Math and Science Center

Information for Summer Session, 2009

 

Please note, there have been many changes in this document. If you are a returning student, please read this carefully. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING THIS INFORMATION!

 

General information

1.  Who should sign up for the Math Science Center independent study courses?

            Have you ever had trouble understanding mathematics in the past?  Have you ever fallen so far behind in a math class that it was almost impossible to catch up?  Have you ever felt that you could have progressed faster than the pace of a regular class?  Does your work schedule change during the course of a semester, making attendance in a regular class almost impossible?  If your answer was YES to any of these questions, individually-paced learning may help you. The MSC offers an alternate mode of learning to the student with vast flexibility in the process.  The student proceeds through the text at her/his own rate.  When difficulty arises she/he may receive help from an instructor, tutor, video, or computer program. A student may use the facilities of the Math and Science Center (MSC) anytime it is open.

 

2. How does the MSC work?

The courses are self-paced. Generally, you decide what you do and when. However independent study will require self-discipline and persistence on your part. You must set realistic achievement goals.  An average student needs to spend at least six hours a week studying for a math course.  Some students will require more time.  To discourage you from putting off studying until the last minute, and to encourage you to make regular progress, you are required to spend a minimum of two hours every week either working on-line or working in the MSC.  If you fall below this minimum number of hours for 3 weeks in a row or a total of 5 weeks, you may be dropped from the class.  You cannot sign up for the class then  wait before actually starting the class.  The syllabus outlines the pace if you want to finish the course in one semester.  If you follow the syllabus by completing sections in time and testing regularly, you will ensure your success. Those who treat the independent study course like a regular class succeed in the MSC.

 

3. What makes the MSC courses special?

·        The courses are divided into 3 or 4 separate units. This allows students to complete as much as they are able to in one semester.

·        MSC courses allow for a perfect fit for individual students. When the students see the instructor, the instructor goes over the mistakes made by that particular student and sets up a homework assignment (if needed) specifically suited to the individual’s needs.

·        The classes in the MSC are designed to serve the student who needs more or less time to learn the prescribed knowledge in a math course.

·        The student may set her/ his own schedule around the hours the student is available.  Regular attendance is important for success.

·        You make a schedule that you can stick to and you must continue to come into the center regularly.

 

4. When is the MSC open?

6/08 - 6/18: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday

6/22 - 7/30: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Thursday

                        8/03 - 8/13: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday

Important Rules:

  • Books and Calculators
    • New Textbooks:    

o       Math 30A must use Martin-Gay Prealgebra (5th edition).

o       Math 50A must use Sullivan/Struve Elementary Algebra

o       Math 70A must use Sullivan/Struve Intermediate Algebra.

 

    • You are required to purchase a text book for the class that you are registered in. We also require a scientific calculator (ask for specific models).  We want you to succeed and these are the absolute minimum requirement for success in our classes.
    • We have books available at the clerk’s station for checking your even answers.

 

  • Attendance: You are expected to make continual progress in the MSC. If you do not take quizzes or tests regularly, you may be dropped from the course for non-participation. 
    • Beginning the first week that you sign up for a course, as a bare minimum, you must put in 2 hours a week on-line or in the MSC.  If you fall below this 2-hours a week minimum requirement for 3 weeks in a row or 5 weeks total, you may be dropped for non-participation.
    • Students on financial aid, international students, athletes or anyone who must have full-time enrollment must be aware that their eligibility could be affected by this non-participation drop. It is your responsibility to keep yourself eligible by progressing through the modules in the time frame suggested by your syllabus. You will not get reinstated after a drop for non-participation unless you finish the unit.

 

  • You should sign up for only one unit at a time. Unfortunately many students have not taken our advice and enrolled in more units than they could complete. In addition to spending more money than necessary, these students have ended up with a number of W’s or even F’s on their record.

 

  • Students must complete all of the units of a class within two years.  For example, if you begin Elementary Algebra (Math 50), you must complete Math 50A, Math 50B, Math 50C and Math 050D within two years.  However, each unit that you start (e.g., Math 50A) must be completed within the same semester in which you start it.  In other words, any unit that you sign up for this summer must be completed or dropped so that you do not end up with an F in that unit for the summer session.

 

  • If you complete the course before the end of the semester, it is not necessary to continue attending the MSC.  However, if you wish to register for the next class and continue your studies, you do not have to wait for the next semester. You may begin immediately, if there is a reasonable amount of time in the semester to complete the course. (See MSC schedule for that particular class)

 

  • Withdrawal: The last day to withdraw from any MSC course is Wednesday, July 29, 2009. It is your responsibility to determine whether you will be able to complete all of the course requirements for the units you are registered for. If you feel it will not be possible for you to finish by Thursday, August  13, 2009 (which is the last day we are open for testing) you should withdraw or drop. If you do not drop, and have not completed the units that you are enrolled in, you will receive an F in those units.

 

  • Continuation after dropping a unit: If you do withdraw, please feel free to continue your studies in the MSC and take the quizzes and tests when you are prepared.  When you re-register the next semester, you can continue where you left off the previous semester.  

