The 2008 Summer Session 1 begins on Tuesday 5/27/08 and ends on Thursday 7/3/08.
The 2008 Summer Session 2 begins on Monday 7/7/08 and ends on Thursday 8/14/08.

Instructor: -- M. Alsani --

Office: K149D - mailboxes are located in K249

Office Hours: by prior appointment.

Phone: 851-1324

E-mail: alsani@ecc.edu (for Local Users). Please use the "Email" feature within ANGEL.

Homepage: http://north.ecc.edu/alsani

• TEXTBOOK: BASIC COLL MATH & MATHXL & S/STUDY PK PKG (PKG), 5^th Ed;
  by: Tobey/Slater;  Published by Prentice Hall;    Bundle ISBN:0131698877
  
  
  Supplies- Scientific Calculator - does not need to be a graphing calculator.

  This course is designed to be delivered online using the course management system ANGEL at (angel.ecc.edu). However, if in addition to the textbook you want to use the program MathXL as an extra study aid or resource, then you have to purchase a new textbook packaged with a MathXL Student Access Kit from the ECC-north bookstore; and then you need to register for an account with http://MATHXL.COM using MathXL Student Access Code. The access code is free with the purchase of a new textbook. If you do so, please emial me so I can send you information on how to proceed in registering for an account with http://MATHXL.COM. The MathXL program is optional and is not required.

• Greetings!  I take this opportunity to welcome you to MT001 -- Basic Mathematics. The course is designed for students who want to review and improve their basic mathematics skills before starting MATH 013 or MATH 006. Topics will include: integers, fractions, decimals, ratios & proportions, percent, measurement, geometry, signed numbers, simple linear equations, and basic calculator skills.

  MATH 001 is a five-hour institutional credit course. The credit hours do not apply toward graduation or to GPA, but do count toward enrollment status for such purposes as financial aid eligibility and full-time student status.

  This online class is ideal for those students who live far from a campus or who have schedules that do not permit them to attend classes regularly. However, since there are no structured class periods, you will need to be self-motivated and able to work independently in a less structured learning environment. Online courses offer the same material as a lecture based class. There is no difference in WHAT you are expected to learn. It is the WAY you learn that is different. With online study, you study independently following a schedule. Certain computer skills and a degree of determination (no procrastination) are necessary to be successful. Of course, students must have ready access to the Internet. An outside email address is not required. Please use the internal email of the system ANGEL to communicate with me or other students in the class.

  IMPORTANT: This is not a self-paced course. Students are expected to keep up with the schedule posted in the Angel calendar. Project planning, time management, and contingency planning are essential in all professional activity, not just academic coursework. Consequently, all assignments submitted after the deadline will receive zero points.

  I hope that your experience here will be pleasant and productive. I shall try to do my part; however, as is true at all levels of study, the student must do the hard work of learning. All learning of significant knowledge requires considerable effort on the part of the learner. With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process. I assume you will put forth an honest effort in this class. By this I mean that you will keep in contact with the course websites and your instructor, that you will try to do the homework, that you will seek help on those problems you can't do, (If you've seriously worked on a problem for 15 minutes without getting it, then it's time to get help. More than that is a waste of your time. Less than that doesn't give you a real chance to do it yourself). Studying requires discipline, tenacity, and hard work. Do not get behind.
  
  

  I hope this syllabus answered many questions about the class. If questions or other concerns arise, do not hesitate to contact me and ask. Please use the "Email" feature within ANGEL.

  ---

   

• COURSE TOPICS and ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING:

  The following conceptual structure will be used to organize the course:

  Page	Chapter	Topic
  1	Chapter 1	WHOLE NUMBERS.
  109	Chapter 2	FRACTIONS.
  571	Chapter 9	SIGNED NUMBERS.
  537	Chapter 10	INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA.
  MIDTERM (Chapter 1, 2, 9 and 10)
  203	Chapter 3	DECIMALS.
  269	Chapter 4	RATIO AND PROPORTION.
  311	Chapter 5	PERCENT.
  373	Chapter 6	MEASUREMENT (If time allows).
  425	Chapter 7	GEOMETRY.
  Final Cumulative Exam

   

  The course grade is based on 100%, obtained as follows:
  
  
  

  Assessment component	Percent
  Online Assignments (via ANGEL)	40%
  MIDTERM cumulative exam	20%
  FINAL cumulative exam	30%
  Online Participation	10%

  The following Grade Distribution will be used:

  A: 90% - 100%

  B: 80% - 89%

  C: 70% - 79%

  F: below 70% NO EXTRA CREDIT

   

  There are NO makeup exams in this course without a documented reason. If you miss an exam you will receive a zero for that exam. Calculators are NOT allowed in the MIDTERM and before the MIDTERM, but they are allowed after the MIDTERM and in the FINAL.

  Knowledge of mathematics and competency with mathematical principles are key requirements for success in many programs and in many careers. In addition, mathematics is a cumulative science in which new results are built upon and depend on earlier results; that is, a student must be knowledgeable in one level before proceeding to the next higher level. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that the learner should reach proficiency without recourse to the book or notes. If the book or notes are necessary, then the technique has not been mastered. A passing grade for the course will be given for an average of 70% or above.

1. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: This course is designed to be delivered online using the course management system ANGEL at (angel.ecc.edu) with the program MathXL as an optional extra study aid. When you enter your course, your weekly required and/or graded activities can be found by clicking the "Seminar" tab located at the top of Angel's screen. Please visit the "Seminar" area and then click on Seminar One and you will see the directions to the required assignments and activities for seminar one. Please take note of the due dates, and begin working.

   Note: The "Seminar" area will include six seminar folders. Each folder contains all the activities students need for that seminar. Initially, seminars 2 - 6 are unavailable. Each will become available on its availability date.
   
   

2. Late Assignment Policy: Project planning, time management, and contingency planning are essential in all professional activity, not just academic coursework. Consequently, all assignments submitted after the deadline will receive zero points.
   
   
3. Participation Policy: Each student is expected to participate in the virtual classroom five days during each seminar period. I strongly encourage students to participate more than that during the course.

   Participation is measured on the student’s interaction and contribution with the course and other students as demonstrated through active involvement on the virtual classroom discussion board. A student’s contribution must add value to the course. A discussion board posting is determined to be of substance by containing information that supplements, contradicts, questions, or furthers discussion on a subject area contained in the course. Additionally, it is expected that student participation reflects critical thinking and good grammar.
   
   

4. Attendance Policy: Attendance is reported on a weekly basis. Attendance is defined as submission of any assignment or discussion board posting. A student not attending within the first week will be dropped from the course.
   
   
5. WITHDRAWAL: Students can withdraw by going to the Registrar Office in person. In the event that you have to withdraw, the grade that appears on your transcript will be a "W".
   If you stop going to classes, and you do not withdraw, the grade that appears on your transcript will be an "F".



6. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Disabled Students Services' Office (room S-217, phone 851-1495 ) for further information. Students are encouraged to bring information about accommodations to this instructor as early in the semester to avoid any delay in implementing accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive.



7. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with others. You will have to take all quizzes and exams on your own. Violations of this policy will be dealt with in a manner consistent with College guidelines.



8. HELP: It can be found in the mathematics-learning center in D110, by library. You can also call, email me, or stop by my office. Please use the "Email" feature within ANGEL.

   Tips for Distance-education Learners: Online learning requires self-discipline, commitment, motivation, and a serious investment of time. Self-Direction: Keeping studies on track requires self-direction and organization. Time Commitments: Online classes offer more flexibility about how and when you use your time, but they do not require less time than face-to-face classes. Realistically asses your family, work, and other commitments. A few simple Strategies for managing course-related stress include: Know your deadlines. These include course deadlines as well as deadlines and important events occurring elsewhere in your life while you are enrolled in the course. Plan ahead. If you know that your time will be consumed by a non-course-related activity during a particular week, do your course-related activities ahead of time. Ask for help resources, especially technological resources, and have them at hand when you are working in your course. Keep in touch with your instructor. If you do fall behind, let your instructor know immediately, and ask him for assistance in planning how you will catch up. Since this is an online course, expect slowdowns on the Internet especially during peak "traffic" times. There may be times when the "server" is down unexpectedly. These delays are common when working on the computer. You are working with a machine and technical difficulties are to be expected. If you are using a telephone internet connection, you may find connections are especially slow. Stay ahead by adhering to the suggested schedule.

   
   
   
9. One final note: Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether students are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in the online paradigm. If a student is experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), he or she must communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.

Other MT001 Information

A. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

(C, N, S)    (5,0)    Non-Credit
A developmental course designed to improve the confidence, study habits, and basic skills necessary for subsequent mathematics or related coursework. Topics will include: whole numbers (exponents, primes, factors), rational numbers (ratios, proportions), decimals (percents, square roots), measurements (US and metric), simple geometry and formulas, integers, operations with simple algebraic expressions, and equations and applications related to each topic. This course does not apply toward an Associate Degree.

• To read critically.
  Related course objectives: 11, 13, and 15
• To apply appropriate mathematical procedures and quantitative methods.
  Related course objectives: 1 - 10, and 14
• To identify and logically analyze problems and issues and to propose and evaluate solutions.
  Related course objectives: 11-15
• To demonstrate awareness of interdisciplinary nature of knowledge.
  Related course objectives: 13

C. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completing MT001, a student will be able to:

1. Perform basic computations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and integers.
2. Apply the rules for divisibility by 2, 3, and 5 when writing the prime factors of whole numbers.
3. Convert fractions, decimals, and percents from one form to another.
4. Convert between metric and U.S. systems of measurement.
5. Apply the rules for rounding-off when estimating appropriate answers.
6. Apply the order of operations to evaluate arithmetic expressions.
7. Represent a comparison of data in ratio form and solve proportions.
8. Analyze and solve everyday problems that involve unit pricing, rate of discount, and sales tax.
9. Perform arithmetic of integers.
10. Solve simple linear equations involving one or two operations.
11. Demonstrate a "sense of numbers" by determining if a mathematical solution is "reasonable."
12. Present organized written work and show a check to avoid careless mistakes.
13. Perform mental arithmetic and use a calculator effectively, where applicable.
14. Perform mental arithmetic and use a calculator effectively, when appropriate.
15. Read critically and think logically when solving word problems that involve whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.
16. Technology Objectives:
    1. Use the arithmetic operations on the scientific calculator to solve applied problems.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the keys:
       
    3. Demonstrate understanding of order of operations on the scientific calculator.