General Information:

Instructor: Ronald H. Moore
Title: Mathematics Professor
Office: C 132A
South Campus
11901 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Phone: 646-2077
Fax: 646-2295
Blackboard: http://bb6.fccj.edu
Home Page: http://web.fccj.edu/~rmoore/
http://home.comcast.net/~rmoorefccj/
http://www.geocities.com/rmoorefccj (Archive)
Email: [email protected]
Yahoo! Messenger ID: rmoorefccj
Yahoo! Calendar: http://calendar.yahoo.com/rmoorefccj
Office Hours: M 12:00pm - 1:30pm
T 8:00am - 10:00am
6:00pm - 7:00pm
W 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Th 8:00am - 10:00am
6:00pm - 7:00pm
F 12:00pm - 1:00pm
or by appointment.
Class Location:
Class Days:
Class Time:
Tentative Schedule: Tentative Schedule
First day of class:
Mid-term: Last Day to Withdraw
Last day of class:
Exit Exam:

Course Content:

Catalog Course Description:

MAT 0024 Elementary Algebra 4 Credit Hours
(College preparatory studies course)(This course does not apply toward the associates degree.) Prerequisite: MAT 0002 with a grade of "C" or better or satisfactory score on the placement test. This course is designed for students who have had little or no algebra. The major topics in this course are sets, real numbers and their properties, exponents and polynomials, linear equations and linear inequalities, as well as an introduction to factoring, rational expressions, radicals (square roots), and graphing in two variables. Four contact hours.

Course Outline:

  1. Sets of Real Numbers
    1. Definitions, Notation, and Subsets
    2. Operations on Sets
  2. Real Numbers and Their Properties
    1. Real Numbers and The Number Line
    2. Properties
    3. Operations
    4. Order of Operations
    5. Applications
  3. Exponents and Polynomials
    1. Exponents
      1. Integer Exponents
      2. Rules of Exponents
      3. Scientific Notation
      4. Algebraic Expressions
      5. Applications
    2. Polynomials
      1. Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
      2. Multiplication of Polynomials
        1. Multiplication of a Monomial by a Polynomial
        2. Multiplication of Two Polynomials
        3. Special Cases Using Binomials
      3. Division of Polynomials
        1. Monomials by a Monomial
        2. Polynomials by Monomials
        3. Polynomials by Polynomials
  4. Linear Equations in One Variable
    1. Definitions
    2. Solving Linear Equations using Properties of Equations
    3. Literal Equations
    4. Applications
    5. Solve Equations with Fractions
  5. Linear Inequalities, One Variable
    1. Definitions, Notation, and Properties
    2. Solving Linear Inequalities
    3. Graphing Linear Inequalities
  6. Introduction to Polynomial Factoring
    1. Definitions
    2. Factors Common to All Terms
    3. Factoring Binomials
    4. Factoring Trinomials
    5. Factoring by Grouping
    6. Solving Quadratic Equations Using Factoring and Applications
  7. Introduction to Rational Expressions
    1. Introduction and Simplification
    2. Multiplication and Division
    3. Addition and Subtraction with Like Denominators
    4. Addition and Subtraction with Unlike Denominators (optional)
    5. Solving Proportions
  8. Introduction to Square Roots
    1. Simplification of Square Roots
    2. Add, Subtract, and Multiply Square Roots
  9. Linear Equations in Two Variables
    1. Plotting Points
    2. Graphing Linear Equations Using Intercepts

Course Materials:

Required Materials:

Textbook
SIRIUS course packet


Elementary Algebra by Sullivan & Struve, published by Pearson Hall/Pearson Education, copyright 2005.

Needed Materials:

Notebook
3-ring binder with paper and pockets (preferred).
Notebook paper
College or wide ruled with size between 10.5 by 8 inches and 11 by 8.5 inches (preferred).
Pencils or mechanical pencils
Bring at least two to class everyday (preferred).

