Pre-Algebra Math 0301 Course Syllabus: Fall 2013 Northeast Texas Community College exists to provide responsible, exemplary learning opportunities. Darian Skipper Office: Phone: Email: dskipper@ntcc.edu Office Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Online Anytime The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to be aware of any additional course policies presented by the instructor during the course. Catalog Course Description (include prerequisites): This course is designed to develop or review mathematical skills necessary for success in subsequent math courses. Topics covered include operations and applications of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, plane geometry, ratio and proportion and basic algebra. No college credit. Three hours of class per week. Required Textbook(s): Baratto, Stefan; Bergman, Barry; Basic Mathematical Skills with Geometry, 8th Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Publisher: McGraw-Hill ISBN Number: Recommended Reading(s): Student Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to: 1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers in application problems. 2. Apply the rules of rounding to whole numbers, fractions and decimals. 3. Evaluate expressions by using the order of operations. 4. Solve geometric problems involving perimeter, circumference, area and volume. 5. Apply rules of divisibility to numbers. 6. Find the prime factorization for any number. 7. Understand fraction basics. 8. Solve fraction problems and applications using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 9. Understand basic decimal concepts. 10. Add, subtract, multiply and divide problems and applications involving decimals. 11. Write the ratio of two quantities in simplest form. 12. Solve problems involving unit pricing and proportions. 13. Understand basic concepts of percents.
14. Solve problems involving percents. 15. Solve geometric problems. 16. Solve problems using analysis and statistics. 17. Perform operations with integers. 18. Understand algebraic expressions. 19. Solve basic algebra equations. SCANS Skills: Lectures & Discussions: type lecture and discussion descriptions here Evaluation/Grading Policy: 5 Exams 500 points A = 820 738 points Attendance/Participation 100 points B = 737 656 points Homework 120 points C = 655 574 points Final Exam 100 points F or NC = Below 574 points TOTAL 820 points Tests/Exams: EXAMINATIONS AND EVALUATION There will be five cumulative exams. Students are expected to take an exam when it is scheduled. Should an emergency arise on the day of the exam, the student should notify the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for a make-up exam. Exams may be retaken once to achieve a passing grade. Make-up exams must be taken in the Assessment and Testing Center in the IT building. A final exam score of 70 or better can replace the lowest test grade. Homework will be assigned every class period except before an exam. It will be taken up the next class period, certain problems will be graded, and it will be returned the next time the class meets. The Academic Skills Center has tutors available to help you with your math homework. If you want to be successful in this class, it is absolutely essential that you do your homework. Extra points can be earned by participating in some in-class activities. An attendance/participation grade will be given. You will start with 100 points. For every absence, 5 points will be deducted unless the absence is school related. You can buy back an absence by turning in late homework no more than two class meetings after the absence. Assignments: Chapter 1: Operations on Whole Numbers 1.1 The Decimal Place-Value System (13 20) Teach students to write checks. 1.2 Addition (Perimeter and fun number problems: # s 37, 38, 47, SODUKU) 1.3. Subtraction (14 16, 23 28, 39 46) (Words that indicate subtraction) 1.4 Rounding, Estimation, and Order (1 36) 1.5 Multiplication (24 27, 47 54, 57 60) 1.6 Division (27 44, 51 62) 1.7 Exponential Notation and the Order of Operations (1 36)
Chapter 2: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions 2.1 Prime Numbers and Divisibility (1 12, 17 26, 29) 2.2 Factoring Whole Numbers (1 42) 2.3 Fraction Basics (5 54) 2.4 Simplifying Fractions (1 56) 2.5 Multiplying Fractions (1 30, 37 62) 2.6 Dividing Fractions (1 38, 43 48, 58 62) Consider assigning and discussing # s 63 68 for fun or a bonus. Chapter 3: Adding and Subtracting Fractions 3.1 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators (1 56) 3.2 Common Multiples (1 50) 3.3 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators (1 62) 3.5 Order of Operations with Fractions (1 25) 3.6 Estimation Applications (9 25) Chapter 4: Decimals 4.1. Place Value and Rounding (1 54) 4.2. Converting Between Fractions and Decimals (1 40) 4.3. Adding and Subtracting Decimals (7 10, 16 42) 4.4. Multiplying Decimals (7 12, 25 34, 41 60) 4.5. Dividing Decimals (1 48, 51 64) Chapter 5: Ratios and Proportions 5.1 Ratios (1 42) 5.2 Rates and Unit Pricing (15 38) 5.3 Proportions (1 38) 5.4 Solving Proportions (1 72) Chapter 6: Percents 6.1 Writing Percents as Fractions and Decimals (1 45, 47 50, 55 66, 77) 6.2 Writing Decimals and Fractions as Percents (1 40, 43 46, 70) 6.3 The Three Types of Percent Problems (1 52) 6.4 Applications of Percent Problems (1 26, 39 52) Chapter 8 Geometry 8.1 Lines and Angles (1 42) 8.2 Perimeter and Area (1 48, 71 74) 8.3 Circles and Composite Figures (1 36) Use your discretion on the selection of problems. 8.4 Triangles (1 30) 8.5 Square Roots and the Pythagorean Theorem (1 16, 25 32) Chapter 10: The Real Number System 10.1 Real Numbers and Order (1 14, 19 56) 10.2 Adding Real Numbers (1 68) 10.3 Subtracting Real Numbers (1 70)
