OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Quantitative Literacy COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Instructor: Carol Murphy                                            Office Phone: (847) 635-1961     

Room: 2604 Des Plaines Campus                                Email: murphy@oakton.edu

 

 

                                                                                                           

I.          Course            Course            Course

            Prefix              Number           Name                          Credit              Lecture           Lab

 

            MAT                125                  Quantative                       4                       4                    0

                                                            Literacy

 

II.         Prerequisite

 

            MAT 053 or geometry proficiency; and MAT 120 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better or an appropriate score on the OCC Mathematics Assessment Test.

 

III.       Course (Catalog) Description

 

This course is designed to enable students to reason quantitatively from a variety of mathematical perspectives. Topics include statistics, logic, geometry, estimation, and the process of problem solving. This course will incorporate the use of technology when appropriate. This course will fulfill the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts except for science majors. This course will not fulfill the requirement for the Bachelor of Science.

 

IV.       Course Objectives:

 

A. Apply probability and statistics in everyday life.

B. Recognize logical equivalence and identify common fallacies.

C. Construct logical arguments.

D. Employ algebraic and geometric techniques to solve systems of equations and systems of inequalities.

E. Use algebraic and geometric concepts and techniques to estimate and to judge the reasonableness of answers.

F. Understand the problem solving process and develop problem solving strategies for personal decision-making.

G. Use the calculator and/or computer to facilitate problem solving.

H. Small business applications.

 

V.        Academic Integrity:

 

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to acceptable standards of academic integrity.  Therefore Oakton Community College has adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity.  These may be found in the student handbook.  You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct in the College Catalog.  Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are:  cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.

 

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.

 

Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the Standards of Academic Integrity is failure in the assignment.  In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file for Student Affairs for a period of three years.

 

VI.       Outline of Topics:

 

This course will develop competency in problem solving and analysis related to decision-making.  The following areas will be covered.

A.     Critical Thinking

B.     Set Theory

C.     Logic

D.     Consumer Mathematics

E.      Probability

F.      Statistics

 

A minimum of two of the following topics will be covered.

 

A.     Algebra, Graphs and Functions.

B.     Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities.

C.     Geometry.

D.     Mathematical Systems.

E.      Systems of Numeration.

F.      Number Theory and the Real Numbers.     

 

VII.      Methods of Instruction:

Methods of presentation include lectures, class participation and discussion, demonstration and handouts, group work, and regularly assigned homework.  Calculators / computers will be used when appropriate.

 

VIII.         Course Practices Required:

The student is responsible for reading the assigned material and for homework.  All assignments must be handed in on time. Try to pace yourself since some of the assignments will take longer than others. Calculators will be used (TI 83 or TI 83 Plus are recommended). Instructor reserves the right to change the seating of students to enhance the learning experience.

 

Tests:

All work must be shown for each problem on tests.  Credit will be awarded only for those problems where student’s work is clearly shown.

One makeup test will be allowed for the semester. It is suggested that you save it for a true emergency. Please leave a message on instructor’s voice mail (not e-mail) or with the division office prior to test. The instructor must be contacted and the test made up prior to the next class. A copy of the test will be left in the Testing Center at the campus where your class is held. You must take the test at the Testing Center before the start of the next class.

 

 

IX.       Instructional Materials:

 

Required Textbook:
A Survey of Mathematics with Applications by Allen R. Angel and Stuart R. Porter, 7th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2005.

 

 

IX.              Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

 

There will be four tests which will account for 90% of your course grade.  Homework will make up the remaining 10% of your grade.

 

Extra Credit Opportunity

The lowest test grade can be replaced by taking an online test for each chapter.  This means all the online chapter tests (not just some) will be averaged to replace the lowest test grade.

 

On the day of each test, the homework for the material covered on that test will be collected. Late homework will not be accepted. Homework will be checked in and a grade assigned depending upon the number of sections completed. Homework must show all work for each problem and credit will not be awarded for any homework with answers only and no work showing.

 

Grading Scale:

 

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

65-69 = D

0-64 = F

 

 

                                                           

           

XI.              Other Course Information:

 

Attendance:

A good part of the educational experience is classroom attendance. If you miss a class, you must learn that material on your own, which is usually much more difficult. You are responsible for all announcements made and work covered during your absence. Attendance is therefore, strongly recommended! It is important to understand that one of the main causes of failure in this course is poor attendance.

 

Cell Phones:

All cell phones must be turned off and put away during class and exams. Repeated violation during class time could result in student being asked to leave. Violation during a test will result in student being asked to forfeit the phone for the remainder of the exam.

 

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services.  To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements.  The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.