 

  • Check-in and Check-out: As you enter the MSC, you must show a picture ID to the clerk seated at the entry. (If you don’t have a student ID card, it is easy to get one). Once your Student ID number is entered into the computer, your Student ID Number will appear on the Time Computer screen along with your Name, Ticket#, and Time In. If you are registered for more than one class, the class you are currently working in will be highlighted and entered. When you leave the MSC, follow the same procedure so that the computer can calculate the time you spent in the MSC.

 

  • Anyone who is not enrolled in the MSC or is enrolled as a non-MSC student may attend the MSC only at the discretion of the instructor on duty.  (THIS INCLUDES CHILDREN- SEE THE POLICY FOR CHILDREN ATTACHED TO YOUR SYLLABUS.)

 

  • Testing: When you go to the Testing Room to take a quiz or test, you must give the grader a picture ID to check your identification.
    • NO ID – NO Test!!!
    • NO PHONES ARE ALLOWED IN THE TESTING ROOM! If your phone rings your test or quiz will be collected and graded as is and count a one try. If you make or take a call, the same applies.
    • PLEASE NOTE THAT NO CALCULATORS THAT USE ALGEBRAIC LOGIC CAN BE USED ON ANY TESTS IN THE MSC- THIS INCLUDES THE TI89 AND THE TI92.
    • You can take a quiz or test a maximum of 5 times. We recommend that you practice the Chapter Test in the book before taking your first test.
    • No unit or cumulative tests will be given out less than one hour before the MSC testing area closes. No quizzes will be given out less than thirty minutes before the MSC testing area closes. The time is determined by the MSC time clock.
  • Testing procedures
    • Please bring pencil, eraser, and calculator for the exam.
    • All tests must be done in one sitting.  You may not leave and come back at a later time and finish. Inform an instructor if you have to leave the room temporarily.  Do not leave the testing room with a quiz or test.  When you leave, your quiz or test will be graded, even if you did not finish.  Turn in all papers pertaining to the test or quiz to the MSC grader before you leave.
    • Please do not write on the test sheet.  Use the scratch paper provided by the MSC.
    • Your finished quiz or test should show all necessary work in a neat and proper form. Show all your work and circle the answer. Scratch paper work is not acceptable for grading purposes, but must be turned in with the quiz or test.  It is your responsibility to provide pencil and calculator. The MSC grader will correct your quiz or test. In the upper right hand corner, please write (1) your first and last name clearly, (2) your student ID, (3) the course, (4) quiz or test number, and (5) the date.
    • If you finish a quiz or test and are referred by the grader to see the Instructor on duty, but you cannot wait to see the instructor at that time, your quiz or test will be placed on hold and you may see the instructor on duty the next time you come to the MSC.  This must be done within a week. Otherwise it will be recorded as is.
    • No visitors allowed.

 

Grades: Your grade depends on the result of your unit tests, and cumulative tests. You will not receive a passing grade if you have not passed all mastery tests required for that particular unit. Students must have passed all tests and attempted the final of a unit to receive a non-failing grade.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

                A     =  90% or better;   B  =  between 80% and 90%; C =  between  70% and 80%

                D     = between 60% and 70%; F  = An average of 59% or below, or non-completion of the                       course requirements

 

There are two ways to receive credit for the units in the MSC

 

Option 1 (Following the traditional path of quizzes and tests on the syllabus)

 

Follow the quizzes and test as outlined in your syllabus.

  • Study the sections that are covered in a quiz before you take the quiz. Quizzes that are not passed will be checked by an instructor. The instructor will determine if you can advance, need to do homework, or should retake another version of the quiz after completing homework.
  • If you receive a grade below 80 percent on a test you are required to see an instructor in the MSC. The instructor will go over the exam with you and may refer you to a tutor for additional help, or assign homework. If you cannot see the instructor as soon as you finish your test, make arrangements to do so at another time. This must be done within a week.  You will not be allowed to take another test or quiz until you meet with the instructor.
  • If you pass a quiz or test with 80% or above and wish to see an instructor, you are welcome to do so.
  • Do not wait until the last week of the semester to finish your course. This is one of our busiest weeks of the semester and your educational progress may be affected.
  • In our experience, students who stick to the outline have the best chance to finish the course on time.

 

Option 2 (Proficiency Exams) This option is for students who know the material in a unit already.  The MSC is offering a way to show that you know all of the material in the unit by taking one BIG exam.  You will have only one chance on each Proficiency Exam.   Here are the rules...

  • You may take a Proficiency exam for the unit only one time!
  • There are 20 problems for each chapter test covered in the unit.
  • You must receive a 80% or higher in each chapter covered by the unit to pass.
  • If you do not like your passing score you may follow the syllabus to raise your grade.
  • The Proficiency Exam counts as one of your 5 tries on each test.
  • The Proficiency Exam may be taken any time in the unit, yet it makes sense to be taken before you take quizzes in the unit.
  • All questions are open ended, no multiple choice questions. You must show your work for partial credit.
  • If you do not pass the overall exam but pass an individual chapter, you may take that grade for the chapter. If you want a higher grade on the chapter, they must follow the syllabus by taking the quizzes leading up to the test.
  • The last day to take a Proficiency Exam is Monday, August 3, 2009
  • Students who pass the Proficiency Exam are still required to take the mastery tests.