Delaware County Community College

Spring 2008

 

MAT 060

Developmental Mathematics

Individualized Instruction

 

Instructor

Larry G. Arrington, Jr., M.Ed.

Assistant Dean of Math, Science, and Engineering

610-355-7150

larringt@dccc.edu

http://faculty.dccc.edu/~larringt

Course Details

Course:          MAT 060       

Section:          53

Location:        AB 1180 (MSLC)         

Day:                WED              

Time:             6:00 -9:00 PM

 

Notes:

AB = Academic Building

MSLC = Math/Science Learning Center

SRG = Student Resource Guide

DCCC evening snow closing # is 2470.

 

Description

This course is designed to prepare students for mathematics courses in the college transfer curricula and for Technical Mathematics I. It involves the study of elementary algebra through quadratics.  The course is offered using either an individualized instruction approach or a classroom lecture approach.

 

Prerequisite

MAT 040 (Basic Mathematics) or its equivalent; or the appropriate score on the mathematics placement test.

 

Learning Goals

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:  1) add, subtract, multiply and divide signed numbers, polynomials, rational expressions and radicals; 2) solve first-degree equations and inequalities in one variable; 3) graph a first-degree equation in two variables; 4) solve literal equations for the indicated variables; 5) factor polynomials and 6) solve rational equations, 2 x 2 system of equations and quadratic equations.

 

Required Textbooks

 

Introductory Algebra,10th Edition by Marvin L. Bittinger, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2007.

 

MAT 060 Developmental Mathematics Student Resource Guide, 4th Edition, by Samoylo, Russo, and Kirschman, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2007.

Note: You are required to purchase the textbook in order to use the computer software associated with this course.

 

Calculators

The use of a calculator is not permitted for this course.

 

Course Procedures for Individualized MAT 060

 

ü  This course covers all nine chapters of the textbook (Chapter 6 is divided into Parts 1 and 2).  For each chapter, you will take a pre-test to determine what you already know and what you need to learn in that chapter.  If you score 85% or more on the pre-test and both you and the instructor mutually believe that this score indicates that you are confident with the material in that chapter, you may move on to the subsequent chapter. 

 

ü  If you score less than 85% on the chapter pre-test, you will note the objectives associated with the items you answered incorrectly (information will be provided by the MSLC Staff), follow the instructions in the Student Resource Guide (SRG) for those objectives in order to learn the material, and then take the practice test in the SRG at the end of the chapter.  After correcting the practice test and reviewing the test with your instructor, you may be given permission to take the chapter post-test or you may be asked to do additional work first.  Once you are given permission and you take the post-test, you must score 75% or higher in order to move to the next chapter.  For all post-test scores less than 75%, you will review your work with the instructor.  You have up to three chances to pass the post-test with 75% or above.

 

ü  See the MAT 060 Pacing Schedule available in the Math/Science Learning Center for information on suggested pacing (how much time you should spend on each chapter and when you should be moving on to next chapter).

 

ü  After you have passed all nine chapters by scoring 85% or more on pre-tests and/or scoring 75% or more on post-tests, you will begin to prepare for the final exam by reviewing the covered chapters, completing the SRG Practice Final, and working with the instructor as needed. 

 

ü  When you are ready, you will take the MSLC Practice Final in the testing area and grade it yourself using the Answer Key provided at the main desk.  Copy down those problems you answered incorrectly along with their solutions and study them again in preparation for the final exam.  You may take the MSLC Practice Final as many times as you wish, but you must score 75% or better in order for me to grant permission for the actual Final Exam. 

 

ü  You must have written permission to take all pre-tests, all post-tests, the MSLC Practice Final, and the final exam.

 

Final Course Grade

 

Your final course grade is strictly based on your final exam score (no other score/grade in this course is used to calculate your final course grade).  An equivalent grade will be awarded as follows:

 

Final Grade

HP (High Pass)

P (Pass)

IP (In Progress)

NP (Non-Pass)

W (Withdraw)

Criteria

85 or above on final exam.

70 – 84 on final exam.

Completion of at least first 5 chapters and good attendance.

Below 70 on final exam or little/no progress (less than 5 chapters completed).

Students may withdraw themselves from course by Nov. 2, 2007.  If you are absent 2 or more times, you are at risk of being withdrawn by the instructor for poor attendance.

 

Students with Disabilities

Students with physical and/or learning disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations in this course. Please contact the Director of Special Needs Services, AB Room 1325, Career and Counseling Center, (610) 325-2748 for more information.

 

Attendance

It will be to your advantage to attend every scheduled class session.  However, one (1) absence is permitted without penalty.  If you are absent 2 or more times, you are at risk of being withdrawn by the instructor for poor attendance.  Although this class is offered in the Individualized Instruction format, the class period begins promptly at 6:00 PM and ends at 9:00 PM.  You must stay in class until 8:45 PM.  Late arrival and/or early departure may result in you being marked “absent”.

 

Academic Honesty

Any student caught cheating or assisting another student in cheating will receive an “NP” on the assignment in question and may be in danger of receiving a “NP” for this course.  Any repeat offenses will result in an automatic assignment of the “NP” grade for the course.  You may appeal any accusation of academic dishonesty by following the procedures outlined under STUDENT COMPLAINTS in page 59 of the student handbook.

Miscellaneous Policies / Procedures / Information

 

·         You should come to class prepared (with textbooks, notebook, ready to ask questions, etc.).

·         For tests and exams: you must use and submit scratch paper along with test, all books and notes away, follow MSLC rules for testing.

·         Classroom conduct: help maintain a learning environment in the MSLC by avoiding unnecessary talking, turn off pagers and cell phones or use vibrate mode, no eating, be courteous/respectful to instructor and classmates.  If there is some reason that you should not turn off a pager or cell phone, please discuss with me in advance so that the appropriate arrangements can be made.

·         Spring Break: no class on WED 3/19/08.

·         Last day for student withdraws is FRI 4/4/08.

·         Last day of class is WED 5/7/08.

·         Last day for chapter tests (chapters 1 through 9) is MON 5/12/08.

·         Last day to take Final Exam is WED 5/14/08 (I will be in the MSLC from 6 to 9 PM on WED 5/14/08 to answer questions and distribute Final Exam permission slips).

 

Resources for Success in MAT 060

 

Interact Math

 

www.interactmath.com (choose the textbook, chapter, objective, and problem). See the SRG for more information.

 

Digital Video Tutor

 

Please note that all CD numbers should be increased by 1 (Ex.: CD 2 should be CD 3).

 

MSLC

 

Tutoring assistance is available for MAT 060 students.  Inquire at the main desk.

 

MyMathLab (provided by textbook publisher at www.coursecompass.com)

 

Requires MyMathLab access kit.  Provides access to videos and other material.  Go to www.coursecompass.com, click STUDENTS/REGISTER button, and use access code from kit and course ID code (arrington34663) to create your account.