Math 090: Introductory Algebra for College Students
Fall 2017
Instructor:Beth Gillespie
Contact Email:
Class Room: 226
Academic Website:
Text: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th ed., Julie Miller, Molly O'Neill, Nancy Hyde, 2011. ISBN: 13:978-0-07-338451-1
*Students will be check out a copy of the text from the bookstore and will be responsible for it for the semester.
Materials:
Pencils for homework, quizzes and exams.
Binder with loose-leaf paper and dividers.
Graphing Calculator TI-83 or 84 (TI-84 preferred)
oIf you are unable to purchase a graphing calculator you may check one out from the bookstore.
oCell phones are NOT ALLOWED to be used anytime during class, even as calculators.
Course Description:
Math is about more than just calculating numbers, it is about patterns and information of numbers. No job will ask their employee to use a specific math method or theorem to get information, but rather will expect the employee to use appropriate math tools and be able to check their work. This course, therefore, will focus on discovering numerical patterns that underlie mathematics as well as looking at practical applications of it.
This is a college-preparation course in higher-level algebra and problem-solving skills that have uses in everyday life, in many careers, and in advanced mathematics courses. We will explore math concepts in these contexts, by looking first at use in everyday life, in careers, and in advanced math courses, and then learning the material through those applications. This course is designed for students who dislike math or don’t feel they are good at it, students who want to go on to higher-level math classes, and students who love the challenge of math, and others.
This course’s content includes the vocabulary, operations, and applications of real numbers, linear equations and inequalities, applications of algebra, exponents, polynomials, factoring, graphing, linear equations, probability, and statistics.
Course Objectives:
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
Review: Demonstrate knowledge of and skill with real numbers; use basic set theory for various math applications; use vocabulary to describe types of real numbers; perform operations (ASMD) involving real numbers; use order of operations to perform operations; solve basic linear equations for an unknown
Radicals: Introduce the basics of radicals including simplifying and ASM operations with radicals.
Solve and manipulate advanced linear equations: Use basic math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as inverse functions to solve linear equations; Rearrange symbolic linear equations to solve for an indicated variable; Identify and interpret consistent and inconsistent and dependent and independent outcomes when solving an equation; Apply the concepts of direct and inverse variation to analyze equations
Set up and solve real-world problems: Identify and label variables and unknowns; Translate words into mathematical equations; Use appropriate mathematical tools to find unknowns; Report results in the context of the problem; Set up and solve general, integer, money, and mixture problems; Apply basic algebra and arithmetic to complete everyday math problems
Demonstrate knowledge and usage of linear inequalities: Set up and solve simple and compound linear inequalities; Represent results of inequalities using interval and set notations; Recognize and solve real-world problems using inequalities
Demonstrate knowledge and usage of graphing of linear equations: Graph points and linear equations in two variables using various methods; Determine the slope and intercepts of linear equations and describe their meaning; Recognize and utilize slope-intercept form of linear equations; Interpret graphs for math applications
Demonstrate knowledge of systems of linear equations: Students will be able to solve systems with two linear equations and two unknowns by graphing, substitution, and by using the addition method.
Demonstrate knowledge and usage of exponents: Recognize and apply the rules of exponents; Simplify expressions containing zero and negative exponents; Convert numbers to and from scientific notation
Perform basic operations with polynomials: Identify and combine like terms (AS) of polynomials of various degrees; (MD) polynomials of various degrees
Demonstrate knowledge and usage of factoring: Factor monomials from polynomials; Factor polynomials by grouping; Factor trinomials in various forms; Solve quadratic equations using factoring; Apply quadratic equations to real-world problems
Demonstrate knowledge and usage of basic statistics and probability: Distinguish between a population and a sample; Calculate mean, median, mode, and weighted mean for a set of numbers; Recognize randomness and identify probability applications; Calculate basic probabilities for random variables; Use statistics and probability to make basic decisions
Expectations:
Follow school rules. THIS INCLUDES DRESS CODE.
Do not use your cell phone.
Be Responsible. .
Be Respectful. Show respect to all other students and CECFC staff members and school property, as well as neighbors, community members, and all people.
Be Ready to Learn. Come prepared to class each day ready to learn and work.
Assessment:
There will be four exams (including the final), weekly quizzes, in-class assignments/warm-ups, homework assignments, and a participation grade.
The performance quizzes will likely be given most Fridays. The purpose of the weekly performance quizzes is to provide students feedback and for them to show me what they know.
Warm-ups will be given and graded in-class as a quick way to assess student understanding. They will only be worth a couple of points and count towards the participation grade.
*The participation grade will be based on preparedness, attendance, promptness, group work, and time on task. Participation points will NOT be awarded during unexcused absences unless the student makes an effort to complete the material missed by checking the academic website ( Other deductions will occur if a student is tardy, comes to class without proper materials (writing utensil, paper, etc.), is off task or disruptive, or does not contribute to group work.
