`Business Mathematics (BAAS-130) Syllabus
Term: Fall 2023
Instructor: Bridget Trinkle
Office: Siena Hall Adjunct Office 104
Office Phone: 518-783-2300
Office Hours: T/R 5:30-6:00 in SH104
T/R 7:30-8:00 in Classroom
E-Mail Address: btrinkle@[Link]
QBUS Help Lab: BAAS 105, 130 and 200: Tuesday, Wednesday from 5pm-8pm in Siena Hall 101
Required Text: Cengage Unlimited Multi-term (ISBN: 9780357700013)
*This provides access to an electronic copy of the textbook as well as WebAssign
Required Materials: A graphing calculator (ideally TI-84), notebook, writing implements.
Mode of Instruction: This course will be delivered all in-person. There is no option for remote. Your
homework will be done using Canvas and our homework system called WebAssign.
Course Description
This course provides a survey of mathematical techniques used in common business applications.
Mathematical techniques central to the understanding of finance and derivative calculus will be
introduced, with emphasis placed on the interpretation of contextual solutions encountered in many
areas of business. Applications include financial valuation, elementary modeling, and optimization
through the examination of rates of change.
(ATTR: ARTS) Prerequisites: BAAS105 or successful completion of the mathematics placement exam.
Prerequisite Knowledge
The most important prerequisites are an interest in the subject, the willingness to commit the necessary resources in terms of
time and intellectual effort, and the willingness to actively participate in the learning process.
Students should have a fundamental understanding of mathematical reasoning as well as be competent in solving applied
algebra problems. BAAS105 or successful completion of the mathematics placement exam.
Specific, Assessable Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Evaluate, select and apply the appropriate BAAS 130 technique to solve problems. Specifically:
1. Develop a solid understanding of the concept of time value of money.
2. Utilize functions to describe and evaluate business applications.
3. Describe the effects of various rates of changes as they relate to fundamental business
applications and decisions.
4. Use optimization techniques to solve business problems.
5. Use graphs to build an understanding of the business environment.
Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Class Attendance and Participation
Class attendance is very important and strongly encouraged. If you miss class, it is your
responsibility to make up any missed work and do the associated readings. Daily assignments will
consist of problems assigned from the text or as additional problems handed out in class. Bring the text
to class every day, as well as a graphing calculator. The TI-84/TI-84Plus is strongly recommended and
will be the calculator used for classroom demonstrations.
Exams
There will be 2 exams during the semester and a cumulative final exam. The 2 in semester exams
will be done in class time. Make-Up exams will be given at the discretion of the teacher, providing
proper documentation is given. Notification for missing an exam should be given, except in rare cases,
prior to the exam. The final exam date, time, and location will be posted as soon as available.
Homework
Homework will be graded and assigned through WebAssign. WebAssign may be accessed
through your Canvas account under the modules section of the course page. All homework assignments
will be due at 11:59pm on the date given on WebAssign. The lowest two homework assignments will be
dropped.
Evaluation Criteria/Category Weights
Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 20%
WebAssign Homework 10%
Quizzes 30%
Final (Cumulative) 20%
GRADE GUIDELINES: A (93 - 100) C (73 - 76)
A- (90 - 92) C- (70 - 72)
B+ (87 - 89) D+ (67 - 69)
B (83 - 86) D (63 - 66)
B- (80 - 82) D- (60 - 62)
C+ (77 - 79) F ( 0 - 59)
Statement of Expectations
This course is a pre-business core requirement for the School of Business. As such, any student in the course is
required to show a D- level proficiency in the course in order to attain credit for the college core and/or attain
credit towards the business major. It is normally taken during the student’s first semester of full-time studies.
Amount of Time Spent on Course
The amount of time that you need to spend on this course inside and outside of class is directly
related to your incoming preparation level and recency in mathematics. For average students, 2 hours
of preparation for every hour inside class and between classes is typically sufficient. That time
increases if you have had historical difficulty with mathematics, particularly algebra. It increases when
you aren’t putting in regular time or have to make up class sessions. If your mathematical preparation
level is deficient, it may be as much as 4 hours for each class hour.
Recommended Study Habits
Every student learns differently, however here is some guidance on how success may be found in this
Course:
Start studying multiple days before an exam, and do not try to cram all the material in for the night
before. “Cramming” in the days before a test is not an effective way to learn the skills necessary to
employ mathematical reasoning in the business environment. Actively take notes during class, and
review and clean up notes on your own time while working through assignments, and while the
material is relatively fresh from instruction. Practice, practice, practice! The more problems you work
and see, the more likely a similar question will be asked on an exam.
Cheating and Academic Integrity
Guidelines for academic integrity are clearly stated in “Academic Integrity and the Student” which can
be found at Academic Integrity and the Siena Student: Siena College. Here is a good rule of thumb for
this particular class.
