Coordinator: Abera Abay (E-mail: abay@rowan.edu)

Instructor: Brian Jacob
E-mail: Brian_A_Jacob@yahoo.com
Instructor: Brian Pinto
E-mail: pintob56@students.rowan.edu
Phone No: (856) 256 - 3878
Phone No: (856) 256 - 4261

Office: Robinson Hall, 2nd floor Office: Savitz Hall, Room 343a
University Learning Center Office Hours: M and W 11:00am - 3:00pm
T 11:00am – 1:00pm

**Other hours available by appointment** Office: Savitz Hall, Room 343a
Office Hours: M - F 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Course Protocol:

All students should make attending class a priority. While in class; please be respectful of all instructors and classmates. Please do not talk while instruction is taking place as this becomes a distraction for instructors and fellow classmates. All cell phones/electronic devices should be on vibrate/silent as not to disturb anyone. Please ask questions when you do not understand. The questioning process is an integral part of your learning. And remember: THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION IS THE ONE NOT ASKED!!! If absent from class please follow along in your syllabus.

If you have questions outside of class times either call the office to speak with the instructors or the coordinator, e-mail one of us at the e-mail addresses listed above, or come in during the office hours for assistance.

To assist students with being successful in the course, individual tutoring is available during office hours by appointment. Once you sign up for a tutoring time, please make every effort to keep your appointment. If you will not be able to keep your tutoring appointment, then contact us to let us know and reschedule.

Course Overview:

Basic Algebra (1701 - 096) is a self-paced course that constitutes 3 basic skill credits that are necessary in order for you to enter required courses within your major. Self -paced does not mean you do not have to attend class. Attendance is expected as your presence and participation in class has a direct correlation to your success with passing the course. While these 3 credits do not count toward graduation and are non-transferable, you must pass the course in order to proceed to the next level of mathematics.

The goal of the course is to facilitate your success by supporting your independent work with direct and guided instruction to prepare you to pass the final exam. The self-pacing relates to the rate at which you complete the course work, demonstrate proficiency in the indicated skill areas, and successfully complete the final exam.

Course Grading:

The grades assigned for this course are pass (P) or no credit (NC). These grades are based on successful completion of assigned cumulative chapter tests (75% or better) and the course final examination. If an exam is not passed successfully, a mandatory review session must be completed before a retest can be attempted. Rowan University is committed to the success of all students. Please refer to the Mathematics Department website http://www.rowan.edu/mars/depts/math for information regarding University policies about learning accommodations.

Course Instructions, Self-pacing, and Testing:

The class is primarily designed to support individual learning practices. In doing so, we will cover approximately a chapter a week with lectures, direct and guided instruction, and independent practice built into each class meeting. However, the student still has a responsibility to review material on their own, practice the assigned problems, and ask questions to promote comprehension.

Your minimum goal is to stay on pace with completing a chapter a week and to progress beyond that if possible, by working independently or seeking assistance during office/tutoring hours. Included in the syllabus is a schedule of approximate dates for completion of each chapter in order to provide you with a pacing guide.

In order to advance through the chapters, students will take three assigned cumulative chapter tests. If a score of 75% or better is attained on the cumulative chapter test, you may advance to the next chapter. If a score of <75% is attained, the student will work through the chapter sections, seek tutoring and complete assignments in order to prepare for the chapter test. Cumulative testing will occur as follows: Test 1(chapters 1 – 3); Test 2 (chapters 4 – 6); and Test 3 (chapters 6 – 9). This process is completed for each chapter indicated in the syllabus.
Students schedule a time to come into the Tutoring Center to take the chapter test, the test is scored and if the score is <75%, students receive assignments to complete for that chapter. Students then schedule a time to come into the Tutoring Center to retake the chapter test but a different version.

Final Exam:
Upon successful completion of all four Cumulative Chapter Tests you will be eligible to begin taking the practice final exams and to schedule your time for taking the final examination. All final exams are taken on the computer in the Testing Center located in Savitz Hall. If a retest is taken, a mandatory $25.00 fee must be paid!

Course Schedule:

The dates below provide an approximate pacing schedule for the course for the Spring 2007 semester. Please follow the schedule in order to assist you with advancing through chapters and keeping on track for course completion. The section numbers covered in each chapter can be found on your assignment sheet and any study guides provided throughout the semester. If you find you are falling behind, it is imperative that you seek help from one of the instructors.

Week of:
January 17 Syllabus
January 22 & 24 Chapter 1
January 29 & 31 Chapter 2

February 5 & 7 Chapter 3
February 12 & 14 Chapters 3 & 4
February 19 & 21 Chapters 4 & 5
February 26 & 28 Chapter 5

March 5 & 7 Chapter 6
March 12 & 14 Spring Break!
March 19 & 21 Chapter 6
March 26 & 28 Even more of Chapter 6

April 2 & 4 Chapter 7
April 9 & 11 Chapter 8
April 16 & 18 Chapters 9 & 10
April 23 & 25 Chapters 10 & 11
April 30 & May 2 Final Review and Testing
May 7 Final Review and Testing