College Algebra Math 10A
: For calculus bound student
College Algebra Math 10B:
For non-calculus bound student.
Contact Hours:
We increased class contact from 3-hours-a-week to
5-hours-a-week, but students still receive 3-credit hours
Course description:
Math 10A:
It covers the same curriculum as a traditional College
Algebra course with emphasis on skills necessary for a good start in calculus.
Throughout the course, extensive usage of the various capabilities of the
graphing calculator are made to enhance learning and understanding.
In class, and on lab days, students explore algebra while working in small
groups on guided activities. Greater emphasis is now put on applications
and problem solving.
Math 10B:
Part I of
the course consists of algebra as used in the social sciences.
Students collect and analyze health data, explore,
study and make in-class presentations over the data. Census Bureau
data is also used for various explorations and studies. During this introductory
statistics students learn Microsoft EXCEL basics in order to prepare their
in-class presentations. The scientific method is explained, applied, and
tied in with mathematical modeling. This unit is an introduction to one
of the most important function used in the social sciences, namely the
linear function. Throughout the course, students do make use of the customized
course software ìExplorations in College Algebraî and extensive use of
the TI-85 graphing calculator.
Part II of
the course consists of algebra in the physical and life sciences.
A free fall experiment is conducted as an introduction
to the quadratic function; velocity and acceleration of a free falling
object are studied and applied. Bacterial growth simulated on computer
is used to introduce exponential growth and exponential functions.
The scale of the universe, logarithmic scales, order of magnitude, scientific
notation, and the law of exponents are further topics.
In
Part III students are to write a term
paper on mathematical connections, describing in what ways
mathematics permeates or is used in their major field of study.