Helpful Materials:

Straight Edge
Protractor
Compass
Graph Paper
Either:
Calculator (calculators will not be allowed on tests)
Each student must have his or her own calculator.
Cell phones may not be used as calculators.
Tips on Calculator Selection:
Internet Access
Available through:
Email Account
Available through:

Course Grading System:

Grading Scale:

Grade Percent Points
A 90% - 100% 1350 - 1500
B 80% - 89% 1200 - 1349
C 70% - 79% 1050 - 1199
D 60% - 69%   900 - 1049
F Fail
W Withdrawal

W, FN, and I Grade Policy:

W Grade (Withdraw):
A student may withdraw without academic penalty at Florida Community College from any course up to the last withdrawal date published for each session The student will be permitted only two withdrawals or "NP" grades per course. Upon the third attempt, the student will not be permitted to withdraw and will receive an "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" grade for the course.
FN Grade (Failure due to non-attendance):
Students who fail to remain active in the course and who do not withdraw will receive the FN, failure due to non-attendance, grade. For this course, failure to remain active is defined as any student that meets either of the following criteria:
  1. absent for two or more consecutive weeks
  2. absent for more than class sessions) of the course and failing the course
This grade may affect financial aid.
I Grade (Incomplete):
The grade of "incomplete" is given at the discretion of the instructor when the student has completed at least 75% of the course. The student must have a valid excuse with documentation and consult with the instructor before an "I" grade will be assigned. The instructor shall prescribe in a written agreement with the student the remaining course work required and a time limit for completion and removal of the "I" grade. All work must be completed within the first eight weeks of the subsequent term, unless the instructor agrees to a longer timeframe (not to exceed one year). Failure to complete the course within the time limit will result in an automatic F. The instructor may choose not to grant the request.

Weighting of the components of the course:

Grade Weights:

Homework 100
Quizzes 100
Discussion 100
Notebook 100
Practice Test 1 100
Practice Test 2 100
Test 1 200
Test 2 200
Final 500
Bonus
Total 1500

Grade Calculation:

  1. For the homework, I will take an average of all the homework assignments. This average (0% to 100%) will count as the homework score (0 to 100).
  2. For the quiz grade, I will take an average of all the quizzes. This average (0% to 100%) will count as the quiz score (0 to 100).
  3. For the discussion, I will assign a grade (0 to 100) based on how active and helpful a student is on the discussion forums.
  4. For the notebook, the grade on the notebook will count as the notebook grade (0 to 100).
  5. For the practice tests, each practice test is worth 100 points. The number of points the student gets on the practice test will count as the practice test score (0 to 100).
  6. For the tests, each test is worth 200 points. The number of points the student gets on the test will count as the test score (0 to 200).
  7. For the final, the final exam is worth 500 points. The number of points the student gets on the final exam will count as the final exam score (0 to 500).
  8. For the bonus, the number of bonus points the student gains during the sememster will count as the bonus score.
I will add up all of the above scores and divide the total by fifteen. The result is then rounded to the nearest whole number.

State Mandate:

  1. Students have only three attempts per college credit course (all grades count as an attempt, including audit, IW, AW, W, NP, F and D).
  2. A student will be permitted a maximum of two withdrawals per college credit course.
  3. The third time a student enrolls in a course he/she must pay the full cost of instruction, which is equivalent to the out-of-state tuition (approximately four times the regular tuition).
  4. A student cannot repeat a course when a grade of A, B or C has been earned.

Academic Dishonesty:

Students found cheating on quizzes, tests, or exams will receive a grade of F in the course and procedures for expulsion from the college will be followed. Cheating includes (among other things) copying another individual's work (or allowing someone to copy your work), using unauthorized references (cheat sheets or programmed information) on a quiz, test, or exam, or allowing another individual to take a quiz, test, or exam for you. For the full college policy, visit:

http://www.fccj.edu/resources/catalogs/2004_2005/rules/expectations.html#dishonesty

Course Requirements:

Homework:

Homework will be assigned at the end of every section in the textbook. Each section has two separate homework assignments that must be turned in for a grade. The homework assigments are posted on the website (see homework assignments ). Homework is due at the beginning of the next class session. The grade for an assignment will consist of the number of correct homework problems. Students may re-submit homework assignments. Students must use a printout or photocopy of the assignment. Students may use additional paper if needed. Students are strongly encouraged to work the odd numbered problems from the textbook. The average of all the homework assignments will count as the course homework score.

Quizzes:

There will be quizzes periodically during the semester. Some will be online and some will be in class, so be prepared everyday. Students can expect to see questions on definitions and homework problems. The quiz grade will consist of the number of correct answers. Students may re-take quizzes. The average of all the quizzes will count as the course quiz score.

