E M P O R I U M M A T H 9 4 S Y L L A B U S WIN TER QUARTER 20 15 Instructor: Joe White E-mail: jwhite2@olympic.edu Phone: (360) 475-7720 Office: ST 212 Office Hours: MWF, 12:00-12:50 Class Meets: TTh, 12:25-2:40 TF, 9:00-9:50 am COURSE DESCRIPTION First course in the sequence of Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. Basic algebraic concepts, first-degree equations, polynomials, whole number and rational exponents, roots and radicals, word problems. MATH EMPORIUM In this Math Emporium class, students may accelerate through the mathematics sequence, completing multiple math levels in a term, or they may choose to follow a traditional timeline. The instructor gives short lectures, and students have time to work in class with the guidance of both the instructor and a teaching assistant. The student will be able to STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Understand and use the language of algebra, encompassing formulas, expressions, and mathematical models as commonly used in a wide variety of fields. Apply systemic procedures to simplify and to evaluate expression, and to solve linear equations and formulas. Understand a multi-step problem-solving strategy incorporating reading comprehension skills, and apply such a strategy to traditional word problems Graph equations of lines, and use such graphs and equations to model relationships involving constant rates of change. Understand and use a framework of algebra concepts and skills, as a basis for study of intermediate algebra. CLASS WEBSITE The class website is located at http://www.aleks.com/ The course code is 9HYUE-EGDGE. Students without a current ALEKS subscription may use the financial aid code E5196-9D951-38447-8F06E. This code contains zeroes, not the letter O.
GRADES WORK CONTRIBUTING TO THE GRADE Tests: 50% total Five Tests worth 9% each Five Practice Tests worth 1% each Assessments: 20% total Comprehensive Final Assessment: 19% Practice Final Assessment: 1% Objectives: 10% Homework: Online problems: 5% Written work: 5% Notebook 2% Participation: Hours in ALEKS: 4% (Based on a minimum of 8 hours per week) Attendance: 4% Notebook: Each student will keep of notebook of all problems they do in ALEKS and notes taken from lectures. Notebooks must be neat and organized. Each page should include the date and the topic. Notebooks will be checked on weeks listed in the schedule. Notebooks will be graded as pass/fail. Homework: There are 10 homework assignments in ALEKS. The online homework is due every Thursday at 11:59pm. Students should write their homework solutions neatly on loose-leaf notebook paper to be turned in by the following class day. The written homework is graded on organization and demonstration of appropriate solution steps. Practice Tests: The practice tests are slightly longer than may be taken multiple times; the best score for each practice test will be recorded in the gradebook. Practice tests may be taken anywhere. Objective Tests: There are five tests; one over each objective unit. Each test must be taken in class by the date indicated in the calendar. Practice Final Assessment: A practice assessment will be given before the final assessment to help students prepare for the final. Only the first practice final assessment is counted in the gradebook; students who wish to retake the practice final for extra practice and study may request it. The practice assessment may be taken anywhere. Final Assessment: The final assessment is comprehensive and must be taken in class. Objectives: ALEKS uses assessments to determine what percentage of topics you know in each objective. Please see the ALEKS calendar for the Objective due dates. Time Spent on ALEKS: This portion of the grade is based on a minimum of 8 hours per week using ALEKS. The instructor recommends 10-12 hours per week. A week ends at 11:59pm on Sunday. GRADING SCALE Course grades will be assigned numerical grades, with the scale: 95% or above = 4.0 85% = 3.0 75% = 2.0 65% = 1.0 below 62%=0.0 [Each 1% = 0.1 grade point.]
