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SPEA Math Camp

August 2009

This year, SPEA is pleased to offer two levels of Math Camp. Our traditional Math Camp course provides a great opportunity for those who have not had a math course in a few years and need a brush up. Math Camp – Advanced is designed specifically for MSES students, and those who have any intention of pursuing the dual MPA/MSES program. Math Camp-Advanced click here.

Basic Info on Traditional Math Camp

Math Camp	Instructor: Henry Wakhungu
August 17-21, 2009	Office: SPEA 341
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm MTWRF	Phone: 812.855.7980
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm MTWRF	E-mail: hewakhun@iupuc.edu
Room: SPEA 272 & SPEA 274

Course Description Fall 2009

Welcome to math camp! Math camp is an intensive review of some basic concepts of algebra and geometry and a tiny bit of calculus. The purpose of this short and intensive course is to prepare you for SPEA masters classes that require some basic background in mathematics. These courses include economics, statistics, cost/benefit analysis, and others. Mastering some basic mathematical concepts will help you to perform successfully in these classes. Math camp is specially designed for those students who have not taken a math class in a very long time and need a refresher course or who feel that they might need extra help mastering some basic mathematical concepts.

The good news about this class is that it is ungraded—so you don’t have to worry about studying for tests or agonizing over making sure that you get your A. Hopefully this will allow you to be relaxed and to focus on putting these concepts into your long-term memories rather than your short-term memories. This doesn’t mean, however, that you will not have homework. Every day you will have some homework exercises to work that we will evaluate the next day.

We will meet every day for a week—Monday through Friday. We will meet from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In class, we will have lectures and in-class exercises. We will also have guest appearances from faculty members who will tell us how the mathematical concepts we have been discussing will be helpful in your future classes and in public affairs and environmental science in general. After class, you are encourage to stick around SPEA to work on your homework. You can work in the Atrium or in the Business/SPEA library. Every evening after class, the TAs will be available for a couple hours in order to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to drop by during this time.

Basic Class Schedule—All sessions 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. are MANDATORY

Monday
8:00-9:00 a.m.	Registration/Welcome breakfast
9:00-10:30 a.m.	Introduction of new material
10:30-11:00 a.m.	Faculty guest speaker
11:00-11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.	Lecture and in-class exercises

4:00-6:00 p.m.	TA Office hours and homework help

Tuesday-Thursday
9:00-10:30 a.m.	Introduction of new material
10:30-11:00 a.m.	Faculty guest speaker
11:00-11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.	Lecture and in-class exercises

4:00-6:00 p.m.	TA Office hours and homework help

Friday
9:00-10:30 a.m.	Introduction of new material
10:30-11:00 a.m.	Faculty guest speaker
11:00-11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m	Lecture and in-class exercises
12:45-2:00 p.m.	Luncheon provided by MPA/MSES Program Office

4:00-6:00 p.m.	TA Office hours and homework help

Topics Covered

Monday

Roots and exponents

Fractions

Polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing)

Percent change

Summation

Tuesday

Solving quadratic equations

Solving systems of equations

Wednesday

Functions and Graphing

Logarithmic and exponential functions

Thursday

Derivatives

Integration

Friday

Word Problems

Applications problems

Textbook

There is no required textbook for this class. We will be providing you with a course packet that includes class notes and exercises. These notes will be the foundations for the daily lectures.

If you want to do further reading on the subject, these are some basic textbooks that might be helpful. A few suggestions are below. Or you can just check out a basic algebra book from the library.

Sullivan, Michael. College Algebra (7th edition). Prentice Hall.

Lial, Margaret L, John Hornsby, and David Schneider. College Algebra (9th edition). Addison Wesley.

Waner & Costenoble. Finite Mathematics (2nd edition). Brooks & Cole.

Barnett, Raymond A., Michael R. Ziegler and Karl E. Byleen (2004) Finite Mathematics for Business, Economics, Life Sciences and Social Sciences (10th edition), Prentice Hall.

Gaur, Ajai S., Sanjaya S. Gaur.Statistical Methods for Practice And Research: A Guide to Data Analysis Using Spss, Sage Publications.

Calculator

A scientific calculator is strongly recommended for Math Camp. A graphing calculator is not necessary.

Where to Begin

So how do you know if you need to take this class? The topics covered in this class are primarily algebra and a little bit of basic calculus. If you have had these classes and have done well in them, then you probably don’t need to take this class. If, however, you have never had an algebra class (or if it has been a very long time), then you will want to take this class.

To better help you decide whether or not you need to take this class, I have created an evaluation tool that accompanies this syllabus. This evaluation tool is basically a self-graded test on many of the concepts we will be covering in math camp. Download the evaluation tool and complete the exercises—instructions are on the tool. Then you can download the answer key and grade your own test. If you score well on the test and feel confident that you know how to answer these questions, then you don’t need to be in math camp. If you do not score well or cannot figure out the answers to these problems, then math camp is for you.

The evaluation tool is not a perfect measure of whether or not you need to take math camp. Most of the concepts we will be covering in math camp are represented on the test. The tool is designed to give you a better idea of whether or not you should attend math camp. You do not have to perfectly remember all these concepts—completing the tool using a textbook or other notes is perfectly acceptable. I’m not trying to measure what you remember as much as what you can figure out on your own. If you still have questions about attending math camp after you have graded yourself on the evaluation tool, feel free to email me and we can discuss this.

NOTE: Some students may be required to attend Math Camp as a condition of admission. This requirement is clearly stated in your admission letter. Please contact the Graduate Program Office if you have a question about your admission.

How to Be Successful Learning Mathematics

To maximize your learning, come to class prepared. Read the lecture notes, then come to class and pay close attention to the lectures. Then go home and reread the lecture notes and your class notes before doing the homework assignments. Work in groups on the homework and explain difficult concepts to each other. If you still have questions, then come and see me or email me.