Northern Virginia Community College
Syllabus- MTH 152 (004A), Fall 2015
Math for Liberal Arts II (3 credits)
Mrs. Snejana Topalova
Lecture Time and Classroom: Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM, Bisdorf (AA) 355.
Note: If the college opens late, but at or before 1:00 PM, we will have class when the college opens. If the college opens
after 1:00 PM, the day’s class will be cancelled.
Office and Ways to Contact Me:
Bisdorf (AA) 352, Phone: (703) 845-6003
email: stopalova@nvcc.edu (Please, include the course number in the subject line: Ex. MTH 152)
Office Hours:
Walk-in
By Appointment:
Mondays and Wednesdays
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Mondays and Wednesdays
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
10:50 am – 12:00pm;
8:00 am – 9:20 am;
1:50 pm – 2:30pm;
9:20 am – 10:30 am and 1:30 pm - 2:10 pm;
Non-Instructional Days: September 7 (Labor Day), October 12 and 13 (Professional development days), November 25-29
(Thanksgiving holiday);
Course Description and Purpose:
MTH 151 and MTH 152 is a two semester sequence designed to give an appreciation for the uses of mathematics in the
contemporary world and to develop an ability to solve certain mathematical problems in a logical manner. Presents topics in
functions, combinatorics, probability, statistics and algebraic systems.
Prerequisite:
Prerequisites are a satisfactory score on an appropriate proficiency examination and MTH 003 -"Algebra I",
MTH 004 - "Algebra II", or Units 1-5 of MTT and geometry or equivalent. MTH 151 and MTH 152 do not
have to be taken in sequence.
Course Objectives: (http://www.nvcc.edu/academic/coursecont/summaries/MTH152.pdf)
As a result of the learning experience in this course, you will:

Analyze data and make inferences from data;
Apply counting principles;

Compute probabilities;
Describe the structure of algebraic systems;

Graph and apply linear functions.
Textbook:
Math for the Liberal Arts (2nd Custom Edition for NOVA), Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.
[Taken from Miller, C.D., Heeren, V.E., & Hornsby, J. (2008). Mathematical Ideas (expanded 12th edition)]
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE AN ACCESS CODE TO MYMATHLAB! (Note: If you have taken MTH 151 using the same
book, you can use your old access code)
Several options are available at:
1. NVCC Alexandria Bookstore (The bookstore sells this as a NOVA Special Bundle, including MyMathLab access or an access code
by itself);
2. CourseCompass.com (this gives you access to MyMathLab online resources and an eBook which, I am told, can be printed or just
used online;)
You will need the course ID: topalova74897 for MyMathLab. Find more instructions on BlackBoard.
3. Used books online can be found at amazon.com, ebay, addall.com; if you choose this option, it would be in your best interest to pay
a few extra dollars for fast shipping. A textbook is on closed reserve in the library for your use until you receive your book. The ISBN
number is: 978-0-321-69381-5
4. Rent the book from an online site like chegg.com.
Note: If you chose options 3 or 4, you will still need to buy an access code to MyMathLab.
MTH 152-005A, Syllabus, page 2
Syllabus (in this order):
1. Chapter 6: §§ 1, 2;
2. Chapter 4: We will cover three sections.*
3. Chapter 10: §§1-3, 5;
*
4. Chapter 11: §§1-3
5. Chapter 12:all
6. Chapter 8: §§1-3, (7, 8, if time permits).
If you have an e-book or the hard-cover book, you should find these sections on your Blackboard; They are numbered 4.4,
4.5, and 4.6;
If you have the NOVA edition, the sections are 4.5, 4.6, and 4.7.
In your MML homework you will see only homework 4.4 (for section 4.5 in the NOVA edition). The homework assignments
for the other two sections will be done on paper.
Calculator: Any basic scientific calculator with statistical operations will suffice. While a graphing calculator is not necessary, a TI83 or TI-84 is highly recommended. (If you need to take MTH 241 next, you will need one).
You may not use cell phones as calculators. You may not share a calculator during a test or quiz.
Grading Policy: There are 4 components that will determine your grade:
1. Online homework – 10%
2. Quizzes (weekly, when there is no test scheduled) – 15%
3. Chapter Tests (4 given, 1 hour each, lowest exam grade dropped)— 50%
4. Final Exam (comprehensive)—25%

