MAT 9 (24830)

Developmental Mathematics

Fall 2018

5:35 pm – 6:50 pm MW – Portland – PS 206

THIS 3 CREDIT COURSE DOES NOT COUNT FOR GRADUATION OR DEGREE CREDIT, NOR

CONTRIBUTES TO THE GPA.

Course Description: Developmental Mathematics is intended to give students the algebra skills and understanding to ensure success in subsequent math courses, especially the 100 level courses. Topics include a selective review of arithmetic, signed numbers, problems solving, linear equations, and graphs.

Required Text: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, 5th Edition by Tobey, Slater, Blair, & Crawford.

Other Materials:

(Required) Pencil

(Optional/Required) MyMathLab license.

Calculators: A basic four function calculator will be provided for each exam. No other devices will be allowed on exams.

Student Expectations:

Accept responsibility for your own learning

Be present, prepared, and an active participant at every class

Complete every assignment before it is due

Give consistent time for the course. It is expected that student will spend 6-9 hours each week outside ofclass.

Attendance: Attendance at all classes is required. The class will move at a continuous pace and lack of attendance will result in a student falling behind the pace of the class. Students are responsible for all material covered in a missed class. Attendance will be graded as follows:

Students with 0-1 absences will receive an additional 5 points on the final exam.

Students with 2-4 absences will not receive any extra points nor any penalties.

Students with 5 or more absences will have their overall grade reduced by 5% for each absencebeyond their 4th. (For example a student with 7 absences would receive a 15% reduction on theiroverall grade.)

INSTRUCTOR: Louis M. Neveux

EMAIL: Louis.Neveux@maine.edu

PHONE NUMBER: 284-3215

OFFICE: Math Dept Part-time Faculty Rm

OFFICE HOURS: 3:45 – 4:10 pm MWF LB 510 5:15 – 5:30 pm MWF LB 510 and by appointment

FINAL EXAM: Mon, Dec 17, 2018 4:15 – 6:15 pm

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Copyright 2018 Louis M. Neveux

General Course Objectives:

On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Perform basic arithmetic operations involving fractions.

Solve the three basic types of percent problems.

Convert between fractions, decimals, and percents.

Perform calculations involving positive and negative numbers.

Apply basic exponents to real numbers.

Understand and apply the Order of Operations

Recognize and combine like terms

Apply the distributive property

Solve basic linear equations involving integers, fractions, and decimals.

Identify when a linear equation has no solution or infinite solutions.

Use variable to construct algebraic expressions and equations.

Set up and solve general applications, including ones involving money.

Set up and solve percent application problems.

Use basic geometric formulas to solve application problems.

Locate points in the Cartesian plane and represent linear equations in two variables graphically.

Identify the x- and y-intercepts of a linear equation and graph the equation using those points.

Identify the slope of a linear equation.

Write the equation of a line given information such as points, slope, etc.

Graph the solution to a linear inequality.

Use function notation, and distinguish between input and output.

Apply study skills for learning mathematics.

Cope with math anxiety using various strategies.

Use the symbols and vocabulary of basic mathematics correctly.

Grading: Grading in the class will be based on three categories: homework, quizzes, and exams.

Homework: Homework is critical to your understanding of the course. Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You need to practice math, and practice it often. The assignments are designed to

help you learn the material, as well as prepare for the midterms and the final exam. Homework will be

assigned for each section and collected regularly. No late homework will be accepted. Your lowest

homework score will be dropped at the end of the semester. This is to account for illness, lack of focus, etc.

Quizzes: A brief quiz will be given during each lecture. Each quiz will only be 1-2 questions designed

to measure your understanding of the material from that day. Your 4 lowest quiz scores will be dropped at

the end of the semester.

Exams: There will be three midterm exams and one final exam for the course.

o The midterm exams will cover Chapters 0, 1, and 2. Each midterm will include a Post-Assessment.

o The final exam will be cumulative, including Chapter 3.

o Missed exams may not be made up unless I am contacted prior to the exam. Only documented

medical emergencies, University excused absences, and military duty qualify for missing an

exam.

o All exams are closed book and closed notes.

Students must have an overall grade of 75% or higher to take the Final Exam. Students must

achieve 75% or higher on the Final Exam to pass the class.

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Copyright 2018 Louis M. Neveux

The breakdown of the grading is as follows:

Homework 15% Quizzes 5% Exams 20% each

Total 100%

Final Grades will be no stricter than:

A 90% or greater

B 80%-89%

C 75%-79%

F Less than 75%

Resources and Help: There are multiple resources available to help you succeed in this class. The following

are some:

1. Classmates. Classmates are excellent sources for help and support. Some students form study groups

and work together. By the way, educational research has shown that, for many students, those who

study and actively interact with each other on course material understand better, retain more, and have

a better outlook about themselves and about school than those who study alone.

2. Your Instructor. Your instructor can give you assistance during office hours or by appointment. In

addition to questions on a class lesson or homework problem, your instructor is usually the best

person to approach if you have a question regarding concepts, justification for certain steps, and the

"Why...?" type of questions. Be aware that instructors usually love to talk about these kinds of things

and you may hear more than you want!

3. Tutoring. USM students receive free tutoring services in Math, Writing, English as a Second or

Other Language (ESOL), and Technology Support. Our tutors are trained to assist students with

improving their comprehension and skills in these subject areas, and have scheduled hours throughout

the week and at multiple locations. Whether on the Portland, Gorham, or Lewiston-Auburn campus,

students can schedule a face-to-face or online tutoring appointment by visiting

https://maine.mywconline.net/ . (PLEASE NOTE: students visiting this site for the first time will

need to activate their account, which will only take a few moments.) In addition to self-scheduling

through the website, appointments for Portland and Gorham can also be scheduled by calling 780-

4228, or by visiting The Learning Commons at University Libraries

(http://www.usm.maine.edu/learningcommons ). Additional math support is offered on a walk-in basis

through the Mathematics and Statistics Department, located in 301 Payson Smith Hall on the

Portland campus and 115 Bailey Hall on the Gorham campus.

Disability Accommodations: The University is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and services. If you think you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, you must register with the Disability Services Center. Timely notification is essential. The Disability Services Center can be reached by calling 207-780-4706 or by email at dsc-usm@maine.edu. If you have already received a faculty accommodation letter from the Disability Services Center, please provide me with that information as soon as possible. Please make a private appointment so that we can review your accommodations. Disclaimer: Policy and schedule changes will be announced and discussed in class. It is the student's responsibility to keep apprised of the current schedule and/or any homework changes.

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Copyright 2018 Louis M. Neveux