Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course surveys a variety of mathematical topics useful in the workplace and everyday life. The study of these topics also aims to prepare students for success in future quantitative and math related courses. Topics include numeracy with an emphasis on estimation, fluency with different ways to represent quantities and to evaluate expressions; rates, ratios, and proportions; percentages; basic algebra, solution of equations; applied geometry, data interpretation using graphs, tables and statistics. Please note that MATH 0701 is no longer a prerequisite for MATH 1021, College Algebra, or STAT 1001, Quantitative Methods for Business I. Students whose program of studies requires one of these two courses must complete MATH 0702, Intermediate Algebra, instead. 

  

Course Learning Goals & Related Assessments

	Course Learning Goals
1.	Describe the relationship between the U.S. units and metric units of length, area, weight/mass, and volume; Make reasonable estimates for whole number and decimal problems and explain how such estimates were made.
2.	Represent a number in different ways and solve problems involving percentages, ratios, rates, or proportions; Write expressions and equations using mathematical notations and symbols and evaluate expressions and formulas.
3.	Use different representations for functions, translate from one representation to another, and to use such representations to solve problems; Interpret and make decisions in basic financial problems often presented to consumers. Organize data, express them using graphs; use basics statistics to answer questions, draw conclusions, and make predictions.
4.	Understand and apply basic geometry to characterize objects in 2 and 3 dimensions.

 

Course Materials

Marecek, L. & Anthony-Smith, M. (2020). Pre-algebra 2e. Link: https://openstax.org/

The book is free. Each topic covered has its own module in Canvas.  The appropriate sections relevant to each topic will be posted in its module on Canvas. Corresponding videos, slides, and notes are also posted on each module for the students’ use.

   

Course Technology Requirements

All the information for the course is available on Canvas. You prepare for the class by reading the course book chapter and watching the assigned videos. In class we work together to develop a deeper understanding of the material. You are supposed to come to class prepared to do exercises. Half of the class consists of a brief introduction to the subjects you worked on by yourself, the second half of the class you will work in selected problems to cement your knowledge. During any exam, students can use a scientific calculator. A graphing calculator or any “sophisticated” calculator will not be accepted. Cellphones are not allowed. Expectations for Class Conduct: It is also important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others’ privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others. Technology Specifications: Students are supposed to bring a scientific calculator to all classes. Some calculators have a counter intuitive system of introducing data. Cell phones as calculators are not allowed. Taping and Recording of Classes: Recording and distribution of this class and its materials is NOT permitted. However, any Zoom meeting will be automatically recorded and posted on Canvas for the student’s personal educational use only. Students are NOT permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute any file, audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not enrolled in this course without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law, known as FERPA, as well as certain copyright laws.

     

Course Communications

To facilitate communication, the university requires you to have an e-mail account ending in @temple.edu.

During the semester, I will generally respond to emails within 24 hours of receiving them during the week and with 48 hours on weekends.

 

Grading Scale

A Range	B Range	C Range	D Range	F Range
A  94 - 100	B+ 87 - 89	C+ 77 - 79	D+ 67 - 69	F 0 - 59
A- 90 - 93	B  84 - 86	C  74 - 76	D  64 - 66
	B- 80 - 83	C- 70 - 73	D- 60 - 63

  

Weighting Details

• Participation/In Class Activities Attendance and active participation are required. Canvas problem are started in class and submitted by the end of the day. 5%
• 4 Tests Tentative dates Sep. 29th, Oct. 15th, Nov. 17th, Dec. 10th (In-class) 50% (12.5% each)
• Homework Assignments Homework problems need to be done on your own showing all the necessary work to obtain the result. One will drop. 25%
• Final Exam Monday, December 15, 9-11AM 20% 

Total = 100%

Assignment Descriptions

Make Ups: If an emergency arises and you cannot attend an exam, you should contact me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to alert me to the situation so that we can make other arrangements. DOCUMENTATION OF THE EMERGENCY IS REQUIRED, and any make-up exam must be taken WITHIN TWO DAYS of the exam date.

No make up is given once the graded tests are returned.

Homework Assignments: There are a total of 12 homework assignments but the 2 lowest scores will be dropped.

Participation & In-class Activities: We dedicate the second part of each class to practice some problems. Whether they are book problems or Homework problems you can bring them to class, and we can review them together. The idea is to give you time during class to work on the assigned problems so you will have to do less work outside the classroom and all this work will count for Participation and & In-class Activities credit.

Class Attendance: Temple Rome’s attendance policy ensures student engagement, learning consistency, and academic success by establishing clear attendance expectations and procedures.  Attendance is critical for understanding course material, participating in discussions, and achieving educational goals.

 

General Policies

You are required to attend all scheduled classes, on-site excursions, studio, and laboratory sessions.

Students are expected to be present at the start of all required sessions. Regular and punctual class attendance is necessary; participation and improvement are evaluated.

