Course Syllabus
Math 083 Syllabus
Course Syllabus: Syllabus.docx
Jorge Guerra Santa Ana College
E-mail: Guerra_Jorge@sac.edu Science, Math, Health Sciences Division
Office hours: by appointment Math 083 – Beginning and Intermediate Algebra for SLAM
Spring 2018 – Ticket #47497 6 units
T-Th 10:15 – 1:20; Room H-107
PREREQUISITE: MATH N48 with a minimum grade of C or a sufficient score on the Mathematics Level 2 Placement Exam and a course equivalent to Mathematics N48 or 060.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A combined course in algebra that includes systems of equations, inequalities, graphs and functions, radicals, quadratic polynomials, rational expressions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and problem solving aimed specifically at liberal arts and social science majors going into Math 105, Math 204, or Math 219.
Math 083 prepares you for the SLAM path in which you take Math 105, 204, or 219. If you change to the BSTEM path and will be taking Math 140 or 160, you will need to do additional work before you have met the prerequisite.
SUCCESS: This course is different from traditional math classes in two ways. (1) Most of the material will be learned by doing rather than watching. We will spend a lot of our class time doing lessons in groups. (2) You will be learning the material in a contextual setting rather than learning rules and procedures. Our emphasis will be on the algebra, critical thinking, and analytic skills that you will need in Math 105, Math 204, and Math 219. Aim for an “A” or a “B,” please don’t aim at just passing. Your success in your transferable class is much more likely.
Approach this course by working to understand (as opposed to memorize) the terminology and concepts. Then it will be easier to build upon that understanding as we apply it. There are 3 steps to learning: understanding, practicing, and going solo. The last is most important. It is the only way you will know if you truly get it.
I want all my students to be successful. In order to do this you must first make the commitment to attend class on time and every day. Next, you must spend time outside of class practicing, just like a musician or an athlete. Plan on working and doing problems until you feel that a concept is easy. The amount of time will vary with each individual and with each topic. Our adaptive learning program ALEKS is perfect for this. A general rule of thumb is 12 hours of time outside class for a class meeting 6 hours per week. Mathematics, unlike other subjects, needs short daily study sessions, rather than long cram sessions.
You must ask questions whenever you don't understand something. Many hours outside of class are useless if you are accomplishing nothing. Sometimes a little help will do the trick. Feel free to stop me during class with questions or to slow me down. Ask for office hours for extra help. Please don't avoid a problem, thus getting behind; tackle it, and solve it. But remember, office hours are not in lieu of class attendance.
HELP: BY ALL MEANS, IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE, LET ME HELP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DROPPING THE COURSE. STOPPING ATTENDANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A DROP; THIS MUST BE DONE IN THE RECORDS OFFICE. Upon your 5th absence you may be dropped; two tardies count as 1 absence; keep me informed of any special circumstances
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TEXTBOOK: PATHWAYS TO MATH LITERACY by Dave Sobecki and Brian Mercer
It contains most of the Lessons we will be doing in class; the rest are in the Additional Documents.
Additional Documents 2017 Fall – 2018 Summer to Accompany Pathways (to Math Literacy)
CALCULATORS: You must have a scientific calculator for this course. (TI-36X or alike is recommended)
On quizzes and exams you must have your own calculator or you will not be able to use one.
Phones and any devices that have access to the Internet are prohibited.
YOUR WORK: Must be neat and organized, with erasures not cross-outs; Write questions, answers, and APPROPRIATE WORK.
This is why I recommend using pencil or typing.
Please, no paper torn from spiral notebooks with ragged edges.
Be sure to label each assignment with the name of the assignment; Have questions stand out from answers.
If you cannot come to class on a due date, you may turn things in early or send them with another student. Also, you can email it to me, but bring it to the next class meeting. Be sure the email is dated on or before the due date. I will go by the date and time on emails. Please do not put it in my mailbox in Administration or in my office, since I don't know when it arrived.
ETIQUETTE: Be courteous to fellow students when they ask a question.
Put all electronic devices in silent mode when class begins; otherwise they may be confiscated.
