Volunteer State Community College

DSPM 0700

BASIC MATHEMATICS (3)
Fall, Spring, Summer Semesters

Description:

The NewSkills Basic Mathematics course is designed for the student who wants a flexible schedule and individualized help. Each student will spend at least 3 hours a week in the NewSkills center. This time will be spent doing computer work, working with an instructor, and taking tests. Since time is flexible, homework and tests are not scheduled on a set date. Deadlines are set for tests to ensure that a student will finish the course by the end of the semester. If you can not meet a deadline, talk to an instructor about getting back on track. The NewSkills center is open enough hours that any student may make up any missed work, get ahead, or get extra help in any difficult areas.

Section No.___________________________

Schedule__________________________

Instructor___________________________

Center Hours:

Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Telephone Numbers:

230-3676
230-3675
52-8600 Ext. 3761

Textbook/Required material:

Basic College Mathematics, Lial/Salzman/Hestwood and/or MyMathLab access. This textbook may be purchased in the campus bookstore or at off–campus sites where the course is offered. Make sure you have a textbook that has MyMathLab with it. If not, the MyMathLab access may be purchased on-line.

For those students who would rather have an on-line version of the book instead of the hardback version, you can purchase a packet at the bookstore, or you can purchase just an access code over the internet at . Earphones are required for watching videos in NewSkills.

Developmental Goals:

The developmental goal for this course is to provide to the student the information, training and practice in arithmetic that will enable the student to succeed in Elementary Algebra. If you complete all tests and the final before the end of the semester, you can start the elementary algebra course.

Developmental Outcomes:

As a result of this course students will have developed and demonstrated the arithmetic skills necessary for success in Elementary Algebra. Upon successful completion of DSPM 0700, students should:

1. Perform operations on fractions.
2. Perform operations on integers.
3. Evaluate numeric expressions involving powers and roots.
4. Use the distributive law to write equivalent expressions.
5. Evaluate numeric expressions using the order of operations.
6. Evaluate algebraic expressions when given values for the variables.
7. Solve linear equations in one variable involving two operations.
8. Write ratios, proportions, and solve proportions for an unknown value.
9. Determine the other equivalent forms of the number when given a fraction, decimal number, or percent.
10. Solve problems involving a percent.
11. Determine the area and perimeter (or circumference) of triangles, rectangles, and circles.
12. Determine the mean, median, mode, and range for given sets of data.
13. Interpret the meaning of bar, circle, or line graphs.
14. Determine equivalent measure of length, weight or mass, volume, or time within the same system when give either customary or metric units of measurement.
15. Write an equal number in standard notation when given a number in scientific notation and vice versa.
16. Solve real-world applications that are integrated throughout the course content.

Assessment:

A Student’s performance in DSPM 0700 is assessed on the basis of homework, quizzes, and the final exam. If a student does not do well on the first test, an assessment will be done to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Attendance:

If you miss your scheduled time in NewSkills, the NewSkills center is open enough hours that a student can make up time missed. Attendance will be recorded from the first day a student's name appears on the class roll. Attendance is kept by logging in at any computer. When logging in, be sure to click Basic Math Course.

Excused Absence for College Functions:

Students with an excused absence should notify their instructors and make arrangements to make up work.

Tests:

There will be 6 major tests and a comprehensive final exam. All tests will be taken in the center. No notes or book can be used. An instructor will go over the test with you, but no test will be given back to you.

Grades:

A student's performance in NewSkills DSPM 0700 is assessed on the basis of homework, major tests, and a comprehensive final exam. The major test grades (70 %), the final exam grade (20 %), and the homework grades (10 %) will be averaged to obtain the final numerical grade. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following intervals:

93.0-100 A
84.0-92 B
75.0-83 C
0-74 F or YC

Any student who does not make a 75 on any major test will need to get extra tutorial assistance and retest until the minimum competency level (75) is achieved before the student moves on to new material. A student who scores between 75 and 85 may opt to retest to improve their understanding of the material and to improve their grade.

Mid-Term Deficiencies:

At a certain date during the semester, the college requires all instructors to turn in those students’ names who are at risk of failing or not finishing the course. There is a calendar at the end of this syllabus. If you do not get all assigned work done by the last date to withdraw, you will get a deficiency notice. You will also get a call. Before doing anything, see an instructor about your options for this course.

