MATH-100 - Liberal Arts Mathematics - Collette Gibson

Introduction

Hello!  I began teaching Math 100 in Fall 2019, and I enjoy the material and interacting with my Math 100 students.  I prefer to begin with the politics chapter, which is at the end of the book.  Please visit my COC webpage.   

Math 100 has a free book in a pdf format that may be downloaded to your laptop/computer so that you may access it directly from your device without any internet connection.  You may also purchase a printed loose-leaf black and white copy of the book from the bookstore for under $10.  The pdf version is in color and has some video links.  Of course you will need internet connection to access those videos.  Please see the Math Department webpage for the book and information about our noncredit math classes.  

Course Description

Math 100 includes how math is used in politics (apportionment and voting), music (frequency of scales), art (golden ratio, Fibonacci sequence, vanishing point), earthquake measurements, finance (interest on savings accounts and loans) as well as concepts of logic, percentages, probability (counting techniques), basic statistical concepts, and exponential and linear growth.

You are allowed to use calculators for exams.  There is a project.  (This is similar to our statistics class.)  

This course is not meant for majors requiring statistics and those majors usually include Kinesiology, Economics, Business (Business Administration), Psychology, and Sociology. Please check with a COC counselor as this varies based upon the transfer institution and major.  

This class is 3 units which is low compared to many of our math and statistics courses.

What to Expect in this Course

Time Commitment.  Plan on spending up to 18 hours per week for an 8-week class, or 9 hours per week for a 16-week class.  

Here is an example for the 8-week format, but I might move topics a little the next time I teach the 8-week version.

• Week 1:  Introductions, Practice Scanning and Proctoring Sofware, Chapter 8 (politics)
• Week 2:  Chapter 2 (percentages)
• Week 3:  Exam 1 in early part of week; Chapter 3 (finance)
• Week 4:  Chapters 6 and 7 [growth models:  linear, exponential, logarithmic; art and music]
• Week 5:  Exam 2 in early part of week; Chapter 4 (probability); find topic/article approval for project
• Week 6:  Chapter 5 (statistics); work on paper project
• Week 7:  Chapter 1 (logic); work on paper project
• Week 8:  Exam 3 in early part of week; Final Exam (mid week); Paper project due (late week)

Avoid being dropped day 2 and week 1:  Login to Canvas on the first day of class to complete some short assignments, give yourself time to fix any computer glitches, and avoid being dropped.  You will have until the second day of class to complete the assignments.  You will ensure your device meets the necessary technical requirements with these initial assignments.  Also, to avoid being dropped later in the first week, I will also want you to make progress with Chapter 8.  

Canvas Login and avoiding be dropped before W deadline:  You are expected to login to Canvas every day or at least every other day.  Sometimes situations arise where it may be a few days where you cannot login, but hopefully this is isolated and not a weekly occurrence.  It is best to email me to let me know if you are going to be away from Canvas for a few days.  Students who go days without logging in and not emailing me could fall behind or be considered a candidate for a drop.  I had a student who had not logged in for 13 days before the drop deadline, so I processed the W drop.  I reached out to the student through COC email and Canvas, but the student never responded.  

Computer and Browser Requirements for Online Exam Proctoring Software: 

For our exams, you must have ...

• a computer/laptop (not a chromebook, not a tablet, not a phone)
• webcam/microphone
• stable internet connection
• CHROME BROWSER
• photo ID 
• a quiet place to take the exam uninterrupted

Scanning Software for Phone: Download Cam Scanner or Adobe Scan on your phone so you may upload your handwritten bookwork, notes, and "show your work" papers.  The "show your work papers" are for exams.  These are the two most common software options, and there are others that students have successfully used as well.

Calculator Options:  Use the "scientific calculator online free" in a Chrome browser for access to a scientific calculator for some of our more complicated calculations within the finance chapter.  You will have access to a scientific calculator through the online exam proctoring software.  

Assignments, Exams, Project:  

• Weekly assignments will include notetaking from the pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, and homework from the book. 
• Some discussion boards will also be included, and I would like to expand on this in the future.
• There will be 3 exams and 1 cumulative final exam to be taken in Canvas with the online proctoring software.  (no notes; no collaboration)
• There is one project which is a 2-4 page paper based upon on a statistical study article. 

Types of Assessments

• Proctored exams through an online monitoring program (notes not allowed for exams; collaboration not allowed on exams)
• Weekly quizzes through Canvas (notes are okay for quizzes; collaboration on quizzes with classmates is okay)
• Weekly notes uploaded as a pdf file with a scanning software
• Weekly bookwork (homework) uploaded as a pdf file with a scanning software
• Paper Project uploaded as a doc, docx, or pdf file
• Discussion Boards

The proctored exams are closed-notes and closed-book.  Each exam will contain approximately 10 true/false, 10 multiple choice, and 10 free-response questions.  You will upload your "show your work" papers for the free-response questions.   You will have approximately 80 minutes to complete each exam.  You will have only one attempt at each exam. 

Please share your academic accommodation letter with me during the first week of the class if you have one.  Students with an accommodation receive extra time on exams.

If you do not feel comfortable being proctored online for your exams, you may take the exams in person at the TLC or another approved proctoring location.  For a location other than the TLC, you must contact me several weeks before the exam so that the TLC confirms approval of the alternative testing location.  

Textbook Information

Please download the free pdf copy of the book to your laptop/computer.

This will be available in Canvas, on the math department webpage, and in print through the COC bookstore (under $10). 

If you decide to order a printed loose-leaf copy from the bookstore, you will need a 3-ring binder.  I recommend ordering the book two weeks prior to the start of the semester if you decide to have a printed copy.

Remember that I like to start with Chapter 8 on politics.  

Other Relevant Course Information

Waitlists

Add authorizations will not work until the first day of class, and it takes up to 4 hours after you use the add authorization for you to have access to our course through Canvas.  I will go in waitlist order as space becomes available.  Please email on the Friday before the first day of class if you are on the waitlist and are still interested in enrolling in the course. 

Noncredit Math (Math Skills Refresh Opportunity)

• For level 1, and maybe level 2, math placements, students should consider the noncredit math classes that are available.
• I recommend NC.MATH 004 Percentages and NC.MATH 005 Rates and Proportions as they relate to Chapter 2.
• You may also consider NC.MATH 002 Fractions and Mixed Numbers, and NC.MATH 008 Graphs and Lines. 
   
• Each course takes 6-10 hours. They are free.  They are online through a Canvas shell.
• Homework practice is through MyOpenMath. You have three attempts at each question and then you can ask for a different version of the question if needed.   
• There is no transcript notation, and the courses are graded pass/no pass. 
   
• See the schedule of classes under the category "Noncredit Mathematics." 
• See the math department website for more information. 

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 07/31/2025 Sub#: 1922 Sub ID: 192229