Introductory Algebra (36-100)
Summer 1998
Course Syllabus

Contact information

Instructor:
   Doug Ensley
Office:
   MCT 185
Office hours:
   MW 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  TR  1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Phone:
   532-1477
E-mail:
   deensl@ship.edu
WWW:
   http://www.ship.edu/~deensl/

Tutoring hours and strategy for success

The Mathematics and Computer Science Department provides free walk-in tutoring in MCT 258 Monday through Thursday from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m.  Many students have found that an excellent way to succeed in math classes is to work on homework problems in or near during this time so that there is help available as questions arise.  This same strategy can work effectively simply by forming study groups and setting regular times to meet and do problems.  This format encourages regular out-of-class work on math problems, probably the most important factor toward success.

Course overview

    This course is application-oriented.  That is, we will develop mathematical tools as needed to solve specific problems.  In this process, we will address many of the tools from algebra like modeling with functions, solving linear and quadratic equations, and graphing.  Because this course is supposed to remediate these skills, there will be supplementary material to allow you to practice once we see why anyone would care about them in the first place.  Also a "skills" oriented pre-test and post-test will be given in order to validate the course in the context of the placement test that is responsible for you being here.  The two exams will reflect both textbook and supplementary material.

    There is also a "participation" aspect of your final grade.  The text we are using requires reading and thoughtful discussion as well as mathematical skills practice.  For each class meeting, a homework assignment will be given which will have two parts:  The first is a written assignment which must be turned in; the second is a discussion activity (such as finding articles in newspapers or looking up information in the library0) which will be the focus of the "participation" grade.

Textbook

Tentative course schedule

June 8:  Pre-test, Chapter 1, Chapter 2 June 10:  Chapter 3, Chapter 4
June 15:  Chapter 4, supplemental worksheet June 17:  Exam 1, Chapter 5, Chapter 6
June 22:  Chapter 6, supplemental worksheet June 24:  Chapter 7
June 29:  Chapter 7, Review July 1:  Exam 2, Chapter 9
July 6:  Chapter 10 July 8:  Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Post-test

Course grades

Homework total 100 points
Exam 1 + Exam 2 100 points
Pre-test + Post-test1 50 points
Participation2 50 points
TOTAL 300 points
 
    Letter grades for this course will be determined using the following scale:
 
Points (300 possible)
Letter
275 - 300
A
265 - 274
A-
255 - 264
B+
240 - 254
B
230 - 239
B-
220 - 229
C+
200 - 219
C
175 - 199
D

0 The Lehman Library hours are 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. most weekdays.  The exact hours are posted at http://www.ship.edu/~library/seasonal.htm#Summer Break
1 A higher score on the post-test will replace the pre-test score.
2 The philosophy is that everyone begins each evening with 5 points in this category and the ability to respond to questions, discuss problems or present assigned work are necessary to keep the 5 points.