Mathematics Department

Syllabus for MAT 031

Fall 2009

 

Course Title:

Developmental Mathematics Basics

Credit Hours:

3

 

Prerequisites: The prerequisite for this course is the appropriate placement scores.  The instructor will assume that a student registered for the class has the appropriate prerequisite, and the class will be taught at a level conducive to those prerequisite skills.  It is the student's responsibility to verify that he/she has the appropriate prerequisite.  If the student does not have the appropriate prerequisite, it is in his/her best interest to withdraw immediately and see his/her advisor for appropriate placement in the math sequence.  If the student has any questions concerning his/her prerequisite level, he/she should discuss this with his/her advisor or the instructor immediately.

 

Required Materials:

1.       Mat 031 bundle: Developmental Mathematics: College Mathematics and Introductory Algebra, 7th edition, by Bittinger and Beecher, Addison Wesley, 2008.

2.       A TI 83, TI 83+, or TI 84 graphing calculator is required.

3.       The Mathematics Department approved electronic course management system.

The above materials are required for the course.  Students who do not have the required materials and/or who are not enrolled in the approved electronic course management system by the end of the second Friday of the semester may be withdrawn by the instructor.

 

Course Description: Developmental Mathematics Basics is intended for students who need assistance in basic arithmetic skills.  Based on assessment of student needs, instruction includes performing the four arithmetic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.   Application skills are emphasized.  Grade is not computed in GPA calculation.  Non-degree credit.  Corequisite: COL 103.

 

Course Objectives and Competencies: This course will present techniques focusing on basic arithmetic and problem solving skills.  Some algebraic concepts will be included.  Real life applications are emphasized.  The instructor for the course may present additional topics at his/her discretion. After successfully completing the course, the student should be able to:

1.       Define and apply all mathematical terms covered.

2.       Perform the four fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals.

3.       Solve problems with whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals.

4.       Simplify expressions using the rules for order of operations.

5.       Use the process of factorization and the rules for divisibility.

6.       Convert between percent and decimal or fraction notation.

7.       Solve proportion problems.

8.       Solve percent problems.

9.       Apply all of the above to real world application problems.

10.   Use appropriate technology to solve problems and communicate results.

 

Instructional Methodology:  The course material will be presented using multimedia or chalkboard illustrations, class discussion and interaction, graphing calculator demonstrations, and online tutorial and/or assessment materials.

 

Course Evaluation: The overall course grade will be weighted as follows:

3 to 5 tests……………………………..………..60%

 In-class exercises and homework   …………15%

Quizzes and projects ………………………….  5%

Final Exam ……………………………………...20%

The course letter grade will be assigned based on the student’s weighted average as follows:

            A* …….94 < weighted average < 100%

            B* …….87 < weighted average < 94%

            C* …….80 < weighted average < 87%

            D* …….70 < weighted average < 80%

            F* …….weighted average less than 70%

Note: The student must maintain a cumulative average of 80% or better to receive a “C*” or better in MAT 031.  A cumulative average of 80% or better is required to advance to the next course. All students must take the cumulative final exam.  In order to take the final, all other course requirements must be completed by the time and date described under “Testing Schedule” below.  If course material is not completed, the student will not be allowed to take the final exam, and a grade of “F” will be assigned for the course.  Hub students who have failed to complete course requirements will NOT be given a grade of “I”.

 

Testing Schedule (HUB): Students will test (pre/post) on an individual schedule. A pretest will be taken for each chapter before any exercises for the given chapter can be completed. If the required score for the chapter is attained, the pretest score will then be credited as the posttest score for the given chapter and the student will proceed to the pretest for the next chapter. In the event that the required score is not achieved, the student will complete all exercises for the given chapter and then take the chapter posttest. If the student does not attain the required score on the 1st posttest, the student will then complete the prescribed Study Plan. Upon completion of the Study Plan, the student MUST retake the posttest for the given chapter a 2nd time and attain the required score before going to the next chapter. If the student does not attain the required score on the 2nd posttest, the student will then complete the updated prescribed Study Plan. Upon completion of the Study Plan, the student MUST retake the posttest for the given chapter a 3rd time and attain the required score before going to the next chapter. The student will continue working on the given chapter until the required score is achieved on the posttest. The final exam will be given during exam week for Fall/Spring terms. All work must be completed with mastery (HW., projects, quizzes, and chapter posttests) by the end of your last scheduled Hub meeting in order for you to take the final exam for fall/spring terms. The final exam will be given on the last scheduled day of class for Summer term and all work must be completed with mastery (HW., projects, quizzes, and chapter posttests) by the end of your last scheduled Hub meeting prior to your scheduled final exam period in order for you to take the final exam for summer term. NO EXCEPTIONS!  The Hub will not be open during exam week.  Every student is required to take the final exam. The final exam will be comprehensive.  This course is a part of a five-year study related to FDTC’s Quality Enhancement Plan. The plan involves the implementation of the Mathematics and Technology Hub to increase course completion rates in remedial and prerequisite mathematics classes.  In order to measure progress toward the plan’s goals, students in many sections of this course will take a 30 minute pre-assessment on the first day of class. The assessments and results will help the Math Department evaluate their courses and improve both course content and instruction.  Hence, the student has a vested interest in reliable test data and should take the assessment seriously.

