Fall 2008 Syllabus

Madisonville Community College

MT055 Pre-Algebra & MT050 Mathematics Workshop

 

Instructor:    Dan Schultz                                       

 

            Office: JCD 111                                           

            Phone: (270) 824-1841                                           

            Email:             dan.schultz@kctcs.edu                               

            Home Page: http://www.madisonville.kctcs.edu/facstaf/dschultz/

 

Office Hours:

            M, W   3:30-4:30

            T, Th   10:00-11:00, 3:30-4:30

            Th        *other times by appointment                                  

Math Lab: (JCD 130)

            T          11:00-12:00               

 

Official Course Description:

Students enhance their understanding and manipulative skills in the arithmetic of rational numbers.  Topics include whole numbers, powers and square roots, fractions, decimal fractions, percents, ratios, proportions, signed numbers, order of operations, prime factorization, basic formulas in geometry, measurement and tables & graphs.

 

Prerequisites:

None, but this course must be taken concurrently with MT050 Mathematics Workshop.

 

Course Objectives:

  • Improve the students’ accuracy and speed at mental math.
  • Understand the various forms in which numbers can be written (decimal, fraction, mixed number, rounded decimal, etc.) and be able to convert between these forms.
  • Improve and expand the students’ ability to do arithmetic with whole numbers, fractions, integers (positives and negatives), decimals, and percents both with paper and pencil and by using a calculator.
  • Learn to recognize and understand mathematical symbols, jargon, and basic procedures necessary for success in future math classes.
  • Apply the mathematics they know and learn to real world problems.
  • Understand and apply basic concepts of algebra.

 

 

Textbook Required:

Pre-algebra and Introductory Algebra 2nd edition, by K. Elayn Martin-Gay  

 

Supplies:

Notebook, writing instrument, calculator (any type will do)

 

Getting help:

The Math Lab is located in JCD 130 and the hours of service are posted on the door. The tutoring center is located in the Learning Resource Center. Both of these services are free of charge.

 

Course Competencies (Requirements):

Upon completion of this course, the student can:

1.                   Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of integers, fractions, and decimals.

2.                  Calculate whole number powers.

3.                  Calculate square roots of rational perfect squares.

4.                  Determine prime factorization of whole numbers.

5.                  Perform conversions among decimals, fractions and percents.

6.                  Solve problems involving ratios and proportions.

7.                  Solve problems involving percents.

8.                  Perform conversions interchanging English and Metric systems.

9.                  Demonstrate rounding and estimation techniques.

10.               State and use the order of operations.

11.                Calculate area, volume and perimeter of basic plane figures and solids.

12.               Apply basic formulas.

13.               Read and interpret tables and graphs.

14.               Identify and apply the properties of real numbers.

15.       Solve applied problems using these competencies with real world applications

 

Hawkes learning System:

In addition to the textbook and handouts created by the instructor, you will be working with a computer based learning system called Hawkes. Practice problems will be assigned on Hawkes and you will complete the assignments in the mathematics computer lab located in JCD 011 or at home.

 

Course Outline:

See attached outline

 

 

 

 

Grading Criteria:

Tests…………………………………….……………………………………………………………55%

Homework/Quizzes/Hawkes………………………………………………………..20%

Attendance…………………………………………………………………………………………5%

Comprehensive Departmental Final Exam…………………………………20%

 

Letter grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

            90 – 100          A

            80 – 89           B

            70 -79             C

            0 – 69              E

 

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is extremely important for success in this course.  Students receiving financial aid should be aware that their aid could be cut if they fail to attend regularly.  In addition, the attendance grade will drop by 1% for every class day missed.  After 5 absences, the student will receive NO credit for attendance.

 

Withdrawal Policy:

The last day to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W” is Monday, October 6th.  After October 6th the instructor must approve any withdrawals.

 

Students with Disabilities:

Students with documented disabilities that require special accommodations should schedule conferences with the Disability Resources Coordinator, Valerie Wolfe, in room 112 of the Learning Resources Center, 270-824-1708.

 

Student Code of Conduct:

The student is required to comply with the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct.  Plagiarism and cheating, as well as the sanctions for these offenses, are defined in this code.  For more information on academic rights, academic offenses, and the right to appeal, see Section VII, 1.0, pg. 96 of the student code.  The code can be accessed at www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm.

 

 

 

General Education Competencies:

 

I. Communicate Effectively

            1. Read with comprehension.

            2. Write clearly using Standard English.

            3. Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means

            4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills

 

II. Think Critically

            1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.

            2. Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data.

 

Evaluation of Competencies:

 

Communicate Effectively:

Assessment- Tests and quizzes will contain questions that require a written response. Students will be graded not only on their understanding of the concept, but on how clearly they communicated their understanding.

 

Assessment- Students are expected to ask a question when they do not understand what is being discussed and answer questions verbally in the classroom.

 

Assessment- Students are expected to communicate ideas to others during classroom group activities as well as listen to others.

 

 

Think Critically:

Assessment- When solving problems involving order of operations, students are expected to correctly interpret the mathematical symbols presented, apply the correct algorithms for each mathematical operation, and follow the prescribed order of operations. The instructor will evaluate the process in which students arrived at the answer, not just the answer itself.

 

Assessment- When presented with a problem in written form, students are expected to organize the given information based on its relevance, synthesize an equivalent mathematical expression or equation, simplify or solve the mathematics, and interpret the resulting solution.

 

Assessment- Several short critical thinking evaluations will be given over the course of the semester. These will not be used as part of your grade but will hopefully provide you with an assessment of your critical thinking skills and how they might be strengthened.