Welcome to Math 450 !
MATH 450
Pasadena City College
Numerical Foundations
Fall 2012
#0236
MWF 1:20-3:05pm R-207
This syllabus is subject to change and all changes will be announced in class.
Welcome!
Welcome to PCC and Math 450. I look forward to a productive and
enjoyable semester together with each of us working towards your
success. Please read the following information (and reread it periodically
throughout the semester) in order to be aware of important class
information.
PROFESSOR:
Dr. Nordstrom ,
office: CC223
phone: (626) 585-7208
email address: denordstrom@pasadena.edu
website: www.pasadena.edu/faculty/denordstrom
You may have certain expectations of a professor.
You can expect me to:
1. Be prepared and knowledgeable.
2. Engage thoughtfully and actively in course discussion.
3. Listen attentively to whoever has the floor.
4. Treat you respectively.
5. Provide you with accurate, timely and fair feedback.
6. Start and end class on time.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 10:30-11am;
Tuesday and Thursday 9:15-11am;
Wednesday 10:30am - Noon.
I do hope you will visit during my office hours. Come individually or with
friends. It’s a chance to talk about the course, assignments, exams,
study strategies, or whatever else you’d like to discuss. You don’t have
to have a problem to visit. If you find yourself having difficulty with a
reading or assignment, however, I definitely want to see you; I may be
able to help.
As a Math 450 student, you are also invited to attend other Math 450
professor’s office hours. You will be given more information about those
in another handout.
If you need individual accommodations to meet course objectives
because of a documented disability, please make an appointment with
me to discuss your needs as soon as possible so that we can ensure
your full participation in class and fair assessment of your work.
EMAIL / CANVAS:
Apart from speaking directly to me during class or office hours, email is
generally the best way to contact me. I usually am able to respond to
your email within 24 hours, if not by midnight the night of your email.
Please make sure you submit your correct and current email address to
Canvas. I will communicate with you regularly via Canvas. Handouts
and announcements will be sent to you at this email address via Canvas
or posted directly on Canvas.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
Access Canvas at https://canvas.pasadena.edu
According to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/10-best-jobs-2011,
being a mathematician is the second best job!!! And many of the other
top 10 require mathematics.
(Previously, mathematician had been at the #1 spot.)
The Best Jobs
Of 200 Jobs studied, these came out on top
The Best
1. Software Engineer
2. Mathematician

3. Actuary
4. Statistician
5. Computer Systems Analyst
6. Meteorologist
7. Biologist
8.Historian
9. Audiologist
10. Dental Hygienist
When you look at the list above, I hope you see the importance of Math
450 and other math courses to your job opportunities and job satisfaction.
Math 450 is necessary for an associates’ degree, for transfer to a fouryear university, and for many certificates. Building a good math
foundation in Math 450 will make success in future courses more likely.
However, Math 450 may be very different from other math classes you
have taken. My goal is that you understand the concepts, rather
than simply memorizing the steps. With that in mind, there will be a lot of
group work, class discussions, and activities. It is important that we all
respect each other and work well together. We all will need all of us
working towards the goal of every student succeeding in Math 450!
Specifically, Math 450 will
 Build whole number arithmetic skills.
 Include a brief introduction to fractions, decimals and percents.
 Incorporate study skills for success in mathematics courses.
These topics will lead to other courses, majors, schools and eventually to
the top 10 jobs!
STUDENT
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
At the successful completion of this course you will be able to:
1. Perform operations on whole numbers, without the use of a calculator.
2. Apply academic strategies to mathematical content.
3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of whole numbers,
fractions, decimals and percents.
Students will be assessed on these learning outcomes through a variety
of formats, such as daily quizzes, tests, homework, entrance and exit
class problems, and the final exam.
Students are expected to communicate knowledge orally and in writing.
Thus, you should take advantage of the given opportunities given to you
in class to discuss mathematics.
REQUIRED
TEXTBOOK:
The Math 450 textbook is available only at the PCC bookstore. You will
need a 3-ring binder (3 inch minimum) to hold the text.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS:
Every class session and course assignment has been thoughtfully and
intentionally designed in order for students to successfully accomplish the
learning outcomes. Therefore, for students to have the greatest potential
of understanding the material and passing Math 450, this course requires
students to attend class and actively participate, as well as to complete
homework assignments on time.
