Math 202 – Prealgebra

 

Prerequisite:              Math 201 or the equivalent (basic math)

 

Class Meetings:          Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs  1:25  – 2:25 pm in Juniper 4                                   

Instructor:      Maryl Landess                        Office Hours:    Tues, Wed, Thur   2:30  –  4:15

Office:                        Juniper 6                                                 or by appointment

Phone:            588 – 5175                                         

E-mail:            landessm@yosemite.edu

 

Required Materials:  (please bring to class daily)

Ø  Text:   Prealgebra, by Aufmann, Barker, Lockwood (5th ed.) with Math Study Skills Workbook (3rd ed.) 

Ø  Pencil (sharpened before class)

Ø  Eraser

Ø  Calculator with square root and exponent capabilities (after chapter 4)

 

Course Description:

The ability to communicate precisely is an essential part of modern society.  Algebra is the language we use to communicate ideas involving numbers.  Algebraic structures and rules allow us to simplify and solve complex quantitative problems.  Problem solving will be explored in a variety of contexts:  verbally, numerically, graphically and symbolically. 

 

Student Responsibilities:

Learning mathematics is not a spectator sport.  To learn mathematics you must actively engage yourself; I can only help by guiding your efforts to learn.  The most critical aspect to learning mathematics is doing and understanding your homework every day.

 

You are responsible for:

  • Understanding all class lectures, discussions, activities, announcements and associated text material.
  • Participating in class discussions and lab activities.
  • Asking relevant questions and seeking appropriate help (as soon as questions arise!)
  • Solving problems on daily homework assignments and writing up your solutions in a neat and complete manner (expect to spend at least 2 hours per class meeting).
  • Submitting assignments on time; late assignments will not be accepted.
  • Taking all quizzes and exams during the scheduled class period.  Make-up quizzes and exams will be provided only if you contact me no later that the day of the quiz or exam.

 

 

 

 

Recommendations for success

  • Read text sections prior to lecture.
  • Start daily homework as soon after class as possible.
  • Work with classmates on assignments.
  • When you complete your homework, take some time to reflect on the assignment.  Summarize for yourself the general concepts, types of questions and problems solving techniques presented in the reading, lecture and assigned problems.
  • Seek help.  (Office hours, Math Lab, Academic Achievement Center)
  • Do not fall behind.  Most lessons build on the foundations of the previous lesson.  The inability to understand and apply new material quickly snowballs. 
  • Keep lecture notes, assignments, quizzes and exams in an organized binder.
  • Maintain a record of your grades.
  • Start studying early for quizzes and exams.

 

 

Grading:

 

Your grade in the course is based on your overall weighted average,

 

Daily Labs/Homework            10%     (four scores dropped)

Weekly Quizzes                      20%     (one score dropped)

Exams                                     50%

Cumulative Final                     20%                            

 

and the following scale:

 

90 -100 %        A

80 – 89 %        B

70 – 79 %        C

60 – 69 %        D

below 60 %     F

 

FINAL EXAM:            Wednesday, December 10,  11 am – 1 pm

                       

Classmates:

 

Name

Phone

E-mail