You are encouraged to discuss homework problems and assignments with your fellow students, tutors
and teachers. Never copy a homework problem from somebody’s paper onto your paper. That’s their
work, not yours. Don’t take a tutor’s or other teacher’s “help” as a complete and final solution. Their
help should be a potential means to the end-product for what is turned in.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and the penalty for any instances of cheating on exams will
be at the discretion of the instructor and at a minimum will include failure of the grading instrument,
but could include failure for the course. Students who commit such acts expose themselves to
punishments as severe as dishonorable dismissal from the College.
The following quote is from the Siena College Catalog:
“Academic dishonesty can take different forms, including, but not limited to: cheating [dishonesty in a
test situation], plagiarism [dishonesty in the presentation of written materials], and computer abuse. In
any situation in which a student is unsure of what constitutes academic dishonesty, it is the student’s
responsibility to raise the question with his or her instructor.”
The penalty for any instances of cheating on exams will be at the discretion of the instructor and at a
minimum will include failure of the grading instrument, but could include failure for the course.
Unauthorized Recording
The following statement is from the Siena College Student Handbook:
“Any unauthorized installation and/or use of any device for listening to, observing, photographing,
recording, amplifying, transmitting or broadcasting sounds of any person while on the College
premises, when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without the knowing and willing
consent of all persons involved, is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, taking photographic
images of a person dressing or undressing; photographing or videotaping a person’s intimate body
parts; video or audio recording during class, meetings or administrative hearings; or creating social
media communication or profiles using the name or likeness of another.”
Mental Health and Counseling Resources
For any number of reasons, you may become overwhelmed during your time at Siena. It is very common
to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions. Fortunately, the
Counseling Center, located in Foy Hall Room 110, is a resource to help overcome those potential
challenges. You can make an appointment by stopping by, calling 518-783-234, or requesting one online
on the Siena Counseling Center webpage.
Probable Course Outline:
WEEK Content Homework
1 9/5: Introduction, Review Chapter 5: Exponential Get TI-84 Calculator, online
and Logarithmic Functions textbook and Webassign set up
9/7: Chapters 6.1 and 6.2: Simple vs Compound
Interest
2 9/12: Chapter 6.3: Future Value vs. Present value of WebAssign #1 due 9/19
Annuities
9/14: Chapters 6.4-6.5: Loans/Amortization
3 9/19: Chapters 9.1 and 9.2: Limits WebAssign #2 due 9/26
9/21: Chapter 9.3: Rate of Change/Derivatives
4 9/26: Chapter 9.4: Derivative Formulas WebAssign #3 due 10/3
9/28: Mixed Practice (Heavy Ch 6)/Quiz 1
5 10/3: Chapter 9.5: Product/Quotient Rule WebAssign #4 due 10/10
10/5: Chapter 9.6: Chain/Power Rule
6 10/10: Chapter 9.7: Using Rules/Mixed Practice WebAssign #5 due 10/17
10/12: Chapter 9.8: Higher Order Derivatives
7 10/17: Chapter 9.9: Applications in the Real World WebAssign #6 due 10/24
10/19: Review STUDY!!
8 10/24: EXAM 1 WebAssign #7 due 10/31
10/26: Mixed Review
9 10/31: Chapter 10.1: Relative Min/Max WebAssign #8 due 11/7
11/2: Chapters 10.2-10.3: Concavity,
Optimization/Quiz 2
10 11/7: Chapter 11.1: Derivatives of Logs WebAssign #9 due 11/14
11/9: Chapter 11.2: Derivatives of Exponentials STUDY!!
11 11/14: REVIEW WebAssign #10 due 11/21
11/16: EXAM #2
12 11/21: Mixed Review NO WEBASSIGN-HAPPY
11/23: NO CLASS THANKSGIVING
13 11/28: Chapter 12.1: Indefinite Integrals WebAssign #11 due 12/5
11/30: Chapters 12.2 and 12.3: Power Rule and
Integrating Exponentials/Logarithms
14 12/5: Applications/Review STUDY FOR FINAL!!
12/8: Final Review
15 FINAL TBD
SIENA COLLEGE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
MISSION STATEMENT
Mission
We empower students with the knowledge and values to lead, serve, and succeed in their careers,
communities, and lives.
Vision
To succeed in the future, we strive to provide an education that is differentiated and continuously
improving in order to prepare students for the dynamic global business environment; offer multiple
opportunities for challenging applied learning experiences within our academic programs; articulate,
integrate and apply Siena’s Franciscan and liberal arts traditions to our teaching, research and service;
enhance the interaction and collaboration among faculty and students; and, maintain an open and honest
dialogue with all of our stakeholders.
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