1.
Course Syllabus and Expectations
Textbooks And Other Materials: a.
REQUIRED: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra 3 rd . Edition by Sherri Messersmith i.
Hardback WITH ALEKS 360 (ISBN: 0077889363) ii.
Looseleaf book with ALEKS 360 (ISBN: 9780077711115) iii.
ALEKS 360 with E-Book (ISBN: 077517881) b.
REQUIRED: ALEKS 360 login c.
RECOMMENDED: Calculator
2.
Course Goals: a.
Students will begin to develop an understanding of Numeric Reasoning, Algebraic Reasoning, Geometric
Reasoning, Measurement Reasoning, Probabilistic Reasoning, and Statistical Reasoning. b.
Students will begin to develop identify different types of numbers and illustrate where numbers are located on a number line. c.
Students should be able to demonstrate their use of critical reasoning to interpret and integrate new concepts with prior learning/knowledge. d.
Students will begin to interpret charts, tables, and graphs to condense, interpret, and/or summarize written information regarding mathematics. e.
Students will take notes and demonstrate listening/learning, remembering that is related to the active processes of learning mathematics. f.
Students will apply basic study skills to improve and demonstrate test-taking strategies. g.
Students will begin to analyze mathematical representations of numbers and interpret their relationships. h.
Students will recognize that college level mathematics is a step-by-step process that improves with practice when performing complex mathematical operations. i.
Students should be able to recognize and apply algebraic properties to evaluate expressions. j.
Students should be able to obtain skill and confidence in using numeric conventions according to the
Texas College Career and Readiness Standards.
*Please Note: These course goals are aligned with the College Readiness Standards of Mathematics. For More information See < www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=EAE69736-B39D-F3FF-EA777519F1F0348B >
3.
Learning Outcomes: a.
Students should be able to compare real numbers. b.
Students should be able to perform computations with real and complex numbers. c.
Students should be able to use estimation to check for errors and reasonableness of solutions. d.
Students will be able to explain and differentiate between expressions and equations using words such as solve, evaluate, and simplify. e.
Students will be able to recognize and use algebraic properties, concepts, procedures, and algorithms to solve equations, inequalities and systems of linear equations. f.
Students will be able to explain the difference between the solution set of an equation and the solution set of an inequality. g.
Students will be able to interpret multiple representations of equations and relationships. h.
Students will be able to translate among multiple representations of equations and relationships. i.
Students will be able to identify the symmetries of a plane figure. j.
Students should be able to use congruence transformations and dilations to investigate congruence, similarity, and symmetries of plane figures. k.
Students should be able to make connections between geometry and measurement. l.
Students should be able to make and validate geometric conjectures.

