Course Syllabus – Fall 2007

 

Course Number and Title:  DEVS 0330 Intermediate Algebra

         

 

Instructor

Information

 

 

 

 

Name:  Amy Riordan 

 

Contact Information: 

 

Office Hours: 

  • Mondays and Wednesdays:  8-9am and 2-4pm
  • Tuesday and Thursdays:  2-4pm
  • Fridays:  8-9am and 2-3pm

 

Course Overview

 

 

Catalog Description:  Intermediate Algebra will prepare students for College Algebra by introducing concepts such as factoring, rational expressions, graphing inequalities, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, complex numbers, and exponential and logarithmic functions. Upon successful completion of DEVS 0330, the student will be ready to enroll in MATH 1311or 1399.

 

Course Overview:  This is a course for the development of mathematical skills necessary for success in DEVS 1311 College Algebra or higher. Individual problem solving, board work, class discussion, and lectures will be used. Students are also required to attend a one hour lab each week.

 

Pre-requisites:  Introductory Algebra or Pre-Test score of 40 or higher.

 

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:   

·       Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical operations.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the algebra concepts necessary for success in MATH 1311 College Algebra or higher.

 

Course Materials and Resources: 

 

 

 

 

Required Course Materials:

 

Optional or Recommended Course Materials:

  • Your textbook included a copy of the Hawkes Learning Systems:  Intermediate Algebra that can be installed on your personal computer system.  If you don’t have a computer, you can access the software in the AEC.  If you are having trouble, the tutors in the AEC will be able to help you.

 

AEC and Other Educational Support Resources: 

  • You will be required to spend an hour a week in the AEC.  You need to sign in on the AEC log-in computer and also sign in with the Intermediate Algebra tutor (don’t forget to sign out as well).  This will be included in your attendance quiz grade.

 

 

 

 

 

Course Policies:

           

 

 

Attendance:  You are required to attend all classes and labs.  If you miss three or more classes consecutively or you miss more than 5 classes and labs, together, you may be dropped from the class.  Being late three times will equal one absence.  If you have missed, or will miss, a class you need to contact me immediately!!  Being late or disrupting class will not be tolerated and can result in being dropped!!!

 

Grade Determination:                                                     +/- Grade System:

Exams 5                       50%                                         93-100              A

Final Exam                   15%                                         90-92                A-

HLS Certification           20%                                         87-89                B+

Attendance Quizzes      15%                                         83-86                B                                 

                                                                                    80-82                B-

77-79                C+

73-76                C

70-72                C-

67-69                D+

63-66                D

60-62                D-

0-59                 F

 

In order to pass this course you must earn a grade of C- or higher in the class.  Students who earn a grade of A- or higher in the class AND a score of 70% or higher on the final diagnostic test will have the opportunity to move straight into College Algebra from this course.
           

 

Make-up Work:  Make-up exams will only be given for excused absences and must be taken within one week of the exam date.  There are no make-ups for quizzes.

 

Academic Dishonesty:  Cheating will not be tolerated!!  If you are caught cheating on a quiz or exam your grade will be a zero with no possibility of makeup and you will be reported to the Dean of Student Services. 

 

 

Special Needs:     McMurry University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no otherwise qualified student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap”.  If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class and for which you may be requesting accommodation, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, located in Old Main Room 102.   Arrangements will be made for students needing special accommodations.

 

Major Projects, Required Activities, and Assignments:  

 

 

  • Homework:  All homework will be assigned during class.  Some assignments will be from the book, others will be to complete certification on the software.  You will be required to complete the homework and show all work or the certification before the start of the next class.  You must show all work in order to receive credit for the assignment.  Save all computer homework to your Z: drive.  You will be able to check your progress on the Hawkes progress report.

 

  • Quizzes:  You will be given an attendance quiz every class period.  Quizzes will take no more than 5 minutes and will be given promptly at the start of class.  If you arrive after the quiz you will not be allowed to make it up and you will receive a zero for that quiz.  There are no make-ups on quizzes.

 

  • Exams:  Exams will be closed book and no notes.  Each exam will cover all the material up to that point and the final exam will cover everything.  If you miss an exam, you need to notify me immediately and you will be given one class period to make up the test.

