Mat 1050 - Pre Algebra

Winter 2003

Tuesday and Thursday 10 - 12

 

Instructor

Gladys Rockind

 

Phone

248-232 - 4452

 

E-mail

glrockin@oaklandcc.edu

 

Office

C 239

 

Office Hours

as posted on office door

 

Textbook

Mat 105 by Nancy Williams and Kathy Chiasson

Course materials are available at AH Bookstore

           

Course Prerequisite COMPASS math placement test results appropriate for this course within the last two years.

Course Description:

This course is designed for the student who has very little or no algebra and plans to take Elementary Algebra. Topics will include whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; ratio, proportion and percent; positive exponents and square roots; perimeter, circumference, area and volume; Pythagorean Theorem; positive and negative numbers; solving equations and word problems; operations with polynomials; graphs of lines; slope. Instruction will emphasize math study skill development and will be varied to include lecture, discovery and practice.

 

 

Tests and Homework:

This course is designed in three teaching modules with an exit test following each module. Each exit test will be worth 100 points. A student that does not attain 85 or higher on the exit exam will repeat the module. After all three teaching modules are successfully mastered there will be a comprehensive final exam/project worth 100 points. There are no make-up tests. Other quizzes or assignments will be given at the instructors' discretion. Homework is assigned daily and should be finished before the next class period as it may be collected without warning. This class will be taught using the team approach involving working individually, working in groups and working at the computer.

 

 

Attendance:

You are expected to attend class regularly. If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to learn the material covered during that class period, to pick up any materials that were passed out, and to do the assigned homework prior to the next class period. All such materials and information can be acquired from the Instructors during any one of their scheduled office hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

 

90 - 100

 

A

 

 

80 - 89

 

B

 

 

70 - 79

 

C

 

 

60 - 69

 

D

 

 

Below 60

 

F

  Available Assistance:

Questions related to homework may be answered at the beginning of each session as time allows. However, if you are having lots of trouble or have a great number of questions, seek help during office hours. Drop in tutoring help is available in the IIC Math Lab (C-231) during the hours posted there. Access to the computer tutorials is also available in the IIC Math Lab (C-231) . Special tutors can be assigned by the PASS office. Instructional videos related to the materials in the course may also be available for circulation in the library.

ADA Notification:

Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act) should contact the PASS office, which will inform the instructors of any special conditions pertaining to their learning.

Conduct:

You are expected to be attentive and courteous to others in class. If your behavior is disruptive to the learning process in any way, you will be asked to withdraw yourself from the course. Failure to do so will result in an "F" grade.

Cheating:

If you appear to be cheating on any material used for grading purposes, you will be asked to withdraw yourself from the course. Failure to do so will result in an "F" grade. Cheating is a two-way street. It takes two or more persons to cheat! Both the person copying the material and the person allowing the copying of the material are equally responsible for the cheating!

Withdrawals:

If you need to stop attending class for any reason, remember that a new teaching module will begin after 4.5 weeks. New modules begin on February 6 and March 18 this semester. After purchasing another mod-pack, you may begin the module again on those days. If you decide to leave the class altogether and file the appropriate form, your grade will be "W". Failure to fill out the proper form will result in a grade of "F" on your record. Please talk with us concerning your progress and options prior to withdrawing from the course. The last day to officially withdraw is April 4. 

Notes:

A TI-3OXII or TI-30XIIs scientific calculator is required for this class.

You may be required to purchase additional materials for completion of this course.

Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Know your rights and responsibilities. Read the student policy!

 

Get the name and phone number of at least two of your classmates. Form a study group.

_________________________________

Mathematics is a cumulative endeavor. A good grasp of the basic concepts is necessary to successfully negotiate the more complex ideas.

This Mat 105 course is configured in four modules. Each of the first three modules is a teaching module and the fourth module is a performance module. The teaching modules will be 4.5 weeks in length. The performance module, a group project, takes the place of the final exam and will be 1.5 weeks in length. Mastery of the concepts of each module is a prerequisite for entry into the next course module. Students repeating a module will be required to purchase additional materials.

On the first day of each teaching module, students will be given a sample exit exam for that module. After 4 weeks of instruction, the actual exit exam will be administered. Those students attaining a score of 85 or higher on the exit exam will proceed to the next module. Those students who do not achieve a score of 85 or higher for the module will be required to repeat the work of that same module in the next 4.5 week period.

Students will be regrouped after each exit exam is taken. We expect that many students will complete the course in one semester, however, it is conceivable that some may require more than one semester to successfully complete all modules. We have strong statistical evidence that this redesigned course produces more successful Mat 110 students.