SYLLABUS

Math 187 A & B, Basic Mathematics, Parts 1 and 2 of 4

Instructor:  Audrey Morrow

Class meets:  Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4PM-5:50PM

Room:  A206, Main Campus

Instructor's Contact Information:  College 541-4660 ext 573; Home 577-4141

Email: ammathtype@earthlink.net.

Textbook:  Basic College Mathematics by Tobey & Slater, 5th Edition

Items you'll need to bring to class with you in addition to the book:  Some lined paper, for note-taking.  A 6-inch straight edge is nice for making your constructions, such as the number line, more attractive and readable.  Many students like to bring several colors of pencils for making distinctions in your notes, glossary or sketches.

CALCULATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN MATH 187A OR 187B!

Important dates for Fall Quarter, 2007:

Friday, 9/21:  Challenge exams are given in the Learning Resource Center, Rm G6

Friday, 9/28:  Last day to drop Math 187A with no record

Monday, 10/8:  Last day to drop Math 187A with a grade of 'W'

Friday, 11/9: Last day to drop Math 187B with no record

Monday, 11/19:  Last day to drop Math 187B with a grade of 'W'

Thursday, 11/22:  Thanksgiving Holiday.  College is closed 11/22 - 11/25.

Thursday, 10/25:  Final exam for Math 187A

Thursday, 12/6: Final exam for Math 187B

            HABITS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

If possible, attend each and every lecture.  Arrive on time and sit where you won't be distracted, and where you can see and hear what's going on in class.

Take notes, working along with me in class and keeping a glossary of unfamiliar terms.

Do all the assigned reading before class meets.  That way you can bring up points in class that you may have found confusing.  Work through the example problems as you read.

Do all of the assigned homework, even if you aren't able to finish a problem.  That way you'll know what to ask before we begin the next class.  Please note:   In Math 187 you must be current in your homework assignments in order to take the exams.

                                    My own commitment to this class:

I care as much as you do about your comfort, well-being and accomplishments in the class.  All that I do is designed to help you achieve success in math.

I will maintain, at all times, a respectful and learning-friendly environment for my students.  Your input is encouraged and appreciated, when the topic is math.  Loud or unnecessary interruptions are discouraged.  In particular, please don't disrupt the educational process with consistent tardiness or chit-chatting in lecture.  Cellular phones and headphones are forbidden in our classroom.   If your phone disrupts our class, you will be asked to leave, and you'll be marked absent for that period.

I will never embarrass or humiliate you.  Period.  You'll receive a courteous and respectful answer to any math question you want to ask me, in or out of class.  If you feel awkward about bringing something up that was covered previously, ask anyhow.  If we need to spend more time than we can spare at the moment, we'll agree to meet later.

I will arrive in class on time, prepared and organized.  The earlier part of my day will be checked at the door.  I will give 100% of my attention to hearing and understanding what is being asked of me, and to responding in a way that is beneficial to my students.

I will not shortchange you by setting low standards.  Earninc a 'C' or better in this class means you leave here with the necessary level of competency for success in your next math class.  Students who don't need additional math classes will leave with the benefits of an improved understanding and mastery over many basic concepts and skills.  You'll enjoy a stronger confidence in your math abilities than ever before.

Learning disabled students:  If you have a certified learning disability that may affect your performance in the class, please see me so that I can make sure your needs get met. If you think that you may have a learning disability but haven't yet been tested, you may inquire about testing at the Disability Resource Center on the main campus, ext. 249.

                                                GRADING POLICY

During each part of Math 187A & B, you'll take two exams and a cumulative final exam.  You'll also complete nine  homework assignments.  If you are still enrolled on Tuesday, 10/9, you'll receive a letter grade (A-F) for Math 187A.  If you're enrolled on Tuesday, 11/20, you'll receive a letter grade for Math 187B.  Your final course grade for each part of the class will be structured according to the following:

Each midterm will be 100 points.  Your final exam will be 150 points.  Each homework assignment will count 10 points, for a total of 80. 

Total possible points for either Math 187A or B:   100 + 100 + 150 + 80 = 430 points.

90 - 100%:  (387-430 points)=  A              70-79%:  (301-344 points) =   C

80-89 %:    (344-386 points )=  B              60-69%:   (258-301 points )= D      

Below 300 points, or students who drop out but don't withdraw at A&R:   F

Please note:  The above grades are what is appropriate for someone earning those percentage scores.  However, your attendance and participation, your courtesy to others and your attitude in general will also play a part in your grade.  A student who ends up between two grades at the end of the class (this is quite common) can ensure the higher grade with positive attendance and respectful behavior.  Students who disrupt the class with noise and tardiness, or who pose other types of behavior problems can expect to be issued the lower grade, when say, a B or a C would be equally fair, or a C versus a D.

ATTENDANCE:     If you need to miss a class, please see me so that I know you aren't dropping.  It is the student's responsibility to drop the class through A&R, if you should need to drop.  Make at least one friend in the class who can tell you what you missed and share notes and handouts, if you do need to be absent.

