Department of Mathematics Generic Syllabus
Boise State University Updated Spring 2002
Math 015
Arithmetic Review
0 semester credits (3 credit equivalent)
Catalog Description
M 015 ARITHMETIC REVIEW (3-0-0)(F,S).
A review course for those
who have incorrect or incomplete knowledge of how to add, subtract, multiply and divide
using
whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents and signed
numbers.
Applications include perimeter, area and volume. Basic algebraic equation solving is included.
Prerequisites
There is no prerequisite for this 0-credit (remedial) course.
Jurisdiction
This course is controlled by a departmental committee, whose
members
may or may not be teaching the course. All sections use the
same
text, which is chosen by the the instructors with the advice
of the committee.
Exams, homework, and grading
system are left to
the instructor.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should:
- Be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole
numbers,
fractions, decimals, percents and signed numbers.
- Be familiar with the commutative, associative,
distributive
properties, and identities and inverses.
- Be reasonably proficient with order of operations.
- Have some understanding of the concept of the fraction
(decimal or
common).
- Understand how to find and be able to use the
formulas for
perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles and
circles.
- Be able to convert from fractions to decimals and
from decimals to
percent.
- Be able to use scientific notation.
- Be able to add, subtract, and multiply simple
polynomials.
- Be able to solve elementary linear equations.
Assessment of Learning Objectives
- Problem sets for homework serve both as learning and as assessment tools.
Most problem sets have complete answer keys so that during assessment, the instructor can focus on giving feedback about the procedures used. Classroom activities may vary depending on students' outcomes on homework assignments.
- Problems given as take-home exams enable students to gain confidence in their ability to do math without having to deal with the stress of a classroom
test.
- The students work together in small groups with manipulatives. As they teach each other, the instructor can assess their understanding of the material.
- In class written questions or quizzes encourage the students to formulate more clearly their understanding of concepts as well as giving the instructor an opportunity to assess whether the concept needs more explanation.
- The project for the semester enables the student to tie one of his/her own areas of interest to a concept in mathematics. This is a strong learning and
assessment tool.
Topics and Approximate Timeline
The following table is based on a typical semester schedule-45
class meetings of 50 minutes each. The actual amount of
time spent on each topic will vary slightly from semester to
semester and instructor to instructor.
|
|
| Number of |
| Topic | Meetings
|
| Arithmetic of Whole numbers | 4
|
| Integers | 5
|
| Decimals and Percents | 6
|
| Fractions | 8
|
| Applications | 2
|
| Measurement | 4
|
| Basic Operations of Algebra | 8
|
| Equations | 8 |
Text
Possible texts:
PreAlgebra, Carson, Addison Wesley.
Winning at Math, Paul Nolting, Academic Press. (a math study skills text)
Format, Student Activities, and Grades
Class meetings involve a combination of lecture, questions and
discussion, and often small group activity with manipulatives;
the
instructor chooses the appropriate mix. Students will often
do
homework in teams.
The instructor chooses the exact grading scheme, but a typical distribution would be:
|
|
| Homework (scaled to) | 400
|
| Projects | 300
|
| Quizzes | 250
|
| Final Evaluation | 50
|
| Total | 1000
|
Letter grades are usually based on a standard scale in which
90% of the total possible points guarantees
an A , 80% a B, and 70% a C, with the instructor having the discretion to lower these cut-offs if warranted.
File translated from TEX by TTH, version 1.56.