Basic Mathematics DVSM 101- Syllabus |
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Western New Mexico University Course Syllabus DVSM 101 Basic Mathematics (3 credits) Spring Semester, 2008 – Classroom/online/WebCT
Instructor
Stanley P. Thompson
Email: (1) thompsons1@email.wnmu.edu (2) stan@shellmonster.com
Course Web Page: http://www.wnmu.edu (Select the WebCT link on The left-hand side of the browser and use your Mustang Express e-mail/password to log into the WebCT tool)
Instructor’s Personal Web Page: http://www.shellmonster.com. Information on your instructor may be found here.
Telephone Number: (575) 894-7485 (9 am to 5 pm MST, M-F)
Preferred Contact: Please contact via e-mail (1). Class Location and Format
This class is taught at the Gardner Learning Center, WNMU, Truth or Consequences, NM. It will also utilize an online, Internet-based course using WNMU’s WebCT tool.
Class Hours
Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m. (room to be assigned)
Class Web Site
The course website is located at http://www.wnmu.edu through WebCT
Course Description
This course provides a review of basic mathematical concepts, computations and problem solving for the student whose background in basic arithmetic skills needs strengthening. Calculators are permitted on all quizzes and tests. No prerequisites. Uses appropriate technology such as Microsoft Excel (a graphing calculator is not required, although a scientific calculator maybe necessary).
Required Textbook
Basic Mathmatics, 6th Ed., Charles P. McKeague.
Required Software
This is not an online course, but, there are some minimum hardware and software requirements to complete the course. For recommended operating system requirements and web browser compatibility, see http://www.wnmu.edu/webct/WebCT_Logon.htm.
For all browsers, JavaScript and cookies must be enabled. To use Chat, Java must also be enabled. Please see http://www.webct.com/tuneup for details on internet browser setups.
To complete this course, you will need or have access to the following software: a. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel (2000 or newer) b. Adobe Acrobat Reader® (free download at http://adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.) c. WinZip® (download at http://winzip.com ) or similar product. d. Use of WNMU’s WebCT tool (http://www.wnmu.edu.)
Textbooks and software may be purchased at the WNMU bookstore, in person or online via : http://www.wnmu.edu.) Or you may purchase via other online resources such as http://www.amazon.com or http://half.com.
Technical Support
If you are having technical problems with WebCT, you can contact free technical support through one of the following ways: a. Phone: (505) 538-6046 b. E-Mail: webct@WNMU.edu c. Web: http://www.wnmu.edu/webct/WebCT_Logon.htm
Any course content related questions should be directed to your assigned instructor. Please refer to thompsons1@cs.wnmu.edu. Or, contact your assigned instructor during class periods.
Course Goals - Student will:
Course Objectives - Student will:
Course Expectations
Students should expect to spend at least 6 hours per week on this course. This includes readings, viewing course content, completing homework assignments, posting to the discussion area, etc.
All announcements/changes/due dates will be given out in class or posted on WebCT: It is the student’s responsibility to check their WebCT account and course calendar for communications and changes to the course several times a week. A grade of failing (50%) will be given for assignments not completed by their due date. No late assignments or quizzes will be accepted.
Exams: Your instructor will provide exams and tests during class. They may also be available online.
Course Outline
Module 1:
Whole Numbers.
Objective: Become familiar with how to operate in the online WebCT environment and with course policies. Review fundamental definitions and notation and the whole numbers.
Reading: Ch. 1.1 – 1.2
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 2:
Whole Numbers (cont.)
Objective: Be introduced to the properties of whole numbers and the arithmetic with whole numbers including multiplication.
Reading: Ch. 1.3 – 1.5
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 3:
Whole Numbers (cont.)
Objective: Continue with the properties of whole numbers by introducing division. Exponents, order of operation and averages are presented, along with areas and volume computations.
Reading: Ch. 1.6 – 1.8
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 4:
Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Objective: Fractions and their properties are introduced. Prime numbers, factors, reducing to lowest terms, and multiplication with fractions are presented.
Reading: Ch. 2.1 – 2.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 1 test.
Module 5:
Fractions and Mixed Numbers (cont.)
Objective: Introduce division, addition and subtraction with fractions. Mixed- Number notation is presented.
Reading: Ch. 2.4 – 2.6
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 6:
Fractions and Mixed Numbers (cont.)
Objective: Introduce addition and subtraction with mixed numbers. Complex fractions are presented.
Reading: Ch. 2.7 – 2.9
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 7:
Decimals
Objective: To present decimal notation and place value. Addition and subtraction with decimals. Multiplication with decimals are introduced.
Reading: Ch. 3.1 – 3.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 2 test.
Module 8:
Decimals (cont.)
Objective: Continue with introducing division with decimals. Fraction and decimals along with square roots and the Pythagorean Theorem.
Reading: Ch. 3.4 – 3.6
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 9:
Ratio and Proportion
Objective: To discuss and apply properties of ratios. Rates and unit pricing, along with solving equations by division are presented.
Reading: Ch. 4.1 – 4.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 3 test.
Module 10:
Ratio and Proportion (cont.)
Objective: Introduce proportions, applications of proportions and similar figures.
Reading. Ch. 4.4 – 4.6
Assignment. See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 11:
No Class – Spring Break
Module 12
Percent
Objective: Percents, decimals and fractions will be discussed. Students will work applications involving basic percent.
Reading: Ch. 5.1 – 5.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 4 test.
Module 13
Percent (cont.)
Objective: To introduce sales tax and commissions, including percent increase/decrease and discount. Various charts using Excel will be presented.