No food is allowed; and only drinks in containers that will not break or spill if dropped are acceptable.
I’d rather you come in late than not at all. Enter and quietly take your seat. Only leave the classroom during the group or individual work time; during the break; to go to the restroom; or in an emergency. Please ask if it’s OK during an exam; I may ask for your phone before you leave; only one person will be allowed out of the room at a time.
ALEKS: We will be using an online assessment and learning system called ALEKS. This is where you will work on the mathematical skills needed for success in SLAM (statistics and liberal arts math) majors. The ALEKS objectives are due at 11:59 PM each Monday. There are schedules posted in the Resources in ALEKS.
You will keep a notebook (I recommend a spiral to keep things in order) where you will write down the topic, problems, necessary work, and box your answers. This way your notebook will assist you in quiz and exam preparation. Some time will be given in class to work on your ALEKS objectives. Count on spending about 5 hours/week outside of class working in ALEKS. Your ALEKS percentage will be worth 15% of your course grade.
LESSONS: The text / additional lessons are extremely important. We have selected the best lessons in the text and have written several. The assigned follow-up Applications, Reflections, and Looking Ahead questions are due at the beginning of the class meeting after we do the Class and Group questions in class. You may not turn them in late, since it is important to discuss the answers on the due date. If you are absent, you are still responsible for completing the activity by the due date. You will receive a score (out of 10 points) based on completion and the quality of your responses. Typically, the Applications are 5-7 points, the Reflections 2 points, and Study Skills 2 points. Your lessons percentage will be 10% of your course grade.
Exams are heavily based upon these problems, the ALEKS objectives, and class discussions. My policies are strict to help keep you on schedule, since getting behind makes your successful completion of the course much more difficult. Note that the Lessons and ALEKS are equally weighted, because they are equally important. Also, they encompass 25% of your course grade. They are not only where you learn the material, but how you show your effort in this class.
STUDY SKILLS: Often it is not the mathematics that prevents success in a math course. These exercises are designed to assist you in developing the personal qualities and study skills necessary for success. These exercises will be part of the Lesson assignments.
QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given each Thursday, except for weeks when there is an exam. Quizzes will cover the previous week’s suggested work from the text, worksheets, and ALEKS objectives, so they are another incentive to keep up to date on everything. If you miss one due to absence, I will record a zero. The last quiz is extra credit, so this will make up for one missed quiz or one poor score. Quizzes are 10% of your course grade.
Exams: Four exams will be given. Each is worth 100 points. The coverage may vary slightly on an exam, but the exam date will not change unless I am absent.
There are NO make-up exams. If you must miss an exam, you must provide an acceptable reason along with proper documentation. This can only be done for one exam. So, please plan on taking all four exams. Also, students rarely do well on make-up exams, but do get behind schedule. Exams will be 40% of your course grade.
Exam Corrections: After the exam returned, you will complete exam corrections for a Homework Assignment. Correcting your mistakes is an opportunity for you to learn important math content, prepare you for upcoming exams, and to learn how not to make those mistakes next time. On a separate paper, redo every question you missed. You receive the 10 points when all are correct. This must be done before the beginning of the class meeting before the next exam. You may submit your corrections multiple times at the beginning a class meeting, but you will not receive them back graded until the next class meeting
A mandatory, cumulative final will be given. Incompletes will not be considered if the final is missed unless there is a verified emergency.
CHEATING: Observed copying, use of notes, switching exams, or communicating with anyone other than me during
a quiz or an exam will be deemed cheating. Cheating is also defined as an intentional act of fraud in which a student claims credit for the work or efforts of another without my authorization on any coursework.
On the first offense a zero will be given on that quiz or exam to you and any collaborators. A second offense or an occurrence on the final will involve the college administration. Giving answers is as bad as taking them.
GRADING SCALE: 90% - 100% A Borderline cases will only be considered only if you have
80% - 89% B at least 80% of the possible Lessons and ALEKS part of the grade.
70% - 79% C If so, I will look at attendance, improvement, class participation,
60% - 69% D and your final exam.
