course, "doing math" will involve frequent discussion and interpretation in addition to developing
and practicing techniques to mathematically analyze a given model. Accordingly, homework will not consist of
large numbers of drill-style exercises. Instead, we will include a variety of in class exercises and take home problems
that build on the ideas discussed in class.
| Grades | |
|---|---|
| The course grade will be based upon the scores on the midterm exam, homework, and the final exam as follows: | |
| "Daily" Homework | 50 points |
| Quizzes | 50 points |
| Writing Assignments | 100 points |
| Final Exam | 100 points |
| Total | 300 points |
The Honor Principle
| Homework and Essays: | Collaboration is permitted and encouraged,
but no copying , and to be clear, this means no copying even
from a board or scrap of paper on which a solution was hashed out
collaboratively. What a student turns in as a
homework solution is to be his or her own understanding of how to do
the problems. Students must state what sources they have consulted,
with whom they have collaborated, and from whom they have received
help. The solutions you submit must be written by you alone. Any
copying (electronic or otherwise) of another person's solutions, in
whole or in part, is a violation of the Academic Honor Code.
Moreover, if in working with someone they have provided you with an important idea or approach, they should be explicitly given credit in your writeup. Hints given in office hours need not be cited. Note: It is not sufficient to annotate your paper with a phrase like ``I worked with Joe on all the problems.'' Individual ideas are to be credited at each instance; they represent intellectual property. |
|---|---|
| Quizzes and Exams: | Students may not receive
assistance of any kind from any source (living, published,
electronic, etc), except the professor, and may not give assistance
to anyone. Matters of clarification are to be left to the
professor. If you have any questions as to whether some action would be acceptable under the Academic Honor Code, please speak to me, and I will be glad to help clarify things. It is always easier to ask beforehand. |
| Links: |
Dartmouth Honor Principle Citation of sources |
Disabilities and Religious Observances
Students with disabilities who may need disability
-
related academic adjustments and services for this
course are encouraged to see me privately as early in the term as possible. Students requiring disability
-
related academic adjustments and services must consult the
Student Accessibility Services office
(Carson
Hall, Suite 125, 646
-
9900). Once SAS has authorized services, students must show the originally signed
SAS Services and Consent Form and/or a letter on SAS letterhead to me. As a first step, if students have
questions about whether they qualify to receive
academic adjustments and services, they should contact
the SAS office. All inquiries and discussions will remain confidential.
Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this
academic term. If you have a religious observance that
conflicts with your participation
in
the course, please meet with me before the end
of the second week of the term to discuss
appropriate accommodations.