Math 450 Numerical Foundations
Pasadena City College
Mathematics Division
Section# 4353
Spring 2012
MWF 8:45am – 10:30am
R-207
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor:
Ms. Sharon Bober
Office:
R-322O
Office Hours: M 4:00 – 5:00 pm, T 1:50 – 3:50 pm
W 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, Th 2:50 – 3:50 pm
E-mail: smbober@pasadena.edu
Phone:
(626) 585-3384
COURSE INFORMATION
Textbook:
Numerical Foundations, 6th Edition
Rev. July 2011
(Available Only in the PCC Bookstore)
Course Introduction: This course is likely to be much different than math courses you have taken in the
past. The goal is for you to understand the concepts, rather than to memorize steps. Frequently, you will
be working with your classmates to understand the material together; you are expected to actively
participate in class activities and discussions. If you don’t understand a concept, it is crucial that you
speak up and ask for help.
Sources of Help: Although there are many tutoring resources available on campus, many of them will be
unable to help you understand the material the way that you will be taught and tested. The best place to
get help for this class is to work with one or more classmates. You will find it helpful to have the contact
information of at least two of your classmates. You may also visit any of the other Math 450 instructors
for help. Shortly, you will receive information about all of the Math 450 instructors’ availability.
Special Needs: If you have a verified disability and believe you would benefit from reasonable
accommodations, you may wish to identify yourself to me. You can arrange for services through the
Disabled Student Programs & Services in D-209 during their office hours. If you have any questions
about this, please see me. For more information, please go to www.pasadena.edu/studentservices/dsps
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students 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.
Required Materials:
You will need to bring the following materials to class every day:
 Math 450 Textbook
 3-ring binder for your Textbook and class work (3” minimum)
 15 Tab Dividers for your Math 450 Textbook
 Lined Notebook Paper
 Pencil(s) and Eraser
 12-inch ruler with both inches and centimeters
 Stapler
 Highlighters (At least 3 different colors)
 Colored Pencils
(You will need at least these colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, and Brown)
 Colored Dry Erase Markers (At least 3 different colors; thin pens are preferred)
 An old rag or sock to use with the Dry Erase Markers
 1 Sheet Protector (The stronger, the better) or 1 Large Ziploc Bag
 3 Ziploc Bags (Quart size/Medium)
NO CALCULATORS ALLOWED
COURSE POLICIES
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Cell phones and electronic devices, including ipods, should be
completely silenced or turned OFF when you are in class. Please remove all hearing devices, such as
headphones, earbuds, or Bluetooth headsets from your ear(s) during class.
Attendance/Classroom Policies:
 Attend regularly; attendance will be taken daily. If you are absent, please contact a classmate to
determine what you missed and any announcements you missed.
 Arrive on time and don’t leave early; missing more than 15 minutes of class will be considered an
absence.
 Don’t talk when someone else is speaking.
 Silence/Turn off your cell phone, ipod, and all other electronic devices.
 No food or drinks in the classroom, except bottled water.
 No visitors to class, including children.
You may be dropped from the course after 10 total hours of absence. Remember that 3 tardies = 1
absence. If you desire to drop this course, it is your responsibility to do so. Any student still enrolled
after the final drop date will receive a letter grade.
Homework / Classwork:
(15% of grade)
Homework and class work should be completed neatly and in an organized manner. You are encouraged
to work together on your homework; however the work you hand in should be your own. Copying from
another student will not help you learn the material. HW is due the next class meeting. Late HW may
NOT be accepted if the assignment(s) has already been graded. Be sure to complete HW and turn in the
next class meeting for maximum credit.
Quizzes:
(10% of grade)
You may be given quizzes, either with or without notice. The content of the quizzes will be directly
related to your homework assignments. No make-up quizzes will be allowed; however, your lowest quiz
score will be dropped.
Exams:
(50% of grade)
Mar 7 (Wed): Exam #1
Mar 23 (Fri): Exam #2
Apr 13 (Fri): Exam #3
May 14 (Mon): Exam #4
June 6 (Wed): Exam #5
No calculators will be allowed on exams or in class. No Make-up exams will be given, but your lowest
exam score will be replaced by that of the final, if it is to your advantage and you score 70% or higher on
the final. All participating students caught cheating on an exam will receive a score of 0 for that exam;
this score will not be replaced by that of the final exam.
Final Exam: (25% of grade)
There will be a comprehensive final exam. Any student that does not take the final exam will receive a
course grade of “F”. The final exam will be given on Monday, June 11th 8 – 10am. To receive a
passing grade in this course, you must score a minimum of 70% on the final exam.
Cheating Policy:
Cheating will not be tolerated. All participating students caught cheating on an assignment will receive a
score of 0 on that assignment, and will be dealt with as severely as College policy allows – including, but
not limited to, a course grade of “F”.
Final Grade Determination:
Your final grade will be determined on the following scale:
A = 100 – 90%
B = 89 – 80%
C = 79 – 75%
D = 74 - 60%
F = Below 60%
2
Calculating your grade
Quiz 1
Homework Week 1
Homework Week 2 ______________
Exam 1
Total
20
10
10
100
140
Quiz 2
Homework Week 3
Homework Week 4 ______________
Exam 2
Total
20
10
10
100
280
Quiz 3
Homework Week 5
Homework Week 6 ______________
Homework Week 7 ______________
Exam 3
Total
20
10
10
10
100
430
Quiz 4
Homework Week 8
Homework Week 9 ______________
Homework Week 10 ______________
Homework Week 11 ______________
Exam 4
Total
20
10
10
10
10
100
590
A: 140 – 126 B: 125 – 112
C: 111 – 105 D: 104 - 84
A: 280 -252 B: 251 - 224
C: 223 - 210 D: 209 - 168
A: 430 - 387 B: 386 - 344
C: 343 - 323 D: 322 - 258
A: 590 - 531 B: 530 - 472
C: 471 - 443 D: 442 - 354
(continued on back)
Total (other side)
590
3
Quiz 5
Homework Week 12
Homework Week 13______________
Homework Week 14______________
Homework Week 15______________
Exam 5
Total
20
10
10
10
10
100
750
Final Exam
Total
250
1000
A: 750 – 675 B: 674 - 600
C: 599 - 563 D: 562 - 465
A: 1,000 – 900 B: 899 - 800
C: 799 – 775
D: 774-600
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