Final 25% Exams 40% Quizzes 10% Lessons 10% ALEKS 15%
If you feel that a mistake was made in recording any score, the only way I can change it is if you bring me the graded paper in question. So, please keep all old papers until the end of the semester.
IMPORTANT DATES: 02/18 - Last day to add w/ an add code; last day to drop with no record or fees
03/09 - Last day to file for Pass/No Pass
05/06 - Last day to drop with a “W”
05/31 - Final Exam 10:15 – 1:20 PM
ACADEMIC ACCOMODATIONS
Santa Ana College is eager to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) in a timely manner. To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Learning Disabilities Program in The Village, VL-203, or phone (714) 564-6264, TTY (714) 564-6284, or visit http://sac.edu/StudentServices/DSPS
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ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
Please note the policy in regards to the Academic Honesty Policy:
From the 2017/2018 Santa Ana College Catalog (pg. 309):
Students at Santa Ana College are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination, corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced. Academic dishonesty is seen as an intentional act of fraud, in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic exercise. As institutions, we also consider academic dishonesty to include forgery of academic documents, intentionally impeding or damaging the academic work of others, assisting other students in acts of dishonesty or coercing students into acts of dishonesty.
Procedures – “In cases where a violation of academic honesty is discovered, the faculty member is encouraged to file an “Academic Misconduct Incident Report” form and distribute the form to the appropriate offices listed on the form.
There are two categories of sanctions: Limited and College-wide. Limited sanctions include an academic action such as assigning a lower grade or a grade of “F” for the assignment, project, or test. College-wide sanctions include any sanction that will affect a student’s standing with the college-at-large, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the College.
In matters relating to academic honesty violations, the primary responsibility for disciplinary proceedings rests with the instructor and the academic division where the violation allegedly occurred. The Dean of Student Affairs will assist in all College-wide sanctions.”
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to construct and analyze consumer graphs; apply linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential equations and functions numerically, graphically, or algebraically, in appropriate applications; and find models of best fits for given sets of data.
From the Guide to Evaluating Institutions, ACCJC, Standard II.A.6 (pg. 24):
- The institution assures that students and prospective students receive clear and accurate information about educational courses and programs and transfer policies. The institution describes its degrees and certificates in terms of their purpose, content, course requirements, and expected student learning outcomes. In every class section students receive a course syllabus that specifies learning outcomes consistent with those in the institution’s officially approved course outline.
Math83_TuTh_StudentSchedule_Spring18.docx
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Week |
Class Activity |
Textbook (Math Literacy) |
Additional Documents |
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Applications |
Reflections |
Due Date |
Applications |
Reflections |
Study Skills |
Due Date |
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1 |
2/6 |
Initial Knowledge Check ALEKS Time Lesson 1-1 |
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2/6 |
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2/6 |
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2/8 |
Lesson 1-1 Entering Expressions ALEKS Time |
#1-6, Learning Style Assessment |
#1-4, 6 |
2/12 |
Entering Expressions in Calculator completed in class |
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Syllabus Search |
2/12 |
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2 |
2/13 |
Lesson 1-2
Lesson 1-3 |
1-2: #1-7
1-3: #1-8 |
1-2: #2, 3, 5
1-3: #1, 2, 4 |
2/14 |
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2/14 |
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2/15 |
Lesson Histograms / Inequalities Quiz #1 |
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2/19 |
#1-14 |
#1-4 |
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2/19 |
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3 |
2/20 |
Lesson 1-7 |
#1-6, Bonus |
#2, 4 |
2/21 |
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2/21 |
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2/22 |
Lesson 1-10 Exam 1 Review
Quiz #2 |
1-10: #1-5 |
#1, 2, 4 |
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Review: #1-27 |
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Be Ready Exam Prep |
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4 |
2/27 |
Exam 1 Lesson 2-1 |
#1-6 |
#1 ,2, 4 |
2/28 |
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2/28 |
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3/1 |
Lesson Principles of Exponents
Lesson Dimensional Analysis |
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3/5 |
Exponents completed in class
DA: #1-6 |
DA: #1-3 |
Taking Notes |
3/5 |
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5 |
3/6 |
Lesson 2-4
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#1-6 |
#3, 5 |
3/7 |
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Test Analysis 1 |