10.4 Multiplying Real Numbers (1 74) 10.5 Dividing Real Numbers and the Order of Operations (1 80) Chapter 11: An Introduction to Algebra 11.1 From Arithmetic to Algebra (1 74) 11.2 Evaluating Algebraic Expressions (1 56) 11.3 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions (1 64) 11.4 Using the Addition Property to Solve and Equation (1 78) 11.5 Using the Multiplication Property to Solve and Equation (1 62) 11.6 Combining the Properties to Solve Equations (1 56) Other Course Requirements: RE-TESTING POLICY If re-testing before the student completes a developmental course, the resulting score will determine placement in subsequent courses. It is the student s responsibility to take the score to the instructor of the class. That instructor will give the student a grade of CR or a letter grade on the final grade sheet (as he/she chooses), and the student will no longer be required to attend that class for the rest of the semester. Student Responsibilities/Expectations: APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR Students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and respectful manner toward the instructor as well as other students. An orderly and cooperative classroom environment is essential for optimum learning to take place. Students must assume responsibility for their actions. Except for disrespect, the only other things that really annoy me are cell phones going off and students using class time to send text messages. Save it for outside of class. NTCC Academic Honesty Statement: "Students are expected to complete course work in an honest manner, using their intellects and resources designated as allowable by the course instructor. Students are responsible for addressing questions about allowable resources with the course instructor. NTCC upholds the highest standards of academic integrity. This course will follow the NTCC Academic Honesty policy stated in the Student Handbook." Academic Ethics The college expects all students to engage in academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuit. Academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, and collusion is unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action. Refer to the student handbook for more information on this subject. ADA Statement: It is the policy of NTCC to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a College counselor to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to the NTCC Catalog or Student Handbook.
Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children s educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are considered eligible students. In essence, a parent has no legal right to obtain information concerning the child s college records without the written consent of the student. In compliance with FERPA, information classified as directory information may be released to the general public without the written consent of the student unless the student makes a request in writing. Directory information is defined as: the student s name, permanent address and/or local address, telephone listing, dates of attendance, most recent previous education institution attended, other information including major, field of study, degrees, awards received, and participation in officially recognized activities/sports. Other Course Policies: ATTENDANCE Enrolling in a class brings a responsibility to contribute to that learning community so that it s a good, meaningful experience for everyone. When you aren t here, it is a loss for others and for yourself. Students who do not miss more than a couple classes, who arrive before class starts, and who stay for the whole class have the best chance of earning the highest grades in our courses, which value participation and active learning. The most successful college students communicate with their instructors regularly about their progress. This includes informing the instructor as soon as challenges come up, such as emergencies that cause absences. In order to pass the course, you must be present for 75% of the class sessions. Therefore: You are allowed up to three absences without penalty. Your fourth absence will result in deduction of one letter grade from your final course grade. ***IMPORTANT: Students who miss more than 4 classes for any reason will receive an automatic F for the course. There are no excused absences for this course.