Session 2014-1 Spring
Room D-221
Thursday
6:00-10:00 pm
January 13, 2014 – March 9, 2014
Drew Kays
Office Hours: By appointment
Email Address: dkays@ben.edu
Phone Number: (815) 252-7423
PRE-ASSIGNMENT: Obtain the textbook and workbook. Read chapter 1 in the textbook
and complete the Chapter 1 Pretest on page 2 in preparation for our first class.
MATH 085-70 – DEVELOPMENTAL MATHEMATICS
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is intended for the student who is not adequately prepared to pursue
college-level math courses. Topics to be covered include operations with real numbers,
using basic laws of algebra, and fundamentals of geometry.
II.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS
Basic College Mathematics through Applications, fifth edition, by Akst & Bragg. ISBN
9780321733399
MyWorkBook with Chapter Summaries for Basic College Mathematics through
Applications, Akst & Bragg, ISBN 9780321759771
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate
students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic
community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and
guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our
students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the
world community.
IV.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
GOALS: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be prepared to advance
to the next level of mathematics (Intermediate Algebra) as well as being able to apply
these skills to everyday situations.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be
able to:
 Develop proficiency in working with whole numbers, fractions, decimals,
percents, and signed numbers.


Understand the notation and basic laws of algebra and be able to solve simple
algebraic equations.
Be familiar with basic terminology and computations in geometry.
V.
TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
This course will use a gradual release of responsibility model to transition teacher
knowledge to student understanding and application. Strategies used to ensure success
will include lecture, demonstration, discussions, collaborative work, and independent
practice. The student is expected to actively participate in all aspects of this course.
VI.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of
responsibility for their own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class
meeting for the full period of time. Any absence must be due to extraordinary
circumstances and will require documentation for it to be considered excused.
Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any,
accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your
final grade, and each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will
result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition
which prevents you from attending any class (es), appropriate medical documentation
must be provided immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations
are reasonable or possible.
In-Class Work & Participation
You are required to bring your textbook, workbook, paper, and pencil to class with you.
You must also be prepared for each class, i.e., read assigned readings prior to class and
bring completed homework with you.
Twenty percent (20%) of your grade is based on in-class work and participation,
including workbook problems, class discussions, and other group/independent activities
as assigned. You are expected to be present, prepared, and on time for every class, and
to participate fully in all class discussions and activities.
Reading Assignments
Students are expected to read the sections of the textbook covered in the Topical
Course Outline (section VIII) prior to each class session. Particular attention should be
given to the worked out examples of problems provided by the author of the textbook.
Homework
Twenty percent (20%) of your grade will be based on homework, which will be assigned
each class, and to be turned in at the beginning of the following class period. Students
will turn in everything on time or will receive a zero for the assignment.
On the homework, please write neatly and show all your work. Homework will be
graded on correctness, completeness, and clarity—not just on what your final answers
are, but also on how well you communicate those answers and how you got them.
Tests/Final Exam
The remaining sixty percent (60%) of your grade will be based on four tests and a
comprehensive final exam. Please see the Topical Course Outline (section VIII) for
details.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a
university. Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an
environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage.
Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all University students. Actions such as
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple
submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations and
constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students
are expected to exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic
honesty are always serious and may result in sanctions that could have profound longterm effects. The final responsibility for understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of
the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses normally found in
syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic
dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students
should expect the members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe
one or more members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in
the class, students should feel comfortable to approach the faculty member of the
course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of
Academic Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a
student may face for academic dishonesty:
 a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
 dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
 dismissal from the Institution.
VII.
MEANS OF EVALUATION
Homework: 20%
In-class work/participation: 20%
Tests (including final exam): 60%
Grading Scale:
A = 100-90%
B = 89-80%
C = 79-70%
D = 69-60%
F = 59% or below
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must
be made in writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after
the end of the term for which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should
contain specific information about why it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate.
See the Student Handbook for additional details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed
with a “C” or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an
Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both
student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to
initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the
appropriate form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the
Advising Office. Please refer to the Student Handbook for important financial
information related to withdrawals.
VIII. TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
The following schedule is approximate and may be adjusted throughout the semester at
the discretion of the instructor. It is also important that you refer to the weekly
handouts that you will receive in class outlining your assignments.
Date
Thurs. 1/16
Section
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Topics of Instruction
Introduction/Syllabus
Chapter 1: Whole Numbers
 Introduction to Whole Numbers
 Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers
 Multiplying Whole Numbers
 Dividing Whole Numbers
1.5
1.6
Thurs. 1/23
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Thurs. 1/30
 Exponents, Order of Operations, and Averages
 Solving Word Problems
Review Whole Numbers
Chapter 1 Test
Chapter 2: Fractions
 Factors and Prime Numbers
 Introduction to Fractions
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Review Fractions
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Thurs. 2/6
Chapter 3: Decimals
 Introduction to Decimals
 Adding and Subtracting Decimals
 Multiplying Decimals
 Dividing Decimals
Review Fractions & Decimals
Chapter 2 & 3 Test
5.1
5.2
6.1
Thurs. 2/13
Chapter 5: Ratio & Proportion
 Introduction to Ratios
 Solving Proportions
Chapter 6: Percents
 Introduction to Percents
Review Ratios & Proportions
Chapter 5 Test
6.2
6.3
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
Thurs. 2/20
Chapter 6: Percents
 Solving Percent Problems
 More on Percents
Chapter 7: Signed Numbers
 Introduction to Signed Numbers
 Adding Signed Numbers
 Subtracting Signed Numbers
 Multiplying Signed Numbers
 Dividing Signed Numbers
Review Ratios, Percents, & Signed Numbers
Chapter 6, 7 Test
4.1
4.2
4.3
9.1
9.2
9.3
Thurs. 2/27
11.2
Chapter 4: Basic Algebra: Solving Simple Equations
 Introduction to Basic Algebra
 Solving Addition & Subtraction Equations
 Solving Multiplication & Division Equations
Chapter 9: Algebra
 Solving Equations
 More Solving Equations
 Using Formulas
Review Basic Algebra
Chapter 11: Basic Geometry
 Perimeter & Circumference
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
Thurs. 3/6
 Area
 Volume
 Similar Triangles
 Square Roots & the Pythagorean Theorem
Comprehensive Review
Comprehensive Review
FINAL EXAM over Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 9, 11
IX.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable
accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services.
Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored
programs, activities, and services, or to meet course requirements, should contact the
Resource Center Director as early as possible: springaccess@ben.edu or (217) 525-1420,
ext. 3233.
X.
ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in
this syllabus in Sections IV and VI. Instructor will use background knowledge probes,
one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as
deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of instruction.