`Mat151 Earth (College) Algebra Course Syllabus – Spring 2002
(For ALL Students whether co-enrolled in BIO 105 or not )
Instructor:
Dr. Phyllis J.
Shaw Office # G132
Telephone: 602-787-6677 (please
leave message)
Office hours: MW 7:30-8:30am & 10:30-11:30am, T
8:00-9:00am
(or by appointment)
Text: Earth
Algebra by Schaufele and Zumoff, 2nd edition
Materials: Three-ring notebook with 6 separators, Graphing Calculator
Required---TI 83
preferred. Students MUST bring their calculator,
homework, and notebook to class daily.
Course
Description: Pre-req: Successful completion of Mat120/122(grade of C or better)—or
equivalent-- or ASSET placement.
4 hours credit course. A study of relations and
functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, sequences, series,
permutations, combinations, conic sections, and probability. Modern technology
will be used to enhance understanding and exploration of the mathematics and it
will also serve as a functional tool for computation. Mathematical modeling,
group activities, group problem solving, and communication skills in a
mathematical environment will be emphasized. The text and the approach is
very different from most math classes you have had. Current environmental
issues using real data will be explored and modeled. Instructor lectures will be at
a minimum. Student
independent thinking and problem solving is emphasized!
Course
Objectives: At the end of the course,
the student will be able to:
--define and recognize functions and
characteristics of functions
--solve & graph polynomial equations/functions and inequalities, absolute value
equations/functions, radical equations/functions, rational equations/functions, and
exponential/logarithmic equations/functions.
--solve and graph systems of equations and inequalities
--create, interpret, and apply mathematical models using real data
--perform basic operations with
matrices and their applications
--graph, identify, and describe the
conic sections
--apply series, sequence,
permutation/combination, probability formulas
--apply the mathematics to modern
environments to solve real-world problems
--utilize modern technology as a
tool for computation, understanding, exploration, and
application of the mathematics
--work productively in small groups to analyze and
solve problems
--utilize effective learning and
communication skills in a mathematical environment
Class
Attendance: Daily class attendance and punctuality is required! Students are
expected to promptly communicate with their
study partner(s) when absent to find out what occurred in class. Students
are responsible for all work missed and missed work is expected to be made up
by the next class meeting!! On
the third unexcused absence or after 4 tardies, the instructor MAY
automatically withdraw the student.
STUDENTS MUST TAKE TESTS ON TEST
DAYS DURING THE GIVEN TIME PERIODS—THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS!! Attendance begins on the first scheduled day
of class. Please read the PVCC catalog CAREFULLY to become familiar with
policies on withdrawals and incompletes.
Assignments:
A 3-ring notebook with 6 separators for assignments,
notes, tests, GroupWork,
Final Project, and computer/calculator info is required! Assignments consist of completing all the odd unworked
problems from each “Things To Do” section in the book and any other work as
indicated on the syllabus and/or by the instructor. Some of the assignments will be checked for completion. The notebook/portfolio will be checked for
compliance once during the semester as indicated on the schedule (5 pts). One researched final application project
(100 pts) will complete the course.
Testing:
There will be two 50 pt tests, three 20 pt
quizzes, and a final exam worth 100 points.
The final
exam will cover all chpts/material studied
NOTE: There
will be no make-up tests or quizzes!!
However, in an EMERGENCY (in
hospital,etc), IF you notify the
instructor or the instructor’s answering machine BEFORE or ON test day before the test/quiz, arrangements MAY
be made for make-up. This make-up, if
granted, will be done before the next class meeting.
General: Courtesy, manners, and respect
towards peers and instructor are expected at all
times.
Correct usage of the language, complete sentences, and correct spelling
is expected on all written work. The
penalty for cheating is immediate withdrawal
FAIL from the class. All graphs must be clearly labeled (x and y-axis,
coordinates, units) and the scale shown.
There is no extra credit!! PVCC provides FREE tutoring
services for math students in the Learning Support Center(LSC). See them(LSC) for times and services they
provide. Earth Algebra also has an online tutor: Go to PVCC Home Pageàselect Servicesàselect LSCàselect on-line
tutoring. The instructor and your
group members are the best sources for academic assistance.
To maintain a
quiet and productive learning atmosphere…pagers, radios, and cellular phones
must be turned off before entering the classroom/computer lab.
Computer
Technology: PVCC has a policy on the misuse of computer technology.
Please refer to the current PVCC
Student Handbook (page C-27, Article III, Paragraph
15) and become familiar with the
policy. We will be using computer technology in class.
Grading: Grading will be on a % of total points as follows:
Assignments/notebk 40 90-100%=A 450-500pts
Group/class work 100 80-89% =B 400-449
Tests/quizzes 160 70-79% =C 350-399
Final exam 100 60-69% =D 300-349
Research project 100
Total course points 500
NOTE: All
provisions in this syllabus are subject to revision by the instructor. Such revisions, if any, will be announced in
class.
