BLOOMFIELDCOLLEGE

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT

ACF 92 Mathematical Foundations

FALL 2011 SYLLABUS

Instructor:

Telephone #:(973) 748-9000

E-mail:

Office:LearningResourceCenter

Office hours:

Mailbox: Receptionist’s desk in LearningResourceCenter

NOTICES:
1) Message from the Registrar’s Office:
It is the student’s responsibility to be registered for classes through the Registrar’s Office and cleared through the Bursar’s Office. Students who attend classes and who are not properly registered and cleared will not be reinstated into the class and will not receive credit.
2) Message from the Services for Students with Disabilities Office:
BloomfieldCollege will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students are encouraged to contact Disability Services for information about registration. Services are available only to students who are registered and submit documentation.
Coordinator of Disabilities Services
LearningResourceCenter
(973) 748 – 9000 ext. 654

COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTORS

All students are expected to communicate with their instructors via e-mail. This is a more effective method than the telephone (“phone tag” is not constructive). If you need to open an account, go to the help desk at Talbot Hall.

ACF 92 WEBSITE at

The ACF 92 website not only provides you with the materials needed for the course such as the syllabus and collected and not collected homework but it also provides you with additional resources such as supplemental worksheets and links to math and study skills websites.

MATERIALS

  • Pre-Algebra and Word Problem Applications by Anna Fisher

You may buy this book at the college bookstore.

  • Scientific Calculator. The use of cell phones, palm pilots, or any other electronic devices as calculators will not be permitted.
  • Stapler

Note:All textbooks and handouts must be brought to every class.

GOALS OF THE COURSE

There are many definitions for critical thinking but they all have the same outcome. Those being, to reflectively question, examine and probe common beliefs and explanations. Critical thinking involves examining a problem – looking beneath the surface, distinguishing beliefs that are reasonable and logical from those which lack adequate evidence, questioning why or why not a solution was successful and learning from those failures and successes. Critical thinking requires the student’s participation. With practice, students will begin to think abstractly and to communicate those complex concepts to fellow classmates. To develop critical thinking skills, students must suspend judgment, maintain a healthy skepticism and exercise an open mind.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Perform operations with signed numbers.
  • Simplify algebraic expressions using laws of exponents.
  • Translate word sentences and solve algebraic equations.
  • Graph linear equations in two variables.
  • Demonstrate effective strategies and problem solving techniques for challenging word problem applications.
  • Analyze the viability of their solutions.
  • Use learned skills to complete a real life application project.
  • Incorporate mathematical vocabulary when communicating ideas orally and in writing.
  • Eliminate or minimize math anxiety through the development of effective study skills.
  • Enhance the appreciation of math.
  • Work independently, as well as in group activities.

COURSE POLICIES

CAD & ACF STUDENT PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The Center for Academic Development has a Code of Conduct for all students enrolled in any Academic Foundations course, workshop, study group and tutorial sessions.

The staff at CAD believes that all students are entitled to learn in an appropriately professional atmosphere. Students must be allowed to receive the most from their educational environment. The guidelines below will ensure that students receive the maximum benefit of instruction without unnecessary disruptions to their concentration and learning.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature, professional manner. We expect students to demonstrate respect for all others in the room, including instructors, other students and visitors.

Lack of respect towards the teacher and/or students will not be permitted. The disruptive student will be reprimanded according to the severity and frequency of his/her actions.

Violations of the Code will be addressed in accordance with College Policies listed in the catalog.