In general, 90%-100% = A, 80%-89.9% = B, 70%-79.9% = C, 60%-69.9% = D, below 60% = F. I reserve the right to
lower the curve, but will not raise the curve. The last day to withdraw with refund is September 10, 2015. The
last day to withdraw without refund and receive a "W" grade is November 3, 2015. You are responsible for
doing all the paperwork (or online) necessary for withdrawal before these dates. Note: I will not sign withdrawal slips
after November 3, 2015 without written documentation.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken every day but it is not a required part of your grade. If you miss a class you are
responsible for the material covered that day. You will need to eitherask another student for the notes and the
assignment, send me an email, or come to my office during the specified office hours (Read the section first and come
with specific questions). Due dates are not extended because you missed class. If you do not miss any classes
throughout the semester I will add two extra percentage points to your final grade. If you miss only one class throughout
the semester I will add one extra percentage point to your final grade. I will take attendance at the beginning of each
class and in order to get attendance for the day, you need to be in class by 12:30pm.

Quizzes: Most of the quizzes will be assigned on line via MyMathLab. In-class quizzes are going to be given in the
beginning of the class period. Generally quizzes are based on homework. You will be told about an upcoming quiz at
least one class period ahead and/or I will announce it on Blackboard. CHECK YOUR BLACKBOARD REGULARLY!
You can drop the two lowest grades except for the last one. There are no make-up quizzes.

Homework: Homework is done online via MyMathLab. No late homework will be accepted. If you fail to start a
homework assignment, you will receive zero (0) points for that assignment. Homework must be completed by the due
date on MyMathLab to receive credit.

Chapter Tests: About one hour each, covering one/two chapter(s) from the textbook.
Test #1 (Chapters 6 and 4) is tentatively scheduled for September 16;
Test #2 (Chapter 10) is tentatively scheduled for October 7;
Test #3 (Chapter 11) is tentatively scheduled for October 26;
Test #4 (Chapter 12) is tentatively scheduled for November 23.
If you know you will not be in class any of these days, please see me well in advance so we can make alternate
plans. You may miss one exam and that will be your dropped score. More than one missed exams will result in
scores of 0 for those exams.
If you have an issue with your grade on an exam, discuss it with me immediately after class. If you leave the class, a
correction will no longer be an option.
MTH 152-001A, Syllabus, page 3

Final Exam: On December 14th (Monday) the final exam will be given from 1:30 pm – 3:10 pm in your regular
classroom. The exam will be comprehensive—covering all material we studied in the sixteen weeks. All students are
expected to attend the final exam.

Exams are individual efforts. Any proof of cheating on an exam results in a grade of F for the class. Cheating
includes both receiving and giving help. Cheating also includes invalid absences for exams.
All cell phones must be turned off and put away during exams.
You may NOT use books or notes when taking any examination.
You may NOT take a break during an exam.
You may NOT share calculators during exams.
Failure to abide by these policies will result in zero points for the test.
Notes:
1.
You are responsible for your own attendance. If you miss a class, you are responsible for finding the notes and
assignments from a classmate.
2.
Doing homework is vitally important in any course you take! Especially in math, it is important to do homework every
day. Homework includes reading the textbook and doing the problems in the chapter text, doing assigned problems,
attending help sessions and office hours, exploring relevant websites, and participating in a study group. I expect a
minimum of six (6) hours per week in homework—the “2 for 1” rule—you put in at least two hours of study for every
one hour of class per week. Note that this is a minimum time—you may need to put in significantly more time into this
class to be as successful as you want to be!
3.
The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides free peer tutoring. ASC is located in AA229. For more information or to
schedule an appointment, stop by (AA229), call (703.845.6363), or visit them online:
https://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/asc/index.html
4.
Make sure to save your tests (and the solutions) so you can use them to study for the comprehensive final examination,
and for reference material in subsequent courses.
5.
Special Needs and Accommodations. Please address with me any special problems or needs at the beginning of the
semester. If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you must provide a disability data sheet, which can
be obtained from the counselor for special needs. Call them at 703.933.1840 .
You should silence cell phones and pagers before class begins. NO TEXTING DURING CLASS!
6.
Please review the fire exit route. If you are physically disabled, please see me for specific instructions about your actions
in a fire emergency.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION IN THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!