El Camino College Compton Center
Math 23, Pre-Algebra
Spring 2016 Course Syllabus
Mission Statement
El Camino College makes a positive difference in people’s lives.
We provide excellent comprehensive educational programs and
services that promote student learning and success in
collaboration with our diverse communities.
Instructor: D. Roach, Ph.D.
Class: Math 23
Credit Hours: 3 (Lecture)
Section: 9726
Days/Time: MW 12:30-2:35
Location: MS 202
Phone (310) 900-1600 x 2332
Email: droach@elcamino.edu
Course Dates: January 16 to May 13, 2016
Office Hours:
MW: 10:30-12:30, TTH: 10:30-1:30 in MS 225 (D 31G)
Text: Prealgebra (7th edition) by McKeague
Prerequisite: Math 10B or Math 12 with a minimum grade of C in
prerequisite or qualification by testing (ECC Math Placement Test)
and assessment
Credit: Not degree applicable
Transfer: None
Course Description
This course bridges the gap between arithmetic and formal algebra,
developing number sense and operation sense, in order to formulate
and solve algebraic equations with integers, fractions, and
percents. Algebraic principles are applied to problems from a
variety of fields. Other topics include: proportional reasoning,
spatial reasoning, informal geometry and measurement, coordinate
graphing, informational graphs, and data collection and
description.
Course Objectives
1) Acquire effective study skills including the use of the
calculator in appropriate situations.
2) Perform various operations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, and exponentiation) on different
sets of numbers (whole, integer, and rational) and recognize
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equivalence when it occurs, particularly with fractions,
decimals, and percents
3) Formulate mathematical representations of real-world
applications including the recognition of proportional
relationships.
4) Estimate to determine the reasonableness of results.
5) Recognize and apply the concepts of variable, expression, and
equation.
6) Solve linear equations.
7) Find perimeters, areas, and volumes of various geometrical
shapes and use in applications.
8) Represent linear relationships with tables, graphs, and
equations (coordinate graphing).
9) Read, interpret, and construct tables, charts, and graph
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
SLO #1
Application
Problems
SLO #2 Solving
Equations and
Manipulating
Expressions
SLO #3 Visual and
Graphical Methods
SLO #4
Articulating
Mathematical
Reasoning
Students will recognize the underlying
mathematical concepts in order to
successfully evaluate expressions and
formulas in a given context (word
problems, data, diagrams, etc.) and
apply those concepts correctly in
authentic, real-world application
problems.
Students will use numerical and
symbolic representations of
mathematical ideas to simplify linear
expressions and solve linear equations.
Students will be able to use visual or
graphical methods to solve linear
equations and problems involving
geometry and measurement.
Students will verbally articulate
(orally or in written form) the
mathematical reasoning they used to
solve a numeric or linear problem or
analyze a numeric or linear situation.
Methods of Evaluation
Tests: There will be nine tests (10 points each), a pre-final
examination (10 points) and a final examination (20 points). All
tests are closed book, without notes, cards, etc. Tests are given
at the end of each chapter. Make-up tests are not given but your
lowest test score (except the final) will be dropped if you take
them all. This will accommodate any student who must be
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unavoidably absent for one test. Show your work on all tests. No
credit is given for just the answers. No electronic device must be
out or on the desk during tests.
Class-work: Your assignment will be to do the work assigned on
days we have class-work. Then, exchange papers and award 2 points
if all the assigned work is completed, 1 point if half is
completed. Do not grade by answer, right or wrong, but by effort.
Then write your initials (not your name) next to the points
awarded on the front sheet only. No one must grade one’s own work.
The class-work will be worth 10 points at the end of the semester.
Homework: For every chapter covered, your assignment is to do
every 6th odd-numbered problem in each exercise 1, 7, 13, 19 etc.
It will be collected on the day of the test, and will be worth 10
points at the end of the semester.
WebAssign: For online assistance with this course 24/7 you can log
in to WebAssign.
