MATH 1704 Contemporary Mathematics Syllabus CR2 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 4.00 Lecture Hours 4 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
27.0301
Course Meeting Time

TTh, 9-10:40 am

Course Description

This is a general education mathematics course. It focuses on mathematical reasoning, solving real-life problems and appreciating math's function, rather than on routine skills. Three or four of the following topics will be studied in depth: geometry; both counting techniques and probability; graph theory; both logic and set theory; mathematical modeling; mathematics of finance; game theory; linear programming, including the simplex method; statistics; and both voting and apportionment. IAI: M1 904.

Prerequisites

MATH 1424 or MATH 0985 with a grade of C or better, appropriate assessment score, or High School Transitional Math: quantitative literacy (QL) pathways/STEM pathway - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
M1-904
MATH-1904
IAI Title
General Education Mathematics
Core Competencies in Math
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
Explanation of Course Alignment

MATH 1704 was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program and is designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. KCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement for general education courses. All colleges and universities participating in the IAI agree to accept a collective “package” of IAI general education courses; transfer of courses separately is not guaranteed. For more information about IAI, go to their website at www.itransfer.org and IAI. For the transferability of courses to specific four-year institutions, go to “MyCreditsTransfer” at www.itransfer.org.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Ruth Fabbro
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8762
Faculty Office Number
L346
Faculty Student Support Hours

First 8 weeks: MW 11am-12pm, TTh 1-2pm
Second 8 weeks: MTWTh 11am-12pm

I will be available in my office during those times without making an appointment. You will need to make an appointment outside of those times.

Faculty Information

Embedded tutor: Heidi Ostrowski
Email: hostrowski@kcc.edu

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Choose 3 to 4 of the following:
  2. Use geometry to measure and describe the physical world.
  3. Use counting techniques and elementary probability to facilitate decision making.
  4. Use graph theory to find the most efficeint or cost effective routes.
  5. Construct and examine arguments based on logic and set theory.
  6. Model data with the aid of graphs using linear, exponential, logarithmic, and quadratic functions.
  7. Apply finance formulas to taxes, investments, and loans.
  8. Apply the strategies in game theory to make decisions.
  9. Use linear programming and the simplex method to find a maximum or minimum quantity.
  10. Use statistical methods to measure and describe data.
  11. Use voting methods to choose a candidate and use apportionment methods to allocate items to several groups fairly.
Topical Outline
  • This is a sample outline:
    1. Critical Thinking, Graphs, and Modeling
    2. Set Theory
    3. Logic
    4. Personal Finance
    5. Voting and Apportionment
    6. Graph Theory
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Thinking Mathematically with MyLab access code, 8th ed., by Blitzer, published by Pearson. (book is optional, code is required and comes automatically with tuition)

Scientific calculator

Methods of Evaluation

This course will be evaluated by performance on homework, quizzes, tests, and a comprehensive final exam.

  • Homework = 20% of grade
  • Projects = 5%
  • Quizzes = 5% of grade
  • Tests = 50% of grade
  • Final Exam = 20% of grade

Grading Scale:

PercentageFinal Grade
90-100%A
80-89%B
70-79%C
d60-69%D
0-59%F
Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected and recorded daily. As with any class, attendance is vital to success. It is understood that conflicts arise forcing students to miss class from time to time. If a student must miss class, the student is responsible for the material covered during the missed period. There will be no extensions of deadlines. Videos and notetaking may be assigned for any classes that are missed.

Homework: Homework will be assigned and completed using MyLab and Mastering. As many opportunities as necessary are granted to achieve full credit, thus, persistence is the key. Homework is your opportunity to practice and master the material. Homework is due on the time and date listed in MyLab and Mastering and is completed on your own time. No late work is accepted. Your two lowest homework grades will be dropped.

Projects: There are two projects and they will be completed using Excel.

Quizzes: There will be one to three take home quizzes per chapter. You will upload the work to your quizzes by the due dates in Canvas. An answer key will be provided the morning after it is due. You are expected to upload an analysis of your quiz after checking the answer key. This analysis should be provided in sentence form. Look at each problem that your answer and/or work is incorrect and explain what mistake you made and whether or not you now understand how to do the problem. You are not simply stating that you were incorrect or correct. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Tests: Tests will be taken in class. There will be no makeup tests. Exceptions to this will be at the discretion of the instructor. I will replace your lowest test score with your final exam grade so if you miss a test, you will have the opportunity to replace the zero with your final exam grade. If you score below 75% on a test, you will be required to meet with the instructor or the assigned tutor for the class to review the test.

Final Exam: The final exam will be taken on campus as scheduled.

Calculator Usage Policy: You may use a calculator throughout the course. A scientific calculator will be needed for the finance unit.

Academic Integrity: By enrolling in this course, you agree to complete all the work yourself. If you are caught submitting someone else’s work, you may automatically receive an F for the course.

Course Calendar
WeekMaterial

1

Introduction, Course Syllabus

1.1: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

1.2: Estimation, Graphs, and Mathematical Models

7.1: Graphing and Functions

2

7.2: Linear Functions and Their Graphs

7.6: Modeling Data: Exponential, Logarithmic, and Quadratic Functions

Excel Project involving modeling data

3

Project

Review

4

Test 1

2.1: Basic Set Concepts

2.2: Subsets

5

2.3: Venn Diagrams and Set Operations

2.4: Set Operations and Venn Diagrams with Three Sets

2.5: Survey Problems

Review

6

Test 2

3.1: Statements, Negations, and Quantified Statements

3.2: Compound Statements and Connectives

7

3.3: Truth Tables for Negation, Conjunction, and Disjunction

3.4: Truth Tables for the Conditional and the Biconditional

3.5: Equivalent Statements and Variations of Conditional Statements

3.6: Negations of Conditional Statements and De Morgan’s Laws

8

3.7: Arguments and Truth Tables

Review

Test 3

9

8.1: Percent, Sales Tax, and Discounts

8.2: Income Tax

8.3: Simple Interest

8.4: Compound Interest

10

8.5: Annuities, Methods of Saving, and Investments

8.6: Cars

8.7: The Cost of Home Ownership

8.8: Credit Cards

11

Excel Project involving finance, Review

12

Test 4

13

13.1: Voting Methods

13.2: Flaws of Voting Methods

13.3: Apportionment Methods

13.4: Flaws of Apportionment

14

14.1: Graphs, Paths, and Circuits

14.2: Euler Paths and Euler Circuits

14.3: Hamilton Paths and Hamilton Circuits

14.4: Trees

15

Review

Test 5

16

Review for Final

17

Final Exam Thursday, May 14, 8 – 9:50am

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.