COLLEGE-WIDE CELL PHONE POLICY

  • Cell phones must be put away (in a purse, book bag) or clipped onto clothing.
  • All cellular phones must be placed on “Off” mode when attending class and during on-campus work hours. If an incoming call interrupts the class, the student will be asked to immediately turn his/her cellular phone to the “Off” mode.
  • Except in the case of an extreme emergency (notify the instructor if this will be the case) students should not disturb the class by leaving the room (see disruption or obstruction of college activities in BloomfieldCollege catalog) to receive an incoming call or to make a phone call.
  • Under no circumstance should students make a phone call or send a text message during class lectures/discussions or major campus ceremonies and events.
  • The College is aware that cell phones are used for emergency notification. Therefore, each faculty member during the first week of class will select at least three students who are registered for the E2Campus emergency text messaging service. These selected students will have their cell phones turned on “vibrate” mode to receive possible emergency alerts.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

  • Students are expected to not have Ipods’ plugs in their ears.
  • Students are expected not to leave the class while the instructor is giving a lecture to take care of personal business.
  • Students are expected to refrain from inappropriate displays such as yawning, continuous sighing, and so forth.
  • Students are expected not to lay their heads on the desk or fall asleep.
  • Students are expected not to eat during class. You may not leave the class during lecture to get something to drink or eat.
  • Students are expected not to talk during lecture, pass notes or objects such as lotion, do other assignments, or groom themselves during class.
  • Standard English will be spoken at all times. Slang is not acceptable.
  • Obscene or abusive language will absolutely not be tolerated in class.

PARTICIPATION

  • Students are expected to bring all materials to every class – textbooks, notebooks, writing implements, calculators, rulers (if necessary) and other items as requested by the instructor.
  • Students are expected to be ready to learn; textbooks open to the day’s lesson; homework already stapled and out on the desks; pencils sharpened; and so forth.
  • Students are expected to attend class having completed homework assignments (collected and not collected).
  • Students are expected to remain in class for the entire time. Students will be dismissed by the instructor. Therefore, no student should start putting their books away at any time.
  • Students are expected to participate in class. This includes exercises to be done at your desk or on the board. It also includes asking questions and answering questions.
  • Students are expected to take an active role in their learning – one way is to take notes.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity. Cheating on a test, quiz, or homework assignment is not accepted. Students who are found to have cheated will receive a “0” for the test, quiz, or homework. Furthermore, a report of the incident will be forwarded to the Dean of Faculty. A second incident may result in failure in the course and will be brought before the Judiciary Board.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance will be enforced in compliance with the Uniform College Attendance policy found in the College catalog.

  • Students are permitted a maximum of 6 absences from class.
  • The following absences are not considered “excused” absences; late registration, personal illness, family illness, doctor appointments, deaths in the family, car breakdowns, public transportation problems, rain, snow, sleet, hurricanes, visiting relatives, baby sitter problems, court dates, etc.
  • Students exceeding these absences will be withdrawn from the course. If you are withdrawn from class due to excessive absences and lateness, you may appeal the decision. Instructions for the appeal process may be found at the attendance policy link in the ACF 92 website.

Students who miss class due to participation in an approved college activity (athletic, academicor cultural) should inform the instructor before the event. Students will be responsible for anymissed work.

LATENESS and LEAVING CLASS EARLY POLICY

A student will be considered late once attendance has been taken by the instructor. A student will be considered leaving class early anytime before the instructor dismisses the class.

Accumulation of 2 lateness and/or leaving class early will equal one absence.

Note:It is school regulation that students wait at least 20 minutes for the teacher to arrive.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Every student is expected to complete the given homework assignments listed in the syllabus. It is an important part of the course. The assignments allow students to judge how much and how well they know the subject material before test day.

The answer sheet and work on separate paper must be stapled. If it is not stapled, it will be returned to you.

  • HOMEWORK PROBLEMS – NOT TO BE COLLECTED – DRILL EXERCISES

Problems will be from the textbook and from the indicated handout. You are responsible for all problems assigned.

  • HOMEWORK PROBLEMS DUE – TO BE COLLECTED

Problems will be found on at the ACF 92 website at

No late homework will be accepted.

TESTS

Tests will be given frequently. There will be no practice tests. Use homework assignments and quizzes as a guide on what to study. There are no retakes of tests. MISSED TESTS MAY NOT BE MADE UP.

