NORTHWEST- SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

GENERAL SYLLABUS

           

TITLE OF COURSE:  Introductory Mathematics I (MAH 101)

 

DIVISION:  Mathematics, Science, & Technology Division

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is a comprehensive review of arithmetic with basic algebra designed to meet the needs of certificate and diploma programs.  Topics include business and industry related arithmetic and geometric skills used in measurement, ratio and proportion, exponents and roots, applications of percent, linear equations, formulas, and statistics.  Upon completion, students should be able to solve practical problems in their specific occupational areas of study.

 

Hours:

            Credit: 3         Contact: 4       Lecture: 2       Clinical: 0       Lab: 2

 

PRE-REQUISITE(S):   A grade of “C” or higher in MTH 090 or appropriate math placement score.

 

CO-REQUISITE(S):  None

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S):  Mathematics for Technical and Vocational Students, second edition, Spangler & Boyce, Prentice Hall, 2000

 

SUPPLIES:  Any basic scientific calculator is recommended.

 

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE(S):     

 

All associate degree graduates would be able to use the mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations needed in their field of study or occupation.  (3)

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon successfully completing Vocational Technical Mathematics I, the student should be able to:

 

1.      Use the Order of Operations Agreement to evaluate and simplify expressions involving integers, fractions, decimals, and variables.

 

2.      Solve applied problems involving base, rate, or percentage quantities.

 

3.      Express a ratio from written information and data, express the equality of two ratios as a proportion, and find the missing term in a proportion.

 

4.      Solve linear equations.

 

5.      Use exponents and square roots to solve applied problems.

 

6.      Find perimeter, circumference, area, and volume of common geometric polygons and solids expressing measurements in appropriate units.

 

7.      Understand and use the SI metric system.

 

8.      Use descriptive statistics to describe a set of data, including calculating the mean, median, mode, and range of the data; and interpret line, bar, and circle graphs.

 

METHODS OF EVALUATION: 

 

  1. Course Grade Evaluation: (Minimum of 4 measurements)

A comprehensive final exam will be given and counted toward the student’s final average.  Make-up examinations, as such, will not generally be given. 

                        

  1. Evaluation of General Educational Objectives:  Student success on the General Educational Objective (3) is measured by student performance on each of the course objectives, which require use of mathematical concepts, notations, and manipulations.  Performance on each course objective will be evaluated using appropriate problems from the final exam.  Results will be tallied for each course objective.

 

  1. Use of Findings: Instructors will analyze data gathered from the assessment(s) for each course objective and changes will be made based on identified weaknesses.  The math department will meet once every five years to discuss findings and implement strategies to improve department and student performance.

OUTLINE OF COURSE TOPICS: 

 

I.          Fundamentals of Basic Mathematics

            A.        Whole Numbers

            B.         Common Fractions

            C.        Decimal Fractions

            D.        Measurement: Direct and Computed

            E.         Percentages and Averages

 

II.         Fundamentals of Applied Algebra

            A.        Ratio and Proportion

            B.         Symbols, Terms, and Signed Numbers

C.        Equations                                                     

            D         Exponents

E.         Square Roots

F.         Algebraic Formulas    

 

III.       Geometry

            A.        Area of Rectangles and Triangles

            B.         Area of Regular Polygons and Circles

            C.        Volume of Solids

 

IV.       Fundamentals of SI Metric Measurement

            A.        SI Metric Units of Measure

            B.         Precision Measurement

            C.        Base, Supplementary, and Derived SI Metric Units

            D.        Conversion: Factors and Processes

           

V.        Statistics                        

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT POLICY: It is the policy of Northwest-Shoals Community College to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. Any student covered under this act needing and desiring reasonable accommodations for this class should notify Linda Waide at 331-5321. See NWSCC catalog for additional details.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Because class attendance is considered to be essential to the accomplishment of course objectives, excessive absences are discouraged. At no time should a student miss more than 20% of the class meetings for a course. These absences also include any absences accrued during late registration. Failure to adhere to the 20% policy may result in a failing grade based on academic performance. Students should discuss with the instructor what is considered “excessive” for a particular course. Any variation of this policy must be approved through the Chief Instructional Officer. A student who is absent due to required participation in a school activity must be allowed to make up work, according to guidelines issued by individual instructors.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  A student who is unable to complete a course is expected to withdraw from that course by the end of 60% of class meetings.  A student who withdraws by the date published in the schedule will receive a grade of “W” for the course.  This withdrawal is done only by student request.  The grade of “W” is allowed regardless of the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal. 

 

After the designated date of class withdrawal, the approval of the Chief Instructional Officer is required prior to allowing a student to withdraw. The determination of “WP” (withdrawal passing) or “WF” (withdrawal failing) will be made by the instructor for the course and is based on the student’s grades to the point of withdrawal.