MS-094 Introduction to Technical Math

Course Description: This is a preparatory course for technical mathematics. It is designed to provide professional-technical students with the mathematical tools needed to succeed in selected higher-level technical occupational programs. The topics covered will be focused on critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical communication using applications in applied arithmetic, measurement, and geometry.

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and apply mathematical concepts in problem solving and in day to day activities.
2. Present and interpret numeric information in graphic forms.
3. Communicate thoughts and ideas effectively using proper mathematical terms.

b. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:

The student will be able to:

1. Perform arithmetic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and signed numbers.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of and perform basic mathematical operations on ratio, proportion, and percentage.
3. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of U.S. System of Measurement and convert between two units of measurement.
4. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of Metric System of Measurement and convert between two units of measurements.
5. Solve linear equations using the addition and multiplication axioms.
6. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the common two-dimensional geometric figures.
7. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the common three-dimensional geometric figures.

SLO	PLO 1	PLO 2	PLO 3
1	DM	IDM	ID
2	DM	ID	ID
3	DM	ID	ID
4	DM	ID	ID
5	DM	ID	ID
6	DM	ID	ID
7	DM	ID	ID

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - SPECIFIC:

The student will be able to:

General SLO 1. Perform arithmetic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and signed numbers.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
1.1 Describe the structure of real numbers.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
1.2 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and signed numbers.
1.3 Perform calculations involving whole numbers, fractions,             decimals, and signed numbers with a calculator.
1.4 Write decimals as fractions and fractions as decimals.
1.5 Evaluate powers of whole numbers and signed numbers.
1.6 Apply the order of operations to solve problems using real numbers.
1.7 Solve applied problems involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and signed numbers.

General SLO 2. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of and perform operations on ratio, proportion, and percent.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
2.1 Solve equations that are proportions.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
2.2 Solve problems of direct variation using proportions.
2.3 Solve problems of inverse variation using proportions.
2.4 Change any number to its percent equivalent and vice versa.
2.5 Solve percent sentences using both the percentage formula and the percentage proportion.
2.6 Solve applied problems involving increase or decrease.

General SLO 3. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of U.S. system of measurement and convert between two units of measurement.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
3.1 Identify uses of the U.S. standard measures of length, mass or weight, and capacity.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
3.2 Convert one unit of measure to another using unit ratios and conversion factors.
3.3 Add and subtract U.S. standard measures
3.4 Multiply and divide U.S. customary measures
3.5 Change one U.S. standard measure to another
3.6 Solve applied problems involving U.S standard form of measurement.

General SLO 4. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of metric system of measurement and convert between two units of measurements.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
4.1 Identify uses of the metric measures of length, mass or weight, and capacity.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
4.2 Convert from one metric unit of measure to another.
4.3 Convert between U.S. standard and metric measures.
4.4 Calculate the significant digit of a number and find the precision and greatest possible error of a measurement.
4.5 Compute the relative and the percent error of a measurement.
4.6 Solve applied problems involving metric measurement.

General SLO 5. Solve linear equations using the addition and multiplication axioms.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
5.1 Identify equations, terms, factors, constants, variables, and coefficients.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
5.2 Translate verbal statements into symbolic statements using             variables.
5.3 Simplify variable expressions.
5.4 Solve linear equations including fractional, decimal, and equations with parentheses.
5.5 Evaluate formulas and rearrange them to solve a specified variable.
5.6 Solve applied problems by using equations.

General SLO 6. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the common two-dimensional geometric figures.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
6.1 Apply the correct notations to represent points, lines, segments, rays, planes, and angles; classify angles according to size.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments,  quizzes, and tests.
6.2 Calculate the measure of an angle by using relationships among intersecting lines and convert angle measures between decimal degrees and degrees, minutes, and seconds.
6.3 Define a parallelogram, rectangle, square, rhombus, trapezoid, and triangle and explain the perimeter and area of each.
6.4 Classify triangles by the relationship of the sides or angles.
6.5 Solve problems that involve similar triangles; use thr Pythagorean Theorem to find the unknown side of a triangle.
6.6 Define a circle and describe the relationship among radius, diameter, and circumference; and find area of a circle.

General SLO 7. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the common three-
dimensional geometric figures.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
7.1 Define and understand solid geometric figures.	Competence will be demonstrated through pretest, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
7.2 Identify and describe a prism, cylinder, pyramid and its frustum, cone and its frustum, and a sphere.
7.3 Identify the dimensions associated with each solid figure.
7.4 Define and explain the volume of three-dimensional figures.
7.5 Define and explain the lateral and total surface areas of three-dimensional figures.
7.6 Solve applied problems involving volume and surface area of three-dimensional objects.

D. COURSE CONTENTS

I. Arithmetic of whole numbers, fractions, and decimal numbers

1. Working with whole numbers (add, subtract, multiply, and divide)
2. Order of operations
3. Work with fractions
4. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions
5. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimal numbers
6. Decimal fractions
7. Signed numbers

II. Ratio, proportion, and percent

1. Ratio and proportion
2. Special applications of ratio & proportion
3. Introduction to percent
4. Percent problems
5. Special applications of percent calculation

III. Measurement

1. Working with measurement numbers
2. English units and unit conversions
3. Metric units
4. Direct measurement

IV. Basic algebra

1. Algebraic language and formulas
2. Adding and subtracting algebraic expressions
3. Solving equations and formulas
4. Solving word problems
5. Multiplying and dividing algebraic expressions

V. Practical plane geometry

1. Angle measurement
2. Area and perimeter of polygons
3. Triangles, regular hexagons, and irregular polygons
4. Circles

VI. Solid figures

1. Three-dimensional objects (prisms, pyramids and frustum of pyramids, cylinders, cones and frustum of cones, and spheres)

E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Lectures, group work/discussion, hand-out readings, assignments (both class and home
work), and application.

F. REQUIRED TEXT AND COURSE MATERIALS

Carman, Robert A, and Hal M. Saunders. Mathematics for the Trades: A Guided Approach.  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2011 (or most recent edition)

G. REFERENCE MATERIALS

None

H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS

None

I. EVALUATION

The student must achieve 70% mastery or a “C” grade to pass this course.