About MATH 55:

Intermediate Algebra concepts in the service of Business, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields (BSTEM), will be explored in this course. 

By the end of the term, you will have engaged in the kinds of day-to-day activities that mathematicians do, such as research, thinking, reading, teaching, presenting, and using technology.  Most importantly, I hope that by the end of the term, you will have learned to ask questions and appreciate the importance of algebraic patterns in the world. 

You will be challenged, but challenge and struggle is VITAL to learning. You must struggle with the concepts to be able to learn and understand them.  I will be facilitating this struggle through brief lectures, videos, and quizzes, as well as active learning and group activities during class time. Your voice and perspective is vital to our discussions in class. Please make attendance a priority for your learning.

This course can be taken for NONCREDIT! Please read here for more information.

College Information and Academic Integrity Policy 

GUIDING QUESTIONS:

• How is thinking algebraically different from thinking arithmetically?

• How do I use algebraic expressions to analyze or solve problems?

• How do the properties contribute to algebraic understanding?

• What is meant by equality?

MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS:

• Many real-world situations can be represented symbolically and graphically.

• Algebraic expressions and equations generalize relationships from specific cases.

• There can be different strategies to solve a problem, but some are more effective and efficient than others are.

• The context of a problem determines the reasonableness of a solution.

• The abilities to struggle and discover are the heart of mathematics.

• Education doesn't have to be painful in order for us to learn. Learning can be fun; in fact, we probably learn best when our minds and bodies are actively engaged in the learning process.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Interpret the results of an application in the context of the question. 

• Set up and solve applications.

• Solve a multi-step equation.

• Simplify expressions.

Course Outline

Media Credits: 

Course Banner: Pen next to Math Paper, Photo by Antoine Dautry on Unsplash 

Children in Various Poses: Ashley McHale (my two kids at various ages)

Bottom Quote Background, Person Climbing on Rocks, Photo by AJ Yorio on Unsplash