Foundations of Math I
Text: Introductory Algebra : A Real World Approach
– Author : Bello,
Company: Mcgraw Hill
Student Solutions Manual for above text (optional)
TI-83 Plus calculator (Optional)
Portfolio supplies and graphing paper
Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual, 4th edition , Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2004
Course Description :
This course includes the fol lowing algebraic topics:
Simplification of numeric /algebraic expressions by applying order of operations
Solutions of equations and inequalities in 1 variable
Graphing equations in 2 variables by using different forms of linear equations
Simplification of numeric/algebraic expressions by applying laws of exponents
Study of polynomials and the 4 basic operations on them
Factoring of polynomials ( As time permits)
Mat 091 (Foundations of Math I is a course that is prerequisite/preparatory
for Mat 096 (Foundations of Math II)
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives) :
A) Communicate Effectively
1)Learning Outcome: Student will be able to communicate effectively about
mathematics through symbolic language and translate English expressions into
algebraic expressions.
Course Objective : Understand and communicate the meaning of mathematical
symbols used in algebra.
Assessment is based on tests, quizzes, and daily work in math portfolio
B) Think critically
Assessment is based on tests, quizzes, and daily work in math portfolio.
1. Learning Outcome- Students will perform basic algebraic operations.
Course Objective: Solve problems using algebraic formulas
2. Learning Outcome- Students will perform basic algebraic operations.
Course Objective : Solve algebraic equations with 2 or more
operations.
3. Learning Outcome- Students will perform basic algebraic operations.
Course Objective : To solve inequalities
4. Learning Outcome : Students will be able to construct graphs.
Course Objective : Construct graphs of linear equations in 2 variables
5. Learning Outcome : Students will be able to simplify expressions.
Course Objective : Apply rules of exponents to simplify expressions
6. Learning Outcome : Students will be able to perform operations on
Polynomials
Course Objective : Students will factor polynomials and
perform 4 basic operations on polynomials.
C. Learn Independently
Learning Outcome : The student will apply their learning.
Course Objective : The student will understand applications that lead to
the
solution of problems.
Method of Instruction: Lectures on topics will be presented by the
instructor working
and explaining problems on the board. These problems will copied by the students
in
their course notebook. There will be time and opportunity for any student to ask
questions. Students will be individually encouraged to work problems on the
board and
explain them to the class. There may be up to three motivational films viewed in
class
where the students do brief reports on the content.
Explanation of Grading System:
5 Tests @ 100 pts ea. 500 points
1 semester quiz grade @ 100 pts 100 points
Total Points 600 points
Final numerical score = Total points earned 
600 (* This is converted to percent )
The above numerical score is converted to its corresponding letter grade
according to the
grading scale.
Total Course Grading Scale: A= 90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=0-59
*All students must complete the course to receive credit. If a student stops
attending class toward the end of the semester and does not take the final
examination, a grade of “F” will be given.
Course Requirements:
You are expected to attend all classes and to be on time. Any combination of
three
tardies or early dismissals count as an absence. A very detailed record of your
attendance
will be kept by your instructor. This record may be shared with the Dean of
Enrollment
through the Early Alert System. Your attendance record may be given to the
Registrar for Financial Aid purposes. If you are in an athletic program, your
coach will probably be interested in your attendance history.
You are given the opportunity to prepare in class a
mathematics portfolio during the semester according to the following
guidelines:
Your math notes should be kept in a 3-ring binder with 2 pockets. It can be
organized in the following way:
1) Daily notes clipped in the middle.
2) Assignments in one pocket of notebook
3) All graded tests and quizzes in another pocket
4) Other written assignments from a math film or computer retrieved topic
5) Course Syllabus
If your mathematics portfolio is neat, complete, and meets all of the above
guidelines you can present this work at the end of the semester to receive an
additional grade of 100 points to be computed into your average.
* If you do not adhere to the above guidelines, do not present this work for a
grade.
