Math 15: Pre-Algebra Palomar Community College Summer 2015 Instructor: Gina Sanders Contact: Phone: (760) 744-1150 x5440 Email: [email protected] Course Website: http://www.ginasmathclasses.com/math015 Office Hours: M 3:00-4:40pm, TTh 4:30-6:00pm Room P-2H Catalog Description: The basic arithmetic operations, integers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio and proportion, basic geometric concepts, problem-solving techniques, and an introduction to algebraic thinking. Class Meeting Time/Place: MTWTh 1:00 – 2:50 pm; NS 359 Textbook: Prealgebra 7th edition; Elayn Martin-Gay Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be proficient in arithmetic with integers, rational numbers, decimals and percents. They will be able to perform operations with variable and unknown quantities. Materials: You are required to have and bring to class every day a scientific calculator, a pencil or pen and paper for taking notes and quizzes. I recommend a TI-30 or TI-36 calculator. I will have loaner calculators available for the last two exams and the final. Calculators will not be allowed on the first three exams. Homework/ Participation: Homework will be assigned every class and collected each Thursday. Every week there are 10 homework/participation points available. They can consist of: completing and handing in your homework assignment; attending class and participating in group activities. Your 5 highest scores will be counted. No late homework will be accepted. Projects: There will be six projects handed out over the course of the semester. The projects are designed to reinforce concepts learned in class. For the projects, you will be required to apply the concepts you have learned. Projects will be due each Tuesday. Your lowest project score will be dropped. Late projects will NOT be accepted. Exams: There will be five regular exams and a comprehensive final. Exam dates are listed in the class schedule. Absolutely no makeup exams will be given for any reason whatsoever. Don't even ask. I will, however, replace you lowest exam score with the same grade you receive on the final. The final exam will be held July 23rd at 1:00 pm. If you do not take the final, your grade in the class will be an F, regardless of your other grades. Grading: 5 exams @ 100 points each = 500 points A 675 points or more Homework/Participation = 50 points B 600-674 points 5 projects @ 10 points each = 50 points C 525-599 points Final Exam = 150 points D 450-524 points Total = 750 points F Less than 450 points Drop Policy: Attendance in this class is required. If you miss more than two class meetings before June 22nd, I will drop you. If you stop attending class between June 22nd and July 9th, you may be dropped, but it is your responsibility to make sure you have been. If you don't, you may receive an F for the course. No drops are possible after July 9th. Disabled Students: Any student requiring special assistance due to a certified disability should meet with me before the end of class on June 17th to make any needed arrangements. Cheating Policy: The short story: Don't do it!! The long story: All students are responsible for upholding the principles of academic honesty. The principles of academic honesty, as set by Palomar, are at https://www.palomar.edu/facultysenate/ACADEMIC%20HONESTY.pdf . Incidents that involve suspected violations of these principles may face the assignment of a failing grade in a course and possible suspension from the college with a permanent notation on their academic record. Behavior: First, you are expected to treat me, and your fellow students, with respect at all times. Disruptive behavior or disrespectful language can result in a temporary or permanent expulsion from class, depending on the severity of the offense. If you are late, come in to class quietly and tell me during the break why you are late. If you do not, you will be marked absent. If you need to leave early, you need to tell me why before class begins, or you will be marked absent. All cell phones must be turned off before class begins. Expectations: Math 15 is the building block for every math class you have to take. It can be a very demanding class. You should expect to spend 2-3 hours doing homework and projects for each hour you spend in class. If you feel yourself falling behind, don't wait! Get help immediately. I will be happy to help either before or after class time. I highly encourage you to make use of the math lab, either at Escondido center or Palomar's main campus. In order to use the math lab, you will need to register for N BASC 204, class #51053, a zero unit, no cost class. In addition, group studying is highly recommended. You will be surprised how simply talking through the topics and exercises will increase your understanding! However, ALL assignments must be written up in your own words. Welcome to Math 15!