Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: MATH-1324 (Section: 71, CRN: 11560)
Mathematics for Business and Social Science 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Paul Hay
Email haypa@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6549
Office Student Center - Room: 418
Office Hours Monday 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Tuesday 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Wednesday 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Thursday 8:30 am - 9:30 am, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Additional Contact Information All emails must be sent with an official lamarpa.edu email address. Emails from personal accounts may be ignored.
Course Information
Description The application of common algebraic functions, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational, to problems in business, economics, and the social sciences are addressed. The applications include mathematics of finance, including simple and compound interest and annuities; systems of linear equations; matrices; linear programming; and probability, including expected value.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences, by Kathryn Bollinger and Vanessa Coffelt, 2020.
 
This is an open source text and is available to download for free online at:
https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/188687
(It is also available on Blackboard)
Additional Materials/Resources No additional materials are required.
Corequisites/Prerequisites MATH-0332 Intermediate Algebra
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:


  • Apply elementary functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions to solving real-world problems.
  • Solve mathematics of finance problems, including the computation of interest, annuities, and amortization of loans.
  • Apply basic matrix operations, including linear programming methods, to solve application problems.
  • Demonstrate fundamental probability techniques and application of those techniques, including expected value, to solve problems.
  • Apply matrix skills and probability analyses to model applications to solve real-world problems.
Core Objectives
Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Lecture Topics Outline

Chapter 1 Matrices
1.1 Basic Matrix Operations
1.2 Matrix Multiplication
 
Chapter 2 Linear Models and Systems of Linear Equations
2.1 Review of Lines
2.2 Modeling with Linear Functions
2.3 Systems of Two Equations in Two Unknowns
2.4 Setting Up and Solving Systems of Linear Equations
 
Chapter 3 Linear Programming
3.1 Setting Up Linear Programming Problems
3.2 Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
3.3 Graphical Solution of Linear Programming Problems
3.4 Simplex Method
 
Chapter 4 Basic Probability and Applications
4.1 Mathematical Experiments
4.2 Basics of Probability
4.3 Rules of Probability
4.4 Probability Distributions and Expected Value
 
Chapter 5 Functions
5.1 Relations and Functions
5.2 Polynomial Functions
5.3 Rational Functions
5.4 Power and Radical Functions
5.5 Piecewise-Defined Functions
5.6 Exponential Functions
5.7 Combining and Transforming Functions
5.8 Inverse Functions and Logarithms
 
Chapter 6 Mathematical Finance
6.1 Interest and Effective Rates
6.2 Annuities, Sinking Funds, and Amortization
Major Assignments Schedule See Blackboard for Major Assignments Schedule
Final Exam Date January 20, 2026 - 12:0 AM   Through  May 14, 2026 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Homework - 15%
Quizzes - 15%
Module Exams - 45%  (3 Module Exams @ 15% each)
Final Exam - 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Blackboard/MyOpenMath:

All of your course materials and assignments are accessible through MyOpenMath via Blackboard. You will not need to sign up for or log on to any outside website, as everything will be integrated fully into Blackboard. MyOpenMath is an open-source program and does not require any access code or payment before using. If this is the only course you are taking this semester, or if all of your other classes use open-source (OER) resources, you should consider opting out of the Seahawk Book Bundle program. 

Homework (Practice Problems):

The homework sets can be worked in any order, and multiple versions of each problem will be offered until a correct answer has been reached. You can even continue practicing new versions of each problem after getting a correct answer, if needed (I recommend practicing each problem multiple times until mastery is achieved). Homework sets must be completed before the final deadline at the end of the semester. See Blackboard for exact deadline details.

Quizzes/Module Exams:

Each module contains several quizzes designed to prepare you for the module exams. The quizzes are all available at all times, but you must score 50% or better on each quiz before the corresponding Module Exam will become available. See Blackboard for exact details. All quizzes and module exams must be completed before you will be able to take the Final Exam.

Final Exam:

The Final Exam must be taken on campus, in the testing center located in the Student Success Center building.  Please check the hours of operation for the testing lab before scheduling your Exam. The Final Exam will only become available after you have submitted each of the three Module Exams.  If you are unable to make it to campus due to any unusual yet verifiable circumstances (long-term hospitalization, overseas military deployment, etc.), you must let me know as soon as possible (within the first few days of the semester) so other exam proctoring arrangements can be made.
Attendance Policy Since this is an online course and we will not be meeting in person, the rate and pace of attendance is left somewhat up to the student. It is the sole responsibility of the student to make sure that they are current and up to date in the material and to participate in all posted assignments and activities, and they are expected to do so out of their own desire to learn and succeed. The student's online participation will be observed to an extent, and for any borderline cases of assigning final grades, this record will be taken into consideration.
Additional Information
The syllabus may be updated, as needs arise, throughout the semester. Any major changes will be accompanied by an announcement on Blackboard.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431