CIS 0823. Mathematics for a Digital World

Section 002, Spring 2008

Syllabus

Instructor

Dr. Pei Wang
OFFICE: Room 1050, Wachman Hall (Computer Activity Building)
ADDRESS: CIS Department, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
PHONE: (215)204-9255 (during office hours)
EMAIL: pei.wang@temple.edu

Time/Place

Lecture: Tuesday/Thursday 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM, Tuttleman Learning Center 1B
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, and by appointment

Prerequisite

Mathematics placement

Course Description

Databases and the Internet present both amazing opportunities and new vulnerabilities to fraud and theft. We will focus on how mathematics is used to digitize information, to compress it, and to transmit it securely. In a term project, students will investigate a socially significant question, using tools and concepts developed in the course. Some of these questions are: Does it make sense to draw for an inside straight? How can polling results differ so much from the election --- or do they? How can the winner of an election in the U.S. get much less than 50% of the vote? How long will the world`s oil last, assuming that we use more each year? How long will a million dollars last you, assuming it earns interest until you spend it? If you bought your text online, could someone tap into the Internet and get your credit card number when it`s transmitted? Why does the VIN on your car have so many digits?

Required Textbook

For All Practical Purposes: Mathematical Literacy in Today's World, 7th edition, by COMAP

Schedule

See course website at http://www.cis.temple.edu/~pwang/0823-MW/0823-index.htm.

Grading

• Exams: 50% (two mid-terms and a cumulative final, 10% + 15% + 25%)
• Quizzes: 20% (in class, no makeup)
• Project: 20% (to be assigned after the first month)
• Class Participation: 10%
• For exams and quizzes, it is allowed to bring a calculator and up to two 3 by 5 index cards with notes on both sides.

Policies and Rules

• Attendance to all lectures and examinations is required. Late arrival or early leaving are not allowed except in special situations.
• No eating, talking, sleeping during the lectures.
• No usage of cell phones or laptop computers during the lectures.
• For the last days to drop or withdraw, check the Academic Calendar.
• Students with special needs: Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible.
• The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02.
• Students should also be familiar with the University statement on academic honesty found at the following link http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Responsibilities_rights/responsibilities/responsibilities.shtm