Course: Mat 101E Explorations in College Algebra
| Instructor: | Mrs. Lida McDowell |
| Office | Southern Hall, Rm 201 A |
| Office Phone | 601-266-5784 |
| Home Phone | 601-583-4868 |
| FAX | 601-266-5818 |
| lida.mcdowell@usm.edu | |
| Office hours | Mon, Wed, Fri: 10:00– 11:00
a.m. Tues, Thurs: 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. or by appointment |
Drop Date: Each student is expected to complete the course and do well. However, no one will be allowed to drop this class after Friday, March 3, 2006, the last day to drop a class without academic penalty unless the student is withdrawing from the University (all classes).
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra or MAT 099
Credit Hours: 3 semester hours
Intended student audience: Although basically the same topics are taught in the Mat 101E course and the regular Mat 101 course, the Mat 101E course offers students different approaches for learning. Through oral presentations, written summaries, small group discussions as well as individual written quizzes and tests, students with different learning styles and preferences are given opportunities to show what they know. This goal of this course is to adequately prepare students for future mathematics or other quantitatively based courses. The focus on real world applications makes this course particularly appealing to students in liberal arts, social science, elementary education and biological science.
Description: This course has been developed in an effort to replace the traditional
teacher-centered, passive, lecture format with a student-centered, active,
cooperative learning approach. The course has several unique features including
extensive use of real world data, a set of student explorations for small group
work, an anthology of readings, writing assignments, class presentations and
use of the TI-82/TI-83/TI-84 calculator to analyze data. Relating algebra topics
to real-world applications can make the subject more interesting for calculus-bound
students and more relevant for students seeking applied uses.
Learning Outcomes: Students in MAT 101E will:
• demonstrate fundamental mathematical and computer skills.
• demonstrate suitable reading, writing, and oral communication skills.
• demonstrate an understanding of how algebraic functions are used to model
phenomena in the
social, physical and life sciences.
• demonstrate an understanding of connections among mathematics and other
content areas.
• demonstrate knowledge of methods used to organize and analyze quantitative
data from the
physical and life sciences.
• demonstrate intellectual independence and analytical thought. They will
demonstrate the ability to
seek and evaluate information by asking questions, and to make judicious decisions
by basing
judgements on evidence.
• demonstrate the ability to think critically and to reason mathematically
and logically.
• demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively to accomplish a common
goal.
Course Objectives: At the end of instruction, the student should be able to:
• Describe patterns in single- and two-variable data.
•
Construct a “60-second summary to summarize data.
• Define functions, identify properties of functions, and represent functions
in
multiple ways.
• Use the language of functions to describe and create graphs.
• Calculate and interpret average rates of change.
• Understand how representations of data can be biased.
• Recognize that a constant rate of change denotes a linear relationship,
and that a constant
percent change denotes an exponential relationship.
• Construct a linear equation given a table, graph, or description.
• Derive by hand a linear model for a set of data.
• Construct, graph, interpret, and find solutions for systems of linear
equations.
• Use scientific notation and the rules of exponents to simplify expressions.
• Convert between English and metric units.
• Recognize the properties of exponential functions and their graphs.
• Derive by hand exponential functions to model growth and decay phenomena.
• Represent exponential functions using percentages, factors, or rates.
Required text: Kime, Linda A., Judith Clark, and Beverly K. Michael, Explorations in College Algebra, third edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2005.
Course policies:
1.) Since many projects will be cooperative group projects which are begun
in class, absences are especially hard to make up. Thus there is an attendance
policy in this class. Each student will be allowed one week of absences (3
absences in a MWF class; 2 absences in a TuTh or MonWed class). Any absences
beyond that (excused or unexcused) will result in your final grade being
lowered according to the following schedule. Any absence (over 3 absences)
will result in your final homework grade being lowered by 3 percentage points.
Attendance will be checked each day as soon as the bell rings. If you are
tardy, then it is YOUR responsibility to get the "absence" removed
THAT SAME DAY. Otherwise, the absence remains.
2.) The arrival of readily-available technology has changed the way mathematics (and many other subjects) can be taught. We will be using the TI-82/83/83plus/84 graphing calculator in this class throughout the semester, and I urge you to purchase one as soon as possible. This calculator is really a pocket computer and you will find this calculator useful in other science and math related courses. Skills learned in using the graphing calculator can be applied in computer programs such as spreadsheets. The excellent Graphing Calculator Manual includes basic instructions for using TI-graphing calculators and is coordinated with the chapters in the text. The manual can be downloaded from the Wiley web site, www.wiley.com/college/kimeclark
Choose the 3rd edition and click on Student Companion Site to reach the site listing available resources (including Graphing Calculator Manual). You should bring your calculator to class each day.
