MAT 187A Basic Mathematics
Fall ‘07, Section 3
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:                         D127                          
Meeting Venue:         D121,  M,W  11:00 - 1:20
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          richardson@ltcc.edu          

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):

Required Textbook: Basic College Mathematics, 5th edition, John Tobey and Jeffrey Slater, Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-149060-5

Course Overview:

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

Goals and Objectives:

The successful student will:

1. Exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course.
2. Engage in logical and crtical thinking.
3. Read technical information.
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.

Suggestions, Tips and Advice:

• Class time is valuable.  Arrive on time and prepared.
• Do your homework. What I assign is a bare minimum. If you need more practice, do it!
• Bring your notebook, your textbook and your disks to each class.
• Falling behind is a double-edged sword: the more behind you get, the less benefit you obtain from class meetings, making it that much harder to catch up.  Strive to keep up with the pace of the course!  Plan on 2 hours of study (individual or with your classmates) for each hour of class.  Reading and homework will consume 8 hours per week in addition to our 4 hours per week of class meeting.  That’s 12 hours per week.
• Read the textbook.
• Make use of tutors in the GMC.
• Make use of my office hours - or arrange an appointment.
• Do math every day. Math is not a spectator sport, you have to get in there and do it!

Exams:

We will have 2 1-hour exams at the end of the class meeting for which they are scheduled. These are worth 75 points each..

Homework Assignments:

Homework is due daily. Late assignments will be accepted for 1/2 credit one class meeting later. The 10 assignments are worth a total of 50 points.

These are the problems assigned from each section. I will tell you which sections are to be completed for each homework assignment.

Final Exam:

The final exam is comprehensive and will take-up the entire class meeting on Octover 24th. It is worth 100 points.

Evaluation Criteria:

Grading will be based on your total scores from:

No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.

The letter grade assigned will be based on the following cutoffs:

Online Grades

You can find your scores on the web here, or by searching for our course at http://www.gradesource.com/

Help:

I am here to help you learn.  I want you to succeed in this course and beyond.  Use me as your resource.  See me during my office hours.  Do not hesitate to make arrangements to see me anytime outside of class or office hours. Make arrangements with me if you have any difficulties or special needs.  We have tutoring in the Gateway Math Center.  We have a Learning Disabilities Lab available and I will accommodate any learning disability you may have to the best of my and the College’s ability.  If you find that you are lost or behind please do not hesitate to see me.

A Word on Honesty:

Cheating or copying will not be tolerated. People who cheat dilute the honest effort of the rest of us.  If you cheat on a quiz or exam you will receive an F  for the course, not merely for the test.  Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class.  If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me.