Discussion:

The discussion forum is explained under "Communications" in Blackboard. Students are required to post at least two original questions or comments and constructively respond to two other questions or comments each week. Responses to any leading Discussion Board Postings by the instructor may also be included as part of your participation grade. Responses in any forum must conform to the Courtesy Code (see orientation).

Notebook:

Students will be required to keep notes in a notebook for this course. The notebooks will be handed in periodically during the semester. The notebooks will be graded on neatness, readability, and content.

Practice Tests:

There will be two practice tests worth 100 points each. Each practice test is a take-home assignment.

Tests:

There will be two tests and a final exam. Each of the two tests is comprehensive and worth 200 points each. The final exam is comprehensive and worth 500 points.

Final Exam:

The final exam is comprehensive and is worth 500 points.

Bonus Assignments:

Homework:

Homework is assigned at the end of every section in the textbook (see the assignment sheet ). Students are to work the odd numbered problems from the textbook. Each section is a separate bonus assignment. Each assignment is worth one point. Use the following guidelines for turning in these bonus assignments. Assignments that do not follow these guidelines will not receive credit.
  1. Put your name in the upper right hand corner.
  2. Under your name put the course
  3. Under the course put the campus
  4. Under the campus put the class time
  5. Under the class time put the class dates
  6. Each section should be on its own sheet.
  7. Put the section on the top line in the center.
  8. Label the problems clearly.
  9. Circle your answer.

Journal:

Students may choose to keep a journal of their educational experience. The student needs to make a journal entry every day or two. For every class session the student needs to comment on the following:
  1. Date of Journal Entry
  2. Date of the class session
  3. What material and sections were covered
  4. What did you understand
  5. What did you not understand
  6. What did you like about that day's presentation
  7. What did you not like about that day's presentation
  8. How can the material be used in your field of study
  9. Any other comments the student wishes to make

Make-up Tests:

I will only give make-up exams in extreme cases, which must be documented. Make-up exams must be completed prior to the next test. Only one make-up will be allowed.

Guidelines for Tests:

For the test, you can have pencil, paper, graph paper, straight edge, and an eraser. You can show your work on the test or on your own paper. Use the following guidelines for turning in the test and scratch paper.
  1. Your name in the upper right hand corner of every page, including scratch paper and the test.
  2. Put you answer on the Test.
  3. Circle your answer on the scratch paper.
  4. Turn in all scratch paper.
  5. Each problem on the scratch paper must be clearly labeled.
  6. Draw a line between each problem on the scratch paper.
  7. Do not scribble out your work. Either erase or put a big X through it.
Incorrect problems that do not follow these guidelines might not receive partial credit.

Re-Tests:

To be eligible to take the Exit Exam, the student must score 70% or better on all of the tests. If a student scores below a 70% on a test, he or she will be allowed one Re-test per test. The Re-test will replace the original score and must be completed prior to the next exam.

Exit Exam:

The Exit Exam is a 30 question multiple choice scantron test (no partial credit given) that the students must pass in order to successfully complete MAT 0024. To be eligible to take the Exit Exam, the student must score 70% or better on all of the tests and have a C (70%) or better average on all work (homework included).

Course Policies:

Electronic Devices:

All cellular or digital phones and pagers are to be turned off during the class.

Class Structure

Since class time is valuable, I try to be as efficient as I can so that the students can get the maximum possible benefit. Therefore most of the classes will be structured as follows:
  1. Roll is taken.
  2. Papers handed back.
  3. Answer questions (priority given on most recent material) 5 to 15 minutes.
  4. New material.

If you are late and missed the roll call or did not get your papers back, wait until after class to:

  1. turn in homework.
    If you do not turn your homework in on the due date then it will not be graded.
  2. notify me of your attendance.
    If you do not notify me of your attendance, then you will be counted as absent.
  3. get homework back.

I encourage questions and will answer as many as class time permits, but I also expect the students to refrain from excess talking during the class.

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend every class, to be on time, and to stay for the entire class session. If a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to:

  1. get the class notes from a fellow student.
  2. complete the required homework which will be due.
  3. get any needed help on the missed information from either
    • the Learning Center
    • the instructor (outside of class time).