The only grades awarded in this class are decimal grades. The instructor does not assign withdrawal grades or incomplete grades. ACCELERATING THROUGH THE MATHEMATICS SEQUENCE Some of you may be able to move more quickly through the material of Math 94. If so, you will have the opportunity to begin or even complete the ALEKS-based course content for Math 99, thus moving more quickly through the math course sequence. Your transcript will reflect the highest course that you complete in the term, up to Math 099. Students who have completed 100% of the ALEKS topics will be allowed to take the final assessment early. If their final assessment score is 85% or higher, then they will be allowed to switch to the Math 099 ALEKS website. If you end up completing part, but not all, of the content of a course, options will be available for you to continue your ALEKS-based coursework over the break and next quarter. CLASS POLICIES: Cell Phones: Turn off your cell phone before entering class. Unless prior approval, no cell phone usage is permitted. Calculator: A calculator will be used on a limited basis. When working problems inside ALEKS, an on-screen calculator will appear for problems that require one. Tracking the Use of ALEKS and Topic Mastery: In determining the grades for ALEKS participation and topic mastery, the records kept by the ALEKS system will be used. There are no exceptions to this. To review ALEKS records, click Results above the ALEKS menu and review all three tabs. Students should be aware that periods of inactivity in ALEKS are not counted toward time spent and that the ALEKS system will log them off for inactivity. Academic Honesty Policy: Students are required to do their own work on all assignments for this class, including all work in ALEKS. Students may not allow any other person to use their ALEKS account in any way. During any ALEKS assessment, students may not use any resources: no notes, no text, no other websites, no consultations with any other person by any means, and no calculator except for when the ALEKS on-screen calculator is available. Teaching Assistants and tutors are not allowed to help with assessments of any sort. Asking for help on ALEKS problems is permitted only when in Learning Mode or while reviewing. The DUE date is not the DO date: Procrastination is the number one reason why work is not completed by the scheduled due date. You must manage your time! Look ahead at your schedule, plan around your busy times, and establish time to complete your work. Start early. DO your work well before the DUE date to avoid those last-minute emergency or technical situations that may arise to prevent you from completing activities on time. For example, if you are completing your work at 11:50 p.m. on the due date and your Internet connection fails, that is a procrastination issue. It s Murphy s Law that problems are apt to occur when you rush. If a campus-wide problem occurs (such as a network outage) that impacts the ability of all students to complete activities as scheduled, your instructor will make appropriate accommodations. If you are having individual technical or computer difficulties, it is your responsibility to use the computers on campus or through another source to meet due dates. Disability Accommodations: If you believe you need an accommodation because of a disability, contact the Office of Access services on the Bremerton campus at 360-475-7540. Class Time: During each class period the instructor will lecture on topics from ALEKS that correspond to the calendar. Students may choose to participate in the lecture or to work on ALEKS. The Instructional Aid will be available to help students working on ALEKS and any students with technology issues. In order to get the most out of class please pay close attention to what topics will be covered in class and what topics you have mastered in ALEKS.
Late Work: Students are given three late passes for the term. Each late pass may be used to do one of the following: extend the due date for a homework assignment or objective by 24 hours, take a test one class day late, extend a week s Time in ALEKS by 24 hours (note that the following week is then shortened by 24 hours), turn in a notebook one class day late, or one free absence. GETTING HELP Instructor s Office Hour: The instructor is available to answer questions and give extra help. Please see the first page of the syllabus for the time and location of the office hour. Disability Accommodations: If you believe you need an accommodation because of a disability, contact the Office of Access services on the Bremerton campus at 360-475-7540. Math Tutoring: Free math help is available at the following times and locations. OC Bremerton: ST-124 & Tuesday 9am-7pm Wednesday & Thursday 9am-5pm Friday 9am-3pm OC Poulsbo: TBA OC Shelton: TBA
MATH 94 SCHEDULE WINTER 2015 The schedule below represents the minimum pacing for the class. It is expected that many students will be completing the objectives, homework and tests well ahead of these deadlines. WEEK: OBJECTIVE SPECIAL EVENT(S) Jan. 5-10 Jan. 11-17 Jan. 18-24 Jan. 25-31 Feb. 1-7 Feb. 8-14 Feb. 15-21 Feb. 22-28 March 1-7 Chapter 1- The Set of Real Numbers Chapter 1- The Set of Real Numbers Chapter 2- Linear Equations and Inequalities Chapter 2- Linear Equations and Inequalities Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables Chapter 3 Graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables Chapter 5- Polynomials and Properties of Exponents Chapter 5- Polynomials and Properties of Exponents Chapter 6 Factoring Polynomails Complete Chapter 1 Objective and Complete Practice Test by Chapter 1 Test deadline Tuesday Notebook Check 1 Tuesday Complete Chapter 2 Objective and Practice Test by Chapter 2 Test deadline Tuesday Complete Chapter 3 Objective and Practice Test by Chapter 3 Test deadline Tuesday Notebook Check 2 Tuesday Complete Chapter 5 Objective and Practice Test by Chapter 5 Test deadline Tuesday March 8-14 March 15-21 Notebook Check 3 Tuesday Complete Chapter 6 Objective and Practice Test by Wednesday Chapter 6 Factoring Polynomails Chapter 6 Test deadline Thursday Notebook Check 4 (TBD) Practice Final Assessment due (TBD) Review on Final Assessment see college-wide final exam schedule There is class on for courses that normally meet on s. Finals begin on Tuesday. Disclaimer: Certain aspects of the course may be modified in order to meet the needs of the class. Please see the calendar in ALEKS for more details and due dates.