Prerequisite: C or better in Basic Math Skills (MATD 0330 ...



Basic Math Skills Spring 2009 RGC Room 135

Course Abbreviation: MATD Course Number: 0330

|TTh 8:20 – 10:00AM Section 039, Synonym 30889 |

Instructor: Anne Praderas

Office Phone: (512) 223-3356

E-mail: apradera@austincc.edu

Webpage: austincc.edu/apradera

Required Text: Prealgebra (Blair 3-hole punched, unbound text), ISBN 0-53-643103-5. The text is bundled with an access code for MathXL, the Chapter Test Prep Video CD, the CD Lecture Series, the Student Solutions Manual, and an access code for Prentice Hall Tutor Center (tutorial support via phone, fax or email). Note: This custom edition saves students $35 and gives them the Student Solution Manual as well as additional software. However, this unbound text may not be sold back to the bookstore at the end of the semester. Students may wish to use two 3-ring binders,one large 2-inch binder in order to keep the full text and another smaller 1-inch binder with which to bring individual chapters to class.

…but it’s OK if you already have one of these texts…

|Description/Title |Comments |

|Prealgebra by Blair, Tobey, |This is the regular edition of the Blair Prealgebra text and is the is same exact text as the 3-hole punched unbound text|

|Slater, 3rd Edition, (ISBN# |above. This includes the Chapter Test Prep Video CD, and an access code for MyMathLab. Used copies may be available. |

|0-13-148298-X) | |

|Basic Math Skills (previously |This is the custom text that was used previously for the course. Used copies of this text may still be available. It |

|used bound text), (ISBN# |contains all of the exact material of our current text but also includes three preliminary chapters (P1, P2, and P3) |

|0-53-696683-4) |covering arithmetic concepts. |

Required Supplement:

|Description/Title |Comments |

|1-Year Access Code for MathXL |MathXL is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment system. The publishers have agreed to provide every ACC MATD 0330 |

| |student with a free access code for MathXL (a value of $34.95) regardless of whether or not they have purchased a new |

| |text.  The access code comes with purchase of a new bundled set of the 3-hole punched version. Mac computers are now |

| |supported by MathXL. |

| |YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO ONLINE HOMEWORK & QUIZZES FOR THIS CLASS! If that is not possible/convenient for you, switch to |

|NOTE→ |another section of Basic Math Skills OR speak with your instructor for ideas. |

DON’T HAVE A BOOK YET?

In the event that you have difficulty with promptly obtaining a textbook, you can access ONLY the first two chapters of the text (including exercises) online at

You will need the following: Login Name: accmath0330 password: accmath0330

Required Materials: Pencil, paper, 4-function ([pic]) calculator, one of the texts listed above, MathXL Access (free)

Course Prerequisite Requirement: none

WHEN YOU NEED HELP…

| |Rio Grande Campus Learning Lab |

| |Room 212 ph #223-3367 |

| |Monday - Thursday: 9am - 8pm |

| |Friday: 9am - 1pm |

| |Saturday:Closed |

| |Sunday: Closed |

ACC main campuses have Learning Labs that offer free tutoring (first-come first-serve) for mathematics courses. Software and DVDs to support this particular text are also available there. If you miss class, you may wish to watch the lectures on DVD of the sections we covered that day. The Learning Lab is also a good place to go for help with homework or to help you prepare for the tests.

Other Support Services Available to You

|Student Study Pack (ISBN# |Includes the Student Solutions Manual, access code for the Prentice Hall Tutor Center (tutorial support via phone, fax or|

|0-13-171161-X) |email), and the CD Lecture Series Videos which provides videos of lecture-based instruction on key concepts, examples, |

| |and practice problems from each text section. |

|Student Solutions Manual |Worked out solutions to all odd-numbered section exercises and all reviews and tests. |

|(ISBN# 0-13-149122-9) | |

|Chapter Test Prep Video CD |Provides step-by-step video solutions to each problem in the How Am I Doing? Chapter Test in the textbook. Packaged at |

|(ISBN# 0-13-149130-X) |no charge with a new text, inside the back cover. |

|Interact Math |This web-based resource provides text-specific tutorial exercises for unlimited practice online. This is a free resource|

| |and no access code is needed. Mac computers are currently not supported. |

|12-week math tutoring class |ACC offers an optional “lab class,” MATD 0011, for developmental math students to get additional instruction, help with |

| |homework, study skills, and test-taking skills. You must register and pay for this course, which begins at the 12-week|

|MATD 0011 |point in the semester. See ACC’s online schedule for times and locations |

TSI Warning: If you are relying on this course to meet a requirement that you be in mandatory remediation in mathematics this semester**, then

i. if you are not "continually in attendance" in this course, you may be withdrawn from the course by your instructor,

ii. if you withdraw yourself from this course or are withdrawn by your instructor, you may be automatically withdrawn from all of your other college courses if this is the only TSI-mandated course you are taking.