Reading: Ch. 5.4 – 5.7
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 14
Measurement
Objective: Unit analysis of length, area and volume and weight will be introduced.
Reading: Ch. 6.1 – 6.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 5 test.
Module 15
Measurement (cont.)
Objective: Students will study how to convert between the two systems and temperature. Operations with time and mixed units will be presented.
Reading: Ch. 6.4 – 6.5
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 16
Introduction to Algebra
Objective: Positive and negative numbers, including their addition and subtraction will be presented.
Reading: Ch. 7.1 – 7.3
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments. Chapter 6 test.
Module 17
Introduction to Algebra (cont.)
Objective: Students continue the introduction to algebra by studying multiplication and division of negative numbers. Simplifying algebraic expressions will be introduced.
Reading: Ch. 7.4 – 7.6
Assignment: See handout on course schedule, reading and homework assignments.
Module 18
Final Examination Week
Objective: Students will be tested on their knowledge of material presented during class. The final examination will include all chapters presented.
Reading: None
Assignment: Final Exam.
Assessment and Grading Criteria
This is an developmental-level course with regular and firm deadlines.
Weekly Homework Assignments: You will be assigned homework each week, except for the week of Spring Break, and the final. Details on the homework can be found in the homework assignment sheet handed out in class and under the assignments icon of WebCT. Homework format will normally utilize Microsoft Excel workbooks (sheets). Examples will be posted on the WebCT course for you to study. You must submit your module (week) assignments by the end of each module (week) period to be considered for grading. Solutions will be posted in WebCT following the submission deadline and will be discussed in class. Normally, this will be in the following module (week). Homework is worth 450 total points or 45% of the final grade.
Weekly Discussion Topics: Discussions are, in essence, the equivalent of ‘class participation’ in an online course. The instructor will begin facilitation of these class discussions. Each discussion topic will last for one-week. Discussions start on Wednesday and will end on the following Tuesday (this conforms to our scheduled class period.
Please log into the class and participate in the discussion at least two times during the one-week window. You are expected to participate in all of the discussion topics presented during the semester.
Please take care in composing your discussion postings; the idea is to have a conversation with the instructor and other students in the class, much as you would in a face-to-face class. (The discussion area should not be a series of unrelated postings.) You are encouraged to share your ideas, ask questions, and comment/respond appropriately to other students’ comments. Discussion posts will not be graded (however, in a on-line course they will be.)
During the first two weeks of the course you will have an opportunity to interact casually with other students in the class to form virtual study groups. Students in this class often find it is essential to pair up with other students in the class to discuss homework assignments. However, submitted homework assignments are expected to by your own work.
There will also be a discussion area called the ‘Student Café.’ This is an area where you can post questions and ideas unrelated to formal discussion topics. This area is supposed to serve as an equivalent to questions you might ask informally before/after class or in the hallway if you were in a face-to-face class.
Please use the discussion area as your secondary way of asking questions regarding the class. Often other students will have the same questions, so it is a quicker and more efficient way for you to get your questions answered.
Mid-Term Examination: There will be no scheduled mid-term examination. However, chapter tests will be required. Chapter test are worth 300 points or 30% of your total grade.
Final Examination: The final examination may be an open-book examination and will encompass the whole course. As with all homework and chapter tests, no collaboration is allowed. Further details will be announced prior to this period. The weight of the final examination is 250 points or 25% of the final grade.
Letter grading: There are 1000 points available. Generally, scores equal to or above 90% -A, 80% - B, 70% - C, 60% - D and below 60% – F.
Course Evaluation
You will be asked to complete a mid-term and final course evaluation survey online for this course. There may also be an evaluation handed out during classroom periods. These surveys are completely anonymous and provide useful information to improve this course for next semester’s students. These surveys will be listed on the WebCT home page. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please ask the instructor.
Course Policies
Academic Integrity: Each student is expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in academic and professional manners. The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, against any student who is found guilty of academic dishonesty or otherwise fails to meet these standards.
Access to Education: Qualified students with disabilities needing appropriate academic adjustments should contact the instructor as soon as possible to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner. For information on assistive technology available for student use and additional information on services available through Student Accessibility Services, see http://www.wnmu.edu/Special%20Needs%202/specialneeds.htm.
Audit: A student may register for a course as an auditor, providing permission of the instructor is obtained. A student has the first four weeks of the semester to change a course to audit status. No changes in audit status will be processed after the fourth week of class. Students are charged the normal tuition rate for auditing a course.
Collaboration: Collaborate work, such as studying or discussing chapter assignments (not to include homework assignments) and materials with other class members, is highly encouraged. Students are encouraged to collaborate with each other using the WebCT e-mail discussion area tools. The discussion area called ‘Student Café’ is one place to share ideas with others in the class.
Copyright: All materials in this course fall under copyright laws and should not be downloaded, distributed, or used by students for any purposes outside of this course.
Privacy and WebCT Tracking Notice: WebCT or the course web site automatically records all students activities, including, your first and last access to the course, the pages you have accessed, the number of discussion messages you have read and sent, chat room discussion text, and posted discussion topics. This data is accessed by the instructor to evaluate class participation and to identify students having difficulty using WebCT features.
Incompletes, Withdrawals, and Drops: I give out incompletes only under extreme circumstances. If you are running into problems with the course, please contact me as early ass possible so you do not fall behind.
This course falls under all WNMU policies for last day to drop courses, etc. Please see http://www.wnmu.edu/student.htm or the WNMU Course Catalog for information on WNMU services and policies. Please see the WNMU academic calendar for course dates, the last day to drop courses without penalty, and for financial disenrollment dates.
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