Math 326 - Mathematical Modeling

Shippensburg University – Fall 2025


·  Instructor: Paul Taylor

·  Phone: 477-1705

·  email: pttaylor (at) ship.edu

·  Lectures: DHC104-TR, 11:00-12:15

·  Office Hours: MCT281 – MWF 1:00-2:00, TR 9:30-10:30

·  Textbook: None Required (although we will be following Mathematical with Microsoft Excel by Neuwirth and Arganbright, which is out of print)

·  Course Web Page: http://webspace.ship.edu/pttaylor/326/326home.html


·  Projects and Deadlines

·  In Class Problems

·  Some class material (ie. models we built in class) will posted in the S: drive, accessible on campus lab computers. The path is S:\Math\Math Public\Taylor\326. The S: drive can be accessed off-campus by visiting anchor.ship.edu in a web browser.

·  Adding Scroll Bars in Excel 2007

·  Using the Data Table tool in Excel 2007


TECHNOLOGY
We will use Microsoft Excel every day.  Microsoft Word will also be useful for model write-ups.  Both of these are available in campus computer labs.


STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

·  Attend class every day, arrive on time.

·  Be attentive in class and ask any questions you have.

·  If there is a concept with which you need extra help, or if you find yourself falling behind, tell me about it. Come to office hours for extra help, or send me an email explaining your concerns. The sooner the better.

·  When working in class, stay on the task at hand and maintain a reasonable volume.

·  Be responsible for any material or announcements if you miss class.


GRADE WEIGHTING
There will be five modeling projects; two which you do at home and submit on paper (or email) and three of which are done in class (one of the in class projects will be during the final exam period).  These will each count 20% toward your final grade, with the lowest score being dropped (so your four best projects total of 80%).  The remaining 20% will be based on classwork.

Letter Grade

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

D

F

Final Percent

93 -100

90-92

87-89

83-86

80-82

77-79

70-76

60-69

less than 60


DAILY PROBLEMS
Each day, there will be problems for the class to work on after we set up our basic model.  Working through these problems will help you understand the model better and explore its potential for additions and improvements.  Much of the class time will be spent working on these problems.  These problems will typically be delivered as a D2L quiz.  Your 20 highest quiz scores be used to determine your classwork grade.

 

If you miss class, you can still receive credit for the class work if you complete the D2L by the end of the next day.  If you miss the D2L deadline, you may request an extension. Late quizzes without an appropriate excuse are penalized half credit.


IN CLASS MODELING PROJECTS
The in class projects are like exams, in that they are scheduled in class and you will have to work without collaboration.  However, you will be allowed your book, your notes and of course a computer with Excel.  Anything else accessible on the computer is also allowed, such as models from earlier classes and internet references. 
The in class projects are scheduled for Oct 7, Nov 11, and the final exam period.


POLICY REGARDING MISSED WORK
If you are going to miss an in class project or a project deadline, inform me beforehand as soon as possible. We will then be able to arrange an alternate test time or deadline.  Late take-home projects will be penalized at 10% per calendar day up to 50% (you can email projects as an MS Word document to get them in as soon as possible).
If you miss an in class project because of sudden, unexpected reasons, inform me within 24 hours (email or voice mail). If an in class project is missed and you do not attempt contact without 24 hours, you will receive a score of zero for that project.


ACADEMIC DISHONESTY It is the policy of Shippensburg University to expect academic honesty. Students who commit breaches of academic honesty will be subject to the various sanctions outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.


Last modified: August 12, 2025

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