Homework:
Students will be assigned daily homework. The purpose of the homework is for studentsto practice the skills learned in class. I expect students to complete these problems for the next class, and their grade is based solely on completion. We will discuss some or all of these problems in the next class, so students should complete their homework and bring questions.
Late Policy:
Practice homework can be submitted late, however the student is responsible for showing the instructor the missed work. Students who are absence the day practice homework is due or checked may show the instructor the assignment the day they return to receive full credit.
Homework Late Policy: up to 24 hours late, 50% deduction
24+ hours late, not accepted
Any student who is absent should check the academic website, to find out what they missed and what was assigned. If a student has an excusable absence, they must talk with the instructor to discuss due dates. If an assignment was due the day the student was absent (and they were in class the day the assignment was assigned), it is due the day the student returns. In any other excused absence situation the student and instructor will work together to come up with reasonable guidelines to make-up the work. A student must contact the instructor if they are going to miss a quiz or exam.
Grades:
Assignments will be given a point value and grades will be determined by the percentage of points earned out of the total points available. Letter grades will be assigned based on the following percentages earned:
Exam 1 10%
Exam 2 10%
Exam 3 10%
Exam 4 10%
Final Exam20%
Quizzes25%
Homework/Participation 15%
A: 100 – 90.0% B: 89.9 – 80.0% C: 79.0 – 70.0% F: 69.9 – 0%
(passing grades must be a C or higher, no D’s given)
In addition to grades being available on Infinite Campus, students should keep track of their own grades.
Attendance Policy:
It is a CECFC policy that there is a 5% reduction in the final grade if at the end of the semester the student has more than 5 unexcusedabsences.
Tardy Policy:
It is a CECFC policy that 3 unexcused tardies in a single course will equal 1 unexcused absence and the student will receive 1 hour of detention with the possibility of a write up.
Tutoring Policy:
CECFC – As part of our commitment to student success CECFC offers one on one tutoring to all students regardless of skill level. Group tutoring will be available at specific times. CECFC will recommend tutoring for students deemed in need of assistance.
The Computer Learning Lab:
CECFC – The computer lab is available to CECFC students on a drop-in basis. Use of this room by classes takes priority and your admittance to the lab during these times is up to the discretion of the teacher and the availability of computers. Please help respect the lab by not eating or drinking in the room and by reminding others to do the same.
Academic honesty:
Students enrolled at CECFC are expected to conform to high standards of academic honesty. Cheating and plagiarism are breaches of this standard and will not be tolerated. Violations will be dealt with by the discretion of the instructor and Head of School.
Cheating is considered: copying and submitting the work of another student as your own, intentionally assisting another student during an assessment when not authorized to do so, having access to material intended to assist a student during an exam that is not authorized, having a copy of an exam not during the allotted exam time.
Plagiarism is considered: submitting the ideas or writing of someone else as your own (i.e. you did not cite them).
Disability statement:
Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Learning Specialist privately to discuss his or her specific needs. Please be aware that before most accommodations can be allowed in class, they must be approved through the Learning Specialist. I am more than happy to reasonably accommodate any disability, but you need to go through the proper channels to get that accommodation. Everyone will be given the opportunity to succeed!
Audio/Video Recording statement:
Except where a student is entitled to make an audio or video recording of class lectures and discussions as an educational accommodation determined through the student's interactive process with college disability services, a student may not record lectures, classroom discussions, or classroom activities unless written permission from the class instructor has been obtained and all students in the class, as well as guest speakers, have been informed that audio/video recording may occur.
A student granted permission to record may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor's explicit written authorization.
I reserve the right to modify details in the Syllabus/Schedule based on the needs of the class. All changes will be announced either in class or through class email.
CECFC Math Agreement
Parents/guardians: You are an important part of the educational process. Discussing these guidelines with your child will help him/her understand what they mean and how critical they are to academic success.
We (parents/guardians) have read and discussed the following:
We know what supplies our student needs every day and will make sure that he/she has those supplies before coming to school.
We understand the course policies (including but not limited to attendance, tardiness, plagiarism, cheating, behavior, phones in the classroom, and general expectations).
We understand that college prep courses will be rigorous, demanding, and creative, and that these qualities are necessary to help ensure our student’s future success in academics and work.
We understand that editing or doing work for our student will keep him or her from learning to do it himself/herself and may result in penalties for the student.
We are willing to help the CECFC staff, professors, and administration attain goals and uphold policies in place for your student to achieve academic success.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and agree with the terms and conditions of the class syllabus, as above.
______
Printed Name of Student
______
Signature of Student Date
______
Signature of Parent or Guardian Date
Please return no later than Friday, August 18, 2017.
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