CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
COURSE REVISION FORM
REVISED 9/13/11
We recommend that you begin the course revision process by engaging in meaningful conversations
with your departmental colleagues and those colleagues who use the course in question as a service
course.
The course revision initiator and/or the sponsoring department chair should attend and be
prepared to address questions at the appropriate department meeting, Curriculum
Committee meeting and Faculty Council meeting.
I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
DATE: 4-11-12
SPONSORING DEPARTMENT:
COURSE REVISION INITIATOR:
THE COURSE BEING REVISED
Mathematics
A. Barnaby
IS NOT A TOPICS COURSE.
COURSE REVISION EFFECTIVE DATE:
fall
2012
DESCRIPTION OF ALL COURSE REVISIONS:
1. Students will need to earn a C- or better in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra to continue on in
MAT105 – Technical Mathematics I effective fall 2012.
Students who take MAT105 – Technical Mathematics I in fall 2012, with a D or D+ grade in
MAT100 – Introductory Algebra, should contact the Mathematics Department Chair to request a
prerequisite waiver.
JUSTIFICATION FOR EACH COURSE REVISION:
1. This addresses the CCC Strategic Goal of “Increase retention/success to help our students and
the people of our region reach their full potential” by helping to improve the successful completion
rate in mathematics coursework. By having the bar set at C- or better in introductory algebra, we
feel students will be better prepared for success in the algebra-based course.
2. In a review of student performance in entry-level college math coursework (i.e.
MAT103/104/105), for those students who earned a D grade* in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra,
the results were poor, but significantly different for MAT103 vs. MAT104/105. We have, given the
delineated data below, decided to propose requiring a C- grade or better in MAT100 – Introductory
Algebra to continue on to MAT104 - College Algebra with Trigonometry I and MAT105 –
Technical Mathematics I but to allow students with a D grade or better into MAT103 – Finite
Mathematics. All documentation follows; MAT105 documentation is highlighted.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra during the fall 2009, spring
2010, summer 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and summer 2011 semesters, those students who earned
a D grade* in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course
of MAT103/104/105:
MAT103/104/105 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
A
0
0% (0/111)
24/111
22%
22%
B
11
10%
(11/111)
C
13
12%
(13/111)
D
24
22%
24/111
22%
(24/111)
78%
F
31
28%
(31/111)
63/111
57%
W/WY
32
29%
(32/111)
Totals
111
No
MAT103/104/105
45
Attempt
MAT103/104/105
4
in Progress
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
Addendum
In a review of all 1146 students enrolled in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, summer 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and summer 2011 semesters :
 As of spring 2012, 45% (519/1146) had enrolled in a college level mathematics course (i.e.
MAT103/104/105); not all passed/completed the course.

As of spring 2012, 55% (627/1146) had not enrolled in a college level mathematics course.
As most of CCC’s degrees (excluding Criminal Justice and Nursing) require at least one collegelevel mathematics course, it appears that the majority of students who place into MAT100 do not
successfully earn a degree. This pool of students appears to be an at-risk group for retention
purposes.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT104 – College Algebra with Trig. I during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade*
in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of
MAT104:
MAT104 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
0
0% (0/18)
0/18
0%
0%
0
0% (0/18)
0
0% (0/18)
4
22% (4/18)
4/18
22%
7
39% (7/18)
100%
14/18
78%
W/WY
7
39% (7/18)
Totals
18
A
B
C
D
F
Note: MAT104 is designed for A.S. Liberal Art: Math & Science (transfer degree) students.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT105 – Technical Mathematics I during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade*
in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of
MAT105:
MAT105 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
0
0% (0/17)
3/17
18%
18%
0
0% (0/17)
3
18% (3/17)
4
22% (4/17)
4/17
24%
7
41% (7/17)
83%
10/17
59%
W/WY
3
18% (3/17)
Totals
17
Note: MAT105 is designed for A.A.S. technology-based (terminal degree) students.
A
B
C
D
F
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT103 – Finite Mathematics during the fall 2009, spring
2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade* in
MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of MAT103:
MAT103 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
A
0
0% (0/76)
21/76
27%
28%
B
11
14% (11/76)
C
10
13% (10/76)
D
16
21% (16/76)
16/76
21%
F
17
22% (17/76)
72%
39/76
51%
W/WY
22
29% (22/76)
Totals
76
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON CURRENT CURRICULA:
We feel that, in the short term, there will be lower rate of completion in MAT100 – Introductory
Algebra, but in the long run this will strengthen student knowledge and success in our Technologybased programs. Having stronger introductory algebra skills will assist in increasing student
success in technical mathematics, calculus and some technology coursework (e.g. electronics).
