Bill Diss

Contact information for Bill Diss

Math 20 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 20 Fundamentals of Mathematics – (4 credits)
TERM Winter 2022:  January 11, 2022 to March 24, 2022
SECTION 12129
TIME/DAYS Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 PM – 3:20 PM
ROOM Rock Creek BLDG 2, Rm 226
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 be available on most days before and after class.  Feel free to set up other times to meet me in person or online.
REQUIRED 

MATERIALS

 Textbook: 

BASIC COLLEGE MATH

Author MILLER

Edition 3RD 15

ISBN 9781260727456

You can buy a used copy, you DO NOT need a license for ALEKS.

Calculator:   No calculators will be used in class at any time.

Notebook:  A spiral, bound or binder notebook is required.

  • Writing Instruments:  You need to have three or four pens or pencils in good condition.  All work should be done in black pencil or some dark color of ink (no shades of red).  All corrections should be done in some other color. Please do not use a black pen to correct work done in black pencil and vice versa.  Please bring extra pens and pencils.  Please have at least three colors.
  • Ruler:  You need to have a ruler or a straightedge to draw all lines.
  • Loose Leaf Paper:  All assignments must be turned in on loose-leaf paper; paper cannot be torn out of a spiral notebook.

Graph Paper:  All two-dimensional graphs must be done on paper with either four or five squares per inch.
COURSE DESCRIPTION &

PREREQUISITES

 Develops arithmetic fluency and the conceptual basis, and applications of integers, fractions, decimals, percent’s, and measurements. The PCC math department recommends that students take MATH courses in consecutive terms. Prerequisites: (ABE 0782 or placement into MTH 20) and (placement into RD 80 or ESOL 250). Audit available.
COURSE OUTCOMES
  • Perform accurate arithmetic computations in a variety of expressions and applications.
  • Apply mathematical problem solving strategies.
  • Effectively communicate mathematical reasoning.
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.  In general, every absence lowers your total grade by about five percent.  If you miss two classes, you may drop an entire letter grade.  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 20:  Fundamentals of Mathematics

<due date>

                                                   <assignment description> Ex: HW #1
HOMEWORK Homework is extremely important and is approximately 25% of your grade.  An assignment will be given each week and is due the next week.  Please work all problems and show all work as shown in class.  You will be graded on steps, neatness, proper format, and correct mathematical statements.  Please correct all odd problems before class.  Fix incorrect problems if necessary.

In class we will review a few of the problems.  Please correct your problem by inserting the missing steps.  You will be graded on having all of the correct steps and corrections made in class so please correct problems that are worked on the board.

You will be spending at least five to six hours a week on homework and studying.  If you do not turn in a homework on time and decide to do it later, then you will have at least 11 hours of work the following week.  Please do your homework and turn it in each week.  Late homework will only be counted for one more week and will not be graded for full credit.
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.   The final is comprehensive and it can be used to replace your lowest test grade.  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.

Grading Details:

There will be approximately ten homework assignments at 10 points each, and three tests each worth 100 points.

All Homework:  100 Points

Test 1:                100 Points

Test 2:                100 Points

Final Test:          100 Points

———————————-

Total Points        400 Points

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.
  • Sanctuary College:  PCC is a sanctuary college.  For more information and resources, see www.pcc.edu/resources/undocumented-students/.
  • 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.