MAT 090 - INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA
Fall2013Course Syllabus
Description
This course includes first-degree equations, inequalities, formulas, polynomials, algebraic fractions, factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations by factoring, and applications. Coordinate geometry, graphing linear equations and inequalities, and systems of linear equations may be included.
Goals
To ensure that the FRCC/Larimer Mathematics Department fulfills the expectations of student learning, the faculty will advance the development of the following characteristics:
- Mathematical proficiency of skills, reasoning, and logic that will allow the student to succeed in the fulfillment of their personal goals.
- The ability to use mathematical techniques and awareness to solve problems applicable to life and work related fields.
- The use of critical thinking skills to sort information and logically determine the purpose of analysis and the aim of the reasoning.
- A general appreciation for the value and use of mathematics in the world.
Instructional Philosophy
The instructor believes that mathematics should be related to experience, and that collaboration and active involvement creates more opportunity for learning. The content, learning resources, assessment procedures, and grading reflect these beliefs by incorporating a variety of activities in addition to traditional lecture methods.
Prerequisite
You should have successfully completed the Pre-Algebra course (MAT 060) with a grade of S/ C or better within the last 2 years or have a placement score of EA 45-60.
Attendance and Class Participation
We expect you to attend every class session, to arrive on time, and to stay through the end of the class period. We expect you to think seriously about problems, questions, and concepts presented in class and to contribute actively and constructively to class discussion. You are expected to bring your calculator to every class session and be ready and willing to use it. You are expected to recognize when you need help and to ask questions. You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for any graded classroom activity, for example: group projects, class discussions, quizzes, etc.
Calculator
A Texas Instruments TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-84 is required for this course.
Group Activities
Learning mathematics is best achieved by doing mathematics. Some concepts of the book will be taught or enhanced by in-class group activities. These activities allow you to actively apply mathematical concepts andcommunicate these concepts to your peers. Missed group activities CANNOT be made up for any reason.
Writing Assignments
The ability to communicate mathematically is an important objective of this course. Writing assignments will be assigned throughout the course.
Homework/Quizzes
One of the best methods for learning mathematics is practice. Therefore, you should make a concerted effort to complete all the assigned exercises and understand each of the concepts that these exercises illustrate. Quizzes may be given covering assigned material and selected homework may be collected. Missed quizzes CANNOT be made up for any reason.
Study Time
For a college course, you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class for each hour of class. This "two hour rule" is a reasonable rule of thumb for students who have a good command of the prerequisite skills and who use effective study strategies. Students who need to improve their prerequisite skills or who have not learned study strategies will simply need to spend more time studying than that specified by the “two hour rule”.
Tests
There will be four 70-minute in-class tests designed to evaluate your understanding of the material. Make-up tests will be given only at the instructor's discretion. You must contact theinstructor prior to the absence, except in the case of an extreme emergency.
Textbooks
Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, 4th ed., Custom ed. by Miller, O’Neill, Hyde (Required) ISBN-9780077936736, Student Study Manual (Optional) ISBN- 9780077543358
Course Change
You may change to another section of MAT 090 or to a lower level ONLY if there are seats available and before the end of the 2nd day of the semester.
Final Exam
The final exam will be comprehensive and include key concepts and techniques learned throughout this course. The final exam will ONLY be given at the scheduled time. This is a 70 minute exam.
Extra Credit
No extra credit assignments will be given. It is to the students’ advantage to spend any extra time in careful study of the required course material. Since math courses are sequential it is vital that all required concepts be mastered for a passing grade.
Grading Scale
Group Activities…………………………………5% 90 – 100…………….S/A
Writing Assignments………………………….5%80 – 89………………S/B
Homework/Quizzes…………………………...10%70 – 79………………S/C
Four Tests…………………………………………60%60 – 69………………U/D
Final Exam………………………………………...20%00 – 59………………U/F
Math Help Center
You can receive FREE help for this course in the Math Help Center which is located in Blanca Peak 102 D. Hours of operation and additional help center locations are posted on the bulletin boards in the back of your class room.
