BASIC MATH SKILLS
MATH 10, FALL 2015 (3 UNITS)
SECTION #56573, MW 11:50 AM – 1:15 PM, BLDG. 21, ROOM 156
SECTION #56574, MW 1:25 PM – 2:50 PM, BLDG. 21, ROOM 156
INSTRUCTOR
Name
LYUDMILA SHVED
Email
Lyudmila.Shved@vvc.edu
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Course covers the basic operations applied to whole numbers, fractions (including mixed numbers) and
decimals. Prime factorization, least common multiple, percent, ratio and proportion, similar triangles,
average, graphs and tables, square roots, the Pythagorean theorem, measurement, operations on signed
numbers and solutions of simple linear equations are also covered.
PREREQUISITES
Placement as determined by VVC assessment test.
TEXTBOOK / MATERIALS
BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS, 3RD EDITION, BY MILLER/O'NEILL/HYDE (OPTIONAL)
CONNECTMATH ACCESS WITH EBOOK (REQUIRED)
Online access to ConnectMath is required and includes complete digital access to your e-book, videos
and homework. To register, go to http://www.connectmath.com. You can purchase the access
code directly from the website (cheaper) or from the Rams bookstore.
Your Course Code is JN6VW-RY4FF. You may begin registration process at ConnectMath beginning
first day of class.
TO LOG INTO CONNECT MATH FOR THE FIRST TIME:
1. Go to http://www.connectmath.com and click on the "SIGN UP NOW!" link located near the top of the page.
2. Enter the course code (see above).
3. Verify you have selected the correct class.
4. Choice #1: If you have an access code purchased at the Campus Bookstore, enter it. Otherwise,
Choice #2: Click on “PURCHASE AN ACCESS CODE ONLINE” link and purchase the access code.
Continue with the registration process until your account has been set up successfully. After you complete
your account set up, you will be logged into CONNECT MATH.
TO ADD NEW COURSE TO THE EXISTING CONNECT MATH ACCOUNT:
Log into your account and click on Edit Profile link in the upper right-hand corner. After you type your
password once more, you should be able to add the new Course Code to your account.
The 2-week financial aid code for this course 07594-D44EC-0F2F4-5F57C. Note that it does not give add
an additional two weeks to your course. You will need to extend your account before the end of two weeks.
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HOMEWORK
Practice is a vital component in learning mathematics. Students are to do the assigned work on regular basis.
You may take each homework assignment as many times as you wish, and I will only count the highest grade for
each assignment. I will drop the lowest 3 scores from your homework assignments at the end of the semester
before calculating your semester grade. Homework due date and time will be stated for each assignment
listed online. No late homework will be accepted.
LECTURE NOTES AND VIDEOS
I will provide class notes for the first two chapters. Once you register at ConnectMath, you will find all future
lecture notes under the Resources tab > Course Files. You are responsible for printing out your notes for the
rest of the course.
If you need video support, go to www.millerhelp.com and click on the first book in the second row (with the
mosaic turtle). This will take you to a whole set of videos produced by the author. Also, videos for each
section in the course produced by the textbook publisher may be found by choosing the Resources tab at the
top of your Connect window.
QUIZZES AND TESTS
There will be occasional pop quizzes in the course. The lowest one will be dropped at the end of the term. Do
your HW regularly and don’t miss classes as there are no makeups for any missed class assignments.
You will have 8 online chapter tests, and I will drop your lowest-scoring online test. Each online test can be
taken only once and is limited to 1 hour 30 minutes of time. Pay attention to the test due dates!
IN-CLASS MIDTERM: October 14, 2015
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM: December 16, 2015
It is your responsibility to check ConnectMath regularly for any new assignments posted or due dates
updated. Pay attention to the due dates!!!
No calculators, notes or "cheat sheets" may be used on any of the tests, unless they are provided by instructor.
No make-ups, pre-takes or re-takes of exams will be given.
