Math 120 SyllabusBeginning Algebra Class Time: 1 – 3:30 T/RBuilding /Class Room: James McDivitt Hall Room 207 Instructor: Kristi Laird Office: JM 252 Phone: 796-8503 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: As announced in class and posted outside JM252 Official Math Department Syllabus – Created Fall 20051Purpose and Learning Objectives"The function of education is to teach the student to think intensively andcritically. Intelligence plus character.... that is the goal of education."Dr. Martin Luther KingCourse Description:Math 120 is the study of the following: variables and variable expressions, integers, laws of exponents, Equations (linear, quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value), linear inequalities, linear systems, coordinate graphing and problem solving.Prerequisite(s): A grade of 2.0 in Math 110 or equivalentPerformance Objectives:I. Core Course Objectives1. Simplify basic algebraic, exponential, rational, and radical expressions using mathematical processes and symbol manipulation.2. Use algebraic processes to solve linear, quadratic, rational, radical and literal equations and linear systems of equations.3. Demonstrate understanding of concepts of linear equations by: graphing a linear equation, finding x- and y- intercepts, and finding the slope of a line.4. Solve basic application problems using algebraic processes and procedural techniques.5. Demonstrate a knowledge of current technology and its uses and/or scientific issues.II. Associate Degree Outcomes- The ability to comprehend and use information including written and oral forms (ADO 2)- Computational Skills and understanding appropriate to the program of study (ADO 3)- Critical thinking and problem solving (ADO 4)- A knowledge of science and technology (ADO 11)Sources of Help"A person who neglects his education "Education is the best neglects his most valuable and provision for old age." vulnerable resource. He neglects AristotleOfficial Math Department Syllabus – Created Fall 20052his future."1. Instructor: My office hours are there for you to use! I strongly encourage you to come to me first to get help outside of class. Please do not ever get behind because of lack of understanding; it is best to seek help right away, as soon as you begin to feel lost or behind. If your available time and mine do not match, then there are other alternatives for help outside of class. If I am not in my office during the posted time, I will leave a note as to my whereabouts. Also, always feel free to leave messages on my phone mail or e-mail. I will respond as quickly as possible.2. Tutoring: Math Tutors are available Monday - Thursday in the math lab, located in JM 245. The schedule for Fall is posted outside the lab door. Also in the math lab, there are video tapes available to be viewed that correspond to our course.Math Tutors are also available in the Center for Student Success, located in the LRC (library) in Walker Hall. Please contact the center for hours and availability.3. Study Groups: I strongly encourage you to make a friend or friends in class that you can get together with outside of class. One of the best ways to study and to learn is by helping one another. Like “they” say, “Two heads are better than one.”Course Requirements Course Structure:The first part of each class period will be devoted to review in the form of student presentations of problems and question and answer discussion of old problems. During the rest of the class, we will process and practice new ideas. I believe it is essential that Official Math Department Syllabus – Created Fall 20053every student have the chance to do mathematics during class, not just to watch it beingdone on the board. Mathematics is not a spectator sport! Much of our class time will be spent in active learning activities, reducing the amount of time I will spend lecturing to you. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you come prepared each day having read the assigned material before class!!Course Requirements:I. HomeworkEach day I will assign practice problems from the text to be prepared for the next class. These will be odd numbered problems, so you should check your answers in the back of the book. Make a note of any problems for which you cannot get the correct answer and ask about these at the beginning of the next class. Please do all homework in a separate notebook, or on looseleaf paper kept organized in a binder. Homework notebooks will be collected and evaluated on test days. II. Classwork You will be assigned material from the text to read. The next day’s class activities will depend on your having read this material, and I will not go over all of it in class, so it is vital that you do your assigned reading! Classwork is defined as any activity we complete in class. This may take the form of a traditional quiz (announced or unannounced), but it may also be the product of a learning activity students complete individually or in teams during class. There will be some form of classwork almost every day. If you miss class, this work cannot be made up; however, I will drop your four lowest grades.III. Tests/ Final ExamThere will be 4 closed-book tests and a final exam. If you must miss a test, contact me before the test is given in class to make arrangements for a make-up. Once a test is returned, no make-up tests will be given.IV. Project AssignmentYou will be asked to complete a project relating to the ADO addressing “a knowledge of current technology and/or scientific issues”. This project will be introduced as part of the course work.Grading InformationEvaluation:Homework Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . 10%Classwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20%Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50%Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%Project Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%Grading:Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale:Official Math Department Syllabus – Created Fall 2005490 - 100 % 4.0 65 - 74% 2.085 - 89% 3.5 60 - 64% 1.580 - 84% 3.0 55 - 59% 1.075 - 79% 2.5 50 - 54% 0.50 - 49% 0.0Course PoliciesClassroom Etiquette:I strongly believe that in order for the classroom to be a place of learning it must be a place where we all treat one another courteously and kindly. I promise that I will always take
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