Fall 2026
Quantitative Reasoning
Instructor: Daniel Gilson
Email: dgilson@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6566
Office Hours: MW 9:30-12:30; TTH 8:00-9:30, 11:00-12:30; F (virtual) 10:00-1:00
Intended for Non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. Topics include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications. Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course. Additional topics may be covered.
Contemporary Mathematics by Donna Kirk, OpenStax, 2023.
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.
MATH-0332 Intermediate Algebra or equivalent.
1. Apply the language and notation of sets.
2. Determine the validity of an argument or statement and provide mathematical evidence.
3. Solve problems in mathematics of finance.
4. Demonstrate fundamental probability/counting techniques and apply those techniques to solve problems.
5. Interpret and analyze various representations of data.
6. Demonstrate the ability to choose and analyze mathematical models to solve problems from real-world settings, including, but not limited to, personal finance, health literacy, and civic engagement.
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.
Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Exam 1: 9/28
Exam 2: 11/2
Exam 3: 12/2
Final Exam: 12/9
90 - 100=A
80 - 89=B
70 - 79=C
60 - 69=D
Below 59 = F
15% - Homework Average
20% - Quiz Average
15% - Module I Exam
15% - Module II Exam
15% - Module III Exam
20% - Final Exam
Your Final Exam grade may replace your lowest Module Exam.
All course materials and assignments are accessible through MyOpenMath via Blackboard. You will not need to sign up for or log in to an outside website. MyOpenMath is integrated into Blackboard and does not require an access code or payment.
MyOpenMath is an open-source program. If this is the only course you are taking this semester, or if all of your other classes use open-source or OER resources, you should consider opting out of the Seahawk Book Bundle program.
Homework assignments are completed in MyOpenMath. Homework is where most of the practice and learning takes place.
Students should work through homework carefully and write out their steps on paper. Multiple versions of many problems may be available, and students are encouraged to continue practicing until they understand the material.
Homework should be completed before attempting the related quiz or exam. Students who rush through homework or skip practice should not expect to be fully prepared for the assessments.
Homework will be assigned on the last class day of a week, and due by 11:59pm on the following week.
Quizzes must be completed in the order required by Blackboard. Each module contains section assignments, quizzes, and a unit exam.
Section quizzes allow multiple attempts, and the best score is kept.
Quizzes will be assigned on the last class day of a week, and due by 11:59pm on the following week.
Exams will be taken in class. Students will be given at least one week of notice before an exam. In general, exams will be closed note and must be completed in a single class period.
The Final Exam is comprehensive and may include material from throughout the entire course. The grade received for a Final Exam may replace the lowest grade received for a Module Exam (if the replacement helps the overall grade of a student).
Students are expected to attend each day of class to learn the material covered. If a student misses a class, they should come to office hours, talk to a classmate, or look on Blackboard to catch up on missed notes.
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 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.
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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
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.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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.
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.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
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.