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Elementary Algebra Syllabus

DSPM 0800
Elementary Algebra (3)
FALL, SPRING, SUMMER SEMESTERS

Description:

The NewSkills Elementary Algebra 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
In addition, NewSkills is open during semester breaks and spring and fall breaks.

Telephone Numbers:
230-3676 230-3675 452-8600 Ext. 3761

Prerequisite:

An acceptable placement score or DSPM 0700.

Textbook/Required material:

Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, K. Elayn Martin-Gay. This textbook may be purchased in the campus bookstore or at off‑campus sites where the course is offered. MathPro5 is in the package of some books purchased at the bookstore. MathPro5 is an internet connection to help at home. Earphones are also needed to listen to the videos.

Developmental Goals:

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

Developmental Outcomes:

As a result of this course students will have developed and demonstrated the skills necessary for success in Intermediate Algebra. Upon successful completion of DSPM 0890, students should:

  1. Simplify first-degree algebraic expressions.
  2. Create a table of values and a graph for given relations.
  3. Identify a function given the graph of a relation including the concepts of domain and range.
  4. Analyze the graph of linear functions identifying the x-intercept, y-intercept, and slope.
  5. Solve linear equations in one variable using multiple approaches – numeric, graphic, and algebraic.
  6. Solve linear absolute-value equations in one variable using multiple approaches.
  7. Graph linear equations in two variables by using ordered pairs, by using the intercepts, and by using the slope and the y-intercept.
  8. Determine whether two linear graphs are coinciding, parallel, or perpendicular by inspecting their corresponding equations.
  9. Write linear equations in two variables when given information about their graphs.
  10. Solve systems of linear equations graphically and algebraically (by using substitution and by using elimination).
  11. Solve linear inequalities in one variable.
  12. Graph linear inequalities in two variables.
  13. Solve systems of two linear inequalities in tow variables graphically.
  14. Solve formulas and literal equations for a specific variable.
  15. Solve geometric applications.
  16. Solve real-world applications that are integrated throughout the course content.

Assessment:

The DSPM 0800 course and the instructor are assessed by means of written evaluations by the students.

Attendance:

A student who misses 2 of the scheduled class times will receive a call and/or letter from an instructor. 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 Elementary Algebra 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 5 major tests (non‑cumulative) and a comprehensive final exam. All tests will be taken in the center. An instructor will go over the test with you, but no test will be given back to you. Final exams must be taken at the scheduled time and will not be returned to the student.

Grades:

A student's performance in DSPM 0800 is assessed on the basis of homework and quizzes, major tests, and a comprehensive final exam. The major test grades (60 %), the final exam grade (15 %), the homework grades (10 %), and the quiz grades (15 %) will be averaged to obtain the final numerical grade. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following intervals:

93.0-100 A
84.0-92.9 B
75.0-83.9 C
0-74.9 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, or (3) (s)he has a final average that is less than 50%. 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.

Withdrawl (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 Elementary Algebra until after Test I.

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 to class (or into the Math Lab).

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:

Extra help is available at any time that the NewSkills Center is open. 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. Simplifying Algebraic expressions
  2. Solve Linear equations-algebraic
  3. Solve Linear equations graphically
  4. Solve Absolute-value equations
  5. Problem solving
  6. Solving Linear inequalities-algebraic
  7. Solving Linear inequalities graphically
  8. Graphing
  9. Slope
  10. Equation of a line

Procedures for Elementary Algebra:

To complete this course this semester, it is important that you complete work on time. Your assignment guide has been set up by weeks. If you complete all the work for each week, you should finish this semester (a calendar to help you is at the end of this syllabus). If not, you will need to sign up for NewSkills Elementary Algebra the next semester and finish your work that semester. During the next semester, you can finish Elementary Algebra and begin your Intermediate Algebra. If you finish the Intermediate 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 on roll, 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. Intermediate Algebra Course is what you check for subject.
  2. Turn in your homework (go over any problems you want before turning in your homework).
  3. Take any quiz or test if ready.
  4. At a computer, do the assignments for the next section/s on your Assignment Guide.
  5. 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.
  6. 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, POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS, CD Lecture Series (MathPro5 for those who have it). You will find these by clicking on the Elementary Algebra 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.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS – Click on the icon and find the name of the lesson you will be viewing. If you have any questions or do not understand anything about the presentation, see an instructor.

CD Lecture Series – Get the disc from an instructor. Return to an instructor when you have finished viewing it.

MathPro5 – MathPro5 is the internet connection for the book. Read pages 2 and 3 of the book for installation instructions. To make this course easier to navigate through, you will need to read the instruction booklet. For section assignments, click on the chapter link within MathPro5. This will provide you with a list of the required assignments. Read pages 6 -19 in the instruction booklet.

Homework:

Homework should be done after all lesson assignments have been done. For sections completed, do the homework. If you are at home and the Center is open, call for help. On your homework, put the lesson number, section number/s, and your instructor’s name. Circle any problems you want to go over. 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.

Quizzes:

Do not take a quiz until all homework for those sections has been graded and gone over with you. See an instructor for a written quiz.

Practice Tests:

Get one from an instructor. There is also a practice test in MathPro5.

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.