Instructor's information:

Name: Frieda Nilforoushan

Office: CSN Charleston Campus, Building H, Room 101

Phone: 651-5861

Office hours: T, TR: 10:30 am - 11:00 am and T, TR: 1 pm - 1:30: pm. Note: These hours are in effect from August 31-December 10, 2009.

Course information:

Title/ Number: Pre Algebra / Math 93

Sections, times, & meeting room: Section-803, TR 11:00 am-12:20 pm, WC-Building I, room 307

Textbook: Pre-Algebra by Wyatt, edition 5

Prerequisite: Placement test or Math 91 with a grade of C or better, or equivalent. This course is not transferable.

Course objectives:

a. Manipulate whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.

b. Use order of operations.

c. Simplify algebraic expressions.

d. Manipulate signed numbers.

e. Solve relatively simple linear equations.

f. Graph ordered pairs on a coordinate axis.

g. Graph simple linear equations in two variables on a coordinate axis.

h. Obtain area and perimeter of simple geometric shapes.

i. Apply and extend concepts.

Course outline:

Ch. 1 Sections 1.1-1.6

Ch. 2a Sections 2a.1-2a.5

Ch. 2b Sections 2b.1-2b.7

Ch. 3 Sections 3.1-3.5

Ch. 4 Sections 4.1-4.5

Ch. 5 Sections 5.1- 5.4

Ch. 6 Sections 6.1- 6.3

Ch. 7 Sections 7.1- 7.2

GRADING

Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly.  It is very important that you do your homework before the next session, and ask any question on any material from the homework that you don’t understand.  You will have quizzes and worksheets consisting of problems similar to your homework. I do not collect homework during the semester. However, you can keep a homework notebook and turn them in one week before the semester is over, and earn up to 40 points. You have to show your work for each problem completely and neatly. You must write the following information on top of each homework assignment in your notebook:
Last name-first name

Chapter-section (ch.3-1)

Page number

This homework notebook should not include your class notes. Use a separate notebook for your class notes.

Quizzes: There will be six to seven chapter quizzes. There will be no make-up quizzes for any reason.

Exam: There will be two exams, a mid-term exam @ 200 points, and a comprehensive final exam @ 200 points. In order to receive full credit on quizzes, group works, and exams, you must follow the listed guidelines:

a. Must print your last and first name (in that order) in the upper left-hand corner of the first page.

b. Must show all necessary work neatly.

c. All pages must be stapled together.

NOTE: One point will be taken off every time you miss any of the above guidelines.

Grade Calculations: Your course grade will be computed based on a point system. The total of all the points you earn throughout the semester determines your final grade. To calculate your grade at any time during the semester, simply, divide the total number of points you have obtained by the total number of points possible and multiply the result by 100. Then the percentage grade will be converted to a letter grade, using the following scale:

Grade scales

NOTE: YOU MUST RECEIVE AT LEAST 60% ON THE FINAL EXAM TO RECEIVE A GRADE OF A, B, OR C. (THUS FAILURE IN GETTING AT LEAST 60% ON THE FINAL LIMITS YOUR GRADE TO D OR F.)

Final grading adjustments are left to the instructor. Determining factors are attitude, class participation, and attendance.

Learning resources:

The responsibility for learning rests squarely on your shoulder as a student. Nobody can learn for you. The best way to learn math to read your textbook, do the examples, attend class, take notes, do your homework on time, spend a significant amount of time to think about problems and figuring out your mistakes. Then in the process if you need help the following learning resources are available.

a. Instructor available via office hours.                                       

b. Free tutoring from Tutorial Services (one-on-one), Charleston, building D Lobby, 651-5732 Cheyenne, room 2100 (library), 651-4232
    Henderson, building C computer lab, 651-3125
c. Math Lab for drop-in tutoring, Charleston,  building H, room 203, Cheyenne, room 2050, Henderson, building B, room 201
d . 24/7 online tutoring for students. You can access smarthinking by clicking 'Online Campus' on the left sight of the college homepage and then clicking on the right where it says "Latest News". The new login and password are located there.

Guidelines:

Course withdrawal: At any point if you decide not to continue with the course, you should officially withdraw from the course before the deadline November 8, 2009. The instructor will not withdraw you from the course. It is your responsibility.

Calculator: Calculators are not allowed in this course.

Attendance: Class attendance is very important in the study of mathematics. I expect you to attend class regularly and be on time. The rolls will be taken from assignments, quizzes, worksheets, exams or randomly. If classes are missed, students are responsible for all materials missed and any homework assignment.  If you stop attending class and do not officially withdraw, you will receive “F” for the course.

Classroom Conduct: Instructor has the responsibility to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior appropriate to the discipline and method of teaching. Any behavior deemed disruptive or counter productive to the educational goals of the class will be grounds for removal of a student from the class.  Repetition of such an offense may result in expulsion from the course. Mutual respect between teacher and student is the essential part of learning process. I do not want any disruptions or distractions in the classroom.

Dates & Deadlines: For important dates such as adding dropping classes, holidays and breaks, etc., please refer to CSN Schedule of Classes.

ADA: If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you may contact the Disability Resource Center located in the Student Service Center on each campus. Charleston Campus 651-5089, Cheyenne Campus 651-4045, and Henderson Campus 651-3086.

Academic integrity: Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Cheating on any test/quiz/worksheet constitutes an automatic "F" on that test/quizzes/worksheet. Any incident of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the most serious course of action will be recommended.

Important
NO make-up on quizzes for any reason.
NO make-up exam will be given except for very unusual circumstances provided that you inform me right away, and submit your evidence. I will then decide if your evidence is acceptable.
If you miss the final exam your course grade is “F”.
All exams and quizzes will be cumulative in nature.
Neither early nor late  exams and quizzes will be given.
Cellular phones must be turned off.
NO beepers, NO headsets, NO iPods, NO recorders, and NO laptops are allowed  during class.

NOTE:  Any or all the above information is subject to change, if so you will be informed ahead of time.

Remember this:

Students who study hard and “do their homework”, learn what they need to know, they smile a lot.
Those who don’t “do their homework” don’t learn what they need to know, they complain a lot.