Item 6232, CMATH 075 I, Computer-Based Arithmetic Review
Spring 2015
M/T/W/Th 1:30 p.m. - 2:35 p.m., Building 18 Room 201, 5 credits
Instructor
Kiri Oler
Contact Info
Email: koler@tacomacc.edu
office phone:
Office hours: M/W 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Catalog
Description
A self-paced, computer-based course covering the same material as MATH-075. Topics
include review of basic mathematics including arithmetic of whole numbers, fractions,
decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and geometry.
Course Overview
Welcome to CMATH 075, a self-paced version of MATH 075 where you will do your learning
on the computer! Many students find that the pace of their math courses doesn’t work for
them. Some students want to move more slowly and some want to move more quickly.
Working at your own pace lets you take the extra time when you need it to understand each
topic. If you catch on to an idea right away, you can move ahead as soon as you are ready.
Program
Learning
Outcomes
The Math Department Program Learning Outcomes referred to in the course learning
objectives below are:
1. Create, interpret, and analyze graphs and charts that communicate quantitative or
relational information.
2. Determine, create, and use appropriate and reasonable mathematical constructs to
model, understand, and explain phenomena encountered in the world.
3. Determine and carry out an appropriate algorithm to solve problems that are amenable
to mathematical solutions.
4. Communicate mathematical information formally, using appropriate math notation and
terminology, and informally by using everyday language to express ideas.
5. Use technology to analyze and solve mathematical problems and to effectively
communicate solutions to problems, particularly those that cannot be solved efficiently
by other means.
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Course Learning
Objectives
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers. (3, 4)
2. Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and simplify fractions. (3, 4)
3. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimal numbers. (3, 4)
4. Identify place value. (3, 4)
5. Round whole numbers and decimal numbers. (3)
6. Evaluate ratios and percents. (2, 3, 4)
7. Convert between decimal, fractional, and percentage numbers. (3, 4)
8. Solve proportion problems. (2, 3, 4)
9. Calculate areas and perimeters for rectangles and triangles. (2, 3, 4)
10. Solve applications problems involving the above concepts and skills. (2, 3, 4)
11. Write clear and complete solutions to mathematical problems, including correct
notation and written explanations when appropriate. (4)
12. Use a basic calculator appropriately. (5)
Instructional
Methods Used
This course is computer based. You will learn by reading explanations, watching videos of
examples, and doing practice problems on the computer using ALEKS software
(www.ALEKS.com). An instructor will always be available to answer questions during class
time. Note: ALEKS does not work well in MS Explorer. Please use Firefox or Chrome as
your browser.
Textbooks &
Supplemental
Materials
There is no textbook for this course. An access code for the ALEKS software is required. This
may be purchased from the TCC Bookstore or online at ALEKS.com. You may purchase
basic ALEKS access, or for an additional $15 (approximately) you may purchase “ALEKS
360,” which will include an interactive textbook, videos, and animations not available in the
basic access.
Supplies
You will need headphones or earbuds to use the videos and animated examples in ALEKS in
the classroom, and notebooks for working problems that require paper and pencil.
Calculator Policy
ALEKS will provide you with a calculator only if you are working on a problem for which it is
appropriate to use a calculator. You are NOT allowed to use any calculator in class or for the
final exam unless ALEKS provides it.
Technology
Most of the instruction for this course comes from computer software, so you need to have
access to a computer with high speed internet for at least two hours a day. If your computer
does not have high speed internet access, computers are available on campus at the MARC
(19-22), the Information Commons (Building 16), and the library (Building 7).
Attendance
To be successful in this course, you must work steadily. You are expected to attend class
daily and work ten to fifteen hours a week on ALEKS.
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Course Structure
You begin this CMATH course by taking the ALEKS assessment for CMATH 075, which will
determine what you might already know about CMATH 75 and what you still need to learn.
The assessment takes 45 minutes to an hour, and the results are displayed in a pie chart. If
you need to leave the computer before you have finished the assessment, ALEKS will save it
so you can return to it.
You will learn the course material by reading explanations and examples, watching videos with
more examples, and practicing on-line. Your instructor is always there during class time to
help too. ALEKS will give you assessments on a regular basis to evaluate your learning.
These assessments may result in losing or gaining portions of your pie. Your instructor may
require you to take an assessment during class time. When you master all the material in
the course, the pie chart is completely full, and you take the Goal Completion Assessment on
ALEKS.
All coursework and login hours, aside from the final exam, must be completed by the last
regular class day of the quarter (this quarter, that date is June 8th.
Evaluation
Criteria &
Grading
Standards
CMATH 075 must be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
End of the Quarter Outcomes: There are three possibilities:
1. You have successfully completed the course.
a. You have completed your pie, and
b. you have taken the ALEKS Goal Completion Assessment, and scored 100% on it,
or scored below 100% and completed the pieces that were re-entered into the pie,
and
c. You have passed the final exam with 70% or better.