A Make-Up Test (take home test) will be given towards the end of the semester. This test is an opportunity to replace your lowest test grade of tests #1-6. If you were absent on a test day, the make up test can replace that grade of zero.

QUIZZES

Quizzes will be given frequently. There are no retakes of quizzes. MISSED QUIZZES MAY NOT BE MADE UP.

You may not leave the class at any time during a test or quiz. Take care of any personal business before or after the class.

STUDY GROUPS & TUTORIALS

Students are expected to take the responsibility of improving their academic performance. One way of accomplishing that is to take advantage of the services (free tutoring, workshops) offered by the Center for Academic Development located in the LearningResourceCenter.

Every student in the ACF 92 course is expected to attend study group or on-going tutorial sessions for one hour per week. You will receive extra points toward your final grade. The study group sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and review concepts that you may not have had a chance to do in class.

To register for a study group or on-going tutorial session, go to the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and set up a day and time that best fits your schedule with the front desk staff.

If at any time during the semester, you feel you need more than one hour of tutoring, please sign up for additional tutorial sessions.

LearningResourceCenter Office Hours:Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm

Saturday 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

RESOURCES

Students should not rely solely on the instructor’s class lecture or notes as the resource to succeed in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to find the information they need in other places. The following are some suggestions.

  • Textbook and its solutions manual
  • Classmates
  • - an on-line tutorial support
  • YouTube – there are math tutorials on many topics from basic math to algebra.
  • Math websites (links can be found at

GRADE EVALUATION

Grades will be determined by tests, quizzes, homework (collected and not collected), study group, participation and final exam.

To pass the course, the student must maintain a passing course average AND pass the final exam.

The minimum passing grade is C (C - or D is not a passing grade). Students are permitted two attempts at passing the course. A grade of W or WF is considered one “attempt” at the course.

6 tests / 100 points each / 600 points
11 quizzes / 10 points each / 110 points
14 collected homework / 10 points each / 140 points
Class participation & Daily homework assignments / 50 points
(extra points)
Study group/tutorial session / 2 pts. per session / max 50 points
(extra points)
Final exam / 600 points
TOTAL / 1450 points

YOU NEED A MINIMUM OF 1085 POINTS AND PASSING THE FINAL EXAM IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE.

GRADE TRACKING

#1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #5 / #6 / Total points
6 TESTS
(100 PTS EACH)
#1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #5 / #6 / #7 / #8 / #9 / #10 / #11 / Total
points
11 QUIZZES
(10 PTS EACH)
#1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #5 / #6 / #7 / #8 / #9 / #10
14 Collected HW
(10 PTS EACH)
#11 / #12 / #13 / #14 / Total points
Class participation & Daily homework assignments
(50 points) / (extra points)
Study group
(50 points) / (extra points)
Keep track of the dates and # of times you attended!!!!
Final exam
(600 points)
Total points ______

CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

NOTE: To do well in a math course, research studies state that for every hour spent in class, a student should spend at least 2 hours on homework and study time.

***Subject to change***

DATE / TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS / Drill Exercises due for class (not collected) / Homework Collected Due & Quiz Day
1
WED
8/31 / Textbook:
Definitions of Real Numbers Exercise 1.1 (p. 3)
Reading Whole #’s Exercise 1.2 (p. 7)
Rounding Whole #’s Exercise 1.3 (p. 11)
2
FRI
9/2 / Discuss syllabus
Textbook:
Primes & Factor Trees Exercise 1.4 (p. 17)
Computations with Whole #’s Exercise 1.5 (p. 21) / Read Syllabus
Textbook:
Exercise 1.1 Set B (p. 4): all #’s
Exercise 1.2 (p. 7): even #’s
Exercise 1.3 (p. 11): even #’s

COLLEGE CLOSED for Labor Day; Monday, September 5

NOTE: Tuesday, September 6, is the last day to add/drop a course or change the section of a course - instructor’s signature not needed.

