Bicol University
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Legazpi City
COURSE GUIDE
The course introduces mathematics as an exploration of patterns in nature
and in life and as an application of logical reasoning. By exploring these topics, the students
are encouraged/motivated to go beyond the typical understanding of mathematics as a set
of formulas but as a reflection of aesthetics in patterns of nature and life which are governed
by rational rules of logic and reasoning.
The course then proceeds to survey ways in which mathematics provides a
tool for understanding and dealing with various aspects of life — managing personal
finances, making social choices/decisions, appreciating geometric designs, understanding
and using codes in data transmission and security, dividing limited resources, or dealing
with quantitatively-referenced problems. These provide opportunities for the actual
application of mathematics in a range of exercises as a way of measuring and testing
students’ understanding and capacity.
Course Information
Course Code & Title GEC 14 Mathematics in the Modern World
Course Prerequisite None
Number of Credits 3 units
Semester/Term Second Semester, SY 2022-2023
Online Course Site: BU-LMS ID
Google Classroom
Facebook, Messenger, Google Groups
Institutional Learning Outcomes:
Every BU graduate should:
a. Demonstrate critical thinking and integrative skills to solve problems and to
support lifelong learning;
b. Communicate effectively and appropriately orally and in writing for various
purposes with the responsible use ICT tools;
c. Collaborate with diverse people ethically and with mastery of knowledge and
skills in given disciplines; and
d. Create knowledge and innovation to promote inclusive development as well as
globalization.
College Learning Outcomes:
a. Apply necessary scientific and technological knowledge and skills on one’s
specific field of specialization.
b. Formulate and conduct basic and applied scientific researches responsive to
national and global developmental needs.
c. Advocate volunteerism and social responsibility to alleviate community
conditions.
d. Develop entrepreneurial mind-set and skills applying knowledge gained in
specific fields to engage in productive enterprise.
Program Learning Outcomes:
The graduates of a Baccalaureate Degree must exhibit the ability to
a) Analyze and develop solutions to problems, including those that are expected
in their professions and those that they will face in their daily life.
b) Apply logic skills, both quantitative and intuitive in the understanding of and
resolution of real-life problems.
c) Demonstrate the ability to simplify: the process of knowledge acquisition, the
process of understanding data/information necessary for achieving a desired
outcome (solution or a state of being), and strategically developing problem
solving structures.
d) Integrate knowledge from various areas of life and learning content into a
holistic perspective in the appreciation of the challenges and the beauty of
mathematical applications
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the students must be able to:
a. generate an appreciation of nature and the patterns it exhibits and use this
appreciation to explain issues arising in the world;
b. understand and apply the different languages of mathematics; and
c. strengthen mathematical competence in modeling, basic statistics, and other
mathematical tools.
Course Outline
Section 1. The Nature of Mathematics
I. Mathematics in Our World
a. Patterns and Numbers in Nature and the World
b. The Fibonacci Sequence
II. Mathematical Language and Symbols
a. Variables
b. The Language of Sets
c. The language of Relations and Functions
III. Problem Solving and Reasoning
a. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
b. Problem Solving with Patterns
c. Problem-Solving Strategies
Section 2. Mathematics as a Tool (Part 1)
Data Management
a. Normal Distribution
b. Hypothesis Testing
c. Regression and Correlation
Section 3. Mathematics as a Tool (Part 2)
I. Geometric Designs
a. Recognizing and Analyzing Geometric Shapes
b. Patterns and Diagrams
II. Codes
a. Binary Codes
b. Integers on Computers
III. Linear Programming
a. Geometry of Linear Programming
b. Simplex Method
IV. The Mathematics of Finance
a. Simple and Compound Interest
b. Credit cards and Consumer Loans
V. Logic
a. Logic Statements and Quantifiers
b. Truth Tables, Equivalent Statements
c. Symbolic Arguments
VI. Apportionment and Voting
VII. The Mathematics of Graphs
a. Graphs and Euler Circuits
b. Weighted Graphs
c. Graph Coloring
VIII. Mathematical Systems
a. Modular Arithmetic
b. Introduction to Group Theory
Mode of Delivery
1. Onsite face-to-face classes and other optional distance learning strategies.
2. All classes (lecture and laboratory), except those on large-class set-up, shall be
provided with schedule and classroom assignment for the onsite face-to-face class
se-up.
3. All asynchronous activities (when necessary) shall be done using the Bicol University
Learning Management System (BU-LMS).
Course Structure & Schedule
The course is divided into weekly lessons and you are expected to finish these in 18-
week period. Each lesson will require some evaluations through short quizzes and random
test verification. The table below shows your weekly activity for the whole semester. Please
refer to it on weekly basis to ensure you are not missing any activities and deadlines.
Week Topic Activities
1 • Introduction to the course, 1. Read the course guide
requirements, schedules, policies and 2. Orientation and Familiarization of the
VMGO course site (BU-LMS)
• Patterns and Numbers
• Mathematics for our World
2 • Mathematics for our World (cont.) 1. Watch vimeo.com/9953368
• The Fibonacci Sequence 2. Read the material.
3. Participate in the discussion.
4. Do the assigned exercises.
3 • Mathematical Language 1. Read the material.
