Northern Virginia Community College
MTH 151-006A, Spring 2016
Mathematics for the Liberal Arts I, 3 credits
Mrs. Snejana Topalova
Office and Ways to Contact Me:
Bisdorf (AA) 352, Phone: (703) 845-6003
email: stopalova@nvcc.edu (Please, include the course and section number in the subject line: Ex. MTH151_006A.)
Office Hours:
In my office (AA 352):
(Walk-in)
Mondays
Fridays
Wednesdays
9:20 am – 11:50am; 1:50 pm – 2:50 pm;
8:00 am – 8:50 am;
2:00 pm - 3:00pm (in room AA 415);
In my office (AA 352):
( By Appointment )
Wednesdays
Fridays
9:20 am – 11:50am;
11:50 am – 2:00 pm;
Lecture Time and Classroom: Fridays, 9:00 am to 11:40am, Bisdorf (AA) 293.
Note: If the college opens late, but at or before 10:55 AM, we will have class when the college opens. If the college opens after 10:55
AM, the day’s class will be cancelled.
Non-Instructional Days: January 18th (MLK Day), March 7- 13 (Spring Break);
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. Topics in MTH
151 include sets, logic, numeration systems, geometric systems, and elementary computer concepts.
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: As a result of the learning experience in this course, you will:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Perform operations on sets and Venn diagrams and solve problems utilizing set operations.
Analyze a statement for logical structure and truth value.
Discern the validity of arguments.
Demonstrate the relationship between place values and number bases.
Distinguish between Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometry.
Apply topological concepts.
Textbook:
Math for the Liberal Arts (3rd Custom Edition for NOVA), Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.
[Taken from Miller, C.D., Heeren, V.E., & Hornsby, J , Mathematical Ideas (expanded 13th edition)]
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE AN ACCESS CODE TO MYMATHLAB! (Note: If you have taken MTH 151 last semester
using the same book, you can use your old access code). You will need the course ID: topalova93513 for MyMathLab. Find
more instructions on BlackBoard.
Two 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. http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/ (this gives you access to MyMathLab online resources and an eBook which, I am
told, can be printed or just used online;)
MTH 151-003A, Syllabus, page 2
Syllabus:
Chapter 2: all (& Extension)
Chapter 3: all
Chapter 4: §§1-4
Chapter 9: §§1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Chapter 13:all;
Chapter 14: §1 (2, time permitted)
Calculator: Any basic scientific calculator will do it. It will be the best if you have TI 83/84 . You may not use cell phones as
calculators.
Grading Policy: There are 5 components that will determine your grade:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chapter Tests (3 given, about1 hour each, lowest exam grade dropped)— 50%
Homework – 10%
Quizzes – 10%
Paper and Presentation – 5%
Final Exam (100 min, 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 January 28, 2016. The last
day to withdraw without refund and receive a "W" grade is March 22, 2016. You are responsible for doing all
the paperwork (or online) necessary for withdrawal before these dates. Note: I will not sign withdrawal slips after
March 22, 2016 without written documentation.

Quizzes: There will be 6 or 7 quizzes throughout the semester. Generally they 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. Some (or all) of the
quizzes may be assigned on line via MyMathLab. You can drop one lowest grade. There is no make-up for quizzes.

Homework: Homework is assigned online via MyMathLab (MML). No late homework will be accepted. If you fail to
start a homework assignment, you will receive zero (0) points for that assignment at the end of the semester. Homework
must be completed by the due date in MyMathLab to receive credit. You will have a chance to ask questions about
homework in the beginning of each class.

Chapter Exams: About one hour each, covering sections in the order of the lectures. The lowest exam grade will be
dropped. There is no make-up for exams.
Exam #1 (Chapter 2 and sections 3.1 and 3.2) is tentatively scheduled for February 12, 2016.
Exam #2 (The rest of Chapter 3 and chapter 4) is tentatively scheduled for March 25, 2016.
Exam #3 (Chapter 9) is tentatively scheduled for April 15, 2016.
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 the instructor immediately after class. If you leave the class, a
correction will no longer be an option.

Paper and Presentation – You will be asked to prepare and present for the class a small paper on topics covered in
sections 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, or 13.5. The presentations are scheduled for April 22. You will be divided into groups based on
the first letter of your family name. You will e-mail me your work as an attachment by 8 pm on the night before. There
will be more detailed information.

Attendance: Attending the class is very important. My experience is that students who miss class often are putting their
education at a low priority and that they are more likely to fail or withdraw from the course. On the other hand, regular
attendance with active class participation usually results in a passing grade. If you attend all classes, you will get 2%
extra credit on your final grade; One (1) missed class will get you 1% extra credit on your final grade; Two (2) missed
classes will have no effect on your final grade; Three (3) missed classes will decrease your final grade by 1% and four
(4) missed classes will decrease your final grade by 2%. Coming late or leaving early (more than 15 min) three times will
be count as one absence.

Final Exam: on May 6 from 9:00am – 10:40am in your regular classroom. The exam will be comprehensive—covering
all material we covered in the sixteen weeks. All students are required to attend the final exam.
MTH 151-003A, Syllabus, page 3

Exams are individual efforts. Any proof of cheating on an exam results in a score of 0 on that exam, and that
score will not be dropped. 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.
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 or Blackboard.
2.
You need to check your Blackboard regularly (at least once a week)!
3.
You are welcome to use a calculator at any time, on any quiz, exam, etc. Please purchase one if you do not own one. You
may not borrow calculators from classmates during quizzes and exams. You may not use cell phones as calculators.
4.
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, 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!
5.
The Academic Success Center (ASC) provide free peer tutoring. ASC is located in AA229. For more information or to
schedule an appointment, stop by (AA 229), call 703.845.6363, or visit them online:
https://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/asc/index.html
6.
http://www.khanacademy.org/ is a student friendly web site. It has a multiple videos and exercises that are an
excellent addition to the text.
7.
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. For more information, visit their web site
https://www.nvcc.edu/disability-services/
8.
You should silence cell phones before class begins. NO TEXTING DURING CLASS!
9.
Please review the fire exit route. We will go over this the first day of class. If you are physically disabled, please see me
for specific instructions about your actions in a fire emergency.
Notes:
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION IN THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!