3
WED
9/7 / Textbook:
Order of Operations Exercise 1.6 (p. 27-28)
Applications with Word Problems
Exercise 1.7 (p.31–39)
Study Skills
Discuss schedules / Textbook:
Exercise 1.4 (p. 17): even #’s
Exercise 1.5 (p. 21): even #’s
Study Skills at 92 website
“Math Study Skills Inventory” / Math History (found in ACF 92 Workbook) & Contract Signatures
4
FRI
9/9 / Textbook:
Applications with Word Problems
Exercise 1.7 (p.31–39) / Textbook:
Exercise 1.6 Set A (p. 27): even #’s
Exercise 1.7 Set A (p. 31 – 34): even #’s / Homework #1
5
MON
9/12 / Textbook:
Add/Subtract with Signed Numbers
Exercise 2.1 (p. 47-48)
Multiply/Divide with Signed Numbers
Exercise 2.2 (p. 51):
Study Skills
Discuss monthly calendar
Discuss Forgetting Curve / Textbook:
Exercise 1.7 Set B (p. 35 – 39): even #’s / Homework #2
Quiz #1
(Section 1.1)

NOTE: Tuesday, September 13, is the last day to change the section of a course (not able to add/drop a course) - instructor’s signature needed.

6
WED
9/14 / Textbook:
Order of Operations with signed numbers
Exercise 2.3 (p. 55-56)
Study Skills
Discuss Cornell Method / Textbook:
Exercise 2.1 Set B (p. 48): all #’s Exercise 2.2 (p. 51): even #’s / Homework #3
DATE / TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS / Drill Exercises due for class (not collected) / Homework Collected Due & Quiz Day
7
FRI
9/16 / Textbook:
Order of Operations with signed numbers
Exercise 2.3 (p. 55-56)
Study Skills
Review for Test #1
Discuss Test-Taking Strategies / Textbook:
Exercise 2.3 Set B (p. 56): even #’s
Review Problems for Test
Come prepared with questions from homework, quizzes and class notes. / Quiz #2
(Section 1.6 - 1.7)
8
MON
9/19 / TEST #1
CHAPTER 1 (p. 1 – 40) / Review Problems for Test
Study questions from homework, quizzes and class notes.
Exercise 1.1, 1.6, 1.7
9
WED
9/21 / Textbook:
Words to Algebra Exercise 2.4 (p. 59 – 60)
Simplifying Expressions Exercise 7.3 (p. 213-214)
Study Skills
Discuss Post-Test Strategies / Textbook:
Exercise 2.3 Set B (p. 56): all #’s
10
FRI
9/23 / Textbook:
Fractions & Mixed #’s Exercise 3.1 (p. 65 – 68)
Equivalent Fractions Exercise 3.2 (p. 75 – 76) / Textbook:
Exercise 2.4 Set B (p. 60): all #’s
Exercise 7.3 Set B (p. 213): all #’s / Homework #4
11
MON
9/26 / Textbook:
Multiply/Divide with Fractions & Mixed #’s
Exercise 3.3 (p. 83 – 84)
Add/Subtract with Fractions & Mixed #’s
Exercise 3.4 (p. 93 – 94) / Textbook:
Exercise 3.1 (p. 65 – 68): Set A (all #’s)
Set B (even #’s)
Exercise 3.2 (p. 75 – 76): even #’s
12
WED
9/28 / Textbook:
Order of Operations with Fractions
Exercise 3.5 (p. 97 - 98)
Order of Operations with Signed Fractions
Exercise 3.7 (p. 115-116) / Textbook:
Exercise 3.3 (p. 83 – 84): even #’s
Exercise 3.4 (p. 93 – 94): even #’s / Quiz #3
(Section 2.1 - 2.4)
13
FRI
9/30 / Textbook:
Order of Operations with Fractions
Exercise 3.5 (p. 97 - 98)
Order of Operations with Signed Fractions
Exercise 3.7 (p. 115-116)
More Words to Algebra
Exercise 3.8 (p. 119) / Textbook:
Exercise 3.5 Set A (p. 97): even #’s
Exercise 3.7 Set B (p. 116): even #’s / Homework #5
14
MON
10/3 / Textbook:
Applications with Fractions
Exercise 3.6 (p.101–111)
ACF 92 Workbook:
Simplifying Expressions with Fractions / Textbook:
Exercise 3.5 Set A (p. 97): all #’s
Exercise 3.7 Set B (p. 116): all #’s
Exercise 3.8 Set B (p. 120): all #’s / Quiz #4
(Section 3.1 - 3.4)
DATE / TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS / Drill Exercises due for class (not collected) / Homework Collected Due & Quiz Day
15
WED
10/5 / Textbook:
Applications with Fractions
Exercise 3.6 (p.101–111) / Textbook:
Exercise 3.6 Set B (p. 107-111): even #’s
ACF 92 Workbook:
Simplifying Expressions with Fractions / Homework #6
16
FRI
10/7 / Textbook:
Reading & Writing Decimals Exercise 4.1 (p. 123)
Rounding Decimals Exercise 4.2 (p. 127)
+/-/x/÷ with Decimals Exercise 4.3 (p. 135)
Study Skills
Review for Test #2
Discuss Test Preparation / Exercise 3.6 Set B (p. 101-111): even #’s
Review Problems for Test
Come prepared with questions from homework, quizzes and class notes.
Exercise 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.5, 3.7 / Quiz #5
(Section 3.5, 3.7, 7.3)
17
MON
10/10 / TEST #2
CHAPTER 2
(p. 41 – 60)
CHAPTER 3.5 and 3.7
(excluding word problems)
(p. 61 – 116) / Review Problems for Test
Study questions from homework, quizzes and class notes.
Sections 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.5, 3.7
18
WED
10/12 / Textbook:
Convert Fractions to Decimals
Exercise 4.4 (p. 139 - 140)
Order of Operations with Decimals & Signed Numbers Exercise 4.6 (p. 149- 150) / Textbook:
Exercise 4.1 (p. 123): all #’s
Exercise 4.2 (p. 127): all #’s
Exercise 4.3 (p. 135): all #’s
19
FRI
10/14 / Textbook:
Applications with Decimals
Exercise 4.5 (p. 143-146)
Order of Operations with Decimals & Signed Numbers Exercise 4.6 (p. 149- 150) / Textbook:
Exercise 4.4 Set B (p. 140): all #’s
Exercise 4.6 Set B (p. 150): even #’s / Homework #7
20
MON
10/17 / Textbook:
Applications with Decimals
Exercise 4.5 (p. 143-146)
ACF 92 Workbook:
Simplifying Expressions with Decimals / Textbook:
Exercise 4.5 Set A (p. 143-144): even #’s
Exercise 4.6 Set B (p. 150): all #’s / Quiz #6
(Section 3.6)
21
WED
10/19 / ACF 92 Workbook:
Laws of Exponents (p.): #1 - 120 / Textbook:
Exercise 4.5 Set B (p. 143-144): all #’s
ACF 92 Workbook:
Simplifying Expressions with Decimals / Homework #8
DATE / TOPICS COVERED IN CLASS / Drill Exercises due for class (not collected) / Homework Collected Due & Quiz Day
22
FRI
10/21 / ACF 92 Workbook:
Laws of Exponents (p. ): #1 - 120
Study Skills
Review for Test #3
Discuss Test Preparation / ACF 92 Workbook:
Laws of Exponents
Review Problems for Test
Come prepared with questions from homework, quizzes and class notes.
Exercise 3.6, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 / Quiz #7
(Section 4.4 – 4.6)

Midterm grades are due on Friday, September. The course instructor will distribute a midterm report.