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m.
Students should be able to understand Euclidean geometry as an axiomatic system. n.
Students should be able to select the appropriate type of unit for the attribute being measured. o.
Students should be able to convert within a measurement system and from one measurement system to another. p.
Students should be able to find the perimeter and area of two-dimensional figures. q.
Students will have a working knowledge of how mathematics can be used within their area of postsecondary study.
Grading Procedures: a.
Participation is mandatory. 20% of your grade will be based on regular participation. If you miss class or don’t participate you won’t complete the in class activities. b.
The ALEKS pie is worth 20% of your grade. c.
You will have two Projects due during the semester regarding how the mathematics you have learned thus far can be applied. These projects are worth 20% of your grade. d.
Tests are worth 20% of the overall grade. All exams will be taken in computer lab HH 105. You may
NOT take the test at any time other than your assigned discussion section without documentation of an emergency or documentation from Student Disability Services. e.
Quizzes will be worth 20% of your grade. f.
Extra credit: No extra credit will be given. Come to class ready to work. g.
Grading Scale: You must complete the course with a C or better to progress to the next TSI Course.
90-100 = DA
80- 89 = DB
70- 79 = DC
60- 69 = DD
0 – 59 = DF
Class Assignments: a.
General Note: Each assignment is a tool to reinforce skills and material taught in the classroom. The amount of homework is carefully considered. Homework is not assigned busy work, but rather it is assigned because of its vital importance to the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to complete all assignments by the due date. Assignments will be posted on the course website. Please note, assignments are subject to change if the instructor deems it necessary. b.
Due Dates: Each assignment on ALEKS has a due date. That assignment will automatically close at that date and time. c.
End of the Semester: There will be no curve at the end of the semester. You must earn your grade by submitting high quality work on time, attending all class meetings, and participating in class discussions and exercises. Students who come to class prepared are consistently the most successful students.
Absences: a.
There are no excused absences. I will track your attendance and progress daily. Your presence in class is tracked using an attendance sheet provided at the beginning of each class session for you to sign. If a student misses a discussion section, that will count for an absence. Remember you are ONLY allowed
FIVE absences for the ENTIRE semester. b.
You are also responsible for signing the class roster distributed at the beginning of each class period. If you are 15 minutes late you will not be allowed to sign in. Signing this roster is your responsibility, and absences will not be removed if you attended class but neglected to sign the roster. Absences are reported to the TSI office. c.
Additionally, part of being in attendance means being focused and prepared; if you are texting, sleeping, or have not read, expect to be counted absent. d.
TSI Developmental program attendance is MANDATORY. Non-compliance with the rules of attendance will result in a student being withdrawn from Texas Tech University. Withdrawals are subject to
University policies as set forth in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students may appeal withdrawals when unusual extenuating circumstances exist by picking up the Appeal of Withdrawal form and be returned to
Holden Hall 78 before the five (5) days have expired.

e.
Absences from Discussion sections WILL COUNT against your TOTAL of FIVE allowed absences.
Since ALEKS quizzes will be completed in your discussion section, these quizzes cannot be made up at any time without proper documentation.
7.
Office Hours a.
I encourage you to come see me in my office during my office hours. These hours are reserved for you and your concerns, so please make use of this time. If you cannot meet during these times because of work or another class, contact me to set up an individual appointment at a different time.
8.
Email: a.
I check my e-mail regularly. Please allow at least 24 hours for a response. Typically, I do not check email between Friday and Sunday. I will respond to any emails that I receive over the weekend on Monday afternoon. b.
I expect students to use professional language and tone in all communication with me, including email correspondence. My office hours or appointments are the best way for us to address more complex questions and concerns about the course.
9.
Supplies: a.
BE PREPARED FOR CLASS. Always bring the following to class: i.
Text Books. ii.
Notebook paper iii.
Calculator (Optional) iv.
ALEKS Access Code v.
Pen or Pencil
10.
Classroom Rules and Procedures: a.
You are to always exhibit integrity. Any action should reflect this idea. b.
Having integrity includes adhering to the following standards: i.
Be prompt. Class begins precisely on time, therefore a student is counted absent if he or she is more than 15 minutes late. ii.
Be prepared with all supplies and textbooks. iii.
Be kind and respectful. All actions and words should reflect kindness and respect for both the instructor and all other students. I will not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior directed at any member of this class. We are all adults and should act as such. Anyone exhibiting disrespectful or vulgar language and/or behavior will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. iv.
Be honest. Honesty is an important part of integrity. Cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating includes sharing homework answers, looking at another student’s test or quiz, and talking (even whispering) during a test or quiz. Plagiarism is another form of cheating and will be addressed in more detail in the next section of the syllabus. If the student has a doubt as to what constitutes cheating, the instructor will gladly answer any questions. v.
Be mentally present. Use of electronic devices during class will not be tolerated. If your phone rings or if I see you using a cell phone, blackberry, iPod, or other electronic device during class, you will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. Laptop computers will only be allowed if necessary for completing the activities scheduled for that day. vi.
Be on task. There are times in class when it is appropriate to speak to your peers (i.e., during group work). However, a general rule of thumb- if I am speaking, you are not, you are listening. vii.
NO CELL PHONES, PAGERS, I PODS, or NET SURFING in class, unless otherwise directed by your instructor. If you are experiencing an emergency and need your cell phone on please notify me BEFORE class begins! Failure to follow this directive may result in your dismissal and one marked absence for the affected class period.
*****NOTE: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to learning and are prohibited from engaging in distracting behavior, inappropriate behavior will result minimally, in a request to leave class. Comments or actions promoting discrimination of any sort will result in serious disciplinary action, and or possible loss of credit for the course.

