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BASIC MATHEMATICS Math 191AL Spring, 2009Monday & WednesdayApril 6 – May 13 1:30 – 3:55 Room: A206
INSTRUCTOR: Jane Ellis
Phone Number: 541-4660, Extension 247
E-MAIL: ELLIS@LTCC.EDU
REQUIRED: It is required to have a software license for this class. Students have two choices: The first choice is to purchase the textbook textbook BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS by Tobey & Slater, Sixth Edition which is available in the bookstore. The textbook comes with the license. The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online at CourseCompass.com. The license gives you access to the textbook online. This is a more economically reasonable choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.
Our course id is ellis60049.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to teach students the skills of basic Arithmetic; in particular we will cover whole numbers, fractions, and an introduction to decimals. In reality, you have probably already seen this material somewhere in your educational past but may have forgotten it or never really understood it when it was first presented. In this class, our goal is to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about arithmetic and to help you get the “big picture” so that it will all fit together in a way which makes sense to you and that you are able to apply it to “real life” problems. This course is an extended version of Math 187A in which we will include a component of study skills to assist you in being successful in this math class and others which you will take in the future.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: If you need help paying for your books or other expenses, call our financial aid officer, America Ramirez, at 541-4660 x236, email her at Ramirez@ltcc.edu, or drop by A100.
OVER JANE’S OFFICE HOURS: My office is in A204 next door to our classroom (A206).
Monday.......................................................... 4:00 – 5:00 Tuesday.......................................................... 5:00 – 6:00 Wednesday..................................................... 5:00 – 6:00
TUTORING: Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center (MSC) in Room 201. Tutoring schedules will be distributed to you in class.
GRADING POLICY: Homework 20% Exam #1 20% Exam #2 20% Study Skills Component 10% Final (Covers entire 6-week course content) 30%
Your grade on the class is based on the following scale: 90% - 100% A 80% - 89% B 70% - 79% C 60% - 69% D Below 60% F
Make-up Policy: For Exams and the Final, make-up is possible if the instructor is contacted in advance and the absence is excused; there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused. Homework will be not be accepted late unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
Electronic Homework: It is strongly recommended that you do your homework online. You will have many tools to assist you if you need the extra help. We have tutors available 6 days a week who can help you get started if you are in need of some help negotiating the computer. There are also computers on campus available for your use Monday – Saturday. Our course id is ellis60049 which you will need in order to log on to the website for doing your homework.
CALCULATOR: Calculators are not allowed in this class on exams.
LEARNING DISABILITIES: If you have a certifiable learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with Jane during the first week of class. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.
JANE’S COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS: · I will check the earlier part of my day at the door when I enter the classroom, and I will give this class 100% of my attention while we are meeting. · I will come to class well prepared. · I will be here on time. · I will listen and seek to understand what is being said. · I will not shortchange the students in this class by setting low standards. · I will put 100% of my effort into being the best possible teacher for the students in this class.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS:
STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
The successful student in Mat 191AL will be able to: 4. Apply study skills learned in this class to studying in this class.
REGISTRATION:
1. You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records. 2. The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, April 17. 3. The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Monday, April 27. 4. After April 27, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades: A B C D F or I (Incomplete, is only allowed in special cases).
In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid a grade. You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid a grade from option three or four.
OVER
HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS:
1) Come to every class meeting. 2) Arrive early, get yourself settled and be ready when class starts. Sit where you won't be distracted. 3) Read each section before it is discussed in class. 4) Do all of the homework. 5) Do some math every day. 6) Start preparing for tests at least a week in advance. 7) Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference. 8) Do some review every time you study math. 9) Be willing to ask questions. 10) Take notes. 11) Study in groups and find a study buddy. 12) Any thing else you can add that works for you?_________________________
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING):
Cheating will be defined as but not limited to: (1) using any method to copy another’s work on an exam, quiz, or final (2) directly copying another student’s homework assignment (3) using any method other than your own honest efforts to complete exams, quizzes, the final, or homework assignments. The following activities are NOT cheating: (1) collaborating with other students to complete homework assignments (2) working with math tutors or academic coaches to complete homework assignments (3) working with other students to study for exams, quizzes or the final.