In this case, you are given a grade of “S” in MATH 075 and are dropped from
CMATH 075. You may then take MATH 085 or CMATH 085.
2. You have made sufficient progress in the course but have NOT completed your pie.
a. You have worked a minimum of 90 hours and have added 90 topics to your pie or
b. You have worked a minimum of 120 hours and have added 63 topics to your pie.
In this case, you are given a grade of “S” in CMATH 075 and may re-take CMATH 075
to finish the course, or you may take ABE Math if you feel like CMath is not a good
learning environment for you.
3. You have NOT made sufficient progress, which means you have not met criteria 1 or 2
above. In this case, you are given a grade of “U” (unsatisfactory) in CMATH 075 and
must register for ABE Math or retake the ACCUPLACER . You may not register for any
other CMATH course.
For Returning CMATH students: Students may have up to two full quarters to complete
their CMATH work for a given level, as long as during their first quarter they make
sufficient progress and put in the required number of hours. If this is your 2nd quarter
working on the same CMATH level as a previous quarter, you must complete your pie and
take your final exam by the end of the quarter. If you do not complete your pie by the end
of this quarter, you will not be allowed to take the same CMATH level for a 3 rd time.
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Final Exam
The final exam will be given within ALEKS.
 A passing score on the final exam is a 70%.
 You may take the final a maximum of two times.
 If you complete the pie and the ALEKS Goal Completion Assessment before
the beginning of the last week of classes, special arrangements will be made to
take your final exam early.
 If you complete the pie and the ALEKS Goal Completion Assessment by the
last class day of the quarter, your final is offered on the day indicated on the
TCC Final Exam Schedule.
 Second attempts at the final may be made on the last day of final exams.
Withdrawals &
Incompletes
TCC policy states that anyone can withdraw from a class on or before April 10th, IF the
student fills out the necessary add/drop form and turns it in to registration. After that,
you need the instructor’s permission. THAT MEANS: you need to tell me your reasons
for wanting to withdraw (warning: “I’ve run out of time,” is not reason enough to get a
withdrawal after April 10th. In general, if you have been making satisfactory progress
at the time of your request, a WI grade will be given. If not, a U grade will be given
(exceptions may be made, depending on the circumstances). Students who simply
stop coming to class will receive a U.
Because of the structure of CMath, Incomplete (I) grades will generally not be given.
Academic
Dishonesty
The TCC Academic Dishonesty policy states: Students are expected to be honest and
forthright in their academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms
of academic dishonesty corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational
environment for all students. In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be
as follows:
If the first instance is before the final exam, the student will be given a warning. The
second instance will result in the student being given a grade of “U” in CMATH 075.
The student must then register for MATH 075 or retake the ACCUPLACER . The
student may not register for another CMATH course. Any academic dishonesty on the
final exam will result in the student being given a grade of “U” in CMATH 075. The
student must then register for ABE Math level 5 or retake the ACCUPLACER. The
student may not register for another CMATH course.
Accommodations
Students with Special Needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the
class, but the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need specific
auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please contact the Access Services office
in Building 7 (253-566-5328). They will require you to present formal, written
documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has
been completed, arrangements will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary
aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation prepared by Access
Services must be given to me before the accommodation is needed so that appropriate
arrangements can be made.
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Classroom
Policies
Please be sure that cell phone/beepers are on vibrate. If you need to take a call,
please take it out in the hallway.
Because we are in a computer classroom, food and beverages are not allowed in class.
Since we are a very diverse group, please be respectful of each other. Help each other
when you can, but keep non-productive talk to a minimum.
Dispute Resolution
Resources for
Tutoring
If you have questions or complaints about your grade or any other aspect of the class,
please follow the steps below:
1. See the instructor and present your case in a professional, unemotional manner.
Instructors are always willing to listen to a good argument and respond considerately. If
you are not satisfied, go to step 2.
2. See the Mathematics Department Chair, Carol Avery, in Building F2, Room 7. If you
are still not satisfied, go to step 3.
3. See the Dean of the Math, Science, and Engineering Division, Mike Flodin, in
Building 15.
The Al-Kwarizmi Math Advising and Resource Center (The MARC): The MARC is
located in 19-22, and has a computer lab where you can access ALEKS.
The MARC has math tutors and math instructors available to answer questions. For
best results, bring specific questions or problems you are working on to ask about.
Even if you do not have any problems, the Math Center is a pleasant place to study.
You are always welcome there!
The Writing and Tutoring Center: The Tutoring Center is located in building 7, room
221. Student tutors are available by appointment for one-on-one tutoring. The hours
during which tutoring is available in specific subjects may vary from quarter to quarter.
Call the Tutoring Center at (253) 566-6032 to find out what their current schedule is.
Drop-in tutoring is available on Friday afternoons.
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