Tentative Course Schedule:

 

DEVS 0330 Intermediate Algebra

Amy Riordan

Fall 2007

 

TR:                                                                          MWF:

Date:

Sections:

Date:

Sections:

Date:

Sections:

8/28

Pretest

8/27

Pretest

10/22

5.4

8/30

1.1,1.2

8/29

1.1,1.2

10/24

Test #3

9/4

1.3,1.4

8/31

1.3,1.4

10/26

6.1,6.2

9/6

1.5,1.6

9/3

1.5,1.6

10/29

6.3,6.4

9/11

1.7,1.8,2.1

9/5

1.7,1.8

10/31

6.5

9/13

2.2,2.3

9/7

2.1,2.2

11/2

6.6

9/18

2.4,2.5

9/10

2.3

11/5

Test #4

9/20

Test #1

9/12

2.4

11/7

7.1

9/25

3.1,3.7

9/14

2.5

11/9

7.2

9/27

3.3-3.6,3.2

9/17

Test #1

11/12

7.3

10/2

4.1,4.2,4.3

9/19

3.1

11/14

7.4

10/4

4.4,4.5

9/21

3.7

11/16

8.1

10/9

4.6,4.7

9/24

3.3-3.6

11/19

8.3

10/11

Test #2

9/26

3.2

11/21

Holiday

10/16

5.1,5.2

9/28

4.1,4.2

11/23

Holiday

10/18

5.3,5.4

10/1

4.3

11/26

8.5

10/23

Test #3

10/3

4.4

11/28

Test #5

10/25

6.1,6.2

10/5

Homecoming

11/30

9.1,9.2

10/30

6.3,6.4

10/8

4.5

12/3

9.3-9.5

11/1

6.5,6.6

10/10

4.6,4.7

12/5

Review

11/6

Test #4

10/12

Test #2

12/7

Post Test

11/8

7.1,7.2

10/15

5.1

12/10-8:00

Finals-10:00

11/13

7.3,7.4

10/17

5.2

12/12-10:30

Finals-9:00

11/15

8.1,8.3

10/19

5.3

 

 

11/20

8.5

 

 

 

 

11/22

Holiday

 

 

 

 

11/27

Test #5

 

 

 

 

11/29

Review

 

 

 

 

12/4

Review

 

 

 

 

12/6

1st Post Test

 

 

 

 

12/11-8:00am

Final exam

 

 

 

 

** Remember that the class schedule is subject to change at any time.  You will be notified during class of any changes.

 

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

and their Linkage to

Program and University Goals and Outcomes.

 

 

DEVS 0330 Intermediate Algebra

 

Desired Student Learning Outcomes for this course

Linked to which departmental program goal(s)

Linked to which institutional goal(s)?

Types of evidence that might be used to demonstrate student achievement of objectives & goals

Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical operations.

DEVS: 2,3,4

Assessment Plan Outcome: 2

 

2,6,8

Quizzes, homework, exams

Demonstrate an understanding of the algebra concepts necessary for success in MATH 1311 College Algebra or higher.

DEVS: 1,2,3,4

Assessment Plan Outcome:  1,2

 

 

2,6,8

Quizzes, homework, exams.

C- or better in class and a 70 on the Post Test.

 

 

Institutional Goals:

 

2.      Students are equipped for successful careers and post-graduate education.

  1. Students will grow as whole persons – spiritually, emotionally, morally, intellectually, socially, and physically – in a community where these qualities are nurtured.

8.  The institution will engage in an ongoing pursuit of excellence in curricula, programs, and policies.

 

The Developmental Studies (DEVS) program is not a department.  It is a program consisting of five content based courses and one study skills course. 

Departmental goals:

 

  1. insure proper placement of students into courses appropriate for their skill level;
  2. provide pre-college level courses in the areas of mathematics, reading, and writing;
  3. work closely with AEC staff in order to provide tutorial support for students enrolled in DEVS courses;
  4. work closely with other departments to insure that DEVS curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to transition into college-level courses.

 

Intended outcomes for students in the DEVS program assessment plan:

1.   Students will be placed in the courses appropriate for their skill level.

2.   Students will acquire college level entry skills in mathematics.

3.   Students will acquire college level entry skills in writing.

4.   Students will acquire college level entry skills in reading.