Bill Diss

Contact information for Bill Diss

Math 98 Syllabus

Dear Students,

I want to give all of you a very warm welcome and I also want to tell you thank you so much for the effort you are making to be in this class.  I really appreciate you being here and realize that you are making a sacrifice as you fit in your personal life, family life and work life into your schedule at school.

I believe all students can do well in math if they come to class, take great notes and write all steps carefully on problems.  It is very helpful to think of writing a problem just as you write a paper in a writing class or some other class.  Papers are written with a good title, a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs and a sound conclusion.  The format of your paper is important with the correct margins, spacing between lines, footnotes, and bibliography. In math you will be writing the original problem and writing all of the steps in the proper format.  You will find that writing all of the math correctly will give you a solid understanding of math and you will even enjoy it.

I wish all of you great successes and blessings in this class and in all aspects of your lives.  I enjoy teaching at PCC immensely and let me know if I can help you in any way.  Do not hesitate to contact me.  Please review the syllabus and contact me with any questions.

Thank you,

Mr. Diss

971-722-3183

pcc.edu/staff/wdiss

 

CAMPUS Portland Community College        www.pcc.edu

Rock Creek Campus

17705 NW Springville Rd.

Portland, OR 97229
COURSE Math 98 Math Literacy II – (4 credits)
TERM Fall 2021:  28-SEP-2020 through 16-DEC-2020
SECTION 43489
TIME/DAYS 1:00 PM – 3:20 PM on Tuesday and Thursday
ROOM RC BLDG-2 Room 248
INSTRUCTOR

                   

 William C. Diss

Math Office: Rock Creek Building 2: Room 210

971-722-3183 (Instructor Phone)

971-722-7696 (Math Office)

wdiss@pcc.edu
ADDITIONAL HELP I will usually be available right after class.  I am available at other times, so feel free to set up a time.
REQUIRED 

MATERIALS

 Pathways to Math Literacy 2nd edition (Loose Leaf) with Connect Math Hosted by ALEKS Access Card, Sobecki, Mercer. (If you do not have an active ACCESS code then do not buy a used copy online.)

 

You can skip buying a book if you just want to use an ebook on Connect Math.  You just need to buy license to use Connect Math.

 

You DO NOT need to buy the calculator that is shown on the PCC Schedule page.
COURSE DESCRIPTION &

PREREQUISITES

 Covers formulating and clearly communicating arguments supported by quantitative evidence with emphasis on data analysis. Uses data to collaboratively engage with contextual and open-ended mathematical problems. Emphasizes use of mathematical and statistical reasoning through interpreting information, making conjectures, communicating effectively, and verifying results. Emphasizes an understanding of the role of mathematics and how it affects decision making in life. Uses collaborative learning through in-class group interaction. Uses technology throughout the course. More information can be found at:

 

http://www.pcc.edu/ccog/default.cfm?fa=ccog&subject=MTH&course=98
COURSE OUTCOMES
  • Use and integrate several different types of technology to explore and analyze data to solve problems.
  • Reflect on and communicate the reasonableness of mathematical approaches and solutions using contextual information.
  • Articulate individual positions using quantitative reasoning and respectfully consider the approaches and solutions of others.
  • Critically analyze information for its accuracy, relevance, and credibility to reflect on how mathematics can be used in one’s life and in the larger community.
  • Engage with and formulate questions to explore mathematical topics, collaborate with others, and persevere through the problem solving process.
  • Develop self-awareness of the learning process and self-monitor understanding and performance.
DETAILS ON MATH COURSES https://www.pcc.edu/ccog/?fa=course&subject=MTH
ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALISM The location of this class is at Portland Community College and it is important that an atmosphere of a professional college environment is maintained.  Complaints, comments or questions that are not related to mathematical content should be made in private to the instructor.
ATTENDANCE Your attendance is very important in the class. Repeated absences usually result in lower comprehension of material and lower grades..  More information on attendance is listed below in general college information.
IMPORTANCE OF MATHEMATICAL NOTATION It is the philosophy of the Portland Community College Mathematics Subject Area Committee (PCC Math SAC) that it is important for students to learn how to communicate mathematics using standardized notation, as this is part of the educational process.  We believe that when students are able to effectively use mathematical notation to compose meaningful mathematical statements, it is reflective of a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts being described. Also, an understanding of math concepts and language includes the comprehension of math symbols and implementing their standard usage and format in communicating deductive mathematical reasoning.  …  These standards are intended to help students learn how to communicate mathematics effectively, which we believe will empower students to be successful in current and future coursework.
STEPS AND FORMATTING OF WORK The process of working a math problem is very critical.  Math problems are written in a similar way to writing a college paper.  Every line of mathematics is important just as every paragraph, sentence and word is important in a college paper.  College papers have certain formatting requirements for indentation and spacing between lines of text.  Your problems will also be worked with specific formatting requirements.  Please work problems as shown in class and please leave plenty of space between problems.  The entire width of the paper will be used for some problems.  Please put just one problem on a line and do not use multiple columns.