Absences are disruptive to the teaching and learning environment, especially absences from a course meeting involving an on-site excursion. Even if you have been to class visit sites before, or are studying them in other courses, you are expected to attend.

If you must miss class due to unforeseen circumstances, it is your responsibility to inform your instructor as soon as possible, in advance of a class meeting, of any absence. Students are permitted up to THREE (3) unexcused absences. More than three absences may result in a grade reduction or failure of the course.

Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the lessons to be eligible for a passing grade; if they fall below that percentage, they automatically fail the course.  Note that the more you miss, the more difficult it is for your instructor to evaluate your acquisition and mastery of course concepts and themes. 

Students who anticipate missing more than three classes should contact Temple Rome Associate Dean Mary Conran (mary.conran@temple.edu) to discuss the circumstances. Absences may be excused for the following reasons, with supporting documentation: family emergencies, religious observances, formal request to participate in official university activities, legal obligations, serious illnesses or injuries. Students requiring medical assistance, or other personal issues which impact their class attendance, should reach out to the student life team (serena.ferretti@temple.edu, maura.zerella@temple.edu ).

Temple University respects the rights of students to observe religious holidays. If you plan to observe any religious holidays that affect your attendance or interfere with fulfilling any course requirement, alternative arrangement can be offered by informing your instructor of the date(s) of your religious holiday(s) at least two weeks in advance the anticipated absence.

Disability Statement: Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should coordinate with Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at Temple University or with Maura Zerella at TUR (maura.zerella@temple.edu). 

Students requesting accommodation should meet with the instructor as soon as possible after the start of classes to discuss their needs and to provide documentation from DRS. Accommodations are not retroactive.  All discussions about disability or accommodation are confidential.

Academic Honesty: According to the University Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. 

Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct, which can be accessed at http://policies.temple.edu/PDF/294.pdf

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02) which can be accessed at policies.temple.edu

Basic Needs: Any Temple student who encounters difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day and believes this may affect their performance in the program, is urged to contact the TUR student life team (serena.ferretti@temple.edu maura.zerella@temple.edu, raei.megerssa@temple.edu ). Your outreach is kept confidential but enables TUR to guide you to appropriate resources. 

Continuity of Instruction in Event of Emergency:   Learners are made aware of university closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instruction. 

Learners are notified of closures or emergencies via sms, an email to their Temple student address and/or Facebook.  Please refer to the Student Handbook for further information.  Learners registered for the class are alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

 

Course Schedule

Week	Class	Topic	Assignment
Week 1: Sep. 8 and 10	1	Class presentation / Introduction CH 1: Working with whole numbers	Review Canvas site and course syllabus, get access to the textbook, Table of Contents
	2	CH1: Large Numbers / Arithmetic / Place Value	Homework 1
Week 2: Sep. 15 and 17	3	CH 2: Evaluating Expressions / Factoring Numbers
	4	CH 2: Prime Factoring and LCM	Homework 2
Week 3: Sep. 22 and 24	5	CH 3: Integers and Equations
	6	CH 3: Integers and Equations	Homework 3
Week 4: Sep. 29 Oct. 1	7	TEST 1 (CH. 1-2-3)
	8	CH 4 & CH 5: Fractions and Decimals	Homework 4
Week 5: Oct. 6 and 8	9	CH 4 & CH 5: Ratios and Rates
	10	CH 4 & CH 5: Solving Equations	Homework 5
Week 6: Oct. 13 and 15	11	CH 6: Convert Percents to fractions and decimals
	12	TEST 2 (CH 4-5-6)
Week 7: Oct 20 and 22.		No Class, Fall Break
Week 8: Oct. 27 and 29	13	CH 6: Percent Appilcations
	14	CH 6: Simple Interest, Proportions	Homework 6
Week 9: Nov. 3 and 5	15	CH 7: Real Numbers, Properties of R
	16	CH 7: Measurement Systems	Homework 7
Week 10: Nov. 10 and 12	17	CH 8: Solving Linear Equations (+, - *, /)
	18	CH 8: Solving Linear Equations (decimals, fractions)	Homework 8
Week 11: Nov. 17 and 19	19	TEST 3 (CH. 6-7-8)
	20	CH 9: Problem Solving
Week 12: Nov. 24 and 26	21	CH 9: Geometry (Angles, Triangles) Length, Area and Volume of Rectangles, Triangles	Homework 9
	22	CH 10: Polynomials and operations
Week 13: Dec. 1 and 3	23	CH 10: Scientific Notation, Factoring Polynomials	Homework 10
	24	CH 11: Introduction to Functions and their Graphs
Week 14: Dec. 8 and 10	25	CH 11: Intercepts and slope of a line	Homework 11
	26	TEST 4 (CH. 9-10-11)
Dec. 15	27	FINAL 9-11AM