Introduction to Science and Engineering (25006)
Spring 2002

MWF 10:30-11:20 in EDUC 303

Your own resolution to success is more
important than any other one thing.
Abraham Lincoln

Instructor. Dr. H. Knaust, Engineering 229, tel. 747-7002,
e-mail: hknaust@utep.edu,
URL: http://helmut.knaust.info
Office Hours. MF 9:30-10:20, or by appointment (call 747-6083).

Peer Facilitator. April Deucher,
e-mail: adeucher@utep.edu,
Office Hours. MF 12:30-13:30 EDUC 303, F 13:30-15:30 Entrance UGLC

Other Help. The Tutoring and Learning Center, located on the third floor of the UTEP Library, tel. 747-5366, offers free tutoring.
S.O.S. Mathematics (http://www.sosmath.com) is a web site which offers some help for the mathematical material we will discuss.

Prerequisites. I will assume that you have a thorough knowledge of the material covered in Math 0310.

Goals and Objectves. The course description in the catalogue gives a pretty good idea of what this course is about:

This course will help the student develop learning, study and group skills, improve math applications skills and develop critical thinking and basic computer and problem solving skills. Basic concepts in science will be introduced.

Contents.
  1. Linear Models
    • Topics include: Unit conversions, data-fitting
    • Math: Linear functions, inverse functions, regression analysis
  2. Power Models
    • Topics include: Newtonian mechanics
    • Math: Powers and roots, repeated differences
    • Reading: Copernicus - Brahe - Galilei - Kepler, Thomas S. Kuhn
  3. Exponential Models
    • Topics include: Population growth, radio-active decay, Richter-scale
    • Math: Exponential functions and logarithms
    • Reading: Thomas R. Malthus
  4. Logistic Growth
    • Topics include: Growth of populations with limited resources
    • Math: Dynamical systems, equilibrium point analysis
  5. Population Genetics
    • Topics include: Laws of inheritance, gene distribution, Hardy-Weinberg-Law
    • Math: Probability
    • Reading: Gregor Mendel, Charles Darwin
  6. Age Distribution
    • Topics include: The age distribution of trees in a forest, age distribution in El Paso and the United States
    • Math: Matrices, eigen values
  7. Other topics (as time permits)
    • Competing Species
    • The Spread of Contagious Diseases
    • The Game of Life

Tests. Three tests will be given on the following dates:

  1. Wednesday, February 13,
  2. Wednesday, March 13, and
  3. Monday, April 22.
Each test counts 10% of your grade. Make-up tests will only be given under extraordinary circumstances, and only if you notify the instructor prior to the exam date.

Final. The final on Friday, May 10, 10:00-12:45 pm is mandatory and comprehensive. It counts 20% of your grade.

Homework Assignments. I will regularly assign homework. The homework will be collected at the beginning of class, and at least partially graded. Late homework submissions will not be accepted. Your homework will contribute 10% to your grade. Some homework assignments will require the use of Excel, some others consist of reading assignments.

Various in-class assignments and quizzes will count 10% of your grade.

Attendance. Attendance will be recorded and will count 10% of your grade. Your attendance grade starts at 10 points; Once you have been absent 3 times unexcused, 1 point will be deducted for each further unexcused absence.
To avoid unnecessary class disruptions you are expected to arrive in time and remain seated until the class is dismissed.
To excuse your absence, send email to April within a week after your absence; starting at the fourth excused absence you also have to provide documentation.

Class Notes. The class will not use a textbook. Instead, student groups will take notes of all class meetings. Class notes will be graded "acceptable" or "unacceptable"; unacceptable notes require re-submission. The class note submissions will count 10% of your grade.

Each student group will give a 20 minute Powerpoint presentation at the end of the semester. This presentation will account for the last 10% of your grade.

Time Requirement. You should expect to pass this class if you spend an absolute minimum of 6 hours a week outside of class on solving homework problems, reviewing your class notes, preparing for the next class and working on the various projects. If you do not have sufficient time to study, you must take the course some other semester.

Calculators. You may use a calculator of your choice in class, at home and on exams.

Drop Policy. The class schedule lists Friday, March 15 as the last day to drop with an automatic "W". After the deadline, I can only drop you from the course with a grade of "F". Consult the current Class Schedule, page 3, for details.

Information on the Web. This syllabus, all home work assignments and other ancillaries can be found on my homepage http://helmut.knaust.info/mediawiki.

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