Pre-Algebra
MAT 0024C-20787Course Outline
Spring 2009
Instructor:Hicham El Filali
Class hrs:Mon, Wed. & Fri: 8:00 – 8:50 am (7-122)
(I will also be available 10 min before and/or after class)
Lab hrs:Fri.: 7:00 am-7:50 am (with James W Coddington)/ (7-122)
Email:
(Make sure to sign your e-mail with your name and class)
Website:
Required Materials:
- Textbook: Beginning Algebra (2ndedition) by Rockswold/ Krieger, published by Addison-Wesley(This comes with an access code, solutions manual and Project book).
- Lab Manual: 0024 Lab Packet obtained at the bookstore
- 100 sheets of college ruled lined notebook paper
Atlas Email:
Please note that any notification of excessive absence or course progress is done
through Atlas. Be sure to check your email between sessions.
Prerequisite &
Course Description: MAT 0012C with a grade of C or better or an appropriate score CPT Basic Algebra Placement Test. This course is designed to supplement the algebraic background of students prior to taking certain mathematics courses at the college level. Topics include sets, fundamental operations with polynomials, linear equations and inequalities with application, factoring and its use in algebra, introduction to graphing of linear equations, introduction to radicals, and use of calculators. This course does not apply toward the mathematics requirements in general education or toward any associate degree. A grade of “C” or higher is needed for entry into MAT 1033C. (Special Fee)
CLAST COMPETENCIES
This course (including the lab) reinforces the arithmetic CLAST competencies and teaches some of the algebra CLAST competencies. You will learn (or review) mathematics skills including arithmetic skills, geometry and measurement skills, algebra skills, reading skills including literal and critical comprehension skills, and English language skills including word choice and grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation skills.
STATE COMPETENCY TEST
The state of Florida and ValenciaCommunity College requires students exiting college prep mathematics to possess and demonstrate certain competencies. To successfully complete this course you must demonstrate (at an 80% level) the following competencies on an examination administered near the end of the course and also a class average of 70% or more to pass the class itself. The state test will count as a test score towards your grade.
NOTE: It is required that you pass this state test with an 80% or above, a review for the test is in your lab packet. The exact date and time will be given. You have only 2 attempts in which to pass the test. If you fail to take the State Test by the 1st due date you will only have 1 try rather than 2 in which to pass.
- Simplify Numerical and Exponential Expressions
- Simplify Algebraic Expressions
- Perform Arithmetic Operations with Polynomials
- Simplify Square Roots of Monomials
- Solve Linear Equations
- Solve Linear Inequalities
- Graph and Interpret Linear Equations
- Set up and Solve word Problems
- Factor Polynomials
- Simplify Algebraic Fractions
- Solve Quadratic Equations
Valencia Core Competencies:
Valenica has 4 core competencies that are integrated throughout the curriculum, these competencies are essential for students to achieve life long success. THINK: The ability to think critically, in relation to problem solving, is high among employer expectations. COMMUNICATE: The ability to communicate in written and verbal form is essential in the workforce. ACT: To act we apply disciplinary knowledge, skills and values to educational and career goals. We want to implement effective problem solving, decision making and goal setting strategies. VALUE: We want to employ values and standards of judgment from different disciplines and see how they positively affect each other.
CLASS POLICIES
Attendance:To be successful in any math course you must attend class regularly and complete all assignments on time. If you are unable to attend class for any reason, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you have missed. If you miss more than 3 classes you will be dropped from the course. Each 2tardies will be counted as 1 absence. A tardy is considered arriving 5 minutes after start of the class. If your absences or “tardies” are excessive, you will be notified through ATLAS and you may be withdrawn from the course.
Tardiness:Being late to class or leaving early is a disruption to the class and is discourteous to the professor and the other students. All students are expected to be on time to class and to stay for the entire period. If you need to leave early notify me before the start of class. Leaving early without prior notification to me will be considered an absence and a second time will result in being withdrawn from the course.
Cell Phones:Cell phones are to be off or on silent mode while in class and during test time. Please be polite and also do not be using or handling your phone during class.
Disorderly Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited
Conduct: to leaving class early, cell phone use during class, excessive talking and or disruption. You may be notified once; if behavior persists then you will be withdrawn immediately.
Strive forBe attentive in class and Come prepared. Make sure to have a pencil and paper or
Successnotebook. We will be working problems daily. Bring your text. The problems we work are in the text!! Students are encouraged to participate actively and ask pertinent questions during class. The only appropriate subject of discussion during class is algebra. Questions abut your individual grade or progress must take place outside of class (make an appointment or email me!!). Anyone not observing these policies will be asked to leave the classroom.
EVALUATION:
Tests:All test dates will be announced in class at least a week prior to the test date. Tentative dates are on the attached class schedule. There are no makeup tests under any circumstances. You must arrange BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TEST, to take it at another time if you know you cannot be present. The rescheduled test must be taken within 7 days of the class date. If a scheduled test is missed, your final exam grade will be used in place of the missed test score. You may only miss one test!!! Missing a second test will cause you to be withdrawn from the class!!!
State Test:As mentioned earlier, you will have a State Test towards the end of the semester.
You must pass Both the class and the prealgebra Competency Test to pass the course.
Final Exam:There will be a comprehensive final exam in this course. Failure to take the final exam automatically results in an F.
Homework Quizzes may be given daily.
& Quizzes Homework may be randomly collected and graded anytime.
Students If you are a student from the Disabilities Department, please contact me in
withorder for me to provide the appropriate services that you are entitled to.