“Developed by professors based upon their classroom experiences,
WebAssign is designed to provide a convenient and engaging way for
students to solve math problems and/or submit online homework
while receiving immediate feedback and tutorial help. The math
exercises are tied to resources from the textbook – including
video, interactive tutorials, and pages of the text – which
maximizes the student’s efficiency while studying. WebAssign is
available at all hours of the day, through a variety of web
browsers and operating systems.”
Use the following steps:
Go to www.cengage.com/ewa
Click on I have a class key. For Math 23, the class key is:
elcamino 0578 2770
Note: The name of the instructor that pops up will be a generic
name (e.g. Kerry Behymer), not the name of your current
instructor.
Grading: 90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C; 60-69% D; 0-59% F.
Attendance: Students will not be permitted to attend classes in
which they are not enrolled. Students are expected to attend their
classes regularly. Students who miss the first class meeting or
who are not in regular attendance during the add period for the
class may be dropped by the instructor. Students whose absences
from a class exceed 10% of the scheduled class meeting times may
be dropped by the instructor. For this class that means you can be
dropped if you are absent four or more times in the semester. This
rule also applies to excessive absences due to illness or medical
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treatment. Children are not permitted in classrooms while class is
in session. However, it is your responsibility to drop the class
when you know that you will no longer be attending.
Academic Integrity: Students are responsible to inform themselves
of college policies regarding the code of academic integrity.
Dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism or
knowingly furnishing false information to the college will result
in disciplinary action. This could range from an F for that piece
of work, suspension from all classes for that or following
semesters, or expulsion from the college.
Students with Special Needs: Any student who feels that he/she may
qualify for accommodations for any type of disability, please see
me immediately with the proper documentation.
Important Dates Spring 2016:
Spring 2016 Online Registration Begins Tuesday, November 17, 2015
First Drop for Non-Payment for Spring Classes Deadline For students who register November 17 – December 4 Monday,
December 7, 2015
Concurrent Enrollment (11th & 12th Grade)
Web Registration Begins Thursday, December 10, 2015
First Day to Apply for Spring Degrees and Certificates Monday,
January 4, 2016
Second Drop for Non-payment for Spring Classes Deadline For students who register December 5 – January 8 Monday, January
11, 2016
All Registration Ends (Full Semester Classes) Wednesday, January
13, 2016
Saturday Classes Begin Saturday, January 16, 2016
Martin Luther King Holiday - Campus Closed Monday, January 18,
2016
Weekday Classes Begin Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Add/Drop Period Begins (Full Semester Classes)
(Short Term Classes Differ - See Short Term Calendar) Tuesday,
January 19, 2016
Last Day to Add (Full Semester Classes) Friday, January 29, 2016
Last Day to Challenge Residency Status for Current Semester
Friday, January 29, 2016
Last Day to Drop for an Enrollment Fee Refund
(Full Semester Classes) Friday, January 29, 2016
Last Day to Drop Without Notation on Permanent Record Friday,
January 29, 2016
Last Day to Apply for Spring Degrees and Certificates Thursday,
February 11, 2016
Lincoln’s Day Holiday - Campus Closed Friday, February 12, 2016
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Washington’s Day Holiday - Campus Closed Monday, February 15, 2016
Spring Recess, No Classes Saturday - Friday
March 12 - 18, 2016
Mid-Term Classes Begin Saturday, March 19, 2016
Last Day to Drop with a “W” Friday, April 15, 2016
Last Day of Spring Semester Friday, May 13, 2016
Commencement Thursday, May 12, 2016
Schedule:
Weeks 1-3 Chapters 1, 2
Weeks 4-6 Chapters 3, 4
Weeks 7-9 Chapters 5, 6
Weeks 10-12 Chapters 7, 8
Weeks 13-14 Chapter 9, Review
Week 15 Review and prefinal
Week 16 Review and final
Notes:
 This syllabus is tentative and it may be modified at any
time.
 All electronic devices must be turned off, or phones put on
vibrate, in class.
 Do not have any device (other than hearing aid) in your ear
in class.
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