Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 11:50am in D327 from 8/17/26 - 12/10/26
Appropriate assessment score
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
Faculty Contact Information
In-Person in R303: MW 10am - 10:45am, TTH 12:00pm - 1:45pm
Always available by email (kburgess@kcc.edu) or Canvas message. Expect a reply within 24 hours or sooner.
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers.
- Apply the order of operations to simplify expressions involving exponents and real numbers.
- Classify, order, and compare real numbers.
- Write equivalent numerals for percents, fractions, and decimals.
- Write comparisons as ratios and/or rates, and solve problems with proportions.
- Compute with percents (using percent equation and/or proportion method).
- Evaluate variable expressions.
- Simplify variable expressions (using distributive property to eliminate parenthesis when necessary).
- Solve simple linear equations [a+x = b, ax = b, ax+b = c, ax+b = cx+d, a(x+b) = c].
- Convert units of measurement and area (including metric system).
- Solve application problems involving real numbers.
- Whole Numbers
- Operations with whole numbers
- Rounding and estimation
- Exponents
- Order of operations
- Integers and Algebraic Expressions
- Absolute value and opposites
- Operations with integers and algebraic expressions
- Order of operations
- Solving Linear Equations
- Simplifying expressions in equations
- Solving linear equations using the properties of equality
- Applications of linear equations
- Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Simplifying fractions and equivalent fractions
- Improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Operations with fractions and mixed numbers
- Order of operations
- Solving equations containing fractions
- Decimals
- Rounding
- Operations with decimals
- Fractions and decimals
- Order of operations
- Solving equations containing decimals
- Mean, median, and mode
- Ratio and Proportion
- Ratios and rates
- Unit cost
- Solving proportions and applications
- Percents
- Percents, fractions, and decimals
- Percent proportions and applications
- Percent equations and applications: sales tax, commission, discount, markup, percent increase/decrease, simple, and compound interest
- Measurement and Geometry
- US customary units of measurement
- Metric units of measurement
- Converting between US and Metric units
- Applications of measurement
- Lines and angles
- Triangles and Pythagorean Theorem
- Perimeter, area, and circumference
- Graphs and Statistics
- Rectangular coordinate system
- Graphing two-variable equations
- Tables, bar graphs, pictographs, and line graphs
- Frequency distributions, histograms, and circle graphs
- Introduction to probability
Miller, O’Neill, & Hyde. Prealgebra 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill (physical copy optional).
ALEKS access code – included in course fees and also involves eText.
This course will be evaluated as follows:
Course Notebook and Weekly Checks: 10%
ALEKS Homework: 35%
Pie Goal: 5%
In Class Activities and Attendance: 10%
Quizzes: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Grading Scale by Percentage:
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Below 60 F
*A grade of C is required to move to the next classes.
Course Notebook:
Students will keep a notebook/binder that contains worked homework problems, student notes, and class handouts.
The student’s notebook grade will be evaluated on how complete and organized it is.
- Worked problems
- Any homework problems that need anything worked out should be written in the notebook.
- You must show all work.
- Label the beginning of each new topic category.
- Incorrect problems should be reworked.
- Student notes may be something you learn from an explanation page within ALEKS or something from watching a video or something we discuss in class.
- You might want to highlight a fact or formula to remember.
- Remember “You are in control of your own learning.”
- Handouts/Quizzes: Keep any handouts or graded quizzes.
ALEKS Homework:
The student must “learn” a specified number of topics in an objective within a given time. Due dates are posted in ALEKS, and ALEKS will keep track of the topic count for the student. If the student reaches the objective goal with time to spare, it is advisable to begin the next objective immediately. Strive to push ahead! Some future topics may be more difficult and the student will progress at a slower pace, so working ahead is recommended. In general, objectives are due on Tuesdays but always check ALEKS in case adjustments are necessary!
Pie Goal:
The overall course has 285 topics. Overall completion will be checked at twice during the semester. Students are responsible for 50% of the topics (142 topics) mid-semester and 100% of the topics (285) at the end of semester. Grades are assigned as a percent of the required topics completed (with a maximum score on the first assignment of 100%).
In-Class Activities and Participation:
Attendance is mandatory. To be successful in this course, a student must attend every scheduled class. You are responsible for work missed due to absence. You must contact your instructor before class has started to be marked as excused. If you come in after class has started, you may be marked absent. Leaving early from class will also be noted.
Attendance will count as a small portion of your grade combined with in-class activities. Note: Math can be taught in the classroom, but can only be learned through practice, critical thinking, and more practice. Please ask questions to help further your understanding, either in class or during office hours.
There will also be small assignments on Canvas every other week or so to check in on your progress in the course.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given during class time sporadically throughout the semester. Quizzes can be made up at the discretion of the instructor. You must email your instructor BEFORE the class of the quiz to be allowed to make up a quiz. It is expected that all work will be shown to support answers.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be given during week 17 of the semester so Tuesday, December 8th at 10:00am - 11:50am. The final exam will be done on paper. It will be cumulative. There will be a final exam review guide for the final exam. You will be allowed a cheat sheet, both sides of a normal 8.5” by 11” piece of paper, where you can write any notes that you would like to use during the exam. A formula sheet will be provided during the exam as well which you will be able to see the week before the exam.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Calculator Usage
You will want some type of calculator, but it doesn't have to be a graphing calculator. Graphing calculators may be used throughout this course. The TI-84 is the preferred graphing calculator. Remember, you can always borrow one from the library for free for the whole semester!
Cell Phones or Other Distractions:
Please try to refrain from using cell phones for call, texting, etc while in class. If it is an emergency, please take calls outside the classroom. Using cell phones or other electronic devices on or during the taking of tests/quizzes will be considered cheating and will be subject to academic integrity guidelines below.
Accommodations:
Students must have an official letter from the Office of Disability Services for any accommodations. If students have this letter, please send to the instructor immediately. Accommodations can only be in effect if given to the instructor at least 24 hours before an assessment. Accommodations cannot be applied after a student has completed an assessment.
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a resource that you can use to help you learn concepts. If you are using AI to complete all of your homework for you, then you are not utilizing it as a resource, but as a crutch. You will not learn anything from this course if you do not struggle through the homework until you understand what you are doing.
If you are found to be using AI for solutions to homework questions, then you get a warning to not continue using AI to find answers. If you continue using AI, then you will receive a zero for the assignment or possible removal from the course.
Academic integrity:
Cheating will not be tolerated. Infractions will follow the Student Code of Conduct and may result in a zero in the assignment/assessment and/or removal from the class.
| Weeks | Topics |
| Weeks 1 – 2 | Chapter 1: Whole Numbers |
| Weeks 2 – 3 | Chapter 2: Integers |
| Weeks 3 – 5 | Chapter 3: Solving Equations |
| Weeks 5 – 7 | Chapter 4: Fractions and Mixed Numbers Part 1 |
| Weeks 7 – 9 | Chapter 4: Fractions and Mixed Numbers Part 2 |
| Weeks 9 – 10 | Chapter 5: Decimals |
| Weeks 10 – 12 | Chapter 6: Ratios and Proportions |
| Weeks 12 – 14 | Chapter 7: Percents |
| Weeks 14 – 15 | Chapter 8: Measurement and Geometry |
| Weeks 15 – 16 | Chapter 9: Graphs and Statistics |
| Finals Week |
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.