“disabilities”:
Labs:Various lab activities will be given throughout the semester. Attendance is mandatory and will be part of the grade. Leaving lab early or arriving late will be counted as an absence. Labs must be done in pencil only, only originals can be accepted, no photo copies due to copyright protection. Labs are graded on neatness, completeness and accuracy.
Grading Policy:A: 90% - 100%,
B: 80% - 89%
C: 70% - 79%
D: 60% - 69% * *These grades will require you to repeat MAT 0012
F: below 60% * before continuingin your math courses.
OTHER POLICIES:
WithdrawalThe following grade will be given depending on the following:
Policy:
WThis grade will be assigned if you withdraw from the course before the withdrawal date of March 20th, 2009.
WPA withdraw passing grade will be assigned if you withdraw after
April 26th, 2009and have an average of atleast 60%.
WFA withdraw failing grade will be assigned if you withdraw after
April 26th, 2009and have an average below a 60%.
Please note: Always seek advice and guidance from myself and from your counselor before withdrawing from the class. See your counselor in how doing so impacts any financial aid you may be receiving.
AcademicYou are expected to do your own work on exams. Providing information to another Dishonesty: studentor receiving information concerning exam content is considered cheating.
Each student is expected to be in complete compliance with the college policy on
academic honesty as set forth in the admissions catalog and the student handbook.
The professor reserves the right to determine the appropriate penalties within
Valencia Community College academic honesty policies.
Tutoring:There are three kinds of free tutoring available to assist you:
- Tutors can be assigned to students through the Tutoring Center, Rm. 1-254. You must fill out a form. Plan ahead since it takes about 2 weeks to have a tutor assigned to match your schedule.
- Walk-in tutoring is given in Building 4, Room 108 (Math Support Center) first floor of the IMC.
- SPA (Specialized Prep Area) in Rm 4-110 help for the Competency and State tests.
Disclaimer:Changes in the evaluation procedure may be made at the discretion of the instructor.
Important Dates:
Classes do not meet: Jan19th(Martin Luther King Day),Mar 9 – 19th (Spring Break)
Withdrawal deadlineto receive a “W” is March 20th, 2009
Final withdrawal deadline: April 26th(grade will be a WP or
WF depending on class average as mentioned previously)
Final Examination week: Apr.27th – May 3rd, our final exam day and time will be
announced at a later date and will be given in the regular classroom. Please note the final exam is mandatory, if a student (who hasn’t withdrawn) does not show up for the final exam then an F is givenas the final grade regardless of class average or the state test results, this is Valencia policy.
Tentative Course Schedule
WeekDates(week beginning) Sections Covered/ Labs & Tests
1beginning Jan. 12th. Ch 1 / Lab 1
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2 Jan. 19th. Ch 2 / Lab 2
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3Jan26th. Ch 2 / Test 1
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4Feb2nd. Ch 5/ Lab 3
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5Feb 9th.Ch 5/ Test 2
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6Feb. 16th. Ch 6/ Lab 4
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7Feb. 23rd. Ch 6/ Lab 5
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8 Mar. 2nd. Ch 7/ Test 3
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9Mar. 9th SPRING BREAK
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10Mar. 16th Ch 8/ Lab 6
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11Mar 23rd Ch 8/ Lab 7
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12Mar 30th Ch 3/ Test 4
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13Apr 6thCh 3/ Lab 8
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14Apr. 13th Review/ Test 5
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15Apr. 20th Review
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16Apr. 27th Final Exams
Course Progress Sheet
Any college student should be able to calculate their own grade, do not rely on me to average your grade throughout the semester. Your grade will consist of the following, please keep track of all your scores and know how to compute your average at any time during the progress of the course. Your average can be found by taking your total points and dividing by the total possible points at that time.
Tests
Test 1 (100 pts.) ____ Test 2 (100 pts.) ____ Test 3 (100 pts.) ____
Test 4 (100 pts.) ____ Test 5 (100 pts.) ______Final (150 pts.) ______
Substitute your lowest grade with the homework average for the semester (cannot substitute final or labs) if your semester’s homework average is 75% or more.
Your total pts. (700 points possible)
Labs (5 pts. Each)
Lab 1 ______Lab 2 ______Lab 3 ______Lab 4 ______Lab 5 ______
Lab 6 ______Lab 7 ______Lab 8 ______Lab 9 ______Lab 10 ______
Your total points (50 possible) ______
Directions on registering in MML:
Step 1: Go to
Step 2: Under Students, click on “Register”,click “Next”
Step 3: Enter the course ID ______and click “Next”.
Step 4: Click on “Register with a Student Access Code” if you purchased a new book that came with an access code, or click on “Buy Course Access Online” if you will be using the ebook.
Step 5: Follow the directions on setting up an account.
Step 6: Record your login information. If you forget your user name or password you have to contact Technical Support at 1-800-677-6337 (M-F 8am-5pm CST).
Step 7: Download the necessary plug-ins by logging into your course and then clicking on Installation Wizard in the menu on the left.
Accessing the homework assignment:
There is an online homework assignment for each section covered in this course. Each homework section must be completed by the date given in class. All of the homework assignments can be found by first logging into your course in MyMathLab, clicking on______, then click on Do Homework on the left hand side, and then select the section you want to work on and do the exercises. When you are done make sure to click on Submit Homewor. Every time you hit Submit Homework your homework grade will be updated in your grade book that can be assessed by clicking on Gradebook on the left hand side.
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