Tennessee Wesleyan College Math 131 C Syllabus Spring 2016 I. Course: College Algebra, M131 C Location: Durham 303 Days/Time: MWF 1100-1150 Credit hours: 3 II. III. IV. Instructor: Dr. David J. Ashe Office: Townsend Bldg., Room 27 (Second Floor in the back) Phone: 423-252-1362 Email: dashe@twcnet.edu Webpage: http://www.twcnet.edu/dashe Office Hours: 1000 1050 MWF, 1500 1550 MWF, 1400 1530 TH, 1300 1350 W, or by appointment. Be aware that my office hours may change as the semester progresses. You can always check my current schedule which is posted outside my office door. Course Description: College Algebra (3 credit hours) This course focuses on solving equations, solving problems in the Cartesian plane, systems of equations and matrices, and solving applied problems. Not open to students who have completed M 141 or M 181. Prerequisite: ACT math-sub-score of 19, satisfactory completion of DSM 092 or M 100, or departmental recommendation based on Math Placement Exam. College Mission Statement: In keeping with the spirit of the liberal arts, Tennessee Wesleyan College seeks within the framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition to provide for students the highest quality educational experience, to promote personal responsibility, integrity, and purpose, and to prepare students for a life of leadership and service in an ever changing global community. V. College Wide Learning Outcomes: (Those specific to this course are in bold type) Use effectively the skills of reading, writing, and speaking. Recognize the issues that affect social and political behavior in their historical and cultural perspective. Recognize and analyze contributions of the arts and literature. Demonstrate mathematical computer skills, basic computer applications skills and demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method. Think critically and develop a basis for effective judgement. Access and evaluate information and its sources and use information effectively to accomplish a purpose.
VI. VII. VIII. Course Goals and Course Objective/Competences/Skills: Introduce students to college level algebra Enhance verbal and written communication skills appropriate to the discipline The extensive emphasis on applications and modeling will demonstrate the usefulness and applicability of mathematics in the world today Develop logical reasoning skills through analysis of problems and application of problems solving techniques Demonstrate problem solving proficiency both algebraically and graphically Prepare for additional course work requiring analytical skills Enhance the development of communication skills through opportunities to practice these skills Enhance appreciation for mathematics as an art and as a tool which is essential to the study of other disciplines Course Relationship to Major Program and Department or Institutional Purpose M 131 satisfies the ACR for several majors, excluding Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics majors. Teaches the elementary skills to help fulfill the college-wide objectives (in bold) that the students are able to demonstrate mathematical skills, and discover the impact of science and technology. Course Relationship to Content Area and Skills from the Education Matrices: Available upon request. IX. Text and Other Required Resources: Levitan, M. et al. (20011). College Algebra (6 th Edition). BVT Internet access is recommended so that you can make use of my webpage and the textbook website as well as other helpful math websites X. Schedule: Topics to be covered: Solving, Cartesian plane, Functions, Models, Systems of equations, Matrices and Matrix Algebra, and Linear Programming. XI. Additional Reading: None at present but may be subject to change as the semester moves along. XII. Methods of Instruction and Learning: This is a lecture based course with daily homework assignments, weekly quizzes, tests, and a final exam. The course is structured to encourage student engagement and questions with multiple opportunities for the
students to demonstrate their learning and knowledge gained within and outside the classroom. XIII. Course Requirements and Means of Evaluations Attendance: Attendance is expected. Failure to attend class often leads to poor performance and bad grades. Classroom Expectations: You are expected to abide by the College Honor System in keeping with the Honor Pledge, which reads: I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity. See the Classroom Expectations form that you signed. There is a copy of it on my webpage. Homework: Homework will be assigned but not collected. Any questions that you may have concerning the homework will be answered at the beginning of class or during office hours. Evaluations: Tests: There will be 4 tests (see Daily Schedule for this course.) worth 80 points each. There will be no make-up tests. If you are absent from a test due to TWC business, I will try to schedule a time with you that you can take the test outside our scheduled class. You must arrange the rescheduled time prior to your absence. I define a TWC business absence as an absence that is due to participating in a TWC event such as an athletic event, a TWC sponsored musical performance, etc If this ever applies to you, the event coordinator will provide documentation to you supporting the nature of your absence that you will then give to me. If you are absent from a test for a reason other than TWC business, you will receive a 0. The 0 will be replaced with the grade you make on the final exam. If you take all 4 tests, I will drop your lowest test and replace it with the grade you make on the final exam if this will improve your grade. Quizzes: We will have a weekly quiz worth 12 points each. Your 10 best quiz grades will used to determine your final grade. (120 points).
Final Exam: There is a cumulative final worth 120 points. It will also be used to replace the 0s from the tests you missed. It will also replace your lowest test grade if you took all 4 tests. You must take the cumulative final exam. If you fail to do so you will be given an F regardless of what your class average is. Grading Policy: If you feel that a test or quiz was graded inaccurately, you have 5 working days (7calendar days) from the day I return the test or quiz to appeal the grade. After that time has passed, the grade stands. Your grade will be determined as follows: 4 Tests @ 80 points each 320 points Grades: A > 504 10 Quizzes @ 12 points each 120 points B > 448 Final Exam @ 120 points 120 points C > 392 Total 560 points D > 336 Students with Disabilities: Any student who feels she/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact the Academic Success Center to discuss specific needs. Please contact Dr. Patsy Ging, Director of Learning Support Service for Students with Disabilities at x5237, or via email at pging@twcnet.edu. It is the students responsibility to make initial contact with one of the coordinators in the Academic Success Center. Coordinators: Dr. Patsy Ging/pging@twcnet.edu,, or Mr. John Gaston at jgaston@twcnet.edu Your final date and time is Monday, May 2 nd from 10:30 12:30. XIV. Assessment Measures for College-Wide Learning Outcomes: Learner Outcome Measurement Assessment 1. Use effectively the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Reading: Students will read the textbook, handouts and assignments Writing: Students will be expected to write clear and logical mathematical solutions. Speaking: Students will participate in class discussion and question and answer sessions during lecture. Listening: Students will attend class, participate in Each student will be evaluated in regards to their ability to communicate written mathematics clearly through tests and quizzes.
4. Demonstrate the mathematical and basic computer skills, and discover the impact of science and technology. 5. Think critically and develop a basis for effective judgment. lecture and exercises, and follow verbal instructions regarding homework, quizzes and other assignments. Mathematical Skills: Students will complete course work in College Algebra course covering topics such as Functions and Linear Models, Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices, Matrix Algebra and Applications, Linear Programming, Mathematics of Finance, Sets and Counting and an introduction to Probability. Discover the impact of Science and Technology: The project is designed to be an application of mathematics in the real world thus each student will be exposed the how math is used and its impact in science and a part of the world. Critical Thinking: Students will be assigned homework problems that will require them to use critical thinking skills. Develop a basis for effective judgment: The students should do their homework and they will see how this translates to the grades they receive. This gives them ample opportunity to develop effective judment. The students will be assessed on the effectiveness of these skills through scoring daily homework, quizzes, and exams. These assignments make up 100% of the students grade. The students will be assessed on the effectiveness of these skills through scoring weekly quizzes, tests, and a final exam. These assignments make up 100% of the students grade. XV. Clinical/Laboratory/Field-Based Experience: None
XVI. Qualifications: Available upon request. XVII. Prepared: December 9, 2015 by Dr. David Ashe