** If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.

Calculator Policy

•No calculators are allowed during the first portion of the course. After the announced date, you may use a simple 4-function only ([pic]) calculator on anything, including tests and the final exam.

•No calculator sharing during tests or quizzes. If you forget your calculator on a day we have a test, you’ll have to work without it. NO CELL PHONE CALCULATORS!!!!

Proper Course Placement Tests

If you think you should be in Elementary Algebra or a higher course, you will need to do very well on the placement test for that course. A review for the Elementary Algebra placement test may be found online at the following address, or ask me for a copy. IF YOU WANT TO SWITCH CLASSES, arrange to take the placement test AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so you don’t get behind in the next course.

Withdrawal Policy

I may choose to (but do not promise to) withdraw students with four or more absences from class. You are responsible for submitting appropriate paperwork by the published deadlines if you choose to withdraw from the class. The deadline for withdrawing from the course this semester is April 27, 2009.

Expected Conduct for Everyone

• Work hard.

• Be respectful. (This includes not texting during class.)

• Show up every day, on time.

What To Do If You’re Absent

• Read the next two sections in the text and take the online reading quizzes.

• Do the next two sections of online homework.

• Keep up with the online quizzes (see details below).

• If you missed the weekly in-class paper-and-pencil quiz, go to the RGC Testing Center and take it.

• Contact me via e-mail or phone if you will miss more than one day, or if you are confused about what to do.

Grading Policies

This class is divided into 3 modules. You will get a grade for each module according to the following scale:

Online Homework 15% | Online Quizzes 15% | In-class Quizzes 20% | Tests 50%

HOMEWORK: You are expected to complete a set of practice problems for each text section we cover. You will need to have the MathXL Student Access Kit which comes bundled with your new text purchase (see instructor if you didn’t get one). Online homework is due by 11:59PM Sunday night after it was assigned. Grades are automatically sent to me. You must score 90% or better on the homework BEFORE you are allowed access to the online quiz! MathXL will let you re-work a problem as many times as you need to succeed; there are also hints and other help available on MathXL.

ONLINE QUIZZES: There are two types of online quizzes you must take for each text section we cover. These quizzes are given via MathXL and the grades will be sent to your instructor automatically.

• Before-class Reading Quizzes: In order to be prepared for class, you will need to read the assigned textbook sections and take a reading quiz over those sections prior to the next class meeting. Online reading quizzes are due by 8:00AM every day we have class. You have one attempt at each quiz and there are NO MAKE-UPS. I will drop one reading quiz per module.

• Section Quizzes: In order to “seal in” the material you’re learning, you will need to take a quiz after completing each section of homework. As stated above, you will not be able to take the quiz until you have scored at least 90% on that section of homework. Online content quizzes are due every Tuesday night at 11:59PM. You have two attempts at each quiz (if desired) and only the higher score will count. There are NO MAKE-UPS. I will drop one section quiz per module.

IN-CLASS QUIZZES: Once a week, you will take a paper-and-pencil quiz. These quizzes take about 30 minutes and are given during class time. The purpose of the paper-and-pencil quiz is to check-up on your use of mathematical vocabulary, notation, and applications of concepts. If you miss an in-class quiz, you must take it in the Rio Grande Testing Center (see testing center policies at the end of this packet) before our next class meets. Otherwise the grade is a zero. None of the in-class module quiz grades will be dropped.

TESTS will be given online in a proctored setting outside of class time. Test dates will be announced in class. If you do not take a test during the assigned period, you must contact me by the end of the following class day, or your grade may be a zero. I will consider, but not guarantee, giving the test at another time or allowing your final exam to replace that test’s grade. It depends on the circumstance AND your overall effort and attendance in the course. If you miss a second test for any reason, that grade will be a zero.

The FINAL EXAM is “departmental,” meaning all Basic Math Skills students take essentially the same exam. It will be a paper-and-pencil test given in class during the last class day--DON’T MISS IT. It is closed-note and 4-function calculators are OK. I will provide you with a “departmental” review sheet before the exam. If you miss a final exam day, it’s a zero. No make-ups. Exam date: Thursday May 14th.

OVERALL COURSE GRADES will be calculated accordingly: Module I 25%

Module II 25%

Module III 25%

Final Exam 25%

(In other words, I will average your final exam grade with your grade from each module.)