3) Discourteous and/or disrespectful behavior towards the instructor and/or your classmates will NOT be tolerated. If your behavior prompts repeated warnings, the Dean of Students will be notified, and efforts will be undertaken to dismiss you from the course with a failing grade. All cellular phones, pagers, and other electronic equipment must be turned off during class.
Resources:
1.) The text that we are using has been written for you to read. You will find
the tone of the text friendly and easy to follow. Get in the habit of reading
each section -before it is covered. You will also be assigned readings found
on the Wiley web site, www.wiley.com/college/kimeclark
Choose the 3rd edition and click on Student Companion Site to reach the site listing available resources (including Readings). To access Student Text Solutions, you must click on Instructor Companion Site, then choose the first occurring Student Text Solutions to reach the solutions for all Algebra Aerobics, CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING problems, and odd text exercises.
2.) Course software and data sets, along with the Graphing Calculator Manual mentioned above, can be found on the Wiley website www.wiley.com/college/kimeclark
3.) In addition, we have developed an Explorations in College Algebra web site with specific resources and information for students enrolled in this course at The University of Southern Mississippi. You may access this web site by going to the following URL. www.usm.edu/math101e/
4.) I look forward to helping you individually with this course. If my office hours are not convenient, I will arrange another time to meet with you. If you are having trouble, be certain to get help early in the semester. Help is available for college algebra students in the Math Learning Center (MLC) in Southern Hall 309). Times for MLC help sessions can be obtained by calling 601-266-4289. In addition, help may be obtained from tutors in the Student Support Services (SSS) Program in the large gray trailer behind Vann Hall. Times for SSS help sessions can be obtained by calling 601-266-6910.
Evaluation: Your grade will be
determined as follows:
| Assignment | Percentage of grade | Grading
Scale
|
|
| Homework | 15% | 90-100 | A
|
| Quizzes | 40% | 80-89 | B
|
| Presentations | 15% | 70-79 | C
|
| Final presentation | 5% | 60-69 | D
|
| Final Exam | 25% | 0-59 | F
|
Homework: It will be extremely important in this course that you do the homework regularly. Homework will be assigned in most every class and due usually at the beginning of the next class period. Late homework will not be accepted. Selected homework assignments will be graded. Each student may drop/miss one homework assignment. All assignments will require writing and reporting of findings as well as extensive use of the graphing calculator. eGrade Plus is an online tool providing skill-building questions from the Algebra Aerobics exercises in each chapter. Online homework will be assigned using eGrade Plus. Go to http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/class/cls13290/ to register and login to eGrade Plus using an assigned pincode.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be a reflection of your homework, and dates for quizzes will be announced one week in advance. Make-up quizzes will NOT be given but each student may drop/miss one quiz. I do not give makeup quizzes but I will try to be humane if you contact me BEFORE the quiz to discuss any emergency that arises. If a test or quiz conflicts with a University-approved activity, see me in advance to arrange an alternate, earlier testing time.
Diagnostic test: Each student will take a diagnostic algebra skills test, and must score 70% on this test in order to receive a passing grade for the course. (There are several forms of this test and the test may be repeated.) You may view a sample copy of the diagnostic test, and the diagnostic test with solutions on the Explorations in College Algebra web page. If, after taking this test in class, you do not make a passing grade, you must schedule a conference with me to discuss a plan for obtaining a passing grade on this test. In order to obtain a passing grade in this class, you need to pass this test BEFORE Wednesday, October 12, 2005. The diagnostic test will be counted as an in-class quiz. It is the responsibility of students not passing the diagnostic test to drop this course prior to the drop date, Friday, March 3, 2006.
Academic honesty: The following is from The University of Southern Mississippi
Undergraduate Bulletin:
“ When cheating is discovered, the faculty member may give the student
an F on the work involved or in the course. If further disciplinary action is
deemed
appropriate, the student should be reported to the Dean of Students.
In addition to being a violation of academic honesty, cheating violates the
Code of Student Conduct and may be grounds for probation, suspension, and/or
expulsion. Students on disciplinary suspension may not enroll in any courses
offered by the The University of Southern Mississippi.”
Students should understand that if they do not uphold the standards of academic
honesty, the instructor will enforce all applicable punishment.
Disabilities: If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact
the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate
policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning,
psychiatric, physical impairments, or chronic health disorders. Students can
contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability
qualifies. Address: The University of Southern Mississippi, Office for Disability
Accommodations, 118 College Drive # 8586, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001; Voice
Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232; FAX: (601) 266-6035. Individuals
with hearing
impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233
(TTY) or email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.