Your participation is crucial! Math is not a spectator sport. You must be
actively involved every day. These requirements are detailed below.
ATTENDANCE: Since each class session is purposely and intentionally designed with
activities geared to help you have success in Math 450, you are expected
to attend class every day. Students who attend class daily, on time, and
prepared are more likely to succeed. This means more than just showing
up. It means being in your seat on time, having your supplies out, having
your homework done, and being ready and willing to participate. With
this in mind, you are expected to arrive on time (1:20pm) and stay
throughout the entire class (until 2:55pm).
In the unlikely  event that you are absent, it is your responsibility to find
out the material you missed and the assignments that are due. You will
find it helpful to have the contact information of at least two classmates.
For your information: PCC policy maintains 3 tardies = 1 absence and six
absences constitute basis for dismissal from the class.
IN-CLASS Each class session may have a quiz to start the class, a group activity
ACTIVITIES: and a “ticket to go” problem. Other class activities include lecture, class
discussions, board work, and group work. All of these activities are
geared toward helping each and every student succeed in Math 450.
You are expected to actively participate in class every day. Participation
in class means that you are focusing on the current class activity,
contributing to class discussions, working/helping classmates, and
keeping up with your homework. (Actively participating in class does not
include texting, talking off topic, or distracting your classmates.) You,
your classmates, and I will learn more and enjoy class more when YOU
actively participate.
HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned daily and collected at the beginning of the
next class meeting. Schedule your time wisely. The college standard is
that you spend 2 hours outside of class working for every hour you spend
in class. We meet for a little more than 5 hours each week, which means
you should be spending between 10 and 11 hours each week working on
your math! You will have homework just about every night. In addition to
the assigned homework you need to also review previous work. One key
to surviving any math class is to stay on top of the work – if you fall
behind it is very difficult to get caught up.
If you need help ask! Ask me, ask one of the other Math 450 teachers or
ask a classmate. You need to take control of your education. There are
lots of resources available at PCC; be proactive in seeking them out.
Your homework should be completed in a neat and organized manner.
Most of your work should be done according to the format on page 1.7 in
your book. In addition to page 1.7, note the following:
Homework is NOT completed until you have corrected your
assignment. To correct your assignment, refer to the correct
answers in the back of the book and use a different colored
pen/pencil to mark each problem that is incorrect. Then, make any
necessary corrections be REWORKING (in a different colored
pen/pencil) those problems after each incorrect solution OR at the
end of the homework assignment in a section labeled
“CORRECTIONS.” If you do not have any questions to correct,
please write NO CORRECTIONS at the end of your work with the
different colored pen/pencil.
If you turn in a solution that is incorrect, whose answer is available in
your book, and the problem has not been corrected, you may receive
NO CREDIT for the section.
You are encouraged to work together on your homework; however the
work you turn in should be your own. You will have homework practically
every day. Being absent does not excuse you from completing the
homework on time. If you are absent you will need to contact a
classmate to find out what the assignment is. Please keep up with the
assignments as late homework is NOT accepted.
QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given regularly. The material on the quizzes will be
directly related to what we are doing in class and what you have done at
home. The quizzes will help you prepare for the exams and final.
Makeup quizzes will not be given; however at least one quiz will be
dropped.
IN-CLASS TESTS: There will be 5 exams. They do not correspond with the end of chapters.
You will be tested over all the material that has been covered. The
exams will be on: Sept 12, Sept 28, Oct 17, Nov 9, and Dec 5.
FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be held on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 from 1-3pm.
Please note that this time is different from our regular class time. The
final will cover all the material for the entire semester. To pass this
course you must receive at least 70% on the final. The reason for this is
that each math class builds on what you learned in the previous course.
You need to have a strong foundation before you are ready to move on to
the next course. The final exam is worth 25% of your Math 450 grade.
TUTORING
OPPORTUNITIES:
Tutoring is available in the Math Resource Center (R407) and in the
Learning Assistance Center (D300). You can also call the PCC Math
Hotline, (626) 585-7056, with questions. Check these areas for their
respective schedules. Of course, don’t forget about my office hours as
well as other Math 450 instructors’ office hours.
