MONTGOMERYCOLLEGE 

A North Harris Montgomery Community College

 

 COURSE SYLLABUS

for

MATH 0306

 

PRE-ALGEBRA MATHEMATICS

Catalogue Description

 Topics for all formats include basic arithmetical operations on integers and rational numbers, order of operations, introduction to basic geometric concepts, simplification of algebraic expressions and techniques of solving simple linear equations. This course carries institutional credit but will not transfer and will not meet degree requirements.

Credit

 3 non-credit hours

Prerequisites

 Placement by Testing

ADA Statement

 If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class.

PURPOSE

 Pre-algebra is designed to provide the student with the needed background in basic mathematics and pre-algebra required for the study of algebra.

COURSE OUTCOMES

 In completing this course, through various means including but not limited to collaborative learning, technology, and required software assignments, you will be able to: 

• demonstrate basic skills in computations and estimations involving integers, fractions, decimals and percents,
• translate verbal problems into appropriate mathematical statements, 
• solve linear equations in one unknown including applications, 
• solve ratio and proportion problems involving applications using non-algebraic methods, 
• state the field properties and recognize their use in mathematical statements, 
• recognize simple geometric figures and state the defining properties and fundamental relationships of each, 
• calculate quantities related to basic geometric figures using both English and metric systems.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

 Bittenger, M. (eighth edition) Basic Mathematics. Addison-Wesley.

Topics

• operations and applications on whole numbers
• operations and applications with fractional notation
• operations and applications with decimal notation
• operations and applications with real numbers
• ratio and proportion
• descriptive statistics
• percent notation and its application
• geometry; length, area, perimeter, angle measure, congruent and similar triangles and volume
• perfect squares and the Pythagorean Theorem
• solution of algebraic equations and problems

 Instructor

 Helga Kocurek

Office

E209

Webpage

http://ppl.nhmccd.edu/~hkocurek

Available Hours

Before and after class or by appointment

 Phone

FAX (409) 273-7282

email helga.kocurek@nhmccd.edu

e-mail (preferred) teacher@selec.net

Semester / Location / Time

 Spring 2000 Room C232 MW 7:05-8:25

Recommended Materials

 (optional)

Penna, J., (8th edition). Bittenger, M. , & Keedy, M. Student’s Solution Manual Basic Mathematics. Addison Wesley.

VIDEOS 

• "Steps to Success" videotapes that correspond to text are available upstairs in the ELC for checkout (48hrs.) and for viewing in ELC upstairs.
• The tapes feature a team of mathematics instructors who present comprehensive coverage of each section of the text. The format is a lecture to a group of students, each videotape is interactive and engaging.

Audiotapes

• The audiotapes are designed to lead students through the material in each text section.
• Margin exercises are explained and students are cautioned about common errors.

Software

• Interact Math Tutorial Software includes exercises that are linked one to one with the odd numbered exercises in the textbook.
• This is available downstairs in the ELC.

World Wide Web Supplement

• This on-line supplement provided additional practice and learning resources for the student of basic mathematics.
• www.mathmax.com 
• For each book chapter, students can find additional practice exercises, Web links for further exploration, and expanded Summary and Review pages that review and reinforce the concepts and skills learned throughout the chapter.

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Regular and punctual attendance is extremely important for success in mathematics classes. Those of you who miss the equivalent of two weeks of class meetings may be dropped from the course. There are NO excused absences.
• Students often drop a course when help is available. Please discuss your plans with the instructor if you feel the need to withdraw, and he/she will try to work with you so you can successfully complete the course.

 Class Attendance & The Texas State TASP Law

 If you are a TASP track student and Math 0306 is the only remediation course you are enrolled in (including developmental writing and reading) and if you withdraw or are dropped from this course you will be withdrawn from all courses (this is Texas State Law).

Lab Assignment(s)

All students are required to attend Two hours per week in the ELC, if you are in a 3 hour class.

ELC hours:	Testing Center:
7:30am - 9:30pm M-Th	*8am - 8pm M-Th
7:30am - 8pm Friday	*8am - 8pm Fri.
9am - 4pm Saturday	*10am - 2pm Sat.
1pm - 6pm Sunday	Closed Sunday

 *Last test given one hour before testing center closes and all tests must be completed by closing time.

Grading

 Grades will be based on a total of 1000 possible points:

Best four of Five 100-point exams	400
Final exam	200
Journal	100
Bookreport	100
Quizzes	100
Labwork	100
Total points for the course	1000

 Your grade guarantees are as follows:

900-1000: A (90% - 100%)

800 - 899: B (80% - 89%)

700 - 799: C (70% - 79%)

Below 70% IP (In-Progress) - All assignment, attendance, lab, test and participation requirements were met, but the course was not mastered. The course must be repeated.

Below 70% F (Failed) - All course requirements were NOT met (assignment, attendance, lab, test, participation, etc.). The course must be repeated.

MAKE-UP EXAMS

You are expected to take all your tests in the testing center during the scheduled week. Make-ups are not given.

OTHER IMPORTANT CLASS RULES

All work you turn in is expected to be neat. I will attempt to give you partial credit, but I will not search for answers or decipher answers.

No work is accepted late under any circumstances. To allow for emergencies, the lowest exam grade will be canceled. Also opportunity for extra credit work exists as follows:

For each of the ELC success seminars "Brain Basics", "Learning Styles" and "Test-taking survival skills" which you attend and submit a typed report about what you learned (300-400 words) you will get up to 10 extra points.

Additionally, for every math joke you submit in writing and tell to the class you will get 1 extra point (10 max).

 IMPORTANT DATES

 TASP Date Postmark deadline

March 4, 2000 February 4, 2000

April 29, 2000 March 31, 2000

"Quick TASP" will be offered on campus at designated times. Contact the Student Development Office.

TASP

 The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) is an instructional program designed to ensure that students attending public institutions of higher learning in Texas and students entering educator preparation programs in Texas have the academic skills necessary to perform effectively in college-level work. Students not yet proficient in an academic area are required to participate in developmental education activities. The TASP includes a testing component designed to provide information about the reading, mathematics, and writing skills of students entering public colleges, universities, and educator preparation programs in public and private institutions. (From http://www.tasp.nesinc.com/)

The TASP test or a TASP alternative is a requirement for students to be permitted to enroll in college-level course work.

If your TASP status is "C", you are waived from taking TASP, as long as you do not take courses outside of your certificate program. The division offering the certificate program may answer specific questions.

NOTE: All learning disabled students in TASP track programs must take the TASP test even though they may have been exempt from TAAS in high school. Special accommodations are available from National Evaluation Systems and are explained in the TASP registration booklet.

For more TASP information, see http://www.tasp.nesinc.com.