Success in a
college course, as well as successful attainment of a college degree, reflects
more than the ingestion and regurgitation of information, facts, theories,
concepts, and ideas. It also reflects a
student’s commitment to a goal, a student’s dedication to excellence, and a
student’s willingness and perseverance needed to meet the requirements and challenges
established by individual instructors, by institutions, and by society.
Course Schedule
WEEK OF Monday Wedn
JAN 14 Read pp
xvii-xix & pp 3-6. Read & study chpts 1 & 2
JAN 21 Supplements-functions Quiz 1, Read & study 3.1 (HOLIDAY)
28 3.2, GW1(pp 55-58—3.3.3, 4à8 only),
4.2:11à19only,
p 71: #25,#26
FEB 4 Read & study 5.1,5.2, GW2 (pp78—5.1, 80—5.2)
11 Test
1(chpts 1-5) Linear Modeling Read pp 85-86, Read & study
Notebook Check 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
FEB 18 Read &
study 6.5, 6.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 Quiz 2
(HOLIDAY)
25 Read & study 8.1, 8.2, GW3 (p 131—8.1)
MAR 4 GW4 (pp 139—8.2.2,141-2—8.2.4), Read & study 8.3, 8.4
****************SPRING
BREAK****************************************
18 GW5 (pp146-47—8.3.1), Read & study 9.1, 9.2, 9.3
(Not step 1 & 2)
MAR 25 9.4, GW6 (pp151-155), Test 2
(chpts 6-9)Quadratic/piecewise Modeling, 4.3
(9.1,
9.2, 9.3, 9.4)
APR 1 Read & study 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, Quiz
3
8 Read & study 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, GW7 ( pp 184, 190, 191-2),
GW 8 (pp 147-48[8.4,CO2A] or 155-57[9.5,TCE] or 193-94[11.5,CDF])
15 Read 13.1, GW9 (pp 207-208----graph
on computer 13.1.2)
22 GW10 (pp230-232---15.2.1
autos, 15.2.2 power, 15.2.3 deforest)
Supplements—series/sequences,
Supplements—permutations/combinations/probability
APR 29
Supplements-Conic sections Review
Project
due
MAY 6 Final Exam (11:30am class)
Final Exam (8:30am class)
GROUPWORK/ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
--Clearly
label all “Things To Do” assignments
with section number and topic.
Keep them in order in your notebook in the assignment
section. These assignments will be
checked (unannounced and announced) periodically for completion and following
directions. It is up to the student to
seek help on these assignments and to grade them for correct results.
--You may consult
with each other on assignments, but EACH student will do ALL the
assignments. Remember that the Learning
Support Center (LSC) offers free tutoring and assistance in mathematics. Also, there is an on-line Earth Algebra
tutor. It is up to the STUDENT to
“review” material presented. Class time
will not be used for “review”.
--Use complete
sentences with the correct grammar and spelling when responding to questions
and giving explanations.
--CLEARLY LABEL
ALL GRAPHS including the dependent axis(variable), independent
axis(variable), scale, units, and coordinates of points used.
--All work done with
regards to this class must be neat, in pencil, clearly
presented, in order, and easy to follow! The mathematics is expected to be correct!!
--Clearly label all “Groupwork” assignments by groupwork
number, page, and topic.
Keep these in order in your notebook in the groupwork
section. Remember to see the instructor
during class or in her office during office hours for the “key” to check
groupwork results to problems/assignments.
--When using “models/equations” in your
groupwork/assignments/tests/quizzes, (1) write the model/equation in its
complete form, (2) substitute clearly into it, (3) show clearly the algebra/arithmetic
used to find the solution, and (4) use the solution to answer the question
asked in sentence form. (See page 5)
--Groupwork will be handed in and graded as indicated by the instructor. Sometimes, students will be grading their own groupwork, sometimes the instructor will grade all of them, and sometimes one person in the group will be graded and the group will all receive that person’s grade.
--If your group is
not functioning effectively or if someone(s) in your group is not
participating, IT IS UP TO YOU TO
CONSULT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR DURING OFFICE HOURS (IN A TIMELY MANNER) to
attempt to resolve the matter.
--Students are NOT
to allow other group members/class members to COPY their work!! Consulting and collaborating with each other
does NOT mean copying!
--PLAN on meeting
with your group outside of class regularly.
--****Any class work/groupwork missed due to
absences, MUST be turned in ON or BEFORE the next class meeting.
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Q1 |
Gw1 |
Gw2 |
T1 |
Nb |
Q2 |
Gw3 |
Gw4 |
Gw5 |
Gw6 |
7,10 |
T2 |
Q3 |
Gw7 |
Gw8 |
Gw9 |
Gw10 |
RFP |
FE |
TOT |
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20 |
5 |
5 |
50 |
5 |
20 |
5 |
5 |
20 |
5 |
10 |
50 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
100 |
100 |
500 |
100% |
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your total pts |
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