FUN STUFF YOU
NEED FOR
CLASS:
The following materials will support your learning in Math 450:
CREDIT:
You will receive 4 non-transferable units upon successful completion of
Math 450.
 The Math 450 text book, available only at the PCC bookstore.
 A 3-ring binder for your textbook & class work, 3 inch minimum.
 At least 12 tab dividers for your textbook.
 Lined notebook paper.
 A ruler with both inches and centimeters, approximately 12 inches long.
 Stapler – your work needs to be organized.
 Highlighter pens or colored pencils – at least 3 colors.
 Fine tipped dry erase markers & a rag or eraser (Try the 99¢ Store.)
 At least one sheet protector, transparency or large Ziploc type bag.
 At least 3 more Ziploc type bags.
GRADING:
Your grade will be based on the following areas: homework, class work &
participation, quizzes, 5 exams and the final. Attached to the syllabus is
a form we will use to keep track of your grade throughout the semester.
Assignments are weighted as follows:
Homework
125 points
Quizzes
125 points
5 In-Class Exams 500 points
Final Exam
250 points
Total
1000 points
The grading scale is:
A 90 -100%
B 80 - 89%
C 75 - 79%
D 60 - 74%
F 0 - 59%
WITHDRAWAL
DEADLINE:
You should familiarize yourselves with Pasadena City College’s
withdrawal policy but you are free to ask me questions about it. The
deadline to withdraw from this class without a W is September 8 (?). The
deadline to withdraw from this class with a W is November 11 (?). If you
withdraw from Math 450 by 6pm on this date, you will receive a grade of
W.
During the first 2 weeks attendance is crucial. If you are absent during
the first 2 weeks of school, I may assume you are dropping the course. I
may drop you and add one of the many students trying to add into our
class.
Please don’t hesitate to talk with me if you are contemplating dropping. I
want all of you to succeed.
PERSONAL
CONDUCT:
We are all here to learn. Please show respect for your classmates and
their education as well as for your own education. You are expected to
conduct yourself in a professional manner. For instance, please do not
talk when someone else is speaking. Even if you understand the
material, pay attention - you never know when I or a classmate might say
something in a way you hadn’t thought of.
All electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, etc.) should be turned off or
silenced while in class. You should not be texting, surfing, or phoning
during class. It is distracting to me and your classmates as well as being
incredibly disrespectful of me. Please remove all headphones, earbuds,
etc from your ears before class.
ACADEMIC
HONESTY:
All students are expected to be in complete compliance with Pasadena
City College policy on academic honesty. In NO instance, will cheating of
any type be tolerated in this course. Any student found to be behaving in
an inappropriate manner will receive a grade of F for the semester and
will be reported to the Dean of Student and Learning Services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Classmate #1 _________________________________
Phone ______________________________________
Email _______________________________________
Classmate #2 _________________________________
Phone _______________________________________
Email _______________________________________
Classmate #3 _________________________________
Phone _______________________________________
Email ______________________________________
Classmate #4_________________________________
Phone ______________________________________
Email ______________________________________
Calculating your grade
Quiz set 1
_____________
25
Homework set 1
_____________
25
Exam 1
_____________
100
Total
_____________
150
Quiz set 2
_____________
25
Homework set 2
_____________
25
Exam 2
_____________
100
Total
_____________
300
Quiz set 3
_____________
25
Homework set 3
_____________
25
Exam 3
_____________
100
Total
_____________
450
Quiz set 4
_____________
25
Homework set 4
_____________
25
Exam 4
_____________
100
Total
_____________
600
Quiz set 5
_____________
25
Homework set 5
_____________
25
Exam 5
_____________
100
Total
_____________
750
Final Exam
_____________
250
Total
_____________
1000
A: 150 – 135 B: 134 – 120
C: 119 – 113 D: 112 - 90
A: 300 -270 B: 269 - 240
C: 239 - 225 D: 224 - 180
A: 450 - 405 B: 404 - 360
C: 359 - 338 D: 337 - 270
A: 600 - 540 B: 539 - 480
C: 479 - 450 D: 449 - 360
A: 750 – 675 B: 674 - 600
C: 599 - 563 D: 562 - 465
A: 1,000 – 900 B: 899 - 800
C: 799 – 750 D: 749 - 600
“Whether you believe you can do something
or believe you can’t – you’re right!”
Henry Ford