* Syllabus
MATH 72: Algebra (5 credits)
Math Division Computer Mediated Learning Lab
* Your instructor will provide an additional syllabus that specifies their grading policies and class procedures
Course Description:
Study of sets, properties and terminology of real numbers, absolute value, simplifying algebraic expressions, integer exponents, graphing and solving linear equations and inequalities, unit analysis, ratios, rates, and proportions, solving systems of equations, factoring and performing operations on polynomial expressions, Pythagorean Theorem, functions, and applications. Graphing calculator required.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the quarter, the student should be able to:
1. find real solutions for linear equations—using tables graphs and algebra;
2. solve literal equations;
3. simplify expressions involving integer exponents;
4. simplify, add, subtract, and multiply polynomials;
5. factor quadratic trinomials;
6. graph linear equations, derive equations for lines;
7. use unit analysis to convert measurements;
8. solve ratio, rate, and proportional reasoning problems;
9. apply the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems;
10. use functions in the form of graphs, tables and linear equations;
11. solve systems of linear equations;
12. apply real number properties and order of operation to solve equations;
13. solve linear inequalities with one variable
These objectives will be demonstrated through participation, tests, quizzes and homework.
Text:
You will not need to purchase textbooks for this course. The additional fee you paid at registration provides you with a Personal Academic Notebook by Academic Systems/PLATO. This book will contain CD’s that contain the computer software that accompanies the book. You will receive this book from your instructor after you complete the Entrance Exam.
About This Course:
This course utilizes interactive software called Interactive Mathematics. Much of your time will be spent in using a computer, however pencil and paper will be needed even while working on the computer. On-line activities will include comprehensive instruction that is interactive and includes sound, graphics, animation, and video. There are also evaluates (quizzes) at the end of each topic which can be taken on-line. Off-line activities will include homework in the Personal Academic Notebook and written tests. The instructor will give individual help to those who want clarification of the concepts they are currently working on. The average student should expect to spend approximately 4 hours a week on the computer and an additional 5 to 10 hours a week away from the computer doing homework. You should also have received a schedule (a calendar) of lessons and exam dates. Please read this calendar and pay close attention to the testing deadlines. The calendar and this syllabus are available online at the Math Lab website: http://www.instruction.greenriver.edu/reising/mathlab.htm. You may work ahead of the schedule, particularly if the current topic seems easy, but you must not fall behind the schedule or you will have great difficulty with this class. For class, every day, bring paper, pencils or pens, assignment schedule and the Personal Academic Notebook. This software may also work on your home computer. This is not an online or distance learning course. Headphones are provided to you the first day of class and it is your responsibility to bring them to class. If you lose them, you can purchase another set at the bookstore or another location.
Homework:
After each completed computer session, the computer will give you a homework assignment. This homework assignment is suggested problems to do in the Personal Academic Notebook based on what you did during the on-line session. You DO NOT need to do all of the suggested problems. The answers to the odd numbered problems are in the back of the book. It is strongly recommended that in addition to working problems on-line you also do some in your book to get practice for written exams. You must submit written work for all sections covered on a chapter test, prior to taking the test. The work is the Practice Test Evaluates from your book (PAN) or what is required by your instructor (refer to your instructor’s syllabus for details.) Homework must include:
· Your name
· Section # and problem # labeled
· Problem
· Work (if necessary)
· Answer (circled or underlined or boxed)
Homework will be worth a percentage of your final grade for the course. Grading policies are up to the individual instructors and will be discussed in class.
Calculator:
The math division requires a graphing calculator for Math 072 courses and higher. You are required to demonstrate proficiency with your graphing calculator. You may do this by demonstration to the instructor, attending a workshop at the MLC, or viewing the instructional video available at the MLC. All other courses recommend use of a scientific calculator.
Supplementary
Resources:
All students enrolled in math courses here at GRCC have access to the Math Learning Center (MLC) located on the 3rd floor of the SMT building. Students can work on their math with other colleagues and tutors here. The Academic Systems software is also available on the computers in the MLC. The MLC also has reference books and videos available upon request. The MLC also offers one-credit modules which supplement math courses.
Assessment
Outcomes:
The following GRCC Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning and Critical Assessment Outcomes are applicable in this course:
1. Student evaluates and interprets information/data.
2. Student recognizes which processes or methods are appropriate for solving a given problem, and correctly implements those processes.
3. Student demonstrates the ability to estimate a solution to a presented problem.
4. Student translates data into various formats such as graphs, tables, formulas, and sentences.
5. Student provides reasons for the conclusions they reach and assess the relevance and adequacy of those reasons.
6. Student connects past learning with current topics.
The student will be assessed on these outcomes through participation, tests, quizzes and
Homework.
Accommodation:
If you need course adaptations or special accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information, or if you need special accommodations that need to be made in the event that the building needs to be evacuated, please let us know immediately. If you use an alternative medium for communicating, please let us know immediately so that we can make appropriate accommodations.
Evaluate Quizzes:
At the end of each lesson you can take a quiz. (On the computer a quiz will be called an Evaluate.) If you do not like your score on a particular quiz, you may retake it one more time. Be sure to go over missed problems on the Evaluate before you log off and allow enough time to practice them before you retake the evaluate. The computer retains only the highest score. Be sure to take all the relevant quizzes before taking the written tests since they are good practice for them. It is highly recommended that you take your quizzes during class time. The computer only accepts certain formats for the answer in the quizzes and if you discover these, they can only be corrected by your instructor during class. If you take all of your Evaluates and only if your Evaluate cumulative percentage is higher than one of your written test scores, then your lowest written test score, excluding your final exam will, be replaced with your cumulative Evaluate percentage. Because an Evaluate may be considered as a test grade, and the goal of an Evaluate is to help prepare you for your written test, it should be taken without the aid of your book or notes.