The YC Grade

A student who makes acceptable progress in a course but fails to meet the established exit criteria may be assigned a non–punitive "progress" grade (YC). A student who receives a YC should register for and complete the course the following semester. The YC grade is restricted as follows: A student may be denied a YC grade if (1) (s)he has excessive absences (more than l0% of the class meetings) or (2) (s)he has previously attempted the same course. The YC grade is a reward for continued effort.

The I Grade:

A mark of I (incomplete) will be assigned only under unusual extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the instructor (requires permission of the Division Chairperson). In this case, all work must be completed by one week before the first day of final exams for the next semester, or the I will be changed to F.

Withdrawal (W):

See college catalog – “Adding and Dropping Courses.”

Cheating:

Anyone caught cheating will receive a grade of “F” in the course and may face other punitive measures.

Weather Policy:

If Vol State is officially open, this class will meet as scheduled, all assignments will be due, and any scheduled tests will be given. If Vol State is officially closed, all assignments or tests scheduled for that day are automatically rescheduled for the next regular class meeting.

Calculators:

The use of calculators is not permitted in Basic Mathematics until after Test II.

Notes:

• Please do not bring children to class.
• Please turn cell phones off.
• Please put pagers on vibrate.
• Please do not take food or drinks into the NewSkills Center.

ADA Statement:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the student's responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations. Disability Services is located in C206B. Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive these services.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. The College also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended and with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974. The commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of recruitment, employment and education of individuals at all levels throughout the College.

Math Lab:

A Math Lab (W-125) is also available. Additional lab time may be required as stated in the catalog course description.

Topical Outline:

The primary topics covered in this course are as follows:

1. Whole Numbers
2. Fractions and Mixed Numbers
3. Decimals, Graphs and Tables
4. Percents, Interest, Ratio and Proportionality
5. Measurement
6. Geometry
7. Statistics
8. Basic Algebra

Procedures for Basic Mathematics:

To complete this course this semester, it is important that you complete work on time. Your assignment guide has been set up by weeks to assist you. If you complete all the work for each week, you should finish this semester (there is a calendar at the end of this syllabus). If not, you will need to sign up for NewSkills Basic Math the next semester. During the next semester, you can finish Basic Math and begin your Elementary Algebra. If you finish the Elementary Algebra the next semester, we will see about waiving that requirement. On your Assignment Guide, there is a column for a check. As you complete the work, check it off. An instructor will look at this before giving a quiz or test. You may or may not see your instructor, but that instructor will be checking your progress.

How to work in NewSkills:

1. At a computer, sign in (that is how we take attendance). You will need your Vol State ID number. Basic Math Course is what you check for subject. (If you have Internet at home, you can do the MyMathLab there. PassKey lessons must be done at the center. If you do not have internet at home, all work must be done at NewSkills.)
2. Turn in your homework.
3. At a computer, do the lesson assignments for the next section/s on your Assignment Guide, or if all work has been completed, take a test
4. Do the homework for the section/s completed. If you have completed all assigned lessons for a section/s, you can work on your homework in NewSkills.
5. Check your Vol State student e-mail at least weekly. If you do not know how to do this, see one of us. This will be checked.

Lesson Assignments:

For each section from the book, one or more of the following should be completed: PASSKEY and/or MyMathLab. You will find these by clicking on the Basic Math icon.

PASSKEY- Click on the PASSKEY icon and type your first name and your Vol State ID access number. The correct lesson should come up. If not, see an instructor. There is a pre-test, tutorial, and post test. If you pass the pre-test, the next lesson should come up. If not, you will go through the tutorial and take a post test. If you do not pass the post test, see an instructor.

MyMathLab – Click on the icon. Your Id and password are required for MyMathLab. Your assignment guide will tell you what to do in MyMathLab.

Homework:

• Homework should be done after all lesson assignments have been done. If you are at home and the Center is open, call for help if needed. Put lesson number, section number/s, and your instructor’s name on your homework.
• Circle any problem/s you want shown how to work. Hand your homework in to the instructor to be graded. 5 problems will be graded for your homework grade.
• If you leave before your homework is graded, it will be put in your folder. Get it the next time you are in NewSkills.

Practice Tests:

Get one from an instructor. There is also a practice test in MyMathLab.

Tests and Final:

After the all work has been completed and graded, take the test. No notes. Instructors can not help you in working problems. You can ask for clarification about a problem.