ALGEBRA FOR GRADUATE BUSINESS

COURSE MATERIALS:

REQUIRED: Introductory Mathematical Analysis , Haeussler‐Paul‐Wood (HPW),
12th edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978‐0‐13‐240422‐8

REQUIRED: Standard hand calculator.

OPTIONAL: Student Solution Manual (Available in the Bookstore on 5/28)

COURSE PREREQUISITE: Competence in Arithmetic ‐Ope rations and exposure to Introductory Algebra.

Students having passed a previous introductory/intermediate algebra course (HS or college) and with a score above
12% on the Quantitative part of the GMAT exam will likely have the necessary skills.

A slower progression through the BUS 500 material can be realized by taking MATH 098 Mathematical Connections
and MATH 111 College Algebra in the EC undergraduate program. This slower progression might be preferred by
those unable to put in the necessary time during the summer or by those struggling to master the Arithmetic‐
Operations material reviewed on the first two days of BUS 500.

COURSE CONTENT: The material in BUS 500 is selected from two traditional sources.

1. Introductory/Intermediate Algebra.
2. College Algebra.

COURSE GOALS:

1. To provide the basic mathematical skills and proficiency for the MBA program.
2. To develop critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.

The course is de signed to fulfill the MBA Basic Mathematics Prerequisite. This requirement is waived for those
with a C or better in “College Algebra” within the last ten years and a Quantitative GMAT Score above 40%.
Mastery of the BUS 500 course material will be the primary requirement to complete the course.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Those proficient in Introductory/Intermediate Algebra may find the pace of the early part of BUS 500 pedestrian.
Others will find a significant time investment is necessary throughout the course.

HOMEWORK:

Homework will be assigned each week. There will be a quiz on the assigned HW, at the start of the next class.

HW is done most efficiently in smaller doses – allowing for reflection and absorption time. At the start of the
subsequent class it will be expected that you will have completed and understood the HW problems assigned the
previous week (several sources of assistance are available).

Problem solving is essential for learning the BUS 500 material. In doing HW problems it’s better not to look at
answers until the problem has been completed to the best of your ability. It’s exactly when you get stopped in
solving a problem (i.e. you are at a decision point), and are forced to think about how to proceed, that
understanding and learning takes place. When you “shortcut” the process by looking at an answer or solution, you
are being less efficient in terms of learning!

NOTE: Answers to odd numbered HW problems appear in the back of the text.

GRADING: Your course grade is based on the total of the best 5 of your first 8 quizzes, along with the score of Quiz 9.

QUIZZES:

1. There will be a 50‐point/ 30‐minute quiz in each class (9 quizzes).
2. CONTENT: Problems on Quizzes 2 ‐ 9 will be similar to homework problems assigned the previous week.
3. RETAKES: A single retake is allowed for up to three of the first eight quizzes. There is no retake of the Quiz 9.
4. RETAKES: An individual scoring higher than 30 points (the lowest passing grade) on a retake quiz will have 30‐points
recorded as that quiz grade (i.e. you cannot score higher than the lowest passing grade on a retake quiz.)
5. RETAKES: A quiz retake must be completed prior to the subsequent class. Retakes are not allowed after the
next class is complete.
6. DROPPED QUIZZES: Your lowest three Quiz scores, of the first eight quizzes, will be dropped. Your Quiz 9 score
will not be dropped.
7. MAKE‐UP QUIZZES: Make‐up quizzes must be completed prior to the next scheduled class. No retakes on
make‐ups will be offered.
8. Calculators may be used during quizzes.
9. It is not allowed to refer to your textbooks and/or notes during quizzes.

MATH LAB: A separate document pertaining to the Math Lab will be reviewed in class and placed on the course
webpage. The Math Lab Director is Sarah Anderson.

STUDY GROUPS AND POINTS OF CONTACT: Some may find it helpful to work with a classmate or to form a studyteam.
I encourage the discussion of homework problems. You may wish to obtain the phone number of at least one
classmate as a contact. I can be difficult to contact outside of scheduled times and generally don’t provide class notes
for missed classes.

BUS 500 SCHEDULE

REGULAR CLASS MEETINGS ARE ON WEDNESDAYS, 6:00 – 9:30 PM, IN PREDOLIN 104