Chesapeake College MAT 031 Elementary Algebra Syllabus Course Description: An introduction to algebra. Topics included are properties of whole numbers, integer and rational numbers, solving equations, polynomials, factoring, systems of equations and graphs. Three hours per week. 3 load hours, 0 credits. Prerequisite: Appropriate score on placement test or successful completion of MAT 023. Introduction: This course, Elementary Algebra, is approximately equivalent to the first year of high school algebra and is the first of two sequential courses in algebra taught at Chesapeake College in preparation for college level mathematics courses. Students must complete MAT 031. Most students must also complete MAT 032 in order to gain entry to the credit level mathematics courses. Workbook: Developmental Mathematics workbook and MML access code. John Squires & Karen Wyrick. Pearson; 2012 ISBN-10: 0321822226 or ISBN-13: 9780321822222 Instructional Supplies: A binder (at least 1 ½ ) for math work only, a supply of loose-leaf paper, and PENCILS along with the work text will be necessary for this course. Students will do all of their homework in the work text and on loose-leaf and they will take notes from the videos and short lectures. Any and all work that is done in ink is NOT ACCEPTABLE and will need to be redone. This is NOT NEGOTIABLE. Experience has shown that students who organize their materials tend to do better than the average student in this course. Of course, students will be expected to bring a supply of pencils to class and to do their work in pencil alone. Calculators: The mathematics department has developed a standardized calculator policy for each and every course at Chesapeake College. The approved calculators are: MAT 023 4 function (NO +/- key) MAT 031 4 function MAT 032 scientific calculator and/or TI-83 or TI-84 If you choose to use a different type of calculator at home you will find it more difficult to succeed when taking the in-class tests. There are calculators available for use in the classroom. Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned in MyMathLab http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com. This program allows students to receive immediate feedback upon completing each problem in an assignment. It also provides students with step-by-step assistance on how to solve problems. An access code and work text for this course is available for purchase at the Bookstore or on-line. Revised 8/2012 Page 1
Each section assignment of 10 25 problems should be worked out completely in a neat, legible, and orderly manner (problems must be numbered and worked out in an orderly fashion) using the process of the section and should be placed in the course binder. See the example text in class. As problems are completed answers should be submitted to MML for immediate feedback or grading. Remember that you may check answers on MML as you go so that you can make corrections and insure proper understanding. Each MML homework assignment will receive a percentage grade. All MML homework scores will be averaged for a single MML score and count as 5% of the final grade. Assignments will be checked off in the student binder in order to take the on-line unit test. In addition to the lecture and lab hours the average student who is registered for ONE developmental course should: plan to spend 6 hours outside of class each week (2 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class). expect to spend this time completing MyMathLab assignments, viewing media, and preparing for the next class session according to the calendar provided. expect to complete a minimum of 2-3 sections of work BETWEEN class meetings. (All assignments from Pre-Quiz through the related Quiz compose 1 section. This includes the Pre-Quiz, related Concept Checks and Topics, Homework, and Quiz.) Time in class and outside of class can easily be monitored by the staff and will be reflected in the attendance/participation grade. In addition to the lecture and lab hours the average student who is registered for TWO developmental courses should: plan to spend 12 hours outside of class each week (2 hours for every hour spent in class). expect to spend this time completing MyMathLab assignments, viewing media, and preparing for the next class session. expect to complete a minimum of 2-3 sections of work BETWEEN class meetings. (All assignments from Pre-Quiz through the related Quiz compose 1 section. This includes the Pre-Quiz, related Concept Checks and Topics, Homework, and Quiz.). If the student is registered for two classes held on the same days, then s/he should expect to complete 4-6 sections of work between class days. If the student is registered for one class on M/W and a second class on T/Th, then s/he should expect to complete 2-3 sections outside of class between weekday classes. This time can easily be monitored by the staff and this time outside of class will be reflected in the attendance/participation grade. Participation: Work in and out of class and goal completion is 10% of the final grade. A student must be present for the entire class period in order to be counted present. A weekly grade will be given based upon attendance and number of sections completed (including any tests for those sections). The weekly participation grade is made up of 40% attendance and 60% goal completion. Students who attend all of their scheduled class days in a week, arrive on time with their course materials, and stay for the entire class period will receive all of the 40% for that week s attendance portion. Students who fail to do this will receive 0% for that week s attendance portion. The remaining 60% per week is given for reaching the weekly goal stated on the course calendar [5 sections per week for 1 course or 10 sections per week for 2 courses]. Students must show evidence of working outside of class in order to be awarded these points. * Please see Homework Assignments in the previous paragraph for information regarding what is included in a section. Revised 8/2012 Page 2
