Math 090: Introductory Algebra for College Students
Fall 2017
Instructor: Wayne Cook
Contact Email: [email protected]
Class Room: 229
Academic Website: www.cecacademics.org
Text: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th ed., Julie Miller, Molly O’Neill, Nancy Hyde, 2011. ISBN: 13:978-0-07-338451-1
Book Identification Number:_______________________________________
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 TI-84 (TI-84 preferred)
If you are unable to purchase a graphing calculator you may check one out from the bookstore.
Cell 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
Priority Standards for 090 (Algebra I)
These are the concepts each student should master by the end of the semester:
- Applications of Linear Equations
- Graphing Linear Equations
- 2×2 Systems
- Polynomials
- Factoring
- Integer Exponents
Expectations:
- Follow school rules. THIS INCLUDES DRESS CODE.
- Do not use your cell phone. I don’t want to see it once you are in class or I will confiscate it.
- 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 (www.cecacademics.org). 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 students to 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, www.cecacademics.org, 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:
| Work | % of Grade |
|---|---|
| Exams: | 35% |
| Final Exam: | 20% |
| Quizzes: | 25% |
| Homework: | 15% |
| Participation: | 5% |
| Percentage Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| 100 – 90.0% | A |
| 89.9 – 80.0% | B |
| 79.9 – 70.0% | C |
| 69.9 – 0.0% | F |
(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 unexcused absences.
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. As I settle in to a routine this semester, I will also make some time available for tutoring.
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.
Mr. Z’s Rules & Procedures – Prealgebra 060 & Algebra 090
( … a work in progress …)
Rules
- All rules/policies/responsibilities in the Student Handbook apply in my class.
- Raise hand to speak and wait to be called on unless I have designated “Free Response”.
- No getting up from your seat without permission unless it is part of the assignment.
- If you need to go to the bathroom raise your hand and get permission first. No bathroom breaks during my lecture or any type of up-front presentation or guest speaker. Only one person may leave the classroom at a time. You have TBD minutes to get back.
- Even though there are no bells we will work “bell-to-bell”. Be on time to class and don’t stop working until I have told you to get ready for dismissal.
- Don’t leave class until dismissed.
- Don’t leave class without my permission.
- Don’t interrupt someone else who is speaking.
- I know playful banter and joking-around between friends can include snarkiness, sarcasm, etc. However, speech with malicious intent will not be permitted.
- No bullying.
- No foul language or obscene gestures.
- No cell phones out once class starts. I will confiscate and sell on ebay ( jk with regard to selling them on ebay — I’ll use Craigslist).
- Sit in your assigned seat.
- Don’t come around to my side of my desk without permission. There may be confidential student information displayed on my computer screen.
Procedures
- Enter class on time, in the right frame-of-mind, and ready to work.
- Go to the student check-in table in the front of the room and get/check your folder. Your folder will be how I return graded items and other correspondence to you.
- Return to your desk and have your homework out ready for me to check. While I am taking attendance and checking your homework do the warm-up.
- If you finish a task early work on your homework, unless otherwise assigned.
- During warm-up I will check your homework and some folks will do homework problems on the board. I will explain the procedure in detail orally.
- Once homework time is done, put your homework and warmups in your notebook and get paper out for lecture note taking.
- After my lecture, I will assign homework. There may or may not be time to start your problems in class.
- Most days I will finish up with a “ticket out the door”. This will be a short problem or question that must be answered before you can leave. I will have a basket (not the trash basket ? ) for you to deposit them in before you leave.
Everything you do in my class has importance, consequence, and will count to your grade.