Course Syllabus

 

Basic Course Information

MAT101 General Mathematics

Hours:  Class/Week - 5 hrs, Lab 0

 

Instructor Information

Ron Murphy

Office: B-19, Phone: 706-756-4559

Office hours by appointment

Email: rmurphy@westgatech.edu

Web page: http://www.westgatech.edu/FacultyWebs/Rmurphy/default.htm

 

Pre-requisites

MAT097 with a C or better or a minimum score of 26 on the Compass PreAlgebra

 

Course Description

This course emphasizes mathematical skills that can be applied to the solution of occupational and technical problems.  Topics include: properties of numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio/proportion, measurements and conversions, exponents, and geometric and technical formulas.

 

Competencies
I.         Properties of Numbers

            A. Whole Numbers

II.    Fractions

            A. Definition of Fractions

            B. Equivalent Fractions

            C. Mathematical Operations Using Fractions

III.   Decimals

            A. Definition of Decimals and Place Value

            B. Mathematical Operations Using Decimals

            C. Multiplying Decimal Numbers

            D. Interchanging Fractions and Decimals

            E. Powers of Ten

IV.   Percent

            A. Definition of Percent

            B. Conversions

            C. Base - Rate - Part Problems

            D. Mixture and Interest

V.     Ratio and Proportion

            A. Definition of Rate, Ratio, and Proportion

            B. Variation: Direct and Inverse

            C. Measurement and Conversion

            D. Definition of Basic Units of Measurement

VI.   Exponents

            A. Laws of Exponents

            B. Radicals

VII.  Geometric and Technical Formulas

            A. Types of Formulas

 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify prime and composite numbers.

2. Read and write whole numbers.

3. Identify place value of whole numbers.

4. Solve whole number problems requiring addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers.

5. Apply the hierarchy of operations to evaluate multiple operation problems.

6. Define a fraction.

7. Identify proper, improper, and mixed fractions.

8. Solve problems relating to equivalent fractions.

9. Solve fraction problems requiring addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers.

10. Read and write decimal numbers.

11. Identify place value of decimal numbers.

12. Solve decimal problems requiring addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers.

13. Convert between fractions and decimals.

14. Convert between decimal notation and scientific notation.

15. Define percent.

16. Convert between fractions, decimals, and percent.

17. Work base, rate, and part problems.

18. Solve problems and applications involving percents (including simple interest problems).

19. Construct and solve problems involving ratios and proportions.

20. Define ratio, rate, and proportion.

21. Identify, set up, and solve direct and inverse proportion problems.

22. Convert within and between US Customary and Metric measurement systems

23. Solve problems and applications in measurement and conversions.

24. Find whole number powers of numbers.

25. Find roots of numbers.

26. Identify basic two and three-dimensional figures.

27. Find perimeter (circumference) and area of squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.

28. Find volume of cubes, rectangular solids, right circular cylinders, and spheres.

29. Identify acute, right, obtuse, and straight angles.

30. Solve problems involving complementary, supplementary, vertical, and adjacent angles.

31. Solve problems involving sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. The student will be able to identify and extract relevant data from application-based problems, compute the solution, and determine the validity of the results.

2. The student will be able to communicate mathematical thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely to others in the oral and written form.

3. The student will be able to incorporate mathematical knowledge into viable job skills that make him/her successful in the workforce.

4. The student will be able to perform elementary computations involving whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, and proportions.

5. The student will be able to use computational skills to convert between measurement systems and calculate perimeter and area.

6. The student will be able to use appropriate technology, including calculators and computers, as tools to assist with mathematical processes, informational retrieval, and communications.

7. The student will be able to work together in groups to produce a collective outcome.

8. The student will demonstrate individual responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for all classmates.

 

Course Texts and Materials

Bello, I. (2006). Basic College Mathematics (2^nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN#0-07-283104-9

 

CALCULATORS are NOT allowed for the whole number, fraction and decimal portions of this course.

 

Instructional Strategies/Methods

Lecture

Individual Assignments

Group Projects

Critical Thinking

Writing Across the Curriculum

 

Evaluation Procedures

Tests, Daily Work, Written Assignment          75%

Final Exam                                                           25%

 

Note: At the end of the quarter, your daily work assignments are averaged and count as one test grade. Daily work consists of homework and class work.  The written assignment and the internet project will count as one test grade.  At the end of the term, all test grades will be averaged and count 75% of your final grade.

The final must be taken at the scheduled time.

 

The writing assignment will be scored by the following criterion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

Grading Scale: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, Below 60=F 

            

Work Ethics Grade and how evaluated

Good work habits are as valuable as technical skills. Work ethic traits including attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organizational skills, communication, cooperation and respect are included in the work ethics evaluation. This grade is not included in the Grade Point average, but is shown on the student’s transcript. The work Ethics grading scale is as follows: 3 – Exceeds Expectations, 2 – Meets Expectations, 1 – Needs Improvement and 0 – Unacceptable.

 

Course Requirements

An average of 70 or higher of all coursework.

A math notebook containing all homework, class work and activities.

