MAT 051: Developmental Math

Course Syllabus

Fall 2006

Instructor: Dr. Kate McGivney

Office: MCT 277

Phone: 477-1490

email address:

website:

Office Hours: My office hours for this semester are

  • Monday 10-11 a.m.
  • Tuesday 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Thursday 8:30-9:30 a.m.

and by appointment.

PREREQUISITES:

Developmental Math is a course designed to provide students with basic mathematics skills needed to be successful in college-level math courses at ShippensburgUniversity. Placement in this course is by placement testing and is typically assigned through the School of Academic Programs and Services. You will not receive college credit for this course. A passing grade (S) in this course allows a student to enroll in:

  • MAT 102 - Introduction to Statistical Reasoning
  • MAT 105 - Math for Liberal Studies
  • MAT 110 - Fundamentals of Mathematics I
  • MAT 111 - Fundamentals of Mathematics II
  • MAT 120 - Basic Mathematical Models
  • MAT 170 -Statistics

COURSE MEETING TIMES:

We will meet from 1-1:50 on the following dates:

8/28 (M), 8/30 (W), 9/6 (M), 9/11 (M), 9/13 (W), 9/18 (M), 9/20 (W), 9/25 (M), 9/27 (W), 10/2 (M), 10/4 (W), 10/11 (W), 10/16 (M), 10/18 (W), and 10/23 (M).

TEXT:

Introductory Algebra (3rd edition) by K. Elayn Martin-Gay enhanced with My Math Lab published by Prentice Hall.

MY MATH LAB:

Our textbook for this course comes enhanced with My Math Lab which means that you will receive (with your textbook) a code to an online website This site will allow you to complete homework assignments, work through practice exams, watch videos explaining how to do problems, see example problems worked out through computer animations, read the textbook online with direct links to practice problems and get connected with tutors over the phone.
Doing the homework problems online will provided you withunlimited practice problems as well asprovide you with step-by-step directions for completing the assignments. Also, the computer will analyze your difficulties and produce a study plan just for you; this will allow me to see the problems you are working on and determine your difficulties.

Students who are having problems with the online software can see me or the math department tutors for help. If you would prefer a paper version of the text, you must purchase a NEW book so that you have access to the online materials.Students who feel very comfortable with computers may choose to by just the online code, as the entire textbook is included online. Two hard copies of the textbook will be placed on reserve in the library in case you have difficulty with the online materials.

COURSE GOALS:

  • To prepare you to be successful and confident in your future college level math courses.
  • To help you become more comfortable with basic algebra skills.
  • To help you develop successful strategies for preparing for a college level math course.
  • To provide a new approach to learning traditional algebraic skills.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

  • Attend class every day and make your best effort to arrive on time.
  • Be prepared to work in class every day.
  • Work on the online assignments and tutorials on a daily basis and form study groups with your classmates.
  • Keep an orderly notebook of course activity.
  • Come see me during office hours as soon as you need help.
  • See the math department or LAC tutors if you need still more help.
  • Get a private tutor to work with you one-on-one with the class material, if you need additional assistance.
  • Be active in class. Participate in class discussions. Keep your group on task.
  • Check your email and the My Math Lab site regularly.
  • Be responsible for any material missed when you are absent.
  • Always ask questions if you need help or need a review of previous material.

ASSESSMENT:

This course will follow a model of self-paced instruction. This means that while we will all begin the class at the same point, students will progress through the course at different rates depending upon the amount of homework that they complete outside of class and their performance on the exams.

  • HOMEWORK: You should work on the online homework assignments outside of class, alone or with a group of your classmates. Homework questions should be brought to class. Prior to taking a test you must have completed each of the online homework assignments for that test with a grade of 60% or better. There is only one exception to this general rule: On the day the test is given in class, the requirement will be waived for any student who was present for each of the two days on which the material for the test was covered in class. (That is, you must do all the homework (and get at least a 60% on each assignment) if you cut class, if you are trying to take the test early, or if you did not pass the first try and you are taking a retake.)
  • TESTS: There will be four exams given this semester (Exam 2, Exam 3, Exam 4, and Exam 5). The topics and related sections are given below.
  • Passing Grades: In order to pass this course, you must pass each of the five exams.A score of 70% or higher on the FIRST TRYfor each test is required to pass the exam. You are allowed to retake exams, but you must earn an 80% or better on the retake to pass the exam.
  • Make-ups: If you take an exam and do not pass it, you will be assigned extra remediation and will be eligible to try the exam again during the next in-class testing period or during an out of class make-up exam time.Any individual exam may only be taken once during a 24-hour period. Also, make-up exams will be given on Fridays from 12-3 in DHC 051. Additional make-up exam times will be announced in class. To be eligible for a make-up exam, you must notify me by email at least 24-hours in advance.
  • Passing the Course: You must pass all four exams by Monday, 10/23 in order to pass the course with an S grade. If you do not complete all four exams by that date, you will not pass the course and will receive a U grade.

Test / Topic / Sections
Fractions/Arithmetic / R.1 - R.2, 1.2 - 1.6, 3.1 - 3.2, 8.1
2 / Linear Equations / 1.3 - 1.6, 1.8, 2.1 - 2.6
3 / Polynomials/Exponents / 3.1 - 3.6
4 / Factoring/Quadratic Equations/Roots/Radicals / 4.1 - 4.2, 4.5 - 4.6, 5.1, 8.1 - 8.2, 8.5
5 / Graphing/Lines / 6.1 - 6.6

NOTICES:

  • Accommodations can be made for students who, at the beginning of the semester, identify themselves to the instructor as having special needs. If you have a disability that may require special consideration and/or modifications, please provide documentation from the Office of Social Equity, suggestions for assistance to maximize class participation, completion of assignments, etc., by the end of the second week of classes.
  • It is university policy that any student missing class due to scheduled religious observances must provide in writing the dates to be missed at the beginning of the semester.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

It is the policy of ShippensburgUniversity to expect academic honesty. Students who commit breaches of academic honesty will be subject to the various sanctions outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.