Course Description
This course is an introduction to Algebra, including the basic operations of real numbers, polynomials, rational expressions, radical expressions, factoring, solutions of linear and quadratic equations, and graphing of linear systems.
Pre-requisite
Math 15 or Pre-algebra, with a grade of “C”or better. Students must meet the pre-requisite—no exceptions.
What is a Hybrid Course?
HYBRID COURSES are taught partially on-campus and partially online. You will need access to a computer and the Internet in order to take this
class. Check out the Cypress College Distance Education web site for more important general information about online and hybrid courses.
Not sure if online classes are for you? Click on this survey and find out!
You will be spending 2 hours a week in face-to-face meetings on-campus. The rest of the time needed for learning the material in this course is scheduled by you when it is convenient. I will provide deadlines to keep you going and to help prevent falling behind. You will need to be very self-disciplined to succeed in this class!
If you think that this class will take less time than a traditional course that meets on-campus for 4 hours a week, you will be disappointed. In general, online/hybrid classes take more time than their traditional on-campus counterparts. The difference is in the flexibility of when that time is scheduled. I do expect you to be at all on-campus class meetings for the semester and I expect you to keep up with the online assignments. In order to be successful, you must spend the time studying, reading, watching videos, practicing, working homework exercises, etc.
What are students saying about Math 20 as a hybrid?
“Taking math on the web has been a great experience for me. The best thing about this course is the flexibility. I have a family and all the work that goes along with them. I love the fact I can start my homework while they are still at school, then come back and finish it after they have gone to bed.
It's also really great to be able to reference the textbook pages while I am working, without having to have a mountain of books and paperwork covering my desk.All in all, this has been a terrific experience and one I am glad I have been able to have. I don't know if a teacher other than Ms. Hamman could have been able to talk me into it, but I am happy she did.”
–Laura
“This is not the first online class I've taken but it is the first Math class I've taken online.
The thing that attracts me to online courses is the lack of on campus time and the flexibility. This class has both. I love only taking about an hour out of my busy schedule for the on campus portion of this class. I also love that I can choose when to do my homework (for the most part). I also like how Professor Hamman makes herself available and responds to problem emails very quickly.
If I had to give someone advice who was considering taking this class, I would tell them to keep up with the homework and most importantly make time to get help from Professor Hamman. I feel those two things have helped me survive this class. =)”
–Jennifer
“I find it very helpful that I have that one hour on campus if and when questions come up or if I don't understand a section of math problems. Math has been the hardest subject for me and doing it half online has actual improved my math grade!” –Kelly
“Doing my homework online is actually fun especially when I get my answers right. I feel smart! Haha! Taking math class online benefits my time because the meeting is only an hour, then I have more time to do my other classes' homework or do my online homework at the library.” –Mabe
“This class worked out perfectly for me, with the right mix of class time and video and computer work. I would recommend this class to anybody that was somewhat self- motivated. The flexibility is wonderful and has allowed me to quickly get through the mandatory class without the hassle of in-class scheduling conflicts.” –Sandy
“Something that I really liked about this class was the convenience. Also, you've done a great job explaining and guiding us through the work. I would definitely recommend this hybrid type class for other students based on my experiences. It was different, convenient and I very much enjoyed this class.” –Jimmy
“I had a great time using the hybrid math class. I thought it was a lot of fun and it really helped. I loved the links that gave you more practice on the problems.”–Brittany
“I have found this to be the most interesting and suitable Math 20 class at Cypress College (I have taken this course too many times!) I think the set-up is wonderful. Not once have I come to class bored or ready to sleep, but in fact eager (haha!) for Mrs. Hamman to teach the new material, because I like Math when I know how to do it. In a traditional 2 hr. class setting, I can't keep my eyes open and my mind just wanders off.” –Rachel
“As for the online homework, I felt that it was very helpful because when I would answer a problem wrong it would tell me what I needed to do in order to get the problem right. It was very helpful.” –Jessica
95.2% of the students who try have successfully passed this class!
Students Who Try…
- attend all class meetings,
- complete all written and online assignments,
- get help as soon as they need it.
Could you be one of the success stories of the hybrid Math 20? Contact Mrs. Hamman for more information.
Course Requirements
Spring 2010 Class Meeting Times
MW 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. (Plan on attending every class meeting)
Class Location
SEM-114
Textbooks
Beginning Algebra (10th ed.) by Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis with MyMathLab (This is the where the online assignments will be taking place). MyMathLab comes free with new textbooks purchased at the Cypress College Bookstore (new $161.20,as of 1/14/2010 ). If you buy a used book, you will have to purchase an access code for MyMathLab separately, which as of 1/14/2010 costs $79.45 from the Cypress College Bookstore, or $72 from the MyMathLab web site (To do this, you will need the student access code: hamman83362). It is cheaper overall to buy a new textbook as opposed to a used book plus the access code.
One option to keep costs down would be to purchase only the access code. Once you are logged into MyMathLab, you have access to the textbook online.
In order to be successful in this class, the MyMathLab access code must be purchased and activated by the beginning of Week 3 (our first exam is on Wednesday, February 3, 2010)!
Students who have not met this requirement must speak with me to avoid being dropped from the course!
Other Required Materials
- TI-30XIIS scientific calculator—I will teach with this calculator. If you choose to use a different calculator, I will be happy to assist you outside of class time. You may not share calculators, use a graphing calculator, cell phone or any type of PDA as a calculator.
- A 3-ring-binder “notebook” (at least 1.5” wide) and 3 dividers labeled as:
- Notes (Face-to-face and online)
- Task Lists
- Exams
Feel free to include other sections that work for you. All papers given out in class must be completed when placed in your notebook. You will not receive credit for blank papers. Copies of handouts given in class can be found here.
Graph paper will be needed in Chapters 3, 4, and 9. You can buy graph paper, or print out graph paper here:
Microsoft Word file or PDF file. - Two ScanTron 882 forms will be needed; one for Exam 6 and one for the Final Exam.
- A pencil and red pen will be needed while taking notes in class.
- A hole-punch will be needed so that you can put handouts into your notebook.
Computer Skills
To be successful in this course you will need to be comfortable browsing the web, word processing, sending and receiving email (including sending attachments), and saving your work on a computer.
Computer Equipment
To access your MyMathLab course site at http://www.coursecompass.com/ you will need
- The Course ID: hamman83362
- A student access code: this comes free with new textbooks purchased at the bookstore, as a stand alone item in the bookstore (if you already have a copy of the book or you plan to use only the online textbook), or you can purchase online access to MyMathLab using a credit card
- A valid email address that you check on a regular basis. Make sure that this email address is listed with your personal information on WebStar in myGateway!
- Click here for system requirements
On-campus computers for online and hybrid student use are available in the Library/Learning Resource Center (for specific information on these labs, please see LLRC).