Academic Honesty
Refer to the student code of conduct in theStudent Handbook and Planner
Academic Misconduct
Behavior violating a student’s rights and freedoms includes but is not limited to:
- Fraudulent representation of student work
- Copying the work of another student
- Unapproved use of electronic devices, calculator programs, notes, or information
- Communication of any kind between students during an exam
- Helping someone else violate standards of academic behavior
This behavior will call for disciplinary action at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may give a zero on any assignment or exam where a violation has occurred. A report of the incident will be filed in the office of the Dean of Student Services. Repeated offenses may result in a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the college.
Cell Phones
Non-emergency use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Cell phones should be set to “vibrate” mode for reverse 911 calls.
Important Dates
Last day to drop a class and receive a refund (Census Date) for 15-week courses……… September 3, 2013
Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for 15-week courses………………………………… November 16, 2013
No Registrations after the Census (Drop) date will be allowed.
NOTE: When dropping or withdrawing from a class, you MUST complete paper work at Admissions, Records to avoid receiving an “F.”
Policy on Non-Attendance
Any student that does not attend a class by August 26th will be dropped from that class. If a student is dropped for non-attendance, and wishes to re-enroll in a course, he or she must go through the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the Course Instructor, the Instructional Dean, and the Campus Vice President. Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the instructor, and it is unlikely that a student will be re-enrolled in a course which they have not attended.
Financial Aid Recipients
The following actions have implications for financial aid recipients: non-attendance, dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in this class, contact Disability Support Services in BP 102 or at (970) 204-8112 as soon as possible. A Coordinator of Disability Support Services will assist you in documenting your disability and requesting needed services.
NOTE: All students must activate their new FRCC student email accounts. Please see instructions located on the Front Range Community College Website:
Fall 2013 Course OutlineIntroductory Algebra
MAT 090-602
Instructor: Alan Dinwiddie
Email: / Office: CP 216 Phone: 970-204-8163
FAX: 970-204-8486
MWF 08:40-09:50AM
Room: CP 128 / Office Hours: MWF 12:30-1:30
CP 216 TR 11:30-12:30
Tentative Course Outline
Refer to the specific section in your textbookfor the lesson objectives to be assessed.
MONDAY
/WEDNESDAY
/FRIDAY
8/19 / Syllabus/Review / 8/21 / Section 2.1 / 8/23 / Section 2.2tion8/26 / Section 2.3 / 8/28 /
Section 2.4
/8/30
/Section 2.5
9/02 / NO CLASS / 9/04 /Section 2.6
/ 9/06 /Section 2.7
9/9 / Sections 2.7 and 2.8 / 9/11 / Section 2.8 / 9/13 / 500 year flood9/16 /
Review
/ 9/18 /TEST #1
/ 9/20 /Section 3.1
9/23 / Section 3.2 / 9/25 / Section 3.3 /9/27
/Section 3.4
9/30 /Section 3.5
/ 10/02 /Section 3.5
/ 10/04 / Section 3.610/07 / Review / 10/09 / TEST #2 / 10/11 /
Section 4.1
10/14 /Section 4.2
/ 10/16 /Section 4.3
/ 10/18 /Section 4.4
10/21 /Section 4.4
/ 10/23 /Section 5.1
/ 10/25 / Section 5.210/28 / Section 5.3 / 10/30 / Section 5.4 / 11/01 / Review
11/04 / TEST #3 / 11/06 / Section 5.5 / 11/08 / Section 5.6
11/11
/Section 5.7
/11/13
/Section 5.7
/11/15
/Section 9.1
11/18 / Section 9.3 / 11/20 / Section 9.4 / 11/22 / Section 9.4Thanksgiving Break 11/25 – 11/29
12/02 /
Review
/ 12/04 / Test #4 / 12/06 / Review12/09 /
FINAL EXAM
090