Instructor: Janet Frewing

Email: janet.frewing@rcc.edu

Phone: 951-372-7174

Website: faculty.rcc.edu/frewing

Course Description:

An introduction to the notion of algebra and its uses. Includes integers, equations, and polynomials as well as topics from arithmetic. Designed as a transition from arithmetic to elementary algebra.

Student Learning Objective:

By the end of the course the student should be able to:

1. Apply the four basic operations to integers and rational numbers.

2. Apply the fundamental laws of algebra to simplify basic algebraic expressions.

3. Perform the four basic operations on polynomial expressions.

4. Solve linear equations.

5. Derive and solve basic linear equations from elementary applications.

6. Use the symbols and vocabulary of pre-algebra to communicate mathematical concepts.

Textbook:

Pre-Algebra; 2^nd Edition By Robert H. Prior.

(The text is two books, shrink wrapped together)

It's important for you to get the right book!

Where to purchase your textbook:

1. The Norco Campus Bookstore (951) 372-7085. You can purchase your book in person at the bookstore, reserve your textbook online and pick it up in person at a later time, or you can order your book online and have it shipped to you. If you click on the “Norco Campus Bookstore” above you will be directed to the bookstore website. The shipping time is a little questionable, make sure you ask how long it will take you to receive your textbook.

2. The Moreno Valley (951) 571-6107 and Riverside (951) 222-8140 campus bookstores may have a few copies. Please call them to see if they carry it. Be sure to ask for the “Math 64 book by Robert Prior”.

3. If you wish to buy it by phone with a credit card, you may do so by calling a local Corona merchant, High Priority Printing (951)372-0334. Shipping & handling is $10 and you will usually receive your book within 2 business days.

Course Requirements

A Computer is Required:

This is an online class and all course work will be done online. Make sure you have a computer that is in operating order and that you can access several hours of the day. You will also need an internet connection. Many of the tools used in this class will require a high speed internet connection so please make sure you have all the required material for the course.

Homework:

There will be a homework assignment for each section of the text. This will also be done online. You can practice for the online homework by doing the focus exercises in the textbook. You will have an unlimited number of attempts to obtain a perfect score on your homework. Homework will need to be completed within the given dates on the course calendar. No make-ups will be given. The course calendar will have a list of suggested focus exercises you can do from the text book, these are not required.

Quizzes and Tests:

We will never meet face to face. All quizzes and tests will be done on-line.

A quiz will be given after completing 2-3 sections of the textbook. You will receive two attempts at each quiz. You will always get to keep the highest score.

Many of the quizzes need to be graded manually by me. I will be grading quizzes daily (with the exception of the weekend), so you can expect a 24-48 hour turn around to get your grade. Do not wait until the last minute to take your quiz and expect your grade immediately. Once the quiz has been graded I suggest you go over your results, this will help you study for the test or the next attempt at the quiz.

The tests will be given at the end of each chapter in the book. There will be six tests during the course of the semester. Check the course calendar for the dates tests will be available. You will not get the grade for your test IMMEDIATELY upon taking it. You will have to wait until all students have taken their tests and I grade them. This will happen when the test is no longer available to take. Once the exam is graded, you will have the opportunity to review your exam. You only get one attempt at each test, so make sure you are prepared when you take the test.

The final exam will be a cumulative final taken at the end of the semester.

At times during the semester I will give you the opportunity to make-up any exams or quizzes (Not Homework) previously missed. I do this because I don’t want to receive emails telling me how your internet went down, or your computer was on the fritz….Don’t bother with the excuses. The dates for these “make-up” periods will be on the course calendar. All rules regarding the number of times you can take a quiz or test will apply to make-up period.

Grading:

Your grade will be based on your work in the following areas:

Participation includes leaving messages, responding to messages, and assisting other students in the class. The more discussions that occur online, the better the course will be.

Student Resources:

Math LAB: Located in ST 101 on the Norco Campus, the math lab is an invaluable resource for students who would like extra help from both math tutors and math instructors. The Math LAB is available to any student enrolled in a math course. Please contact the Mathlab if you have any further questions 951-372-7007.

Tutorial Services: RCC offers up to three hours per week of free tutoring to each student. Often a tutor makes all the difference in your understanding. Please call (951) 372-7143 to make an appointment early.

Instructor: I am here to help you in anyway I can. Make sure you reach out to me for assistance. Unfortunately, with an online class, I can’t tell if you are having difficulty with the material unless you contact me via email.

Classmates: In an online course, we have the discussion board. This is a great place to reach out to your fellow students. Post your questions and within hours you will have a fellow student respond back with help or support.

Dropping the Course:

If you are unable to keep up with the weekly routine, or if something happens that inhibits you from completing the course, then you might consider dropping the course for this semester.

If I believe that you have fallen too far behind, or if you haven't checked in to the website for two or more weeks, then I reserve the right to drop you from the class without notice. (Don’t take this as a promise that I will drop you! Make sure that if you want to be dropped from the course, you take care of this yourself. Don’t rely on me to drop you.)

If you are still enrolled in the class after the last drop deadline (see course calendar), you will receive a grade.

Honor System:

Academic integrity is something I take very seriously. Cheating in the course will not be accepted or ignored! Anyone caught cheating on any assignment will be given a zero for the assignment and will be reported to the College for possible further disciplinary action. It should be noted: letting someone copy your work (homework/quiz/exam) is cheating and if you are caught letting some copy, you will receive the same treatment as the person copying. Remember, this course is all about learning math, not getting through a course for a grade. The intention is, as you learn you will get good grades, and you will appreciate math more than ever before.

Special Needs:

Riverside Community College offers a comprehensive program of support services to students with a documented disability. If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in Disabled Student Services Office. You can find information about contacting them on the campus of your choice by going to DSP&S. All information and documentation is confidential.