QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The City University Of New York

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
COURSE OUTLINE for Dr. Sylvia M Svitaks Section Only
MA10 ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
Prerequisite None
Hours/Credits

5 Class Hours

0 Credits

General Course Description This course is the developmental course that is required for students who did not achieve at
least the minimum score necessary for placement in a creditbearing mathematics course. It prepares students for college
level work and problem solving that uses arithmetic and algebra skills and concepts. These concepts and skills include real
numbers and their operations, polynomials, geometric concepts, graphing, solution of linear and quadratic equations by
graphing and algebraic methods, problems in contexts (usually referred to as word problems), slope and yintercept,
factoring and its applications.
Curricula for which the Course Content is Required/Recommended
All A.S., A.A., and A.A.S. Degree Programs
QCC General Educational Objectives addressed in MA010
Students will
communicate effectively through reading, writing, listening and speaking
reason quantitatively and mathematically as required in their fields of interest and in everyday life
work collaboratively in diverse groups directed at accomplishing learning objectives
Course Objectives/ Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Students will
demonstrate skills and conceptual understanding of elementary algebra and geometry
integrate reading and writing skills with numerical, algebraic and graphing skills to solve problems
use numerical, algebraic and geometric concepts and skills to analyze and solve problems in contextual situations
from other disciplines and from everyday life
draw conclusions from algebraic and graphical solutions to problems
solve problems by hand and by using calculators and other tools of technology
Required text Dr. Svitaks Section Only

Mathematics in Action: An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical Problem Solving 5th
Edition, MyMathLab Stand Alone Access Kit
AUTHOR
PUBLISHER

Consortium for Foundation Mathematics

Pearson Education, AddisonWesley, Boston, 2016

Calculators: Calculators may NOT be used on the final exam. Use of a calculator during the course will be allowed or
required at times determined by the instructor.
Evaluation of Student Learning Students must meet each of the following criteria to pass the course
1. Must have at least a minimum grade of 60% on the uniform CUNY final exam
AND
2. Must have a 74% course average. The uniform CUNY final exam accounts 35% of the final grade and the
remainder comes from course exams, assignments and classroom performance. See Course Policy handout
for details.
Class Exam Policy Any student who scores less than 70 on a class exam must go to the Math Learning Center, S-216,
and go over the exam with a tutor before the next exam. The student must have the exam signed by the tutor and present
the signed exam to his/her teacher before the next class exam. Failure to do so will result in a 5-point penalty for that
exam.
Academic Integrity Academic honesty is taken extremely seriously and is expected of all students. All assignments must
be the original work of the student (and partners or group, if applicable). All questions or concerns regarding ethical
conduct should be brought to the course instructor.
The QCC Academic Integrity Policy, 2/14/2005, states, It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted
acts that are violations of academic integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). At the faculty members
discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases, though reported to the OSA, may be
resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offenders grades
as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the
student for the entire course.
Note Any student who feels that he/she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact
the instructor privately to discuss his/her specific needs. Please contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities
in Science Building, room 132 (718 631 6257) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented
disabilities.

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MA10

ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
DR. SYLVIA M. SVITAKS SECTION ONLY

The required textbook is an e-book that is included in MyMathLab. The book is:

Mathematics in Action: An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical Problem Solving 5th Edition,
authored by The Consortium for Foundation Mathematics, and published by Pearson Education,
AddisonWesley, Boston, 2016
You get access to the textbook and MyMathLab by purchasing the
MyMathLab Stand Alone Access Kit
TOPICS

Chapter

Activities

TIME PERIOD

There are five class hours per week and 14 class weeks. One class hour each week will be spent in a computer
classroom, solving problems and practicing math skills using the MyMathLab program
Introduction to Math 10

(First Class Session)

Number Sense

Problem Solving using Real Numbers

and Arithmetic Operations;
Scientific notation;
Proportional Reasoning including
percents and percent increase/decrease
Class Test 1

Weeks 13

Variable Sense:

Problem Solving using Variables and

Relationships between Variables,
including expressions and equations
and inequalities
Class Test 2

Weeks 46

Function Sense
and
Linear Functions

Problem Solving with Linear

Functions; graphing and algebraic
methods including solving linear
systems of equations
Class Test 3

Weeks 710

Nonlinear Problem Solving

Operations and Problem Solving with

Polynomial, Quadratic, Exponential,
and Radical (e.g. Square Root)
Expressions and Functions;
Pythagorean Theorem; Inverse
Variation
Class Test 4

Weeks 1113

Course Assessment and

Preparation for the CUNY
Elementary Algebra Final
Exam (CEAFE)

Chapters 1-4
CEAFE
Review
Lessons

Final Review
Required
Final Review for CEAFE

Class, Lab, and Outside Learning

Assignments
Class Exams

Review for Final Exam

Department Required Final Review for
CEAFE

Throughout the
Semester

Week 14
TBA

* Note: The approximate hours per chapter are at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor is responsible for
making assignments and scheduling tests and exams except for the CUNY Elementary Algebra Final Exam
(CEAFE).
Fall 2015
SMS/cs

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