MANOR COLLEGE

JENKINTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

 

_Sr. Monica Lesnick, Robert Hirsch                                                     ___Fall 2007____

            Instructor's Name                                                                        Semester/Year

 

Division office:  Allied Health/Science/Math    Office phone:  885-2360, ext. 223

Office hours:    ______________                              E-mail address:________________

                                                                                   

Course Number/Title/Credit Hours: MH090 / Basic Algebra / 0 credits

 

Course Description:

            A first course in Algebra. It introduces the beginning concepts of algebra and is appropriate for students with a weak background or no background in algebra. Topics include:  signed numbers, algebraic terminology, basis operations on algebraic expressions, exponents, solutions of linear equations and inequalities, simple factoring, simplification of radicals and word problems. It includes the use of a hand held calculator and provides a review of basic operations.  Passing this course qualifies a student to register for college level math courses with the following prerequisites:  Placement into College Level Math Course or passing grade in all required developmental math courses.

 

Philosophy of the Course:

            Success in many of the courses offered at Manor College depends on having in place appropriates basic algebraic skills. Is the intent of Basic Algebra to provide an appropriate review opportunity for students whose algebraic skills are not yet adequate for the College's curriculum requirements.

 

Course Objectives:

A student completing this course will:

1.         articulate an understanding of basic algebraic skills

2.         demonstrate competence in these skills by passing the course with a satisfactory rating.

3.         have algebra skills beyond those tested on the placement test to prepare a student to move onto higher level math classes

4.         This means the student will be able to:

             1)        correctly perform the basic four operations on real numbers

             2)        compute using percents

             3)        express word statements as algebraic statements

             4)        apply the properties of real numbers to algebraic expressions

             5)        evaluate expressions and formulae including those involving positive and negative exponents and radicals

             6)        add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials

             7)        solve simple linear equations

             8)        solve and graph inequalities

             9)        factor monomials and polynomial expressions

             10)      graph on a coordinate system

             11)      apply geometric principles of area, perimeter, volume, and measurement

             12)      solve word problems using the above skills

             13)      use a calculator to accomplish the above objectives                  

           

Student Outcomes:

1.         Outcome: Students will develop IL skills by logging onto the internet to access information pertinent to the course curriculum.

a)    Measure - Students will log onto the internet and locate a math site related to the course material. After reviewing the site, the student will use the appropriate bibliographic form (ex. MLA) to identify the site. They will write a short (5 to 6 sentences) paragraph describing the material. They will include an evaluation of the usefulness of the information in terms of complementing the course materials.

 

2.         Outcome: The student will be able to correctly evaluate a numerical expression based on order of operations. In view of the use of technology, students will be able to do this with or without a calculator.

a)      Measure- Given a numerical expression involving parenthesis, exponents,

multiplication, division, addition and subtraction, students will simplify the

according to order of operations.

 

3.         Outcome: Students will demonstrate competency in course material.

a)   Measure - Students will demonstrate competency in course material by completing the course with a satisfactory rating.

 

Outline of Course Content:

            Pre-Algebra Review (pgs. 1-53)

            Introduction to Real Numbers (1.1, 1.2)

            Properties of real numbers and operations on real numbers (1.3 to 1.8)

            TEST 1 and   Intro to solving simple equations (2.1, 2.2)

            Solving Simple equations and formulas (2.3, 2.4)

            Percents and Applications  ( 2.5, 2.6)

            Solving inequalities (2.7, 2.8)

            Chapter review and TEST 2

            Graphs and Applications ( 3.1, 3.2)

            Slope, Linear equations, graphing ( 3.3, 3.4, 3.5)

            Parallel and Perpendicular Lines, Graphing Inequalities ( 3.6, 3.7)

            TEST 3 and Exponents and Scientific Notation (4.1, 4.2)

            Operations on polynomials (4.3, 4.4, 4.5)

            Continuation of work on polynomials, including division (4.6., 4.7,  4.8)

            Review and FINAL

 

Approximately 3 hours of instructional time will be devoted to each of the topics listed above.

 

 

Approaches to Teaching:

            These objectives will be accomplished through lectures, classroom discussions and cooperative learning in problem solving situations. Periodic practice tests will be given to identify a weakness in arithmetic skills that are not covered in this course but are a part of the placement test. This will give the instructor a chance to supply individual students with needed supplemental work. A calculator is recommended.

                                                                                                                                               

Procedures for Evaluation and Grading:

Test 1……15%

Test 2……15%

Test 3……15%

Outcomes .15%

Final……40%

This is a Pass/Fail course.  You will receive a Satisfactory if you pass and an Unsatisfactory if you do not.

A student needs to earn a 70% overall average to pass this course.

Students who pass MH090 will be able to register for college level courses whose prerequisite reads: Placement into College Level Math Course or passing grade in all required developmental math courses.

 

Attendance:

            Students enrolled in this basic skills course are considered in need of the course work and consequently, are expected to attend all classes. Two to three points may be added to your final class average based on your attendance and participation.  If you are going to miss a class, contact the instructor. You are responsible for missed material.

 

Materials Used:

Text:     Bittinger, Marvin, Introductory Algebra, 10th edition

            Additson-Wesley, 2007     ISBN:  0-321-26947-0

Supplement:      Computer tutorials available in the Learning Center.

 

Academic Honesty College Policy:

            Manor College expects that its students will uphold the principles of truth and honesty in the performance of all academic work. Plagiarism (the unacknowledged use of another person's words or assistance) and academic cheating (falsifying data, submitting without instructor's approval work in one course which was done for another, actually doing another student's work, and/or the use of any unauthorized aid) are prohibited.

            Digital plagiarism (cutting, pasting and copying sections of an article written by another; downloading papers from a “paper mill” web site and submitting as work written by the student; utilizing any graphics or audio or video clips without permissions; and submitting any work with an electronic source without correct citation) is strictly prohibited and a violation of fair use and intellectual property rights.

            The Academic Dean will be formally notified of any violation of this policy. The penalty for the first violation will be a grade of F for the assignment. Any subsequent violations will result in a grade of F for the course and possible dismissal from the college.