 

Outside Activities (HUB):  Several projects will be assigned during the semester.  Projects will involve real world applications with topics selected from the various discipline areas offered on campus. Projects are to be worked on outside of class. You may receive help from the Mathematics Hub if you have difficulty. In the meantime, you will continue working on computer exercises for the next chapter in the hub.  In addition, IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SECURE THE TECHNOLOGY NEEDED TO SUBMIT ALL ELECTRONIC ASSIGNMENTS TO INCLUDE HOMEWORK, PROJECTS, QUIZZES, AND/OR TESTS.

 

Outside Assistance: Your instructor will be in his/her office during scheduled office hours and at other times by appointment. Tutoring is available through the Math Hub, Room 7109, 661-8064. Hours are posted on the Hub door and at the Hub website (www.fdtc.edu keyword: Math Hub).  Students may also do their MyMathLab homework in the Hub. Tutorials and other resources are also available online at www.mymathlab.com and at the Mathematics Department Website: www.fdtc.edu/AcademicPrograms/Technical&General/Humanities&Math/ViewMathematics.asp

 

Attendance Policy: The Florence-Darlington Technical College Attendance Policy states that a student may be absent no more than 10% of the total class hours. If a student exceeds the 10% absences (excused or unexcused), the instructor may withdraw the student for excessive absences. Thus students may miss no more than 3 lecture or Hub class periods during Fall/Spring terms; students may miss no more than 2 lecture or Hub class periods during Summer term.  A student is expected to follow the course schedule for which he/she registers.  If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to determine what materials, assignments, and announcements you have missed. 

 

Withdrawals: You may withdraw from this course on or before (see date on Student Important Information Sheet published each semester), and receive a “W” for the course. Any withdrawal after this date will be an “F” except in certain instances which effectively prevent the student’s completion of the course.  Approval of the appropriate Academic Dean is required to receive a “W” when a student withdraws after the designated withdrawal date.  If you wish to withdraw, be sure to complete the appropriate paperwork.  If you fail to do so, you may be subject to a grade of “F” at the end of the semester.

 

Additional Information:

1.       “All forms of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism,

collusion and falsification of information will be subject to disciplinary action.”  Cheating is defined to include, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Copying another student’s work or test.
  2. Using unauthorized materials during a test.
  3. Collaborating with another during a test or on assignments.
  4. Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part contents of a test or other work.
  5. Bribing another person to obtain tests or information about tests.
  6. Substituting for another student, or permitting another to substitute for oneself.

Plagiarism is defined as the appropriation of any other person’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

Falsification of information is defined to include, but is not limited to the following:   

A.  Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records, or identification.

B.  Destruction of evidence with the intent to deny its presentation to the appropriate hearing or panel.

*In the hub, falsification of attendance by either having someone scan into the computer in your absence or scanning someone else into the computer in his/her absence will be subject to disciplinary action.

Any proven cases of academic dishonesty will result in an “F” for the assigned work or test and may result in administrative withdrawal from the course, with a grade of “F” assigned after an administrative hearing. Additional sanctions, including administrative probation or suspension, appropriate to the incidents may be imposed pursuant to the Student Code and Grievance Procedures.

 

2.  If an instructor is late to class, his or her students are expected to wait for ten minutes.  If the instructor has not arrived within ten minutes after normal starting time for the class the students are free to go.

 

3.  The Program Accessibility Committee (PAC) serves as an advocate for students who self-identify, ensuring that they have the physical and programmatic access to all college programs that will affect their mainstreaming into the campus community.  Official documentation of a disability may be required to determine what kind of special aids or adaptation may be helpful on campus.  Students MUST identify themselves with his/her instructor early in the semester to receive accommodations.  If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact Vivian Gallman-DeRienzo, Director of StudentServices, in Room 114.

 

4. If your section of this course is offered online or uses WebCT-based materials, please consider the following: All content in WebCT courses is protected by United States copyright law, with restrictions pertaining to downloading, copying, distributing, and other unauthorized use.  Content is to be used only in support of instructional activity by enrolled students and faculty as part of this course.  For further information refer to http://www.fdtc.edu/Library/AboutUs/ViewCopyrightPolicy.asp .

 

5. Electronic Communication Devices in Classrooms/Laboratories:

To minimize classroom/laboratory disruptions and protect the integrity of lectures and test-taking, activated electronic communication devises such as pagers and cellular telephones are not permitted.  All electronic communication devices must be silenced or turned off and put away upon entering the classroom. If an electronic communication device is activated and rings during a lecture class, laboratory, or exam, the student/owner will be asked to leave the classroom and counted absent for that class period.  If a student has an electronic communication device on their desk or table during an exam, he/she will receive a zero that that exam. Special circumstances (such as on-call emergency personnel, or extreme medical emergencies) are to be approved by the instructor prior to the class period.

 

Calculating Your Grade:  Your grades/averages can be seen at any point during the semester in your MyMathLab course online gradebook.

 

Note: The student must maintain a cumulative average of 80% or better to receive a “C*” or better in MAT 031.  A cumulative average of 80% or better is required to advance to the next course.

 

Refer to your MML course site for further information.