Order of Presentation of Material
Jan.7 – Jan.17 Chap.1 Order of operations and simplication of numeric and
algebraic expressions
Jan.22 –Feb.12 Chap.2 Solutions of Equations/Inequalities
Feb.14 – Mar. 13 Chap. 3 Graphing linear equations
Mar.17 – Apr. 17 Chap. 4&5 Laws of Exponents & Polynomials
Apr.21 – Apr.24 Course and Final Exam Reviews
Apr.30 (8:00a-10:00a) Final Exam. SC-101
Approximate dates of tests:
Test 1: 1/17/08 (Order of Operations, simplification of numeric and alg.
expressions )
Test 2: 2/12/08 ( Solutions of Equations and Inequalities)
Test 3: 3/13/08 (Graphing linear equations in 2 variables by using different
forms of linear equations)
Test 4: 4/17/08 ( Laws of Exponents & Polynomials)
Test 5 :TBA (Final Exam.) SC 101 Date: 4/30/08 Time: 8:00a-10:00a
The lowest test score will be dropped with the exception of the final
examination if the student has perfect attendance.
*Remember, any combination of 3 tardies or early dismissals are
counted as an absence.
Quizzes are brief, simple, and unannounced. About 15 to 20 quizzes will be given
during the course and will be averaged for a semester quiz grade of 100. Two
quiz scores can be dropped. If you are absent on the day of a quiz, it cannot
be made up. The quizzes are a participatory grade given on what was covered
in class on that particular day. Your own personal notes may used when taking a
quiz.
Student’s responsibility in case of an absence:
Absences and withdrawal from course: Refer to the Attendance information
provided in the Saint Catharine College Catalog. If you miss a class for any
reason, you are responsible for all material covered and assigned. The
Mathematics- Developmental Education Notebook (M-DEN) for your class will be
kept in the Resource Center which contains the daily notes and the assignment.
If you miss a class, report to the Resource Center and refer to this course
notebook with a tutor. If you miss an hour of class, spend an hour of time in
the Resource Center to catch up. Your time in the Resource Center will be kept
in a log book for both a reference and record. Documents that explain absences
may be given to the instructor to be filed as a record. (Parental notes will not
be accepted.) Exceptions will be made for student athletes when they are absent
due to school- related sporting events. Also exceptions will be made for any
student who is representing our college in a school function.
( All students regardless of the reasons for being absent should make up
their time at the Resource Center to learn the material covered on the days of
absence.)
* If a student is absent on a test day, arrangements should be made with the
instructor and the test made up within one week. If these conditions are not
met, the student will receive a grade of 0 on that test.
Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty, whether intentional or not, is a
serious offense. Read the Saint Catharine College Catalog for the basic
statement of principle, definitions, responsibilities, policies, and penalties
of academic dishonesty.
Classroom Behavior Statement:
You are expected to behave in a Christian manner toward students and
instructors. No disruptive or disrespectful behavior will be tolerated. Any
student who is guilty of any of these behaviors will be dismissed from class and
counted absent. Any student who is found sleeping during class will be dismissed
from class for that day and be counted absent. Cell phones must be turned off
and kept in book bags. Students are not allowed to share calculators during
tests or quizzes. There may also be some tests or quizzes where you will not be
allowed to use a calculator.
Classroom learning accommodations:
Inform instructor in writing by the end of the 2nd class of needed
accommodation as certified by the college.
Important dates:
January 7 First day of class for 16 week courses
January 11 Last day to withdraw from a 16 week course(s) without record
January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
March 3 – 7 Spring Vacation
March 4 Mid term Grades Due
March 7 Midterm Grades Mailed to Students
March 20-23 Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Holiday
March 25 Last Day to Withdraw from a 16 week course(s) with grade of W or change
to audit
April 14-18 Spring Convocation Activities (Classes Continue)
April 25 Last Day of Class
April 28-May 2 Final Examinations
Special Note to Student
Mathematics is a course that needs to be studied daily. Your class may only meet
2 or 3 times per week. However you need to focus on it Monday through Friday.
Sometimes working out of class at home may not prove to be too productive for
you . Even though I recommend that you work at every opportunity, the following
special accommodations will be made for you.
My office hours will be posted and given to you. My office is downstairs in
Bertrand Hall in Room #9. Feel free to drop by and see me for any help in this
course. The Resource Center will be opened daily with set hours where you can
receive tutoring. An appointment is not necessary when you report to Resource
Center.
Math – DEN stands for Mathematical Developmental
Educational Notebook. This is a special notebook left in the
Resource Center that contains the notes for your specific math class. The M-DEN
system will be explained in detail when we begin our classes.
The MathZone is an Internet Web based program in which you will register.
This program is an excellent learning tool for mathematics.
