INSTRUCTOR SYLLABUS

MATH 101

BEGINNING ALGEBRA

INSTRUCTOR:   Anita Maxwell                        

TELEPHONE:      225-4716 (during office hours)

OFFICE:   1113

 

 

BASIC MATERIALS FOR THE COURSE:

 

 

1.      Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 2nd, K. Elayn/Martin-Gay, Prentice Hall, 2001

2.      Calculator

3.      A student solutions manual is also available, but it is not a required text.

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:

 

The student and the teacher have two significantly different roles in the educational system.  The teacher has the responsibility to prepare for class, answer questions, and present new material as clearly as possible.  The student must also be prepared to actively participate in class lectures and activities, and do the assignments necessary to learn the material.  In short, the teacher is responsible for guiding the learning process while the student must take full responsibility of his or her own learning.  Note that not all of the required material will be covered in the class.  Students will be required to study and understand concepts presented solely through the text. 

 

EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

 

Plan to spend at least two hours outside of class for each hour of class instruction.  Math requires continuous practice, and it is possible to fall behind rapidly.  Keep up with class activities and homework on a daily basis.  If you will not be able to make this time commitment, take this class at a later date.  Ask a question when something becomes unclear to you.  I do not get upset with students who drop by my office or stop me in the hall to ask questions.  However, I will not provide extended one-to-one tutoring.

 

CLASS PROCEDURE:

 

The class will consist of lectures, group activities, investigations, and problem‑solving.  Students are required to be active participants in the class by paying attention, asking and answering questions and participating in peer-group problem solving.

 

Good attendance is of utmost importance.  If a student misses a class, he/she is responsible for the material that was covered, and will be required to catch up on their own.   Missing class may also mean that the student forfeits any points relating to that day's class activities.

 


GRADING PROCEDURE AND POLICY:

 

A test will be given after most chapters, and it will be announced in advance.  Tests will be worth 100 points, and they will last the entire class hour.  A comprehensive final exam will be given and will be counted as two test scores.  The lowest test score will be dropped.  Homework, group work, written essays, and quizzes may be given.  All scores will be totaled and expressed in terms of the percent of points achieved per points possible.  The following grading scale will be used:

 

A = 100-89.5%;  B = 89.5-79.5%;  C = 79.5-67.0%;  D = 67.0-54.5%,  F = 54.5-0%

 

All tests will be taken in the classroom during the regular class period.  There will be NO post-test make-up examinations.  If you know you cannot make it for a test, consult with me about the possibility of taking the exam early.  I do not feel it is fair to the class for any student to have extra time to study for a test.

 

Mathematics Faculty Expectations of all Students;

 

The Mathematics Faculty believes that all students should have an equal opportunity to learn. In order to achieve this goal all students are expected to exhibit respectful behavior to other students and to the instructor.  Please observe the following specific guidelines.

 

CHEATING:  Unless specifically announced otherwise, all tests will be closed book with no use of notes allowed.  Use of these materials or receiving or giving aid during an exam will result in a zero grade on that exam and may result in being suspended from the course.  This zero score will count in the final grade determination. 

 

FINAL EXAM:  A final exam and /or regular class activity will be conducted during the scheduled final exam period, and all students will be expected to attend.  Failure to attend during the final exam period will result in an “F” grade for the course unless special arrangements have been made in advance with the instructor.

 

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION:  No class taught by mathematics faculty is eligible for credit by “credit by examination.” 

 

GUESTS/CHILDREN/PETS:  Only authorized persons are allowed in the classrooms.  Children will not be allowed in the classrooms or the learning center.  Children should not be left unattended in the hallway.  If a student needs assistance with childcare during class time, please contact the EOPS office.  EOPS may be able to help with long-term day care; however, it does not provide day-care service on a drop-in basis.  No pets (with the exception of those which aid a physically challenged individual) are allowed in the 1100 building. 

 

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR:  A student may be suspended from the class if he or she engages in a classroom behavior that interferes with the learning environment.  Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, disruptive conversations with fellow students, regular tardiness, leaving the classroom during class time, and eating or drinking in class.  Students are expected to turn off all pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices during class time.

 

ATTENDANCE:   Students are expected to attend all class meetings.  A student who fails to attend the first meeting of a course without notifying the instructor may be dropped from the class.  In addition, an instructor may drop a student for excessive absences.  Nevertheless, it is always the student’s responsibility to officially drop or withdraw from the class.  Students, who fail to file the necessary forms, even though they stop attending class, will be assigned a course grade. 

 

Note:  This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

 

R/10/02