CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
COURSE REVISION FORM
REVISED 9/13/11
We recommend that you begin the course revision process by engaging in meaningful conversations
with your departmental colleagues and those colleagues who use the course in question as a service
course.
The course revision initiator and/or the sponsoring department chair should attend and be
prepared to address questions at the appropriate department meeting, Curriculum
Committee meeting and Faculty Council meeting.
I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
DATE: 4-11-12
SPONSORING DEPARTMENT:
COURSE REVISION INITIATOR:
THE COURSE BEING REVISED
Mathematics
A. Barnaby
IS NOT A TOPICS COURSE.
COURSE REVISION EFFECTIVE DATE:
fall
2012
DESCRIPTION OF ALL COURSE REVISIONS:
1. Students will need to earn a C- or better in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra to continue on in
MAT104 – College Algebra with Trigonometry I effective fall 2012.
Students who take MAT104 – College Algebra with Trigonometry I in fall 2012, with a D or D+
grade in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra, should contact the Mathematics Department Chair to
request a prerequisite waiver.
JUSTIFICATION FOR EACH COURSE REVISION:
1. This addresses the CCC Strategic Goal of “Increase retention/success to help our students and
the people of our region reach their full potential” by helping to improve the successful completion
rate in the identified gatekeeper course of MAT104 – College Algebra with Trigonometry I. By
having the bar set at C- or better in introductory algebra, we feel students will be better prepared for
success in a college algebra course.
2. In a review of student performance in entry-level college math coursework (i.e.
MAT103/104/105), for those students who earned a D grade* in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra,
the results were poor, but significantly different for MAT103 vs. MAT104/105. We have, given the
delineated data below, decided to propose requiring a C- grade or better in MAT100 – Introductory
Algebra to continue on to MAT104 - College Algebra with Trigonometry I and MAT105 –
Technical Mathematics I but to allow students with a D grade or better into MAT103 – Finite
Mathematics. All documentation follows; MAT104 documentation is highlighted.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra during the fall 2009, spring
2010, summer 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and summer 2011 semesters, those students who earned
a D grade* in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course
of MAT103/104/105:
MAT103/104/105 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
A
0
0% (0/111)
24/111
22%
22%
B
11
10%
(11/111)
C
13
12%
(13/111)
D
24
22%
24/111
22%
(24/111)
78%
F
31
28%
(31/111)
63/111
57%
W/WY
32
29%
(32/111)
Totals
111
No
MAT103/104/105
45
Attempt
MAT103/104/105
4
in Progress
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
Addendum
In a review of all 1146 students enrolled in MAT100 – Introductory Algebra during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, summer 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and summer 2011 semesters :
 As of spring 2012, 45% (519/1146) had enrolled in a college level mathematics course (i.e.
MAT103/104/105); not all passed/completed the course.

As of spring 2012, 55% (627/1146) had not enrolled in a college level mathematics course.
As most of CCC’s degrees (excluding Criminal Justice and Nursing) require at least one collegelevel mathematics course, it appears that the majority of students who place into MAT100 do not
successfully earn a degree. This pool of students appears to be an at-risk group for retention
purposes.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT104 – College Algebra with Trig. I during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade*
in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of
MAT104:
MAT104 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
0
0% (0/18)
0/18
0%
0%
0
0% (0/18)
0
0% (0/18)
4
22% (4/18)
4/18
22%
7
39% (7/18)
100%
14/18
78%
W/WY
7
39% (7/18)
Totals
18
A
B
C
D
F
Note: MAT104 is designed for A.S. Liberal Art: Math & Science (transfer degree) students.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT105 – Technical Mathematics I during the fall 2009,
spring 2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade*
in MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of
MAT105:
MAT105 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
0
0% (0/17)
3/17
18%
18%
0
0% (0/17)
3
18% (3/17)
4
22% (4/17)
4/17
24%
7
41% (7/17)
83%
10/17
59%
W/WY
3
18% (3/17)
Totals
17
Note: MAT105 is designed for A.A.S. technology-based (terminal degree) students.
A
B
C
D
F
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
In a review of all students enrolled in MAT103 – Finite Mathematics during the fall 2009, spring
2010, fall 2010, spring 2011 and fall 2011 semesters, those students who earned a D grade* in
MAT100 earned the following grades* in their first attempt of the subsequent course of MAT103:
MAT103 Grade* on First Attempt After Earning a D grade in MAT100
A
0
0% (0/76)
21/76
27%
28%
B
11
14% (11/76)
C
10
13% (10/76)
D
16
21% (16/76)
16/76
21%
F
17
22% (17/76)
72%
39/76
51%
W/WY
22
29% (22/76)
Totals
76
* Grades were grouped into letter categories; for example, grades of C+, C and C- are categorized
as a “C” grade. Reported percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number percent.
