Course Syllabus and Expectations
REF 0302 - Mathematics Refresher Workshop - Pre-Fall 2015
Instructor: Paul Pierce, M.S.
Office: Holden Hall 78
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone: 806-742-3242
e-mail: paul.pierce@ttu.edu
Contacting Your Instructor
If you need to contact me, you may do so in three ways:
 By Phone
You may call my office during regular business hours at 806-834-3164.
 In Person
My office is in Holden Hall room 78E.
 Via E-mail
I check my e-mail “regularly.”
If you have any problems, call the TSI office at 806-742-3242. If you have any technical difficulties with
ALEKS, call ALEKS support at 714-619-7090.
Textbook and Online Access Code
The textbook is Beginning and Intermediate Algebra 3rd. Edition by Messersmith (Not Required)
An ALEKS Access Code is required for this course.
 ALEKS 360 Access Code with E-Book available online ($92)
 ALEKS Access Code without E-Book available online ($38)
Course Goals
The goal of this course is to prepare students for college-level mathematics. Thus, this course is a study of
 relations and functions
 inequalities
 algebraic expressions and equations (absolute value, polynomial, radical, rational) with a special emphasis on
linear and quadratic expressions and equations
Note: These course goals are aligned with the College Readiness Standards of Mathematics. For More
information see www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=EAE69736-B39D-F3FF-EA777519F1F0348B
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
 Define, represent, and perform operations on real and complex numbers.
 Recognize, understand, and analyze features of a function.
 Recognize and use algebraic (field) properties, concepts, procedures (including factoring), and algorithms to
combine, transform, and evaluate absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational expressions.
 Identify and solve absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational equations.
 Identify and solve absolute value and linear inequalities.
 Model, interpret and justify mathematical ideas and concepts using multiple representations.
 Connect and use multiple strands
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
The assessment of learning outcomes will be achieved by the following:
 Final Exam: 50%
There will be a comprehensive final exam at 10am on August 21, 2015. You will take the exam in HH 105.
 ALEKS Pie: 50%
This contains all of the refresher material that you will need to complete before you take your test on August
21, 2015.
Grading Policy
You must complete the course with a C or better to be TSI complete. (The D in front of each of these grades is
for Developmental.)
Pass
Fail
DA: 90-100
DD: 60-69
DB: 80- 89
DF: 0-59
DC: 70- 79
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
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Texas Tech University aims "to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The
attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is regarded by the
faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences,
possibly suspension" (Undergraduate Handbook 49).
Although the university broadly defines the types of "dishonesty" that compromise academic integrity, the
most common offense for this course is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, "the
appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole
or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression
and media, and presenting that material as one's own academic work being offered for credit"
Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will receive a 0 for the assignment, as well as further
consequences at the discretion of the Dean of Students and TSI Assistant Director. For more information on
Academic Integrity visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/AcademicIntegrity.htm.
Disability Statement
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“Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course
requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students
should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office
hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until
appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you
may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.
“No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university
process" (TTU OP 34.22, p.2). For more information call Student Disability Services at 742-2405 or visit
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentsaffairs/sds/.
CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS AND COURSE SCHEDULE:
I reserve the right to change the dates or policies on this syllabus at any time. All changes will be made accessible
to students via e-mail and also through ALEKS 360.
Instructions for Registering on ALEKS:
Course Code: CXVAK-KK96W
To log into ALEKS for the first time, go to: http://www.aleks.com.
1. Click on the "SIGN UP NOW!" link located under the login box on the left of the page.
2. Enter your Course Code in the box labeled "Using ALEKS with a Class?" and click on "Continue."
3. Verify that you are registering for the correct course and click on "Continue."
4. Enter the 20-character Access Code. You can purchase this online if you wish.
5. Continue with the registration process until your account has been set up successfully.
6. After you complete your account set up you will be logged into ALEKS and can immediately begin working
in the course.
What To Do Now
Once you are registered on ALEKS, you will be given an initial assessment. This will determine how much of the
material you already know, and it will create your ALEKS pie. It is this pie that contains the refresher topics that
you will need to complete before August 21, 2015. I will be monitoring your progress.