Students should expect to receive one of the following grades at the end of the semester:

A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 (See below for other “special circumstance” grades.)

Special Grades:

•IN-PROGRESS (IP): If a student is attending regularly, doing all assigned work but is still not earning a grade of C or higher, I will consider the IP grade. Students who receive an IP grade are expected to register and pay for the same course again in the following semester—they are NOT permitted to go on to the next course. A maximum of 2 IP grades can be awarded in any 1 course.

•INCOMPLETE (I): These are given only in extremely rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of “I”, a student must have taken all examinations, be passing, and after the last date to withdraw, have a personal tragedy which prevents course completion. Arrangements for completing the course will be made individually.

MATD 0330 BASIC MATH SKILLS Course Description:

A course designed to develop basic arithmetic and algebra skills to prepare for courses covering secondary school algebra, the first of which is MATD 0370 Elementary Algebra. Content includes operations on whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, ratio and proportions, percent, solving linear equations in one variable applications, and relating simple algebra concepts to geometry.

Course Rationale:

This course is designed to be the first course in a 3-course Developmental Math sequence. The other two are Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. Students who pass Basic Math Skills will have a solid foundation in arithmetic of rational numbers, solving linear equations, and the beginnings of polynomial arithmetic.

Instructional Methodology: This course is taught in the classroom as a lecture/discussion course.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn generally will not be reinstated unless they have completed all homework and tests necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. Students who are requesting accommodation must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) at the beginning of the semester. Accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the letter of accommodation from OSD.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, work, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework.

 

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty Penalty

Students who violate the rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be assessed an academic penalty that the instructor determines is in keeping with the seriousness of the offense. This academic penalty may range from a grade penalty on the particular assignment to an overall grade penalty in the course, including possibly an F in the course. ACC's policy can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at:

Statement on Academic Freedom

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon a search for truth and upon free expression. In this course the professor and students shall strive to protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts, ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception to views offered in this course and to reserve judgment about debatable issues. Grades will not be affected by personal views. With this freedom comes the responsibility of civility and a respect for a diversity of ideas and opinions. This means that students must take turns speaking, listen to others speak without interruption, and refrain from name-calling or other personal attacks.

Statement on Student Discipline

Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook under Policies and Procedures or on the web at:

Course Objectives:

The following objectives are listed in a sequence ranging from the simple to the more complex. As such, this document should not be viewed as a chronological guide to the course, although some elements naturally will precede others. These elements should be viewed as mastery goals which will be reinforced whenever possible throughout the course.

 

Overall objectives:

A. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment in their increasing ability to use mathematics to solve problems of interest to them or useful in their chosen fields. Students will attain more positive attitudes based on increasing confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics.

B. Students will learn to understand material using standard mathematical terminology and notation when presented either verbally or in writing.

C.  Students will improve their skills in describing what they are doing as they solve problems using standard mathematical terminology and notation.

1. Description and classification of whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using sets and the operations among them.

a.   identify and use properties of real numbers

b.   simplify expressions involving real numbers

c.   evaluate numerical expressions with integral exponents

d.   simplify square roots of perfect square whole numbers

2.   Polynomials.

a.  distinguish between expressions that are polynomials and expressions that are not

b   classify polynomials in one variable by degree and number of terms

c.   simplify polynomials

d.   add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials (including the use of long division techniques and the distributive law)

e.   factor polynomials (including factoring out the greatest common factor, factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is one, factoring trinomials in which the leading coefficient is not one, factoring the difference of two squares, factoring the sum or difference of two cubes)

f.    understand and use the exponent laws involving integer exponents

g.   convert numbers into, out of scientific notation and perform mult. and division with numbers written in scientific notation

3.   Solve linear equations in one variable involving integral, decimal, and fractional coefficients and solutions.

4.   Application problems.

a.  write and evaluate linear expressions from verbal descriptions

b.  solve application problems which lead to one of the following types of equations: linear equations in one variable, systems of two linear equations in two variables, quadratic equations

c.  solve literal equations for a specified variable using only addition and multiplication principles

d. solve application problems using ratio and proportion

e.  use given data to estimate values and to evaluate geometric and other formulas

f.  solve problems involving the Pythagorean Theorem

5.   Linear equations in two variables.

a.   identify the relationship between the solution of a linear equation in two variables and its graph on the cartesian plane

b.   understand and use the concepts of slope and intercept

c.   graph a line given either two points on the line or one point on the line and the slope of the line

d.   identify the equations of the line in the standard, point-slope, or slope-intercept forms and graph their solutions

e.   write an equation of a line given its graph or description (including one point on the line and the slope of the line, or two points on the line)

f.  solve systems of linear equations

6. Quadratic equations.

a. find solutions to quadratic equations and equations of higher degree using the technique of factoring

b.   recognize a need to use the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations and solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula when simplification of square roots other than perfect squares is not needed