3/7 |
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3/8 |
Lesson Scientific Notation Lesson 2-5 Quiz #3 |
#1-8 |
#1-3 |
3/12 |
Scientific Notation completed in class |
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3/12 |
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6 |
3/13 |
Lesson 2-9 and Lesson Solving and Checking Linear Equations
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2-9: #1-10 |
2-9: #2, 4 |
3/14 |
Solving and Checking Completed in Class |
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3/14 |
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3/15 |
Lesson 2-9 (Group 25-40) and Lesson Checking Inequalities and Equations as Formulas Quiz #4 |
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3/19 |
Check Ineq: #1-10 |
Check Ineq: #1-4 |
Using ALEKS |
3/19 |
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7 |
3/20 |
Lesson Keeping things in Proportion (QR 5-1 Handout)
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3/21 |
#1-8 |
#1-3 |
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3/21 |
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3/22 |
Lesson Percent Word Problems
Exam 2 Review Quiz #5 |
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3/26 |
Percent Word Problems Completed in Class Review: #1-45 |
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Attendance |
3/26 |
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8 |
3/27 |
Exam 2
Lesson 3-1 |
#1-7 |
#2, 3, 5 |
3/28 |
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3/28 |
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3/29 |
Lesson 3-2
Dabbling with Desmos |
#1-7 |
3-2: #1, 2, 4 |
4/9 |
Dabbling with Desmos Completed in Class |
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4/9 |
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Week |
Class Activity |
Textbook (Math Literacy) |
Additional Documents |
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Applications |
Reflections |
Due Date |
Applications |
Reflections |
Study Skills |
Due Date |
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9 |
4/10 |
Lesson 3-3
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#1-7 |
#2, 4 |
4/11 |
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Test Analysis 2 |
4/11 |
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4/12 |
Lesson 3-5 Quiz #6 |
#1-8 |
#3, 5 |
4/16 |
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4/16 |
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10 |
4/17 |
Lesson 3-6
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#1-8 (Use Desmos.com)
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#1, 2, 4
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4/18 |
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4/18 |
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4/19 |
Exam 3 Review Quiz #7 |
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4/23 |
Review: #1-27 |
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How am I Doing? |
4/23 |
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11 |
4/24 |
Exam 3 Lesson 3-7
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#1-11 |
#1, 4 |
4/25 |
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4/25 |
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4/26 |
Lesson 4-1
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#1-6 |
#1, 4 |
4/30 |
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4/30 |
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12 |
5/1 |
Lesson 4-3
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#1-8 |
#1, 2, 5 |
5/2 |
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Test Analysis 3 |
5/2 |
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5/3 |
Lesson 4-7
Quiz #8 |
#1-10 |
#1, 5 |
5/7
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Successful Student Behavior |
5/7
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13 |
5/8 |
Lesson 4-8
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#1-6 |
#1, 2, 4 |
5/9
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5/9
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5/10 |
Exam 4 Review Quiz #9 |
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5/14 |
Review: #1-18 |
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5/14 |
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14 |
5/15 |
Exam 4
Lesson 4-9 |
#1-12 (Use Desmos.com) |
#1, 2, 4 |
5/16 |
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5/16 |
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5/17 |
Lesson Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (QR 5-4 Handout) |
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5/21 |
#1-14
*Start Final Exam Review #1-50 |
#1, 2 |
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5/21 |
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15 |
5/22 |
Lesson Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (QR 5-4 Handout) |
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5/23 |
#1-14
*Start Final Exam Review #1-50 |
#1, 2 |
Test Analysis 4 |
5/23 |
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5/24 |
Quiz #10 (Extra Credit) Final Exam Review |
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5/28 |
Review: #1-50 |
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5/28 |
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16 |
5/29 |
Final Exam Review |
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5/31 |
Final Exam
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Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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