Classroom Expectations & Etiquette: Students whose attendance is sporadic often do not do well because of the nature of the course. It is in the best interest of each student to be present at every class session. If you find the workload is too heavy to keep up with the class, see the instructor immediately. It is our goal that this is a productive and pleasant experience for both of us. If you have difficulties, please talk to the instructor. Class participation is more than simply presenting a warm body in class each day. It is assumed that students will arrive on-time with their class materials and ready to learn. To that end, it is expected that students will not engage in behaviors that distract not only the instructor but also their fellow classmates. Students who engage in activities such as talking to each other, talking on cell phones or text messaging, or leaving class for non-emergency needs will be asked to leave. I-pods and MP3 players are acceptable while working on the course material. However, the volume must be kept at a volume that does not disturb others working nearby. I-pods and MP3 players are never allowed in the testing area. It will be assumed that a student texting in class is not interested in the lesson and s/he will be asked to leave class for that day. Except for emergency situations, a student who leaves the class without permission may not be allowed to return during that class time Students who violate this policy will be asked to leave the class for the day. Students are expected to behave in an adult and respectful manner. NOTE: College policy prohibits young children from accompanying parents to class Grades: The numerical final course grade will be computed as indicated in the following distribution, and letter grades will be assigned as follows. Final grades will be determined according to the following criteria and grading scale. Criteria Scale Class Participation and Work Goals 10% A: 90 100% Topics 4% B: 80 89.999 % Homeworks 6% C: 70 79.999 % Quizzes 5% F: Less than 70% Reviews 5% Tests 50% Final Exam 20% * Note: The Math Department does NOT allow rounding up! An 89.999% is a B not an A! No D grade will be given in any Developmental Math course. Students who fail to complete the course will be awarded a final grade of F. Students should be aware that Chesapeake College has adopted a policy limiting the number of times a course can be repeated to two. This includes audits and withdrawals. You may enroll in the class a total of three times. COMPUTER DOWN TIME IS NOT A VALID REASON FOR TARDINESS ON COMPUTER ASSIGNMENTS. Computers and computer programs do sometimes experience down time, so plan ahead. If you wait until the last day to complete the homework assignments, you may face a long line at the computer lab or a computer problem. Procrastination is risky! Revised 8/2012 Page 3
Testing: In addition to the on-line homework, quizzes, and reviews that each student will complete as they proceed through the course. There will be on-line tests given at the end of each Mini-Mod. These tests will count as 50% of the final course grade. Tests will be completed and answers entered on line. However, in order to receive credit for correct answers all work must be shown using appropriate mathematical form. Test dates will depend upon completion of the work for a particular Mini-Mod of material. However, the expectation is the student will complete an average of one Mini-Mod per week (two Mini-Mods for those students enrolled in two math courses) including all tests. All Mini-Mods must be completed prior to final exam week. NO test grade(s) will be dropped! May not leave classroom during test!! CELL PHONES CALCULATORS MAY NOT BE USED IN CLASS AT ANY TIME! There are calculators available for use in the classroom. No I-pods or MP3 players allowed in the testing area. Final Exam: All Mini-Mods must be completed prior to final exam week. There will be a final exam given when you have completed the course material. There is a testing time determined by the College during the last week of the semester. This final exam is worth 20% of the final course grade. The Final Exam is required and IS cumulative. Student Information: Academic Support Center: The Academic Support Center offers free drop in math tutoring in room 105 of the Learning Resources Center. Student Support Services: Student Support Services offers free scheduled tutoring up to 2 hours per week to qualifying students in room 105 of the Learning Resources Center. To qualify, students must be a first generation college student, be economically disadvantaged, have a physical disability, or have a learning disability. There will be more information given during class. ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN: In the event that Chesapeake College needs to close for an extended period of time due to a flu pandemic, severe weather event, or other emergency situation, consideration will be given to the timing and duration of the closure as follows: 1. Closure during the semester for up to one week there will be an opportunity to make up work missed without significant alteration to the semester calendar. 2. Closure extending beyond one week (or in situations where classes are cancelled on the same days/evenings over multiple weeks) the College may extend the length of the semester. Depending on the timing of the closure, scheduled breaks, end of semester dates, and/or the processing of final grades might be impacted. Students can acquire information about closures on the College website or by calling 410-822-5400 or 410-228-4360. Chesapeake College courses held at off campus sites will follow the protocol of the host facility. Revised 8/2012 Page 4
Academic Honesty Policy As described in the Student Code of Conduct, If based on substantial evidence, a student is deemed guilty of academic dishonesty, the College may initiate disciplinary action as follows: 1. The student may be required to repeat the assignment or the examination. 2. The student may be given a failing grade for the assignment or the examination. 3. The student may be given a failing grade for the course. 4. The student may be suspended or dismissed from the college. Course Objectives At the completion of the course the student will be able to: 1. Evaluate and simplify algebraic expressions 2. Solve linear equations. 3. Solve all types of application problems. 4. Graph linear equations and inequalities. 5. Given sufficient information, write linear equations. 6. Solve systems of equations by various methods. 7. Simplify positive and negative exponential expressions. 8. Convert Scientific notation to standard numbers and reverse 9. Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide Polynomials. Course Outline Mini-Mod # Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Twenty Twenty-one Twenty-two Twenty-three Twenty-four Twenty-five Content Introduction to Solving Linear Equations Solving More Linear Equations and Inequalities Introduction to Graphing Linear Equations Slope and the Equation of a Line Solving Systems of Linear Equations Introduction to Polynomials and Exponent Rules Multiplying Polynomials Dividing Polynomials and More Exponent Rules Factoring Polynomials More Factoring and Quadratic Equations Rev. 8/2012 Page 5