Course

Mathematics for Liberal Arts

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Mathematics
Course Code
MATH 1234
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
28
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Typically Offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course Description
Mathematics is everywhere. This one semester course for liberal arts students explores mathematics topics in order to improve quantitative reasoning and decision-making in everyday life, as well as to develop an appreciation for the power and beauty of mathematics in the world around us. Topics of study vary by term and instructor. Good English writing and communications skills are recommended.
Course Content

The course is intended as an opportunity for students to be exposed to a survey of interesting mathematics. As such, instructors will generally be free to choose the topics they think will most engage students, usually from the following:

  1. Attitudes about mathematics and why they matter
  2. Critical thinking and logic
  3. Problem solving
  4. Units and measurement
  5. Accuracy and precision
  6. Percentage, ratio, and number sense
  7. Statistical reasoning
  8. Probability
  9. Linear and exponential growth
  10. Linear and exponential modelling
  11. Mathematics in art and music
  12. Mathematics in sport and sport science
  13. Financial mathematics
  14. Other topics as determined by the instructor
Learning Activities

Lectures, group work, assignments

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Homework/quizzes 0-30%
Participation/in-class assignments 10-20%
Term project, portfolio, and/or paper 10-30%
Term tests and final exam 30-70%

Note: Students may be required to pass the final exam to be eligible to pass the course.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore mathematical concepts and thinking, so that they may better understand the role of mathematics in the everyday world. Upon successful completion of MATH 1234, students should be able to:

  1. Reflect on the role that mathematics has played in their lives, both past and present.
  2. Explore the potential role of mathematics in their future.
  3. Discuss the importance of mathematical literacy in modern society and the pitfalls of mathematical illiteracy.
  4. Identify and discuss common misconceptions about mathematics.
  5. Apply mathematical knowledge, techniques, and critical thinking skills to solve a variety of mathematical problems.
  6. Apply technology effectively in the solution of mathematical tasks.
Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College bookstore for the current textbook. Sample textbook:

Bennett and Briggs. Using and Understanding Mathematics:  A Quantitative Reasoning Approach, Pearson, current edition.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Precalculus 11 with a C- or better; or,

Precalculus 12 with a C- or better; or,

Foundations of Math 11 with a C or better; or,

Foundations of Math 12 with a C- or better; or,

MATU 0410.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MATH 1234
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO MATH 1XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU MATH 123 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR MATH 1XX (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU MATH 197 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MATH 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG MATH 1162 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU MATH 197 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MATH 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MATH 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO MATH_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MATH_V 2nd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC MATH 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV MATH 1XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) No credit
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU MATH 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2024

CRN Days Instructor Status
CRN
33137
 Tue Thu
Instructor Last Name
TBA
Instructor First Name
(Faculty)
Course Status
Open
Maximum Seats
28
Currently Enrolled
2
Remaining Seats:
26
On Waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2050
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section Notes

Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/explore-programs-courses…

CRN Days Instructor Status
CRN
33378
 Wed Fri
Instructor Last Name
Kadonoff
Instructor First Name
Bruce
Course Status
Open
Maximum Seats
28
Currently Enrolled
3
Remaining Seats:
25
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1717
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section Notes

Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/explore-programs-courses…