-- COURSE   SYLLABUS --
MT001 -- Basic Mathematics

Delivery mode: Online study

Summer  2008

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



DESCRIPTION OF ONLINE STUDY

  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.

 

B. PROGRAM/GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:

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.