Disciplinary actions for cheating in this class: Cheating will result in a grade of zero on the item on which the cheating occurred. The worst thing about cheating, however, is compromising your character for such a small reward.
CHECKING YOUR GRADE ONLINE: You will be able to check your grade at any time in MyMathLab which is where you will be doing your electronic homework.
Lecture Schedule Math 191AL Date Topic Section Homework Problems
v Do homework for a section before the next section is presented in class. Having a hard time getting started? Promise yourself that after doing math for a half-hour, you can do something else.
April 6 Introduction to the class & syllabus Sect. 1.1 Understanding Whole Numbers
Sect 1.2 Addition of Whole Numbers
Sect. 1.3 Subtraction of Whole Numbers
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Introduce yourself to 3 classmates to develop a math support system.
April 8 Sect. 1.4 Multiplication of Whole Numbers
Sect. 1.5 Division of Whole Numbers
Sections 1.1 – 1.5 are due Monday, April 13 by the beginning of class
v Write 5 questions on what you do not understand in this chapter. Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!
April 13 Sect. 1.6 Exponents & Order of Operations
Sect. 1.7 Rounding and Estimation
********* v Begin today reviewing for your exam next Monday. Do some math everyday. v Write a practice exam and take it.
April 15 Sect. 1.8 Applied Problems
Sect. 2.1 Understanding Fractions
Sect. 2.2 Simplifying Fractions (we will finish this section next Monday)
Sections 1.6 – 2.1 are due Monday, April 20 by the beginning of class
Schedule continued on the next page Lecture Schedule Math 191AL (continued)
Date Topic Section Homework Problems
v Every time you do homework from a section, write down 2 problems which could be on the next math exam.
April 20 Exam #1 (Sections 1.1 – 1.8) Finish Section 2.2 Sect. 2.3 Converting between Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers ********* v When your exam is returned, write your questions on what you do not understand in chapter 1. Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!
April 22 Sect. 2.4 Multiplication of Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Sect. 2.5 Division of Fractions & Mixed Numbers
Sections 2.2 – 2.5 are due Monday, April 27 by the beginning of class
v Review your class notes before beginning your homework. You did take notes didn’t you? If not, try it at the next class meeting.
April 27 Sect. 2.6 The Least Common Denominator & Creating Equivalent Fractions
Sect. 2.7 Addition & Subtraction of Fractions
********* v Do some fraction word problems every day for the next 7 days (get help if you need it).
April 29 Sect. 2.8 Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers & the Order of Operations
Sect. 2.9 Applied Problems involving Fractions
Sections 2.6 – 2.9 are due Monday, May 4 by the beginning of class
Schedule Continued on the Next Page
Lecture Schedule Math 191AL (continued)
Date Topic Section Homework Problems
v Summarize what you learned in class today.
May 4 Sect. 3.1 Decimal Notation
Sect. 3.2 Comparing, Ordering & Rounding Decimals
********* v Attend class every day on time.
May 6 Exams #2 (Sections 2.1 – 2.9)
Sect. 3.3 Addition & Subtraction of Decimals
Sect. 3.4 Multiplication of Decimals
Sections 3.1 – 3.4 are due Monday, May 11 by the beginning of class
v Begin going over old exams to prepare for the final. Write a practice final.
May 11 Review for Final Exam Suggested: Any electronic review problems for chapters 1 & 2 and in chapter 3 problems up through #30 OR Suggested: Pages 192 & 193 #1 – 30 All and Pages 254 & 255 #1 – 33 All
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May 13 Final Exam for Math 191AL (Chapters 1 & 2, and Sections 3.1 – 3.4) This is the day that you will successfully complete Math 191AL….CONGRATULATIONS!
Be sure that you are registered for Math 187B which begins next week.
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