The Course Content and Outcome Guide, for the first class of our sequence has the following important information on steps:

The manner in which one presents the steps to a problem is very important. We want all of our students to recognize this fact; thus the instructor needs to emphasize the importance of writing mathematics properly and students need to be held accountable to the standard. When presenting their work, all students in a MTH 60 course should consistently show appropriate steps using correct mathematical notation and appropriate forms of organization. All axes on graphs should include scales and labels. 

Examples of correct notation for different courses are shown here:

http://www.pcc.edu/programs/math/course-downloads.html

On the top left of your paper please put the following heading:

First and Last Name

Instructor: Mr. Diss

Math 98: 

<due date>

<assignment description> Ex: HW #1
TESTS Tests are critical and count for a great portion of your grade; please take all tests.  If you cannot take a particular test, please see me as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made.
GRADING

POLICY

 You will be graded on all you do, including steps, orderly work and clear conclusions.  90% and above is an A, 80% to 89% is a B, 70% to 79% is a C, 60% to 69% is a D, and below 60% is a F.

Grade Details

Two Exams 60%
Connect Math 35%
Technology 5%

The rest of this syllabus contains VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding resources and information as a general student of PCC.

 

  • Accessibility and Accommodations:  PCC is committed to ensuring that classes are accessible.  Disability Services [www.pcc.edu/disability-services/] works with students and faculty to minimize barriers.  If students elect to use approved academic accommodations, they must provide in advance formal notification from Disability Services to the instructor.
  • Title IX/Nondiscrimination:  PCC is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect.  If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or equity.inclusion@pcc.edu.
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities:  The Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook [https://www.pcc.edu/about/policy/student-rights/] establishes students’ freedoms and protections as well as expectations of appropriate behavior and ethical academic work.  The Handbook includes items such as the Policy on Student Rights, and the Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedures.
  • Flexibility:  The instructor may revise the class calendar, modify content, and/or substitute assignments in response to institutional, weather, or class situations.
  • Campus Resources:  PCC offers a variety of resources to help you succeed in your classes and to enhance your college experience (e.g., jobs on campus, child care, student clubs, tutoring, writing centers, Multicultural Centers, Women’s Resource Centers, Veterans Resource Centers, Queer Resource Centers, Dreamers Resource Center, emergency loans, food pantries, advising, counseling).  You can access information about college resources and activities at www.pcc.edu/student-life/.
  • Information about PCC Libraries:  Each PCC campus has a library where students can access a variety of books (including some class textbooks on reserve), journals, videos, and other resources both through PCC’s own collection and through loans from other colleges.  The libraries also loan laptop computers, graphing calculators, and other technology.  The libraries have computers, printers, and scanners for students to use and offer quiet and collaborative areas for studying, including study rooms that students can reserve.  Librarians are available to help students with research – in person or by chat, email, text, or phone.  Visit www.pcc.edu/library/.
  • Mandatory Reporting Requirement:  It is always my goal to keep information you share private but I am required by law to report to our Office of Equity and Inclusion all allegations of dating or domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, abuse of vulnerable populations, and/or credible threats of harm to yourself or others.  If you wish to make a disclosure that can remain confidential, there are staff at PCC who are deemed confidential.  You can find an accurate list here: https://www.pcc.edu/about/equity-inclusion/title-ix/documents/brochure.pdf.
  • Listening Intervention Team for Equity (LITE) is a PCC resource for students, faculty, and staff who have experienced inequity or need guidance to navigate challenging dynamics at the college across cultures, races, ethnicities, gender identity or expression, sexual orientations, ability, faiths, and other aspects of identity.  The LITE listener will offer compassion, help you process your experiences, share skill-building techniques and problem-solving strategies, and connect you with other existing support resources.  To talk to a LITE listener about experiences of inequity you have experienced at PCC, visit www.pcc.edu/lite and click on “Make an appointment with a LITE listener” or contact a listener directly.
  • Adding, Dropping and Grading:  The college has very tight deadlines for auditing, dropping, or withdrawing from a course.  For example, during most terms the paperwork to audit a course must be signed and submitted by the end of the first week of the term.  Similarly, to receive a refund for a class a drop must be completed the first week of the term.  These time frames are even shorter for some summer term courses.  Watch your email.  In all cases, it is 100% the student’s responsibility to process the change in registration status by the due date and time.  
  • Adding and Dropping:   www.pcc.edu/enroll/registration/dropping.html
  • Grading Options: www.pcc.edu/registration/grading-policy/
  • Grading Guidelines: www.pcc.edu/resources/student-records/grading/
  • Attendance:  https://www.pcc.edu/enroll/registration/attendance.html

 

Important Dates for Portland Community College: See PCC – Calendar  

 

Note: Any of the items on this syllabus or calendar may be changed in response to a variety of situations. Any changes will be announced via e-mail.