II. MASTER COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER:
COMPLETE COURSE TITLE:
MAT105
Technical Mathematics I
WEEKLY CONTACT HOURS FOR COURSE:
LECTURE HOURS:
LAB/STUDIO HOURS:
4
0
TOTAL CONTACT HRS:
4
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR CATALOG:
This is the first course in a two-semester sequence of intermediate algebra and trigonometry with
technical applications. Course topics include operations in the real number system, units of
measurement and approximate numbers, functions and graphs, first-degree equations, lines and
linear functions, systems of linear equations, right triangle trigonometry, geometry (perimeters,
areas, volumes of common figures), rules of exponents, polynomial operations, factoring,
operations on rational expressions, quadratic equations, and binary and hexadecimal notation. The
use of a graphing calculator is required for this course to further the exploration of these topics and
their applications. Near the end of the course, students will complete a comprehensive,
departmental final exam to assess their preparedness to move on to MAT205 Technical
Mathematics II.
COURSE PREREQUISITE(S): C- or better in MAT100 Introductory Algebra, equivalent or
placement (IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE CONTINUE.)
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COURSE COREQUISITE(S):
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(IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE CONTINUE.)
IMPORTANT ADVISING NOTES:
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MEASURABLE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/COURSE OBJECTIVES:
As the result of instructional activities, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Demonstrate understanding of real, rational, and irrational numbers
Perform operations on signed numbers
Use the laws of exponents
Solve problems involving the Order of Operations
Demonstrate the use of basic metric units and dimensional analysis
Use the terminology of algebraic expressions
Evaluate literal expressions
Solve first-degree equations in one variable
Analyze and solve word problems involving the use of linear and quadratic equations and
functions
10. Graph and interpret functions
11. Graph scatter plots of data given in a tables
12. Find linear equation models for data approximated by first degree equations
13. Add and subtract polynomials
14. Multiply polynomials using special products, long multiplication, and the FOIL method
15. Divide polynomials
16. Use various methods to factor polynomials
17. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions
18. Simplify complex fractions
19. Solve equations involving rational expressions
20. Convert back and forth among standard notation, scientific notation, and engineering
notation
21. Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula
22. Solve incomplete quadratic equations
23. Find quadratic equation models for data approximated by second degree equations
24. Use the Cartesian coordinate system to graph and interpret equations in two variables
25. Demonstrate knowledge of the slope-intercept form
26. Demonstrate knowledge of the point-slope form
27. Solve systems of linear equations by graphing, addition method, substitution method, and
(optional) by determinants
28. Identify basic geometric shapes
29. Use formulas to find perimeter and area of basic two-dimensional geometric shapes
30. Use formulas to find surface area and volume of basic three-dimensional geometric shapes
31. Define and evaluate trigonometric functions from 0° to 90° and their inverses
32. Analyze and solve right triangles
33. Use binary and hexadecimal notation
34. Convert between decimal, binary, and hexadecimal notation
COURSE OUTLINE:
1. Fundamental Concepts and Operations of Algebra (textbook chapter 1)
including arithmetic and real number system, order of operations, rules of exponents,
scientific notation, significant digits, accuracy, precision, metric system, dimensional
analysis, roots and radicals, operations with algebraic expressions, linear equations and
formula manipulation, applications of linear equations
2. Functions and Graphs (textbook chapters 3 and 5)
including functions, rectangular coordinate system, graphs of functions, slope, distance
formula, slope-intercept form, graphing scatter plots from data, curve-fitting with data
approximated by linear functions, parallel and perpendicular lines
3. Geometry (textbook chapter 2)
including angles and lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, surface area and volume of
geometric solids
4. Trigonometric Functions (textbook chapter 4)
including trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, tangent), values of trig functions, inverse
trig functions, solving right triangles, applications of right triangles
5. Factoring and Algebraic Fractions (textbook chapter 6)
including special products, factoring algebraic functions, other forms of factoring,
equivalent fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of algebraic
fractions, complex fractions, equations with fractions
6. Systems of Linear Equations (textbook chapter 5)
including solving systems of linear equations in two variables graphically, algebraically,
and by using determinants(optional), solving systems of linear equations in three
variables (optional)
7. Quadratic Equations (textbook chapter 7)
including solving quadratic equations by factoring, solving quadratic equations by
graphing, solving quadratic equations by completing the square (optional), solving
quadratic equations by the quadratic formula, curve-fitting with data approximated by
quadratic functions, applications
8. Binary and Hexadecimal Notation (supplemental materials)
including using binary notation, using hexadecimal notation, converting between
decimal, binary, and hexadecimal notation
III. APPROVAL
4/23/2012
4/29/2012
X
X
Sponsoring Department Chair
Curriculum Committee Chair
X
X
Faculty Council Chair
Vice President for Academic Affairs