HOMEWORK:  The homework for material covered in class will be due on Tuesdays, to give you the weekend for catching up. So, what we cover on the first two days, Tuesday 9/18 & Thursday 9/20, will be collected on Tuesday, 9/25.  If you have to miss a lecture you may use the student mail slot just outside the mailroom to turn in your homework, or you may have a friend bring it to class for you.  STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE MAILROOM.

MATH 187A SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

               Instructor Audrey Morrow, Fall Quarter, 2007

Class topics and corresponding homework assignments and tests are organized by date.  Homework will be collected each Tuesday.  (Thus, the homework assignments for Sept. 18th and Sept 20th are due on Tuesday, September 25th.)  Please separate and staple each assignment.  EOO means "every other odd."  For example, Problems #17-41 EOO means work #17, 21, 25, …, 41, Every Other Odd problem including 17 and 41. "Multiples of 3" means every third problem: #12-33 Multiples of 3 would be #12, 15, 18, 21, ….33.  Your homework assignments will usually include both some reading and some problem-sets.

PLEASE NOTE:  YOU MUST BE CURRENT IN YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS IN ORDER TO TAKE THE EXAMS IN MATH 187.  YOU MUST COMPLETE HW # 1-4, IN ORDER TO TAKE EXAM #1.

September 18th:  Welcome to Math 187A, review syllabus & grading policy.  Cover Sections 1.1-1.3.  Understanding whole numbers, addition and subtraction.  HW#1: Read 1.1-1.6 in your textbook.  Do:  1.1 # 1-53EOO; 1.2 # 3-33 EOO, #39-51 multiples of 3, #60.  1.3# 1-20, 21-61EOO, #66-90 Multiples of 3.

September 20th:  Cover 1.4, Multiplication of whole numbers, 1.5 Division of whole numbers. 1.6, Exponents and Order of Operations.  HW#2 Read 1.7 & 1.8. Do: 1.4 # 1-77 EOO, #81-102 multiples of 3.  1.5# 1-30 all, #31-75 EOO, #78-90 Multiples of 3, #91.  1.6 # 1-6, 7-103 EOO, Page 97 # 3, 5.

September 25th:  HW # 1 & 2 are due.  Cover 1.7 Rounding and Estimation, 1.8 Applied Problems.  HW#3:  1.7 # 2, 3-30 Multiples of 3, #33-81 EOO, 85-90.  1.8 # 3-33 Multiples of 3, 35, 40-42.  Read 2.1 & 2.2 for Thursday.

September 27th:  Cover 2.1 Understanding fractions, Begin 2.2 Simplifying fractions. Review for Exam #1 covering Sections 1.1 - 1.8.  HW #4:  2.1 # 1-37 EOO, 39-48 multiples of 3, 54. 2.2# 1-49 EOO.

October 2nd:  Exam #1 on all of Chapter 1.  Read 2.3 & 2.4 for Thursday. HW# 3&4 are due today.  No written homework  is assigned after an exam.

October 4th: Finish 2.2, Cover 2.3 Improper fractions and mixed numbers, 2.4 Multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. HW #5:  2.2 # 53-85 EOO, #90, 91.  2.3 # 3-81 EOO, 83, 87, 88.  2.4 # 1-45 EOO, 48-57 multiples of 3, 61, 63  Read 2.5-2.7 for Tuesday.

October 9th:   Cover 2.5, Division of fractions and mixed numbers, 2.6 The Least Common Denominator, Begin 2.7, Addition & Subtraction of Fractions.    HW # 5 is due today.  HW#6:  2.5 # 2, 3-39 Multiples of 3, # 41-69 EOO, 71-81 odd, P. 152&153 #3-39 multiples of 3. 2.6 # 1-81 EOO; 2.7 # 1-53 EOO.  Read 2.8 & 2.9 for  Thursday.

October 11th:  Finish 2.7.  Cover 2.8 Combining Mixed Numbers, Order of Operations, 2.9, Applied problems involving fractions.  HW#7:  2.7 # 55-70 odd. 2.8 # 1-41 EOO, #45-51 odd, 57-75 multiples of 3; 2.9 # 1-23 odd, Page 191 #3.  Read 3.1 & 3.2 for Tuesday.

October 16th:  Cover 3.1, Decimal notation, 3.2 Comparing, Ordering and Rounding Decimals.   Review for Exam #2 covering 2.1-2.9.  HW #6 and #7 are due today.

October 18th:  Exam #2 Covering 2.1-2.9.  No written homework.  Read 3.3 & 3.4 for Tuesday.

October 23rd:  Cover 3.3 Addition & Subtraction of Decimals, 3.4 Multiplication of Decimals.  Review for final exam.  HW # 8:  3.3 # 1-49 EOO, 53-67 odd, 75, 80.          3.4# 3-57 multiples of 3, 61, 63.

October 25th:  Cumulative Final exam including all sections covered in Math 187A.  Congratulations on your successful completion of Math 187A!  I hope to see you in Math 187B.