DVSM
102
Developmental Algebra
Syllabus
Instructor: Linda Beattie
email: beattie@cs.wnmu.edu
Telephone:
538-6268
fax: 505-538-6793
Office: Global Resource
Center Rm 211
Office Hours: 11:00 - 11:50
TR, 12:00 - 12:50 MWF
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a 3-credit hour introductory course in algebra for the student with little or no algebra background. However, competency in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and a basic knowledge of percents, is an important prerequisite! (Prerequisite: DSM 101 or appropriate placement test score.)
TEXTBOOK & OTHER MATERIALS: INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA: AN APPLIED
APPROACH, by Auffman / Barker (7th Ed);
Scientific calculator (required).
COURSE GOALS:
Students will:
Be prepared for their next level mathematics course or career path.
Become more confident in their ability to do mathematics.
Learn to value mathematics.
Become better mathematical problem-solvers.
Learn to reason mathematically.
Learn to communicate mathematically.
Have increased persistence in learning math.
Become familiar with technology used in mathematics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Chapters
1 - 5):
Perform operations with real numbers.
Evaluate algebraic and numerical expressions
Simplify variable expressions
Translate verbal expressions to variable expressions
Solve linear and quadratic equations
Graph lines on the Cartesian Coordinate System
Compute the equation/slope of a line
Perform operations with polynomials
Factor polynomials
Solve application problems
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance: In order to succeed in this class, regular attendance
is a necessity. The general attendance policy is outlined on page 45
of the WNMU catalog. In this class, you will begin with 5% extra credit
added on to your final grade. Each absence lowers this extra credit
by one point. (These are absences for any reason other than sanctioned
university travel for field trips or sports events. Notification of these
absences will be given in writing by your professor or coach.)
Homework, Quizzes: The only way you can learn mathematics is by practicing
it. Homework is your greatest learning tool. In this textbook,
the answer key to the exercise sets, called “Doing Mathematics”, contains
answers to ALL of the problems, not just the odd-numbered ones as in most
texts. Because homework is a LEARNING tool, it will not be given a
grade. I may periodically collect it to check on how well and completely
you are doing it, and give a grade for the general quality of your homework.
I will also give periodic quizzes after you have had a chance to do homework
problems, which I will grade. Something to Consider:
You might try doing the homework even though I don't grade it. It will
"greatly enhance" your chances of passing this course. The same goes
for attendance.
Tests: Tests will be given at the end of each chapter.
You may make up one missed test if it is done within one week. Missed
tests are initially recorded as a zero. At the end of the semester,
for all students, your lowest test grade will be replaced by the average
of all of the test grades, including zeros.
_________________________________________________________
Hints for making homework work
for you: You should always strive to complete homework assignments
the same day they are assigned to ensure that your review takes place as
soon after classroom learning as possible. Make sure you read your
assignment before you tackle your homework. In an effort to save time,
many students attempt to do their homework problems without reading the topic.
In the long run this turns out to be "penny-wise and pound foolish," because
they miss essential details and must start over. Nothing wastes more
time than to have to do something twice! So be methodical. Work
on all the problems assigned to you, and even more. The more problems
you work out, the more your confidence, competence and speed in doing math
will build. It may seem like a lot at first, but your increasing fluency
and self-esteem will reward you handsomely.
_____________________________________________________________
In college, for every hour spent in
class, an average of 2 hours out-of-class time is expected. That adds
up to about 6 hours of “homework/tutoring/reviewing/reading, etc.”
each week for this class! Work this time into your schedule!
Assessment & Grading:
• Tests:
65%
90 - 100 A
• Quizzes: 25%
80 89 B
Final Exam: 10%
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
Important Dates: • Last day to drop/add: Friday,
Sept 8
• Last day
to withdraw: Friday, Nov 3
Students with Specific Needs:
Any student with documented physical or learning disabilities may
receive appropriate accommodations as recommended by the Special Needs Program.
The director’s name is Karen Correa, and the office is located in JCB 212.
The phone number is 538-6138. It is not enough for a student to request
accommodations directly from the instructor if the student is not enrolled
with the SNP. The instructor is not obligated to assist the student
until the student has contacted the SNP and provided the necessary documentation.
When asking for accommodations, do not wait until the end of the semester.
Do not try to make it on your own without claiming your disability to the
SNP or instructor, fail, and then ask for a special grade at the end of the
semester. You must ask for accommodations in a timely manner so that
the instructor and other staff have time to prepare. If you think
you might have a disability, please visit the SNP. They can provide
guidance for you.
Proposed Schedule
(Monday-Wednesday-Friday Classes)
| Week | Dates | Monday | Wednesday | Friday |
| 1 | Aug 21-23-25 | Introduction | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| 2 | Aug 28-30-Sep 1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 3 | Sep 4-6-8 | Labor Day | Review | Test Chapter 1 |
| 4 | Sep 11-13-15 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| 5 | Sep 18-20-22 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| 6 | Sep 25-27-29 | 2.4 | Review | Test Chapter 2 |
| 7 | Oct 2-4-6 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 3.3 |
| 8 | Oct 9-11-13 | 3.3 | Review | Test Chapter 3 |
| 9 | Oct 16-18-20 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| 10 | Oct 23-25-27 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| 11 | Oct 30- Nov 1-3 | 5.5 | 5.5 | Review |
| 12 | Nov 6-8-10 | Test Chapter 5 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| 13 | Nov 13-15-1 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Nov 20-22-24 | Thanksgiving | No | Clas | |
| 14 | Nov 27-29- Dec 1 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| 15 | Dec 4-6-8 | Review | Test Chapter 6 | Tests Back Review |
| 16 | Dec 11 | Final Exam 10:00 am |
Proposed Schedule (Tuesday-Thursday Classes)
| Week | Dates | Tuesday | Thursday |
| 1 | Aug22-24 | Introduction | 1.1 1.2 |
| 2 | Aug 29-31 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| 3 | Sep5-7 | 1.5 | Test Chapter 1 |
| 4 | Sep12-14 | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| 5 | Sep 19-21 | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| 6 | Sep 26-28 | Review | Test Chapter 2 |
| 7 | Oct 3-5 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| 8 | Oct 10-12 | 3.3 | Test Chapter |
| 9 | Oct 17-19 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| 10 | Oct 24-26 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| 11 | Oct 31-Nov | 5.5 | Review |
| 12 | Nov 7-9 | Test Chapter 5 | 6. |
| 13 | Nov 14-16 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Nov 21-23 | Thanksgiving | Break | |
| 14 | Nov 28-30 | 6.4 | Review |
| 15 | Dec 5-7 | Test Chap 6 | Tests Back Review |
| 16 | Dec 14 | Final Exam |
|
| 9:30@8:00-9:30 am | |||
| 12:30@10:00-12:00pm |