Math 120.71 Beginning Algebra Syllabus Fall 2009 Jo Lynne Hall Monday and Wednesday 12 week course 8:15AM-10:50AM 1 Course Information MTH 120.71: Beginning Algebra Fall 2009 PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A 12 WEEK COURSE. THIS REQUIRES COVERAGE OF THE COURSE MATERIALS IN A VERY INTENSIVE MANNER. WE WILL COVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF MATERIAL EACH CLASS PERIOD. Instructor: Name: Jo Lynne Hall Phone: 517-264-2036 E-Mail: [email protected] Hours: I am usually available for help before and after class sessions. I am also willing to schedule appointments to help you at other times, upon your request. Course Materials: Textbook: Beginning Algebra 10th edition by Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis Software: My Math Lab (packaged with new textbooks in JCC bookstore)—IS REQUIRED FOR THIS SECTION Calculator: No calculator is required for this course; however, a scientific calculator is recommended. [A TI-30 is a good choice.] (In Math 131 and above, a graphing calculator is required.) You may NOT use your cell phone calculator during any classroom activity. Course 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. Prerequisites: Math 098 or equivalent Course Goals: The purpose of this course is to develop a progressive understanding of more basic algebraic skills, concepts, and problem solving techniques; to obtain a sense of how and why algebra is used, and to be able to relate these problems and use the learned problem solving techniques to real life applications. Great emphasis will be placed on understanding of terms, concepts, principles and theories rather than cramming and memorizing. Course Outcomes: Students who are successful in MTH 120 will be able to: Simplify basic algebraic, exponential, rational, and radical expressions using mathematical processes and symbol manipulation. Use algebraic processes to solve linear, quadratic, rational, radical, and literal equations and linear systems of equations. Demonstrate understanding of concepts of linear equations by: graphing a linear equation, finding x-intercepts and y-intercepts, and finding the slope of a line. Solve basic application problems using algebraic processes and procedural techniques.Math 120.71 Beginning Algebra Syllabus Fall 2009 Jo Lynne Hall Monday and Wednesday 12 week course 8:15AM-10:50AM 2 Demonstrate knowledge of current technology and its uses and/or scientific issues. Associate Degree Outcomes: The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college. The Associate degree outcomes addressed in this class are: ADO 3: Demonstrate computational skills and mathematical reasoning. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of the structure of the real number system. Demonstrates computational skills using positive and negative numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, and percents. Demonstrates an understanding of algebra (manipulating algebraic expressions, solving linear equations, applying the rules of exponents), geometry and measurement, data and descriptive statistics. Uses and understands basic mathematical terminology. Translates situations into mathematical symbols. Represents mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and/or verbally. Understands that connections exist between mathematics and real-world situations. ADO 7: Rubric for critical thinking. Incorporates new knowledge with old. Converts complex concepts into useful personal language. Solves new problems in new contexts. Course Requirements and Grading Your final grade for the course will be determined by your performance in five categories. They are: Homework: This is 20% of your final grade. All homework is submitted using the My Math Lab website. o You will be able to practice and learn by Reading each section in your textbook. Using the resources in My Math Lab, such as worked examples, step-by-step solutions to problems, and video clips for each section in your textbook and for some sample problems. Working extra problems from each section that were not assigned as ―homework‖.Math 120.71 Beginning Algebra Syllabus Fall 2009 Jo Lynne Hall Monday and Wednesday 12 week course 8:15AM-10:50AM 3 Checking your work and answers to any odd-numbered problems against the answers at the back of the book and in the Student Solutions Manual that accompanied your book purchase. Practice is vital to success in math class. Most people do not learn math by observing. Most people learn math by doing. ―Practice makes perfect‖ does apply to math classes. If you are struggling with a concept, do more problems and check them against the supplied answers. If you continue to struggle, call a ―study buddy‖. If you are still struggling, contact your instructor (me). o You will receive a homework grade for the chapter by Doing the homework problems listed in My Math Lab. You will receive immediate feedback when you do homework. My Math Lab will grade it, and allow you to view correct solutions if you miss a problem. You may choose to redo homework at your discretion until the closing date for that assignment. This means that if you are not satisfied with your learning and/or your grade on homework, you may ask My Math Lab for new problems to complete. Your homework grade will be updated to reflect your performance on the new problems. You are welcome to do homework as many times as you like until you are satisfied that you understand the material and are comfortable with your grade. However, once the homework closing date has passed, you will not be able to change your grade on the homework assignments. At that point, you will only be able to practice your skills. Important: I strongly suggest that you keep a homework notebook, in which you work each homework problem in a neat and organized way. This notebook will be valuable to you when you go to study for course exams. It is also excellent practice for the pencil-and-paper course exams. o Your scores on My Math Lab homework assignments will determine this grade. o I will check My Math Lab for your homework scores on the dates
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