Syllabus

Instructor Beverly Vredevelt                                                     Math 91 Online

E-mail:

beverlyv@spokanefalls.edu

Work phone:

(509) 533-3247

Office Location:

Building 18 (the building with the clock tower) Room 212-F

 

Prerequisite
The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of Math 90 (with a 2.0 or better) or the required placement score for placement into Math 91.  If you do not have the prerequisite for this course, you will be dropped.  Contact Beverly immediately if you do not have the prerequisite.

Evaluation and Grading
Grading and assessment always seems to be one of the liveliest debates for all on-line courses. The main question is: How does one insure authentic work (i.e. not cheating) and ensure quality learning? As with most on-line courses, this course will have a substantial amount of reading, assignments, quizzes, tests, and on-line discussion with your fellow classmates.
There will also be a proctored final exam. All assignments and test must be completed on time as outlined in the course schedule or a score of zero will be recorded. Homework will count for 15%, online tests will account for 50%, your quizzes will account for 15%, and your final 20%. 


Student Participation is the key to a successful on-line course. Each student is expected to actively participate in the classroom a minimum of 5 days per week. This participation is mandatory. This includes viewing videos, working on homework or quizzes and posting messages in the various discussion board homework forums requesting or providing help on the homework or past quizzes. You are mandated to participate in the discussion board homework forums an average of 4 days a week. This participation increases your ability to get a higher grade in the class (for many it will mean the difference between passing and not passing). You will earn 1 point each day that you post at least one time in homework discussion forums (Classroom Discussion and Questions for Beverly do not count). To receive a participation point, you must make at least one thoughtful post in one of the Homework Forums (postings in Classroom Discussion and Questions for Beverly do not count) in the Discussion Board for the day. The posts may be in the form of questions about homework problems from online assignments, the posting about problems from the text (there are problems listed in the forum description), or responding to other student’s questions. This is not a chat room! A Thread has been provided for your comments and chat with other students (which I do recommend!). You must have at least one post, an average of 4 times a week or more to avoid grade penalties. Since you are expected to participate an average of 4 days per week (there are 10 weeks), therefore you must receive a minimum of 40 points for the quarter (again, to avoid grade penalties). You can earn as many as five points per week by participating five different days during the week. The catch? If you do not receive your 40 points this quarter, you will have a 0.2 deduction from your grade at the end of the quarter. These deductions will be listed in the gradebook in the Blackboard portion of the class. Policy is posted under Participation Requirements.


Final Exam
You must pass the Final in order to pass the class. Since it will be the only time your identity will be verified, it is important that your performance is consistent with the rest of your performance in the class. There have been instances where the student enrolled in the course isn't the one doing the work.

Grade Points will be determined as follows:

93% - 100% 4.0
92% 3.9
91% 3.8
90% 3.7
89% 3.6
.
. To be calculated (P - 53)/10
. Where P is your percentage
.
60% 0.7
0 - 59% 0.0

 

Your Grade
Your grade will be determined by calculating your average using the points earned and dividing by the points possible.  You can see the points for the quarter by reading the
Grading Policies.

Posting or Grades
Your grades for online assessments (Quizzes, Tests and Homework) will be posted in the MyMathLab gradebook to allow you to keep track of your total points. There is also a gradebook associated with the Blackboard portion of the class where I will post your grades including participation, assignments mailed in, and I will transfer quiz and test scores (there may be some lag time).

Withdrawals
All withdrawals must be processed through the registrar. If you simply disappear, you are subject to a grade of "0.0" for the quarter. I do not give "Z" grades as a general rule in on-line courses; exceptions can be made in extenuating circumstances.

Supplemental Help
There are many resources available in the MyMathLab classroom, including tutoring services. You may also visit me, I am located in building 18, room 212-F. It is best to email me so that we can arrange a time.
If your connection speed is not sufficient for the video streaming, there are videos to view—free of charge or in the library or in the Math Learning Center at SFCC (building 18, room 213).

Required Materials
The student will need the following materials for the class:
MyMathLab Student Access Code (shrunk wrapped with text if purchased new. Available online or in the book store if needed).
Calculator:   Scientific calculator. Graphing calculators are not permitted for use on the final.
Pencil and eraser (the final exam will be paper and pencil and will require use of a pencil)


Text:  Elementary and Intermediate Algebra plus MyMathLab Student Starter Kit, 2/E
by Carson, Gillespie, and Jordan.
© 2007
ISBN-13: 9780321375810



PLEASE NOTE THE ISBN, IT IS NECESSARY TO BE SPECIFIC TO INCLUDE THE ACCESS CODE WITH THE TEXT. NOT ALL ISBN FOR THIS TEXT WILL INCLUDE THE ACCESS CODE.

This course will cover the following sections out of the text listed:
Chapter 1: Foundations of Algebra
Chapter 2: Solving Linear Equations and Inequaltities
Chapter 3: Problem Solving
Sections 4: Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 5: Polynomials