MAT 187A

Basic Mathematics

Fall 2006

Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu

Office Hours: Room A210, Tues.     9:30 – 10:00 AM, 3:00 – 3:30 PM

                                              Wed.     9:30 – 10:30 AM

          Thurs.    12:00  – 1:00 PM

GMC G4,       Mon.      9:30 – 10:30 AM

                      Wed.     1:00 – 2:00 PM

And as always, by appointment.

Class Time and Location: Tues. & Thurs. 10:00  - 11:50 AM, A211

Textbook: Basic College Mathematics, 5^th Edition, John Tobey and Jeffrey Slater 

Calculator:  Calculators are not allowed in MAT 187A.

Course Description: MAT 187A covers general areas of arithmetic which include whole numbers, fractions, and an introduction to decimals.

Advisory: Appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.

Course Objectives:

The successful student will:

1)      exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course;

2)      engage in logical and critical thinking;

3)      read technical information; and

4)      demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results.

Course Grade: Your final letter grade will be based on the following grading scale:

A 270-300 pts., B 240-269 pts., C 210-239 pts., D 180-209 pts., F 0-179 pts.

The following items will make up the course grade:

Homework:                                50 points

Exam1 (October 3):                  75 points

Exam2 (October 17):                75 points      

Final Exam (October 26):       100 points

You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website and using your secret code:

http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/9882/index.html

Homework: Homework will be due the class period after it is assigned.  Homework not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in homework up to two days after it is assigned for half credit.  Each homework set is worth 5 points.

Exams:  Students are to bring a pencil and blank scratch paper to each exam.  If you cannot make it to an exam (final not included), you may take it up to 2 school days prior to the scheduled date with proper arrangements.  Otherwise, the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.

Registration Information: You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records.  You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before September 29.  After September 29, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until October 13.  After October 13, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.

How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:

I) Come to every class session.  Be prepared, and plan on participating.

II) Do your homework.  Remember that what I assign is what I consider a bare minimum.  If you need more practice, do it.  Don’t make me be a homework enforcer.

III) Read the book.  You paid good money for it, so you might as well use it.

IV) Make use of available tutors and my office hours.  You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the GMC.

V) Do math every day.  Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.

Learning Disabled Students: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify me and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.  Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in room A205) or by phoning 541-4660, ext. 249 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students).  All information will remain confidential.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated.  Students caught cheating on exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero on the assignment for the first offense and a course grade of F for the second offense.  Students my work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all students understand the material covered.

Course Schedule:

The following is a tentative schedule.  If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know.

September

19        1.1-1.3             Understanding, Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers

21        1.4, 1.5            Multiplication and Division of Whole Numbers

26        1.6, 1.7            Exponents, Order of Operations, Rounding and Estimation

28        1.8, 2.1, 2.2     Applied Problems, Understanding and Simplifying Fractions

October

3          2.3, Exam I      Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

5          2.4, 2.5            Multiplication and Division of Fractions and Mixed Numbers

10        2.6, 2.7            The LCD, Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

12        2.8, 2.9            Mixed numbers and Order of Operations, Applied Problems

17        3.1, Exam II     Decimal Notation

19        3.2, 3.3            Comparing, Rounding, Adding and Subtracting Decimals

24        3.4                   Multiplying Decimals, Review for Final

26        Final Exam                

The following is a list of all homework assignments for this course.  The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.