Course: Math 090 Elementary Algebra, Section # 001559
3
credits lecture on Tuesday and
Friday @ 9:00-9:50
Bridges
269 as well as laboratory on Monday and
Thursday
@ 9:00-9:50 in MacLean 276
Professor: Dr.
Tim Harms
Office: MacLean 364
Telephone:
477-4016
e-mail: harms@mnstate.edu
Office hours: Mon-Friday
10-11, T & R 1-2, M & W 2-3
Web page: http://web.mnstate.edu/harms
Topics
covered:
Signed numbers, exponents, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions,
and solutions of linear equations
and inequalities.
Textbook:
Elementary Algebra 6th edition by McKeague (Saunders
Publishing)
Supplies:
Bring
a 3-hole binder, calculator, & pencil. We
will punch lab exercises, etc.
Course goals:
The primary goal of Math 090 is to prepare you for success in
college-level mathematics courses, as well as for other collegiate courses
requiring mathematics. This
includes mastering the required basic mathematical skills and developing
successful study habits. Besides
learning to read a mathematics text and learning to organize, solve and present
solutions to problems you will need to develop self-discipline for studying
mathematics every day. The nature
of Mathematics is such that you must take it in small bits avoid trying to
cram several chapters at a time.
Class format:
This course consists of 2 lecture sessions and 2 laboratory sessions each
week. The text sections and reading
assignments for the lecture portion of this course are given on the course
schedule. You should work the
previously assigned problems and do the assigned reading before coming to
the next lecture. During the
lecture Dr. Harms will discuss key concepts related to the new material and will
reserve some time in order to answer a few questions related to the previous
assignment. Active participation by
students is encouraged as it strengthens comprehension.
Use this time as an opportunity to develop your critical thinking skills.
Students should expect to spend at least 12 hours
per week (including
class and laboratory time)
working on topics from this course.
During laboratory sessions students can expect to be engaged in
activities of the following type.
1.
Group work and activities related to lecture topics.
Students will be able to discuss topics from the lecture, obtain
one-on-one assistance, and develop strategies appropriate for solving problems.
2.
In order to develop reading, organizing, and writing skills some activities
might require students to read about a topic and then solve and present well
written solutions.
3.
Four hour exams and short quizzes will be scheduled during laboratory sessions.
Attendance:
In
order to succeed in mathematics classes, experience indicates, that it
is extremely
important that students stay on schedule. Because
we are interested in your success,
this course carries the following attendance requirement.
Any student that is
absent from more then 5 of the regularly scheduled lectures or laboratory
sessions (5 total) during the term will have his/her overall
percentage score lowered by 2 percentage points per each additional absence
before final grades are assigned.
1)
Missing a class to participate in an official university activity will
not counted as an
absence provided you supply your instructor
with proper written notification.
2) In some cases you might be able to attend an alternate lecture or laboratory session in order to avoid an absence. Check with your instructor.
3) After 5 absences, an excused absence will be granted only in extreme emergencies. Written, verifiable, and justifiable reasons will be required. Habitual Tardiness will result in absences.
4) It is expected that all exams will be taken when scheduled.
Grading: Your
grade for this course will be determined by dividing your earned points
by the
total possible points in order to obtain a percentage. (If need be,
this percentage will be adjusted
based on the attendance policy.)