Math 098 Syllabus
Spring 2016
MATH 098 Algebraic Literacy I (Section 002)
Spring 2016
Class Location: EMS E208
Instructor: Ian Paszkiewicz
Office Phone: (414) 229-2669
Office Hours: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Class Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
Email: iap@uwm.edu
Office Location: Physics 123
Tuesday
Thursday
(and by appointment)
Prerequisite: Placement level D
Course Description:
Algebraic Literacy I is a the first course in a two course sequence for math, science, business, nursing
and engineering students integrating algebraic reasoning, modeling, and functions. This sequence
satisfies the Quantitative Literacy-A Requirement, giving a student the ability to evaluate, construct and
communicate arguments using quantitative methods and formal reasoning. This ability is consistent
with the following Mathematical Practice (MP) standards from the Common Core:
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Specifically, the course Algebraic Literary I covers arithmetic number systems; linear equations,
inequalities; exponent notation and radicals; polynomials, operations, and factoring; modeling;
coordinate geometry; linear systems; and quadratic equations. Students will develop conceptual and
procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts.
Textbook:
You need to go to http://www.aleks.com/sign_up to sign up your online homework system ALEKS. The
ALEKS course code for this course is XXXXX-XXXXX. Once you sign up on ALEKS, you will have
access to your online homework. In addition, you will have access to the following e-book: ALEKS 360
Beginning/Intermediate (4th edition). Authors: Miller, O’Neill, and Hyde
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Math 098 Syllabus
Spring 2016
Other required course materials (bring them to class on day 1):

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A 3-inch thick, 3-ring binder with a minimum of 5 tabs labeled as “Course Information”,
“Lecture Notes”, “ALEKS Notes”, “In-Class Worksheets”, and “Exams”
100 blank sheets of paper
Writing utensils, colored pens/pencils, and a 12-inch ruler
A scientific calculator. Cell phones or other electronic gadgets will NOT be allowed to be used
as calculators.
Grading Scale (minimum cutoffs):
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
93
90
87
83
80
77
73
70
67
63
60
A grade of C is required to satisfy the university mathematics requirement.
Your grades will be determined by the following components:
20% ALEKS Homework (You are required to complete all the homework problems by 11:59
p.m. Thursday, May 12th. Otherwise, your instructor reserves the right to drop your
overall course grade to the next lower grade.)
15% In-class worksheets (Late worksheets are not graded for credit. If you miss more than four
worksheets/classes, your instructor reserves the right to drop your overall course grade to
the next lower grade.)
5%
Group Projects (Details to be announced)
10% Monthly Exam 1 (Feb. 17)
5%
Monthly Exam 2 (Take-home exam; Due Mar. 21)
10% Monthly Exam 3 (Mar. 30)
10% Monthly Exam 4 (Apr. 20)
25% Final Exam (Friday, May 13, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Location TBA)
Help with the Course:

Office Hours: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday and by appointment

Panther Academic Support Services (PASS): http://www4.uwm.edu/pass/

Math Department Tutoring: http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/math/courses/tutoring.cfm
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ALEKS Student Support Phone Number (Central Time): (714) 619-7090 (Hours: Sunday, 3:00
PM to Midnight; Monday - Thursday, 6:00 AM to Midnight; Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
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Math 098 Syllabus
Spring 2016
Important policies:

First 30 credits policy: We have learned that students are more likely to succeed at UWM if
they complete their developmental coursework within taking their first 30 credits of classes,
and we are committed to helping you do that. Therefore, all developmental course work must be
successfully completed within your first 30 credits in order to stay on track for your degree at
UWM. A "To Do" item will remain active in your PAWS account until you complete this
developmental course with a C or better. If you have any questions please see your advisor.

Workload: You are expected to spend at least 6 hours on ALEKS homework every week in
order to be successful in this course.

Completing all ALEKS homework is required: You are required to complete all the
homework problems by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 12th. Otherwise, your instructor reserves the
right to drop your overall course grade to the next lower grade.

Late assignment policy: Late assignments are accepted only for events and activities such as
serious illnesses, court appearances, military duty, and university-sponsored athletics. You must
contact the instructor no later than the day after the due date of the assignment, and the late
assignment must be turned in within a week from the due date.

Finish the course early: You are allowed to finish this course early. The deadline for early
finish is the date of the exam 3. A student who completes these requirements will finish early and
therefore be exempted from all subsequent assignments and exams. Here is how:
 You have completed all topics in your ALEKS homework.
 You take a proctored comprehensive assessment on ALEKS and show you have mastered at
least 93% of the topics. You will need about 3 hours for the assessment, and will schedule it
with your instructor or take it with an approved proctor.
 Correct any topics in ALEKS that you missed on the comprehensive assessment.
 Take a paper-and-pencil final exam for Math 098 and earn a score of at least 93%.

Important dates:
 Feb. 19: Last day to drop full-term courses without W on record
 Mar. 25: Last day to drop or withdraw from full-term courses
 Exam 1: Feb. 17
 Exam 3: Mar. 30
 Exam 4: Apr. 20
 Final exam: Friday, May 13th, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Location TBA

Make-up exam policy: According to university policy, students must take the exams at the
given time in the given location. If you miss an exam, you will receive a zero for that grade.
Under no circumstances are students are allowed to take the exam early. A make-up monthly
exam is allowed for events and activities such as serious illnesses, court appearances, military
duty, and university-sponsored athletics. All appropriate documents of proof must be
submitted before any alternate arrangements for the exam will be considered. You must contact
the instructor no later than the day after the missed exam, and the make-up exam must be taken
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Math 098 Syllabus
Spring 2016
within a week from the scheduled exam date. (A make-up final exam is only considered under
extreme circumstances approved by the course coordinator and the department chairperson.)

Class cancellation: Room changes, course cancellations, etc., will be emailed to the students
and posted outside of the classroom door.

Disability: Students with special needs have access to educational opportunities equal to those of
non-special need students. To insure that reasonable accommodations can be made for students
with special needs each student must identify him- or herself in a timely manner, preferably prior
to the beginning of a term. However, if students are unsure of eligibility to receive
accommodations and have not discussed this with a university representative, students should
discuss these concerns with their instructor or advisor as early as possible.

Religious Observances: Students will be allowed to complete examinations or other
requirements that are missed because of a religious observance.

Academic Misconduct: The University has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and
integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty.
Students are responsible for the honest completion of and representation of their work, for the
appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others’ academic endeavors. Further
information may be found at
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/Acad_Aff/policy/academicmisconduct.html

Complaint Procedures: Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic unit or
department in which the complaint occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates a stated university
policy, it may be directed to the head of the department or academic unit in which the complaint
occurred or to the appropriate university office responsible for enforcing the policy.

Grade appeals: A student may appeal a grade on the grounds that it is based on a capricious or
arbitrary decision of the course instructor. Such an appeal shall follow the established
procedures adopted by the department, college, or school in which the course resides. These
procedures are available in writing from the department chairperson or Academic Dean.

Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the
University. It subverts the mission of the University and threatens the careers, educational
experience, and well-being of students, faculty and staff. The University will not tolerate
behavior between or among members of the University community which creates an
unacceptable working environment. The policy on discriminatory conduct, including sexual
harassment, can be found at: http://www4.uwm.edu/sexualharassment/
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