GRADING
It is your responsibility to be aware of your grade. Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Online Tests (lowest score dropped)
15% of your grade
A: [90,100)
Online Homework (3 lowest dropped)
20% of your grade
B: [80,90)
Pop-Quizzes (lowest score dropped)
15% of your grade
C: [70,80)
Midterm
25% of your grade
D: [65,70)
Comprehensive Final Exam
25% of your grade
F: [0, 65)
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EXTRA CREDIT
No extra credit will be granted beyond the established grading scale.
POLICIES
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
While students may work together on the researching of any assignment, it is
expected that each of their writing assignments reflect substantial individual
effort. Any student who commits plagiarism or is found to have cheated on a
scheduled exam is subject to a zero score for that specific exam which may result
in a term grade of "F" for this course. Students should be aware that cases of
cheating and/or plagiarism will be forwarded to the appropriate college
administrator promptly. The college administration has a range of sanctions that
may be imposed including, but not limited to, academic suspension or expulsion
from the college.
EMAILS
Please read carefully the set of rules applicable to the emails you may need to send me during the course:
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The title of the email must include the following information:
class name, meeting days and times, your first and last name, and reason for emailing. For example,
M90, MW 10:15 AM, Jane Smith, Missed class due to illness.
Do not email asking questions that can be answered by reading the syllabus. For example, you may
NOT get a response to a question, “Can I take the test at a later date?” or “When is the final exam?”
Write emails using proper grammar, punctuation and capitalization. In other words, do not “text” me.
Emails that don’t follow these rules may not be answered.
CALCULATORS
Calculators are not allowed at any time in this course, unless prompted online through Connect. Most of the
homework problems have been chosen such that a calculator really should not be needed at all. While I cannot
monitor what you are doing at home, you are on your academic honor not to be using one. If it is discovered
that you are using one, it will be considered academic dishonesty and you will be turned in to the Office of
Student Services for academic dishonesty.
ATTENDANCE
You are required to attend class every day. After 3 hours of absence, you may be dropped from this class. It
is your responsibility to keep your enrollment status current. You risk an “F” if you stop attending without
officially withdrawing. Do not bring friends or children to class. Please turn any cell phones or pagers to silent
mode during class time. Do not use cell phones during class.
Class attendance is not a measure of performance or proficiency. Whether a student is just physically present in the class is not a valid
basis for grading. Reference Title 5 Section 55002 of the California Code of Regulations: (A) Grading Policy. The course provides for
measurement of student performance in terms of stated course objectives and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based
upon uniform standards in accordance with section 55758 of this Division. The grade is based on demonstrated proficiency in the subject
matter and the ability to demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of written expression that may include essays, or, in
courses where the curriculum committee deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills demonstrations by
students.
STUDENT ACCESS
Students with special needs are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss the opportunity for academic
accommodation and be referred to disabled student program and services per Administrative Procedure (AP
3440).
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MISCELLANY
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
You are strongly encouraged to get tutoring or go to the Math Success Center, study in groups, and see me for
help outside of class. All of these are free! Students that get help outside of class are typically much more
successful than those that do not.
Regular Math Success Center hours are:
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (starting the second week of class)
The Math Lab is located in building 42 (the Academic Commons). Outside of these those
hours, please go to the information booth at the east end of the Tech building to sign in for
tutoring help. The MSC will begin operation the second week of the semester.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course the student can:
1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
2. Solve percentage problems.
3. Find the perimeter and area of basic polygons.
IMPORTANT DATES
First day of class
Labor Day (college closed)
Last Day to Drop without receiving a "W"
Last Day to Drop and receive a "W"
Veteran’s Day (college closed)
Last Day of Class, Final Exam
August 31
September 7
September 13
October 17
November 11
December 16
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
This is course requires reliable computer access. Please ensure your computer is in good repair at the start of
the semester. It is suggested that before any major assignments, you re-start your browser to clear any
memory caches which may cause issues. Java software tends to “junk up” your browser at times. While
documented outages may occur, it is the student's responsibility to meet all deadlines in this course. If your
internet service at home is unreliable, do not wait until the last day to start assignments. There are plenty of
computers that you are able to use on campus.
At the start of the semester, please go to www.connectmath.com/downloads and install the latest versions of
many key plug-ins and movie players.
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