11.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism a.
Texas Tech University aims "to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension" (Undergraduate Handbook 49). b.
Although the university broadly defines the types of "dishonesty" that compromise academic integrity, the most common offense for this course is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, "the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression and media, and presenting that material as one's own academic work being offered for credit"
(Onsite Politics xxviii). c.
Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will receive a 0 for the assignment, as well as further consequences at the discretion of the Dean of Students and TSI Assistant Director. For more information on Academic Integrity visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/AcademicIntegrity.htm.
12.
Disabilities a.
“Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements.
Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, you may contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405. b.
“No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university process" (TTU OP 34.22, p.2). For more information call Student Disability Services at 742-2405 or visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentsaffairs/sds/.
13.
Observance of a Religious Holy Day a.
“Religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, documentation may be required.
14.
If Your Grade Drops Below a C
If at any time a TSI student falls below a C in ANY TSI course, he/she will be required to meet with the TSI
Advisor/Assistant Director twice a month and attend an hour of tutoring per week. Determination of required tutoring will begin after the first assignment/first paper or at the discretion of the TSI Instructor. Required tutoring will be factored into a student’s final grade.
15.
CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS AND COURSE SCHEDULE: I reserve the right to change the dates on this syllabus. All changes will be made accessible to students via classroom announcements, e-mail, and also through ALEKS 360.

Instructions for Registering on ALEKS:
Course Code : KDYPP-YNPXT
Financial Aid Access Code : 94520-FEDA4-7DD73-21FE0
The Financial Aid Access Code does not add an additional two weeks to your account.
NOTE: This code gives you temporary access to ALEKS for a two-week period. Once the code expires, you will be locked out of your ALEKS account until you purchase a regular Student Access Code. It is highly recommended that you purchase the Student Access Code BEFORE the two weeks expire to prevent interruptions with your ALEKS account.
1. To log into ALEKS using the Financial Aid Access Code, go to: http://www.aleks.com.
2.
3.
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Click on the "
Enter your
SIGN UP NOW!
Course Code
" link located under the login box on the left of the page.
in the box labeled " Using ALEKS with a Class?
Verify that you are registering for the correct course and click on "
Aid Access Code.
" and click on "
Continue.
Continue.
"
" Enter the 20-character Financial
5.
6.
7.
Continue with the registration process until your account has been set up successfully.
After you complete your account set up you will be logged into ALEKS and can immediately begin working in the course.
You can extend your ALEKS account at any time by clicking on "extend your account" and entering a purchased
Student Access Code. If your temporary access expires before you purchase a Student Access Code, simply log in to ALEKS and you will be directed on how to extend your current account. You will then be able to continue your course where you left off before the temporary access expired. You do NOT need to create a new ALEKS account to continue your course.
Date Computer
Week 1
June 4
Week 2
June 10
Week 3
June 17
Week 4
June 24
Week 5
June 31
Lecture Topics

Syllabus and Introductions

Technology Assessment

Whole Numbers and Order of Operations

Simplifying Fractions

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
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Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Multiplying and Dividing Signed Numbers

Adding and Subtracting Signed Numbers

Geometry

Algebraic Expressions

Solving Linear Equations

Applications Inwolving Linear Equations

Ratios and Proportions

Solving Linear and Compound Inequalities

Applications Involving Inequalities

Rectangular Coordinate System

Intercepts

Graphing Using Intercepts

Slope of a Line

Graphing Using Slope

Equations of Lines

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Applications Involving Two-Variable Linear Equations

Graphing Two-Variable Linear Inequalities

Systems of Equations

Substitution Method


Elimination Method
Applications Involving Systems of Equations


Rules of Exponents
Polynomials
Register on ALEKS
Initial Assessment
Begin on ALEKS Pie
Project – Part 1
Practice Test 1
Test 1
Project – Part 2
Practice Test 2
Test 2