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON CURRENT CURRICULA:
We feel that, in the short term, there will be lower rate of completion in MAT100 – Introductory
Algebra, but in the long run this will strengthen student knowledge and success in our Math &
Science program. Having stronger introductory algebra skills will assist in increasing student
success in college algebra, calculus and some science coursework (e.g. chemistry, physics, etc.).
II. MASTER COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER:
COMPLETE COURSE TITLE:
MAT104
College Algebra with Trigonometry I
WEEKLY CONTACT HOURS FOR COURSE:
LECTURE HOURS:
LAB/STUDIO HOURS:
4
0
TOTAL CONTACT HRS:
4
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR CATALOG:
This course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to prepare students for calculus and
technical courses. Course topics include an introduction to relations and functions; the study of
linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational expressions and functions; and right triangle
trigonometry. Algebraic techniques of simplification will be emphasized. The use of the graphing
calculator is required for this course to further the exploration of these topics and their applications.
Near the end of the course, students will complete a comprehensive, departmental final exam to
assess their preparedness to move on to MAT204 College Algebra with Trigonometry II.
COURSE PREREQUISITE(S): C- or better in MAT100 Introductory Algebra, equivalent or
placement (IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE CONTINUE.)
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COURSE COREQUISITE(S):
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IMPORTANT ADVISING NOTES:
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MEASURABLE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/COURSE OBJECTIVES:
As the result of instructional activities, students will be able to:
1. Simplify expressions involving integer exponents.
2. Add, subtract, and multiply polynomial expressions.
3. Divide polynomial expressions using long and synthetic division.
4. Factor polynomial expressions.
5. Simplify rational expressions.
6. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.
7. Simplify complex fractions.
8. Express radical expressions in simplest form.
9. Add, subtract, and multiply radical expressions.
10. Rationalize the numerator or denominator of radical expressions.
11. Simplify expressions involving rational exponents.
12. Factor expressions involving radicals and/or rational exponents.
13. Solve linear and absolute value equations and inequalities.
14. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula.
15. Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers.
16. Solve higher-order polynomial equations and equations in quadratic form by factoring.
17. Solve rational equations.
18. Solve radical equations.
19. Use the Distance Formula to find the distance between two given points.
20. Use the Midpoint Formula to find the midpoint of the line segment between two given points.
21. Find the intercepts of a graph of a function algebraically and graphically.
22. Identify symmetries given a graph or equation.
23. Write the standard form of the equation of a circle.
24. Determine whether a relation is a function given its graph, equation, or table of values
25. Determine the domain and range of a function from its equation and its graph.
26. Find arithmetic combinations of functions.
27. Identify even and odd functions.
28. Find the relative extrema of a graph of a function using the graphing calculator.
29. Use reflections, vertical and horizontal shifts, and nonrigid transformations to sketch graphs of
functions.
30. Graph piecewise-defined functions.
31. Find the slope of a line and use it to write and graph linear equations.
32. Identify the vertex, axis of symmetry, and intercepts of a quadratic function algebraically and
graphically.
33. Choose an appropriate regression model, if any, for a given set of data.
34. Use the graphing calculator to find a regression model for a given set of data.
35. Determine the domain, intercepts, and asymptotes of rational functions algebraically and graphically.
36. Graph rational functions by hand.
37. Find the values of trigonometric functions of acute angles.
38. Use right triangle trigonometry to solve applications.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Review of Essential Topics (textbook chapter R)
including integer exponents, basic geometry formulas, operations with polynomials,
factoring, rational expressions, complex fractions, radical expressions, rational exponents
II. Equations and Inequalities (textbook chapter 1)
including linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, complex numbers,
rational equations, radical equations, absolute value equations and inequalities
III. Graphs (textbook chapter 2)
including distance and midpoint formulas, intercepts, symmetry, lines, standard form of
circle
IV. Functions and Their Graphs (textbook chapter 3)
including function definition, domain and range, combinations, families of functions,
graphical transformations
V. Linear and Quadratic Functions (textbook chapter 4)
including graphs and equations of linear functions; vertex, intercepts, graphs and
equations of quadratic functions, regression and modeling
VI. Rational Functions (textbook chapter 5.2 and 5.3)
including graphs of rational functions, asymptotes
VII. Right Triangle Trigonometry (textbook chapter 7.2)
including six basic trigonometric functions, applications
III. APPROVAL
4/23/2012
4/29/2012
X
X
Sponsoring Department Chair
Curriculum Committee Chair
X
X
Faculty Council Chair
Vice President for Academic Affairs