Attend a minimum of 80 % of scheduled classes. (16 out of 20)

Writing across the curriculum embedded into the course as a paper written according to the specifications given by the instructor.

Critical thinking embedded into the course as a projects, writing assignments, and test questions assigned by the instructor.

 

Course Outline:

See Attached Agenda.

 

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are required for every occupation for which the technical college prepares the individual student.  Some careers may require higher critical thinking skills than others or use a more sophisticated reasoning process; however, every career requires the individual to engage in a critical thinking process, to solve problems, and to arrive at conclusions in order to be successful in the chosen career field.  Critical thinking skills are embedded inmost mathematical activities.

 

Tutoring

WGTC offers free tutoring for mathematics students.  The tutor is available on campus the following hours:       

                                       Mon      11:00-3:00

                                       Tue       9:30-1:30

                                       Wed      1:30-6:30

                                       Thur      11:00-3:00

                                       Fri         9:30-1:30

 

Courtesy Notes

Please turn mobile phones and pagers off (or to silent mode) before entering the classroom. This will save other students from losing concentration and will save you the embarrassment of it ringing during class. Only students registered for a class are allowed in the classroom.  Visitors (family/friends) must wait outside the classroom.

 

Attendance policy

Attendance and punctuality in class is one of the student’s primary responsibilities.  Time lost can never be replaced.  In the event that an absence is deemed necessary by the student, he/she is held accountable for all work missed.  If a student is absent from class for five (5) consecutive instructional hours (one week) and does not contact the instructor or misses more than 20% of class time (10 instructional hours), he/she will automatically be dropped form the course. Absences are counted from the first scheduled meeting date, not from an individual student’s first day of attendance.   All students are expected to keep up with their grades and attendance on a grade log sheet.

Tardies

If a student is late for the class, the number of minutes will be totaled as they accumulate.

 

Make up work / make up test policy

Students are responsible for work covered on the days they are absent.  The student should first consult other students or their study buddy about missed work.  After all attempts have been made to attain the information, the student may schedule a meeting with the instructor.

 

STUDY BUDDY______________________________________________________________

Phone_____________________________________Email_____________________________

There are NO MAKE-UP TESTS!!!!  However, there are provisions to alleviate any hardships caused by this policy.  The final exam can be used for only one missed test. If the student has not missed any tests, the final will replace one lower test grade.

 

DISCLAIMERS/IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Academic Honor / Plagiarism statement

Plagiarism, using the words and ideas of someone else as your own, will not be tolerated.  All essays/reports/summaries, etc., must be your own work.  If a student is caught turning in plagiarized work as his/her own, the student will automatically receive a “O” for the assignment.  Further disciplinary action may also be taken.  A student may be dismissed from the class and given an “F” as a final grade and/or be dismissed from school.  Plagiarism is a serious offense.

 

Confidentiality statement

The rules of confidentiality do not apply to the instructor/student relationship. Please do not disclose information assuming it will be confidential. An instructor is considered a “mandatory reporter”.  Any information revealed to an instructor that may represent potential harm to the student or another individual must be reported by law.

 

ADA statement

If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to function in this class, please inform the instructor and the West Georgia Technical College Special Needs Career Planner, Gil Ausman at 706-812-4246 (Student Services Offices, Building A) to discuss a request for accommodations. All requests for accommodations are welcomed.

 

Safety

A first aid kit is located in classroom A15.  The Emergency Procedures and Evacuation Plan are posted on the wall of the classroom.

 

Severe Weather Warning

Periodically, WGTC will conduct severe weather warning and fire drills. Instructions on what to do in the event of these warning will be given in class and may be found in print form posted in classrooms and labs. Students are expected to participate in these drills in preparation for any actual threatening situations that may occur.

 

DTAE Guarantee

The Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education warrants every graduate of our Technical College programs offering a certificate of credit, diploma, or associate's degree as follows:
The warranty guarantees that the graduate has demonstrated the knowledge and skills and can perform each competency as identified in the industry-validated Standard or Program Guide. Any program graduate who is determined to lack such competence shall be retrained at no cost to the employer or the graduate.
A claim against the warranty may be filed by either an employer in conjunction with a graduate or a graduate if the individual is unable to perform one or more of the competencies contained in the industry-validated Standard or Program Guide, including failure to pass a State of Georgia required licensing examination. 
The warranty shall remain in effect for two years immediately following the date of graduation and shall be honored by any state governed Technical College that offers the program from which the individual graduated.

 

Exit exams (diploma/degree programs only)

All graduating degree and diploma students are required to take program area graduation exam in their field. The exam must be taken in the last quarter or next to last quarter before graduation. Information on scheduling the exit exam may be obtained from the program advisor. 

 

CAAP testing (degree level programs only)

All graduating degree students are required to take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency exam. The exam must be taken in the last quarter or next to last quarter before graduation. Scheduled times for the exam will be posted on campus.

 

Applying for graduation

Students expecting to graduate must complete an application for graduation. This form may be obtained from the Office of Student Services located in the Administration Building. Students should apply for graduation during the registration period in which they register for their last quarter of classes.