• Variables 2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
4 • Sets 1. Read the material.
• Subsets 2. Participate in the discussion.
• Cartesian Product 3. Do the assigned exercises.
5 • Relations and Functions 1. Read the material.
2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
6 • Problem Solving 1. Read the material.
• Inductive and Deductive Reasoning 2. Participate in the discussion.
• Problem Solving with Patterns 3. Do the assigned exercises.
7 • Problem Solving Strategies 1. Read the material.
• Data Management 2. Participate in the discussion.
• Measures of Central Tendency, 3. Do the assigned exercises.
Dispersion, Relative Position
8 • Normal Distribution 1. Read the material.
• Linear Regression and Correlation 2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
9 • Logic 1. Read the material.
• Logic Statements and Quantifiers 2. Participate in the discussion.
• Truth Tables 3. Do the assigned exercises.
10 • Logic Statements and Quantifiers 1. Read the material.
• Truth Tables 2. Participate in the discussion.
• The Conditional and the Biconditional 3. Do the assigned exercises.
• Symbolic Arguments
11 • Logic Gates 1. Read the material.
• Euler Diagrams 2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
12 • Mathematics as a Tool 1. Read the material.
2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
13 • Mathematics as a Tool 1. Read the material.
2. Participate in the discussion.
3. Do the assigned exercises.
14 • Mathematics as a Tool 1. Read the material.
15 • Mathematics as a Tool 2. Participate in the discussion.
16 • Mathematics as a Tool 3. Do the assigned exercises.
17 • Mathematics as a Tool
18 < FINALS >
Course Requirements/Assessment Activities
In this course your performance will be evaluated through summative assessment
which will be graded. This will be in the following forms:
a. Short Quizzes
b. Written Work of assigned exercises
Rubrics will be used for the evaluation of your outputs whenever applicable and
can be accessed on the course site.
c. Major exam. There will be three to four (3-4) long exams. Details will be given
during class and will be available in the course site.
Grading System
As indicated in the course syllabus, your course performance will be evaluated base
on the following criteria:
Discussion Forums (Participation and Attendance) 10 %
Written Exercises (Problem Sets) 10 %
Short Quizzes/Exercises 10 %
3-4 Evaluations 70 %
Some Rules:
1. Participation in the discussion is highly encouraged.
2. Written exercises are due in one (1) week. Deduction will be given for late
submissions.
Rubric:
a. less than one (1) day late – 10% of the total points earned
b. one (1) to two (2) days late – 15 % of the total points earned
c. three (3) days to one week late – 25% of the total points earned
d. more than a week late – 50% of the total points earned
e. non-submission – zero (0) score for the activity
3. Long exams are scheduled.
On missed long exams:
1. If one fails to take the scheduled exam on valid reason/s, special
exam can be taken within one week after the scheduled date of
exam.
2. If one fails to take the special exam after one week, he/she waives
his/her privilege to take the special exam.
a. On the first missed special exam, one will earn a score that
is equivalent to the lowest score earned from the
exams taken.
b. Succeeding missed special exams will earn zero score.
3. Forgetfulness is not a valid reason.
Learning Resources
To aid your learning, resources will be provided during the duration of the course
which will be available on the course site. The learning resources are:
a. Printable and Downloadable Self-Learning Modules
b. Videos (If available)
c. Additional Reading Materials
Academic Integrity Policy:
Bicol University is an academic community with the fundamental purpose of the
pursuit of advance knowledge. Crucial to the attainment of this fundamental mission is the
commitment to the principle of academic integrity. Every member of the BU community is
accountable for sustaining the highest standard of honesty at all times. This means that
students should not:
● Cheat
● Plagiarize, that is, use another person’s words or ideas as his/her own
without proper documentation
● Let another person or student login to his/her account to perform assign
task.
Violation of the above-mentioned policy will subject the student to disciplinary action as
provided in the BU Student Handbook.
References
You may use the following references in this course. However, you are encouraged
to get other references or reading materials which you may share to the class.
Stewart, I. (1995). Nature’s Numbers. New York, NY: BasicBooks
Video: Nature by Numbers by Cristobal Vila, 2010
Jamison, R.E. (2000). Learning the Language of Mathematics.
Language and Learning Across Disciplines
The Language of Mathematics, htto:///onemathematicalcat.org/pdf_files
The Language and Grammar of Mathematics https://www/dpmms.cam.ac.uk/
Aufmann, R.N., Lockwood, J.S., Nation, R.D. & Clegg, D. K. (2013).Mathematical
Excursions, Third Edition. CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Aufmann, R.N., Lockwood, J.S., Nation, R.D., Clegg, D. K. & Epp,
S.S.(2018).Mathematics in the Modern World. CA: Brooks/Cole,
Cengage Learning.
Lawsky, E. Et al. (2014). CK-12 Probability and Statistics – Advanced (Second
Edition).
Walpole, R. Statistics.
Professor’s Profile
Jonathan C. Borromeo
Email: [email protected]
Facebook and Messenger: Jonathan Borromeo
Online Consultation: Anytime
Face to face consultation: by appointment
Health and safety protocols will be strictly observed
