Pre-Algebra
Math 54 (5 credit hours)
Summer 2011
Instructor: Tom McCollow
Phone:
(253)864-3273 or (253)486-2822
E-mail:
tmccollow@pierce.ctc.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
C190C
TEXT:
PreAlgebra, 4th Edition by Tussy, Gustafson, and Koenig
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Review operations with fractions, decimals, and percents; operations with signed
numbers. Simplify algebraic expressions. Solve linear equations. Solve a variety of application problems.
Introduce square roots, exponents, and coordinate graphing. Determine area, perimeter, and volume. Calculate
statistical measures of center; interpret graphs.
COURSE PRE-REQUISITES: Satisfactory placement test score, or Math 51 with a grade of at least
2.0 ,or instructor permission.
TOPIC SEQUENCE
I. Whole Numbers, Integers
Chap 1, 2
II. Fractions, Beginning Algebra
Chap 3, 4
III. Decimals, Percent, Measurement
Chap 5, 6, 7
IV. Graphs, Statistics, Geometry
Chap 8,9
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all class sessions is required. If you miss a class you are responsible for all material
covered and assignments made during that class.
GRADING POLICY
Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance in four (4) areas: Daily
Homework Assignments (10%), Quizzes/Weekly Assignments (10%), Major Exams (50%), and a
Cumulative Final Exam (30%).
DAILY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Daily Homework will account for 10% of your final grade. Virtually each day you can count
on an assignment from the text corresponding to the day's lesson. These assignments are designed
to solidify the concepts encountered that day. The only way to gain the level of comprehension for
success in this class is to do these daily assignments. These assignments will be graded on a
completion basis. DO THESE ASSIGNMENTS!!!
Late assignments will not be accepted. However, at the end of the quarter, the 2 lowest
grades will be dropped. So if you miss 1 or 2 it will not affect your grade.
QUIZZES/WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
Quizzes and Weekly Assignments will account for 10% of your final grade. We will have
quizzes about once per week, typically they will not be announced in advance. They will consist of
a few problems, usually taken from homework assignments, and will serve as a means to measure
how well you are grasping the material. If you keep up with the homework and actively participate
in class meetings, you should do well on these quizzes. Make-up quizzes will not be given for
students who miss quizzes due to absence or tardy.
Each week there will be a set of problems assigned. These are in addition to Daily
Homework. These assignments will be typically given on Monday and will be due the following
Monday. These assignments will be graded in the same way that quizzes are graded. These
assignments represent opportunities to have additional practice with topics covered in class.
Problems on the weekly assignments may include material currently covered as well as review
material. It is acceptable (even encouraged) to work with study partners on these assignments.
Again, late assignments will not be accepted.
Again, the lowest quiz/weekly assignment score will be dropped at the end of the quarter,
so missing one will not hurt your grade at all.
MAJOR EXAMS
There will be four major exams throughout the quarter, the average of these exams will
account for 50% of your final grade. These exams will occur at the end of the major topics. All
major exams will be announced at least one week in advance.
No exam scores will be dropped in computing the final grade. Make-up exams will not be
given for students who miss a major exam. In the case of an unavoidable absence for one exam, the
score of the Cumulative Final Exam may be used to replace the grade of 0 which had been earned.
NOTE: Sharing of any resources (such as, but not limited to, calculators, notes,
information, …) during exams or quizzes is prohibited.
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM
The cumulative final exam will account for 30% of your final grade. The final exam will be
scheduled for our last class meeting, check the Topic Outline for the date and time. All students
must take the final exam in order to receive a passing grade for the course. That is, if you do not
take the final exam, you will fail the course.
ASSIGNED GRADES
Decimal grades reported for this class will range from 4.0 to 0.0. The minimum grades that will be
assigned are as follows:
96-100%: 4.0
94-95: :3.9
93
:3.8
92
:3.7
91
:3.6
90
:3.5
89:3.4
88:3.3
87:3.2
86:3.1
85:3.0
84:2.9
83:2.8
82:2.7
81:2.6
80:2.5
79:2.4
78:2.3
77:2.2
76:2.1
75:2.0
74:1.9
73:1.8
72:1.7
71:1.6
65:1.0
70:1.5
64:0.9
69:1.4
63:0.8
68:1.3
62:0.7
67:1.2
61:0.6
66:1.1
60:0.5
Below 60%:0.0
A grade of “Pass” will only be given for decimal grades of 1.0 or above (that is, 65% or above).
SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT
Students with disabilities who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services to
fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements are encouraged to register with the
Access and Disability Services (ADS) Office, Room A-115 in the Administration Building. You may
also call the ADS Office to make an appointment to meet with the ADS Coordinator at (253) 840-8335
or (253) 864-3301.
Students requesting accommodations must obtain the “Approved Quarterly Academic Adjustments,
Auxiliary Aids or Services” (green) form provided by ADS.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is expected that all students will follow the Pierce College Student handbook policies corresponding to
academic dishonesty and the consequences of violating those policies. NOTE: Sharing of any resources
(such as, but not limited to, calculators, notes, information, …) during exams or quizzes is prohibited.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR CLASSROOMS
Call 911 and then Campus Safety in response to an imminent threat to persons or property. In the event
of an evacuation (intermittent horns & strobes), gather all personal belongings and leave the building
using the nearest available safe exit. Be prepared to be outside for one hour and stay a minimum of 200
feet from any building or structure. So long as it is safe to do so students are expected to stay on
campus and return to class after evacuations that last less then 15 minutes. Do not attempt to re-enter the
building until instructed by an Evacuation Director (identified by orange vests) or by three horn blasts or
bell rings. Please notify the nearest Campus Safety Officer or Evacuation Director of any one left in the
building or in need of assistance.
Puyallup Campus Safety (253) 840-8481
MATH 54 – Pre-Algebra
Summer 2011
Tom McCollow
Week Day Date
Topic
Text
1
1
2
3
4
6/20
6/21
6/22
6/23
Introduction
Prime Factors, Order of Operations
Solving Equations
Adding Integers
2
1
2
3
4
6/27
6/28
6/29
6/30
Subtracting Integers
Multiplying and Dividing Integers
Equations with Integers
Exam 1
3
1
2
3
4
7/04
7/05
7/06
7/07
Independence Day Holiday – No Class
Independence Day Holiday – No Class
Algebraic Expressions
Simplifying Expressions
3.1, 2
3.3, 4, 5, 6
4
1
2
3
4
7/11
7/12
7/13
7/14
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Complex Fractions
Equations with Fractions
4.1, 2, 3, 5
4.4, 6
4.7
4.8
5
1
2
3
4
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
Exam 2
Decimals
Dividing Decimals
Fractions, Decimals, Square Roots
5.1, 2, 3
5.4
5.5, 6
6
1
2
3
4
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
Equations with Decimals
Ratios and Proportions
Measurement
Percents, Decimals, Fractions
5.7
6.1, 2
6.3, 4
7.1, 2
7
1
2
3
4
8/01
8/02
8/03
8/04
Applications of Percent, Interest
Exam 3
Graphs and Tables
Statistics
7.3, 4, 5
8
1
2
3
4
8/08
8/09
8/10
8/11
Linear Equations
Graphs
Perimeter, Area
Volume
8.3
8.4
9.7, 8
9.9
9
1
2
8/15
8/14
Exam 4
Final Exam
1.5, 6, 7
1.8, 9
2.1, 2
2.3
2.4, 5, 6
2.7
8.1
8.2