7. Description and classification of irrational numbers. 

a.  simplify perfect square radical expressions

b.  use decimal approximations in applications that involve radical expressions 

8. Geometry.

a.  understand the difference between perimeter and area and be able to use formulas for these appropriately

b.  solve problems involving similar figures

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STUDENT GUIDE FOR USE OF ACC TESTING CENTERS

Austin Community College is pleased to provide testing services to ACC faculty and students. In order to ensure test integrity and adequate space for testing, ACC has established the following guidelines:

A. I.D. REQUIREMENT. Students are required to show an ACC photo ID in order to test.

B. WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM INSTRUCTOR

1. Some tests also require written permission from your instructor in addition to your photo ID and student ID.

2. If the test deadline has passed, you must bring written permission from the instructor.

C. STUDENT TEST REQUEST FORM

1. Students are required to complete the Student Test Request Form which contains the following student information:

a. Synonym Number & Section Number

b. Course Abbreviation & Course Number

c. Test Number

d. Instructor’s Name

D. RETESTING

1. The yellow student copy of the Test Request Form is required for retesting.

2. Retests may not be available in all courses.

3. Students may not retest more than once on the same exam version.

E. TESTING MATERIALS. Students should bring only the materials that an instructor has allowed for a given test.

1. The Testing Centers provide the following approved items:

a. English dictionaries (non-electronic)

b. Scantron answer sheet

c. All types of paper

2. If authorized by instructor, Foreign Language Dictionaries, must be provided by the student and must be word to word only and non-electronic.

3. Having unauthorized materials (food, drinks and tobacco items, cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices, etc.) with you while testing is considered scholastic dishonesty and may subject you to disciplinary action. Unauthorized items must be stored elsewhere, in a locker, or shelved in the Testing Center at your own risk.

F. LOCKERS

1. You are responsible for the return of your locker key to Testing Center staff.

2. Your property will not be surrendered in the case of a lost key until a report is filed with Campus Police.

3. The incident will be reported to Admissions Director and a hold will be placed on your record until the key is returned or replaced.

G. CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED IN TESTING CENTERS AND ARE NOT TO BE LEFT UNATTENDED ON ANY ACC CAMPUS.

H. SEATING POLICY

1. The Testing Center may assign seating.

2. When the Testing Center is full, you may be asked to sign a waiting list, take a ticket or line up outside the Center.

3. Students are required to wait again in line, if one exists, if they desire to take more than one test at a time.

I. BREAKS DURING TESTING

1. Students may not leave the Testing Center for breaks, to drink water, or go to the restroom.

2. Only with a medical statement from a doctor may a student be allowed to leave the Testing Center for a break during the test.

J. SCORING OF TESTS

1. If an answer key is available, the test will be graded and you will be given your raw score. Keep the yellow copy of the Student Test Request Form for the remainder of the semester to ensure that grades have been posted. This is proof you took the exam.

2. Once the test has been scored, it cannot be reviewed or examined again in the Testing Center. Contact your instructor for feedback information on the test items.

K. GRADES OF INCOMPLETE

Testing for grades of Incomplete require an Incomplete Grade Form or verification from Admissions and Records and signature of instructor.

L. HOURS OF OPERATION

1. Hours of operation for all the Testing Centers are located on the web at .

2. Hours for testing vary from Center to Center and are subject to change without notice due to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

3. Students will not be admitted and new test materials will not be distributed after the stated closing time.

4. All test materials are collected from students thirty (30) minutes after closing time.

M. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

1. The testing area is monitored as students are taking tests. Any student suspected of/or caught cheating (including using unauthorized materials during testing) will be referred to the appropriate administrator.

2. Disciplinary actions for scholastic dishonesty range from exclusion from Testing Centers to expulsion from ACC. Refer to the ACC Student Handbook for ACC’s disciplinary policies and procedures.

3. Any information included on your test is not to be taken from the Testing Center or shared with others.

N. STUDENT CONDUCT

1. You may be removed from the Testing Center for behavior that significantly interferes with or disrupts Testing Center operations. In accordance with College procedure, the Campus Dean of Students will have primary authority and responsibility for the administration of student discipline.

2. Discipline may also be administered for other prohibited acts that constitute offenses, as outlined in the ACC Student Handbook.

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Office Location & Hours: Room 333

MWF 10:45 – 11:45 AM

TTh 10:30 – 11:30 AM

{other times available by appointment}

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