Students who miss more than two consecutive weeks or who miss more than classes) may recieve a grade of FN (failure for non-attendance), which may affect your financial aid.

If you are late and missed the roll call then get with the instructor after class so that your attendance can be recorded, else it will count as an absence. Three tardies and/or early departures will count as one absence.

If you must leave early, please sit in a location that will not disrupt class when you leave.

Additional Information:

Online Delivery System (Course Platform)

This course is delivered in the Blackboard platform.

Technology Requirements

Accessibility

If you require specific accommodations to complete this course, notify your instructor and contact Services for Students with Disabilities at www.fccj.edu/resources/disabilities/index.html.

First Week

The online course orientation is available under "Course Information" in Blackboard. You need to complete the orientation as your first assignment. This orientation will provide the information necessary for you to use the various components of this online class.

Upon completing of the orientation, you will complete a "Course Contract." This statement must be emailed to me before the end of the first week of classes, by September 4, 2005 to avoid a non-attendance administrative withdraw or a FN (failure for non-attendance grade.

Learning Communities

People learn through interactions with each other, with the instructor and with written, auditory and visual learning materials. To facilitate interactive learning among learners and between learners and faculty, a major goal of this course is to encourage the development of learning communities - i.e., help learners and faculty get to know and better understand each other. Towards this end, the faculty member will post an audio/video vignette or a brief written bio introducing himself/herself; this will be available online as part of the first day of class. Each learner is asked to also introduce themselves by posting a brief bio within the platform - a picture is also recommended. In addition, a Cyber Café (a separate discussion area) will be provided for learners to informally discuss things among themselves without intervention of the faculty member.

Discussion

To use the discussion forums: You will be posting questions, answers, and comments to the discussion forum throughout the course. discussion forums have been set up for each session and for computer questions and answers. When posting a question or responding, post to the appropriate forum. There will also be other times that you will be asked to respond to a math related topic posted by the instructor. the purpose is to generate discussions with other students. These discussion forums generally are intended to be open ended with no right or wrong answers.

Example:
"Describe a time where a working knowledge of arithmetic or algebra either gave an advantage or a disadvantage for you outside of the classroom".

Adding an attachment to a discussion thread:
  1. Click on the "Communication" button, and then click "Discussion Board".
  2. Click on the link to the 'forum' your instructor posted; then click on thread to which you wish to respond (if one exists).
  3. Click on the "Add New Thread" button.
  4. Type in the subject and message.
  5. You may edit your message
  6. If you wish to add an attachment, look at the "Options" section, then click the "Browse" button, locate the file, click the file once to highlight it, and then click on "Open". The file will appear in the "Attachment" field.
  7. Click on "Submit"
NOTE: You can respond directly to a message by clicking on the title of an existing message, and then click on "Reply" and follow the instructions from Step 4 forward.

Methods to Achieve Success:

Try not to fall behind. Schedule some time everyday for this course and use all available resources.

Instructor Contact Information:

You may contact me by:
  1. Stopping by my office during my posted office hours.
  2. Calling me in my office.
    If I am not in, leave a message. I will try to return your call as quickly as I can. Please include the following information:
  3. Email.
    I will try to respond within 24 hours during the week or no later than Monday if email is sent on the week-end. Please include the following information:
  4. Catching me in the Learning Center, FCCJ Library, UNF Library, or other campus locations.
    Check my Yahoo! Calender for times and places.
  5. Yahoo! messenger.
    If I do not reply, assume that I am away from the computer.

Resources at South Campus:

Library (G-300) / 646-2174
The Library is located in G 300 and has resources that may be helpful for FCCJ math students (such as CD's videos and telecourses). For more information call, visit or follow this link: www.fccj.org/library/

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 9:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 9:00pm
(hours vary on holidays, breaks, and between terms)

Math Lab (G 200) / 646-2083
The Math Lab is located in the Learning Center (G 200) and has many resources for FCCJ math students. They offer tutoring for courses from Basic Math to Calculus III, useful handouts, textbooks, and solution manuals. For more information call, visit or follow this link: www.fccj.org/campuses/south/learning_cent/math_lab.htm

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 10:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 9:00pm
(hours vary on holidays, breaks, and between terms)