Grading/ Tests:
There will be five Tests and one Final exam during the quarter. The Final exam will be comprehensive.
(TOTAL POINTS= 600: Midterms 5 @ 100; Final 100) Check your instructor’s syllabus to determine grading policies.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
§ If you plan to take MATH 97, you will need to achieve at least a grade of 2.5 (80%) in this course. A grade of “Pass” will not meet this requirement.
§ We encourage you to retake any test below 80%.
§ The highest possible score on your written test retake will be 90%
§ To be eligible for a retake, you must have taken the test the first time before its deadline date (see calendar). Typically you will not be allowed to take a test and a re-test on the same day.
§ Each test must be completed by its deadline (see calendar).
§ You will receive a grade of 0% on all tests not completed by its deadline.
§ Testing should be done during your assigned class time unless you have made other arrangements with your instructor. Work on the computer may be done during any time that the Academic Systems lab is open. However, students registered for a particular class hour have priority over all other students during that hour.
Tests will cover the following sections:
TEST 1 1.1 - 1.3 (Real Numbers)
TEST 2 2.1 - 2.4 (Linear Equations and Inequalities)
TEST 3 3.1, 4.1 - 4.2 (part I only in 4.2) (Graphing Linear Equations)
TEST 4 4.2 (part II), 4.3, 5.1 (Graphing Inequalities and Linear Systems)
TEST 5 6.1 – 6.3, 7.1 –7.3 (Exponents, Polynomials, and Factoring)
FINAL 8.1, 8.2(Scientific Notation only!) & all material above.
The above sections refer to the chapters in your PAN’s and the corresponding CD’s These are in the Algebra PAN (green book) on the Elementary Algebra CD (Part I – topics 1 –7, Part II – topic #8). The following topics are review from Math 70: 2.1, 2.2, some of 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, and all of 6. Please be sure to read screen notes about topics that may not be required in a given section. The sections in 4.2 that are NOT covered on Test 3 include: finding the slope-intercept form for an equation of a line, finding the equation of a horizontal line, finding the equation of a vertical line, and finding the equation of a line that is parallel or perpendicular to another line. These topics ARE included on Test 4.
Attendance: Attendance is very important. You should plan to attend every day. Your instructor may require attendance as part of your course grade (check your instructor’s syllabus).
Grading System: A portion of your grade will be computed by taking the average of your homework scores. The remaining portion of your grade will be computed by taking an average of your test scores and your final exam. Your lowest test score excluding the final will be replaced with your average evaluate percentage if it is higher.
Decimal / Percent / Decimal / Percent / Decimal / Percent4.0 / 98 & above / 2.7 / 82 / 1.4 / 69
3.9 / 96-97 / 2.6 / 81 / 1.3 / 68
3.8 / 94-95 / 2.5 / 80 / 1.2 / 67
3.7 / 92-93 / 2.4 / 79 / 1.1 / 66
3.6 / 91 / 2.3 / 78 / 1.0 / 65
3.5 / 90 / 2.2 / 77 / .9 / 64
3.4 / 89 / 2.1 / 76 / .8 / 63
3.3 / 88 / 2.0 / 75 / .7 / 62
3.2 / 87 / 1.9 / 74 / .6 / 61
3.1 / 86 / 1.8 / 73 / .5 / 60
3.0 / 85 / 1.7 / 72 / 0.0 / 59 & below
2.9 / 84 / 1.6 / 71
2.8 / 83 / 1.5 / 70
The minimum decimal grades reported for this class will range from 4.0 to 0.0 as shown above. A grade of "I" (incomplete) will only be given for extraordinary circumstances and must be made up within one quarter.
Study Tips:
1. The Personal Academic Notebook is easy to use because it has been designed to follow the structure of the on-line lessons. You can take notes in it as you work on the computer. You must use both the PAN and computer to be successful in this course.
2. Come to class on time and prepared to study mathematics. Take good notes and ask questions about any explanation that isn't clear or any problem you cannot solve on your own. Remember that the answers to the odd-numbered problems are in the back of your Personal Academic Notebook. The answers to the evens are available in the classroom.
3. Get together with a study group to hash out any problems that seem to be taking a long time to solve. Don't spin your wheels! Compare the way each of you solves the same problem.
4. Take advantage of the open computer room hours.
5. To prepare for the Evaluate quiz:
*Try the practice test at the end of each lesson in the Personal Academic Notebook. If you can do all of the problems without having to look anything up, you're ready to take the Evaluate quiz.
*Use the Pretest in Overview as practice for the Evaluate quiz. They are parallel forms of the same test. You can also use these to determine what you need to study in the section.
6. Do the Cumulative Review problems at the end of each chapter. They will be good practice problems for the written tests.
Open Lab Hours: *See our Announcements Website (see below for URL) for open lab hours
*Also, students may work during other scheduled class times, space permitting
*Computers are also available in the MLC (SMT 355) and the Holman Library
Announcements and general information:
We have a Math Lab website with announcements at:
http://www.instruction.greenriver.edu/reising/mathlab.htm