NCBM 0222 – Math Thinking Foundations (2-2-0). This course prepares students to take MATD 0485 Developing Mathematical Thinking in the same semester. This course is not for college-level credit.  

MATD 0485 – Developing Mathematical Thinking (4-4-0). A course designed to develop the skills, including reading and critical thinking, and the understanding needed for non-math, non-science majors who take MATH 1332 and MATH 1342. Topics include: linear models, data interpretations including graphs and tables, percentage models, order of operations, logic of arguments, and an introduction to other models which may include exponential, logarithmic, quadratic and/or rational models. This course is not for college level credit. Students who need to prepare for MATH 1314, MATH 1324, MATH 1414, etc. should not take this course, but instead should take MATD 0370.

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on math TSI Assessment test.  Departmental approval is required for these courses.

Instructional Methodology:

This course is taught in the classroom primarily as a lecture/discussion course.

Grades

Grade Components

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

What will we do in this class?

Exams: There will be four exams given in a proctored setting during class time or in the Testing Center.  You will be allowed to use a scientific calculator and scratch paper, but NOT your cell phone, on the exams. The scratch paper with your name on all pages must be turned in when the exam is submitted.

Quizzes: You will be expected to complete take-home quizzes that will include questions over several sections we covered in class.  The purpose of these assignments is to assess your understanding of the material and to provide you feedback on your use of mathematical language and notation BEFORE you take an Exam.  The questions on the quizzes are the same format as the exams.

Projects: There will be 3-4 projects.  Project due dates will be announced in class.

Homework: You will be expected to complete homework problems for each section in the course. 

You will be expected to complete online homework in this course.  Your experience with MyLab Stat will depend on the effort you put into it.  Because how you are thinking about the mathematics is just as important as getting the “right answer,” there are several questions in MyLab Stat that model the language we expect to see on your written work.  Rather than focusing on getting the "right answer", you will get the most benefit from your MyLab Stat HW if you pay careful attention to the language used in the fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice items so you know how to explain processes and justify answers on your take-home quizzes and exams.

Group work/Participation: Your participation grade is based on attendance and participation in class and in group work. For each class, you will receive an attendance/participation grade. To receive full credit, you must attend the entire class and participate; for example, you should participate in group work, answer polls, respond in chat, give feedback, and/or ask clarifying questions. There may be additional assignments to submit as part of your participation grade. You are going to interact with each other quite a bit and talk to each other about math. There will be group activities every day in class. You are expected to be an active participant and contribute to the discussion of the problems on the group activities. Though you will be working with other students, everyone will record the work on their own paper. These will be your notes you will use to complete homework assignments, so you need to ask questions and make sure you understand the ideas in the activity. I know that some of you do not like to talk in class and others of you like to talk a lot. So, we will follow a couple of easy rules. We give everyone a chance to talk. We respond to whatever anyone says with respect. We are concerned here about concepts that will help you succeed in your college-level math courses and ultimately achieve your academic goals. You are all in the same boat; I expect that students in this class will support each other and be respectful when working together. I know that some of you do not like to talk in class and others of you like to talk a lot. So, we will follow a couple of easy rules. We give everyone a chance to talk. We respond to whatever anyone says with respect. We are concerned here about concepts that will help you succeed in your college-level math courses and ultimately achieve your academic goals. You are all in the same boat; I expect that students in this class will support each other and be respectful when working together.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy:  Even if you are absent, you are expected to turn in all assignments on time.  One quiz grade will be dropped from your average to account for the occasional week when other “life” things come up. 

Late Work Policy:  No late work will be accepted. If you are absent and want to turn a paper in on time, either give it to a trusted human who will get it to me before the start of class, or email me the pdf or jpeg file using your ACC email before the start of class.

Missed Exam Policy:  No make-up exams will be given.

Attendance: Attendance is required in this course.  Being more than 10 minutes late will count as an absence.  Cutting out early without prior notification will count as an absence.  Leaving more than 10 minutes early, even with prior notification, will count as an absence. Students who miss 3 or more classes may be withdrawn without warning. TSI-mandated students who have excessive absences will be withdrawn.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Class Participation Expectations: You are expected to spend 10 – 15 hours outside of class time every week on your math course. You are expected to come to class on time and participate in class activities and discussions, and complete all assignments on time.  See also above in Class Expectations.

You are expected to remember that I also am human, and quite capable of making mistakes. If you feel I have made an error, please DO bring it to my attention so that I may review it and correct it if necessary! You are expected to seek help when you do not understand something. I will do my best to answer your questions, but sometimes I may have to ask my colleagues for better explanations than what I have readily available

Expectations

• You are expected to struggle through some complicated ideas with classmates and on your own to make more meaningful connections and synthesize ideas.  
• You are expected to work with real-world scenarios and data, which means the numbers get messy.  
• You are expected to talk with other students about your ideas and listen carefully to their ideas so you can learn to think through all kinds of different math problems.  
• You are expected to spend a lot of time thinking more deeply about mathematical ideas, and to write about your thought process.  
• You are expected to think through a problem and apply your knowledge to problems that you have never seen before.

Class Participation Expectations: You are expected to spend 10 – 15 hours outside of class time every week on your math course. You are expected to come to class on time and participate in class activities and discussions, and complete all assignments on time.  See also above in Class Expectations.

You are expected to seek help when you do not understand something. I will do my best to answer your questions, but sometimes I may have to ask my colleagues for better explanations than what I have readily available.

Expectations:

1. Attend every class
2. Arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class.
3. Participate during that time and spend time outside of class working on homework.
4. Make sure to raise your hand, so we are not all speaking at once.
5. Keep cell phones turned off and put away during class.
6. Eat before or after class, not during class.  Keep food/snacks put away during class.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date (Thursday, November 17). The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

For more detailed information, please log into Blackboard.

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/SOFTWARE

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.   

Textbook: Developing Mathematical Thinking, 3rd Edition for ACC. Pearson Publishing (MyLab software) 
ISBN: 9780135352083

Supplemental Materials:  scientific calculator

Other Technology: Access to a webcam and microphone and reliable internet access are required for this course. Eligible students can check out required technology at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement. 

NCBM 0222 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Provide an opportunity to increase/improve quantitative literacy.
2. Provide an opportunity to communicate mathematical ideas in a small group setting.
3. Provide just-in-time review of prerequisite topics.

MATD 0485 Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Use formulas and/or order of operations to solve problems for a variety of models, such as temperature, regression, exponential, or finance models.
2. Explain and justify answers based on an understanding of mathematical properties and rules.
3. Estimate answers and evaluate the reasonableness of answers to application problems. 
4. Solve problems involving fractions, decimals, and percents, including percents based in two-way tables.
5. Apply fundamental probability/counting techniques to solve problems.
6. Convert between various units of measurement. 
7. Use patterns and diagrams to count objects in a set.
8. Analyze statistical studies.
9. Describe, graph, organize, and analyze quantitative and categorical data.  
10. Calculate and interpret measures of center and variation for statistical data.
11. Analyze relationships and make predictions with statistical data.
12. Identify and interpret linear and exponential patterns of change for multiple representations.

These course objectives illustrate that this course is not an algebra course as are most developmental mathematics courses. It is a course about thinking and using mathematics. There is some algebra in the course, but algebra is not the predominant topic or the focus of the course.