Electronic Communication Devices PolicyMath 120 SyllabusBeginning AlgebraCredit Hours: 4 Class Hours/Week: 4)Class Time: 3:00 PM - 4:56 PM Monday & WednesdayBuilding /Class Room: James McDivitt Hall Room 241 Instructor: Richard LarsonOffice: JM 150 0AE-mail: [email protected] Hours: My office hours are centered about this class: from 2:00 PM to 3 PM and 5PM to 6 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. If these times change, I will give you a newschedule.Math 120-11 Syllabus Mr. Larson – Fall 20081Purpose 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): Math 110 or equivalentCourse Goals: The purpose of this course is to develop a progressive understanding of more basic algebraic skills, concepts, andproblem 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 memorization.Performance 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)Course Information and RequirementsAttendance and Withdrawal Policy"A person who neglects his education "Education is the best neglects his most valuable and provision for old age."Math 120-11 Syllabus Mr. Larson – Fall 20082vulnerable resource. He neglects Aristotle his future."1. Office Hours: My office hours are centered about this class: from 2:00 PM to 3 AM and 5 PM to6 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. I will always be available to you during thesetimes. 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. I always want to do my best to help you understand this thing called math. 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 feel free to leave messages on my home phone. 2. Tutoring: Math Tutors are available Monday - Friday in the MeTec Center, located in the lobby of McDivitt Hall. When a schedule for Fall is available, I will provide everyone with one. Also in MeTec, there are video tapes available to be viewed in the Center that correspond to the given course. There is also Computer Tutorial Programs available for some of the courses as well.Besides tutorial help from the MeTec Center, there are also personal tutors available through the Developmental Education Department. If you feel that you need a personal tutor, please come see me and I will put you in touch with the person in charge of this service.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.”From the three items above, I hope it is obvious that your success is of utmost importance to all of us here. There is never a need to feel lost because of lack of understanding. There are so many ways for you to obtain math tutoring outside of the regular classroom. There is always some type of math help available. As long as you are being responsible for your learning by attending class, doing the assigned homework and other classroom activities, asking questions in class, and seeking help outside of class from the instructor, the tutoring services and your fellow classmates, success will be yours!!!4. You are responsible for the homework assignments. The way they are to be done and turned in is outlined in the pages of the syllabus. Do the homework assignments before attending lectures. The lecture periodswill be used to clarify and re-emphasize previous material and to introduce new material. If you fail to cometo class, you will not only miss the lectures, but will also miss the quizzes and the homework review. You will consequently receive a poor grade, not because you cannot do math, but because you failed to show up in class. Remember, there is a strong positive correlation between attendance and performance. It has alsoMath 120-11 Syllabus Mr. Larson – Fall 20083been determined that for each hour spent in class, one should spend at least two hours studying and reviewing outside of class. Be sure to allow time to do your coursework, to ensure success.5. Calculators: Graphing Calculators (TI-85 or TI-86 preferred) are required for MTH 131, 132,140, 151, 154, and 251. For MTH 110 and MTH 120, a calculator is not required, but it would be advisable to have a scientific calculator that performs the basic operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide, square roots, percents and fractions). Inthe past, a TI-30 has been a good choice.6. Attendance is required and will be taken in some fashion daily (either by roll call or quiz). Attendancewill be included in the quiz grade. Quizzes count 15% of your grade. I will drop 3 quizzes at the end of the semester. If you do not plan to attend lectures regularly, you areadvised to
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