Assessment and Certification Center (U 120) / 646-2040
The Assessment and Certification Center is located in U 120. They provide a variety of testing including the CLAST, CLEP, certification tests, and make-up tests. For more information call, visit or follow this link: http://www.fccj.org/assessment/
Hours of Operation:
Monday 8:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 7:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Student Services
Career Development Center
U 104 / 646-2283
Disabled Student Services
U 114 / 646-2191
Counseling & Advising
U 110 / 646-2424
Enrollment Services
U 169 / 646-2304
Financial Aid & Scholarships
U 166 / 646-2020
Student Activities
U 209 / 646-2276
Math and Science Resource Room (C 103)
The Math and Science Resource Room is located in the Math and Science Department in room C 103. It has textbooks, video tapes, and a couple of solution manuals.

Children on Campus Policy

No children under age 16 will be allowed in instructional areas and no unsupervised children in non-instructional areas during scheduled classes or while testing.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How long will I have to wait for a Response from the Instructor to my e-mail?

    The faculty will respone to e-mails within 48 hours.

  2. What is proper e-mail etiquette?

    E-mail to other learners and the instructor needs to addressed in a manner as if we all were in a room face-to-face with our parents or our children.

  3. What will help me succeed in this course
  4. What are "I" grades and when are they used?
  5. What is the FCCJ Code of Ethics?

    Consistent with The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida, 6B-1.06, Principles of Professional conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, an obligation to the learner requires that the individual shall not harass or discriminate against any learner on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethinic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each learner is protected from harassment or discrimination.

  6. What about academic dishonesty?

    Academic dishonesty, in any form, is expressly prohibited by the rules of the District Board of Trustees of Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Academic dishonesty incorporates the following:

    1. Cheating which is defined as the giving or taking of any information or material with the intent of wrongfully aiding oneself or another in academic work considered in the determination of the course grade.
    2. Plagiarism which is defined as the act of stealing or passing off as ones own work the words, ideas, or conclusions of another as if the work submitted were the product of ones own thinking rather than an idea or product derived from another source.
    3. Any other form of inappropriate behavior which may include but is not limited to: falsifying records or data; lying; unauthorized copying, tampering, abusing or otherwise unethically using a computer or other stored information; and, any other act of misconduct which may reasonably be deemed to be a part of this heading.
  7. May I repeat this course?

    Learners repeat a course in an attempt to improve a grade previously earned. Florida State Board Rule 6A-14.0301 limits such attempts to courses where a "D", "NP", "F", or "FN" grade was earned, and limits to two the number of times a course grade may be forgiven. The official grade, and the grade used in calculating the GPA, shall be the last grade earned in the course. A learner has only three total attempts in any course, including the original grade, repeat grades and withdrawals. Upon the third attempt in a course, the learner must be given an "A", "B", "C", "D", or "F". Admission to programs in the Florida State University System (SUS) may be jeopardized when a student has an excessive number of "W" or "FN" grades.

  8. What information can you give concerning the EXIT EXAM?

    All students in MAT 0024 are required to pass a state of Florida exit exam to pass the course. The exit exam is a multiple choice scantron exam. This exam will be provided by the Testing and Assessment Center at the instructor's home campus. All scratch work must be turned in with the exams. The Testing and Assessment Center will grade the exams and notify the instructor of the grades. For more information visit: http://www.distancelearning.org/testing.html.

    Students must take the exit exam with the instructor. Students who have conflicts must consult in advance with the instructor on an individual basis. The instructor will contact the Testing and Assessment Center on his/her home campus regarding students who must take the exit exam on a different date.

  9. What if there are technical difficulties?

    Expect slowdowns on the Internet especially during peak "traffic" times. The "server" may be down unexpectedly. Use these unscheduled to do additional practice from the printed text and reviewing your notes. Don't spend these hours you have set aside for this course on something else!

    Watch for Announcements Daily! Any notices, changes, additions, or deletions will be posted under Announcement on the homepage of your Blackboard site.

  10. Some helpful links:

    FCCJ Distance Learning Page
    College Calendar
    Follett's Bookstore Online
    FCCJ Disclaimer Page
    Distance Learning Testing Information

Ronald H. Moore
Professor of Mathmatics
Florida Community College at Jacksonville
[email protected]

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