ECPI TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MTH099 – 8th  DAY TERM 2003 SYLLABUS

 

 

INSTRUCTOR: R. Harney

SUBJECT: Introduction to Mathematics

CREDITS: 3.0

CLASSROOM: M-213 (Manassas)

EMAIL: [email protected]

Voice Mail: 703-369-3252, Ext 386

CLASSTIME: T,TH 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

WEB SITE: www.geocities.com/rharney3/

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend each class for the full duration of the class. I will take attendance daily.  Attendance will be taken by signing a class role sheet for every class.  The total number of minutes that you are in attendance for each class will be recorded.  In the event that you come to class late, the minutes that you missed will be deducted from the full time of 300 minutes.  If you do not come to class and contact me ahead of time to inform me of your reason for not attendening, I will contact you by telephone.  A report will be generated for every missed class and turned into ECPI administration.

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: “Introductory Algebra, An Applied Approach” 6th Ed., by Aufmann, Barker, Lockwood, Houghton-Mifflin Co., ISBN 0-618-20323-0.

 

STUDENT SOLUTIONS MANAUAL: “Student Solutions Manual,” 6th Ed., by Aufmann, Barker, Lockwood, Houghton-Mifflin Co., ISBN 0-618-20325-7. This manual is available on closed reserve in the ECPI Manassas library.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATERIALS: Scientific Calculator; 3-Ring Binder; Paper; Wood or Mechanical Pencils (no work will be accepted in ink); a separate eraser, sissors, and ruler.

 

COURSE DISCRIPTION: This course will provide each student with mathematically sound and comprehensive coverage of the topics considered essential in an introductory algebra course as well as the fundamental skills needed by students for Finite Mathematics or Intermediate Algebra.  The course reviews integers, common fractions, ratio and proportion and introduces the student to the algebra of linear equations, problem solving, polynomials, factoring and graphing linear equations in two-variables, including the concept of slope of a line.  The course will meet the needs of the student who recently graduated from high school and will also serve the needs of the students whose mathematical proficiency may have declined during many years away from formal education.  The ECPI Entrance Test score determines placement in this course.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course you will be able to:

 

Recognize place value and read and write word names for integers, common fractions and decimals.

Use rounding or truncating of integers and decimals to estimate the value of an answer to an applied mathematical problem.

Compute with a 95% accuracy using the “order of operations” and using integers, decimals and common fractions.

Solve applied problems using the skills mastered in these objectives.

Solve literal equations (formulas) for any specified variable.

 

 

Specific algebra skills include:

  • Order of operations using integers
  • Operations with rational numbers
  • Operations on expressions using parentheses
  • Evaluation of variable expressions with exponents
  • Translating verbal expressions into equations and vice-versa
  • Solving linear equations with parentheses and variables on both sides
  • Solving word problems
  • Perform operations on polynomials including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by monomials and linear binomials.
  • Factor trinomials and binomial differences of squares.
  • Graphing of linear functions using point plotting and slope, y-intercept and the forms of equations of lines.

 

The following schedule is our plan for success this term.  Although it is published, it is not written in stone and is subject to change as we progress through the course.  It is a guide of what we intend to cover each day and will serve as what you might do should you miss a class.

 

WITHDRAWAL DATES: You may withdraw from the course within three (3) days from the start of a semester.

 

PROBLEM SETS:  Problems will be assigned for all of the material covered.  Some Problem Sets may be required to be turned in at the end of a class, while other Problem Sets may be started in class, as time permits.  Other Problem Sets will be gradeded for completeness and showing ALL work leading to the correct answer. There are detailed solutions in the solutions manual for many of the problems and answers to odd problems are in the back of the book. Go through the entire set, problems are grouped by type and you need to attempt all the different types. Struggling through problems is an excellent way to learn. I will address homework questions at the start of every class. You should budget at least 10 hours a week (more time if necessary) for homework and study for this course outside of the hours spent in class.

 

STUDENT HELP/ASSISTANCE:  You should take full advantage of many of the HELP Resources available to you.

 

HOMEWORK HELP

TUTORING

HOW TO STUDY and

MATH ANXIETY

Student Solutions Guide

Work with other students in the class

Tips on How to Study Math (NVCC)

CD-ROM with Book;

Videotapes in Library

Instructor’s Office Hours

Math Student Resources

Quiz Solutions

Available by appt. with instructor

 

 

CHEATING:  Cheating on any quiz or exam constitutes a violation of ECPI’s Honor Code. Cheating means giving or receiving help. The quizzes and exams are NOT group projects, however you may choose to work together on Problem Sets. This behavior will be reported to either the General Education Department Head or the Provost for further action.

 

OTHER RULES:

·         Cell phones or beepers are to be turned off during class!

·         Please refrain from eating or drinking inside of the classroom.

·         When contacting the instructor for any reason, do so by both email and voice mail.

 

 


 

 

GRADING: 16.6% Problem Sets, 16.6% Quizzes, 33.3% Midterm, 33.3% Final

 

EPCI GRADING SCALE: (Based on 300 points)

 

90 - 100%       A

80 -   89.9%    B

70 -   79.9%    C

65 -   69.9%    D

  0 -   64.9%    F

 

Problem Sets: 10 points each. Best 5 scores count, for a total of 50 points.

Quizes:  10 points each. Best 5 scores count, for a total of 50 points.

One Midterm: 100 points. Final: 100 points.

Total Possible Points: 400.  (Final Grade based upon 400 points)

 

This is a Pass (P)/Non-Pass (NP) class.  A grade of “P” will be given to anyone receiving 65 – 100%, while a grade of “NP” will be given to anyone receiving 0 – 64.9%,

 

RETEST/MAKE-UP EXAMS: A retest or make-up test will be given for one of two reasons:

1.      A student fails an original examination; OR

2.      A student is absent from a scheduled examination but fails to provide sufficient and documented reasons for the absence.  In either case the highest grade allowed is 65 (D).  In the case of absence the retest will normally be given the day the student returns to school.  In the case of a failed test, the retest will normally be given within three (3) days of the failed examination.  Students who miss an original (first administered) examination for sufficient and documented reasons may arrange with their instructor for a make-up examination and receive full credit.  Make-up examinations will normally be given the day the student returns to school.

It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to see the instructor of the course in order to schedule a retest/make-up examination.  The appointment times for the retest/make-up are scheduled at the instructor’s discretion.

 

 

COURSE CONTENT:   Refer to the MTH 099 Course Schedule Handout.

 

 

Page last updated Tuesday, September 09, 2003.

 

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