Pierce College Math Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)  

Last update: May 5, 2012

Math 103– How to Succeed at Math (revised 2/21/12)

Upon successful completion of How to Succeed at Math (Math 103) the student will be able to:

  1. Analyze and improve his/her study skills.

Math 105 – Arithmetic

Upon successful completion of Arithmetic (Math 105) the student will be able to:

  1. Choose the correct arithmetic operation and perform the calculations required to solve applied problems.
  2. Perform calculations with, convert between, or compare common fractions, decimals, and percents in the context of applications.
  3. Solve problems involving perimeter, area, and volume.

Math 110 – Introduction to Algebraic Concepts (update 3/20/12)

Upon successful completion of Introduction to Algebraic Concepts (Math 110) the student will be able to:

  1. Read graphs, read verbal descriptions, write simple algebraic expressions, and/or use estimation to answer questions about real-life situations.
  2. Perform operations with signed numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents, including simplifying expressions and solving equations.

Math 112 – Prealgebra (update 3/20/12)

Upon successful completion of Prealgebra (Math 112) the student will be able to:

  1. Read graphs, read verbal descriptions, write simple algebraic expressions, and/or use estimation to answer questions about real-life situations.
  2. Perform operations with signed numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents, including simplifying expressions and solving equations.

Math 115 – Elementary Algebra

Upon successful completion of Elementary Algebra (Math 115) the student will be able to:

  1. Analyze, construct, and interpret graphs of linear equations and apply these abilities to interpret graphs in the real-world.
  2. Model and solve real-world mathematics problems stated in words (word problems) whose solutions require formulating and solving either a linear equation with one variable, or a system of two linear equations in two variables.
  3. Solve linear and quadratic equations in one variable, and solve equations containing algebraic fractions in one variable.

Math 120 – Geometry (revised 4/17/12)

Upon successful completion of Geometry (Math 120), the student will be able to:

  1. Use postulates and theorems involving congruent and/or similar triangles, parallel lines, and circles to determine unknown measurements from given measurements.
  2. Employ deductive reasoning to construct a geometric proof with reasons for key steps, or to classify geometric objects as to satisfying or not satisfying a given definition.

Math 125 – Intermediate Algebra

Upon successful completion of Intermediate Algebra (Math 125) the student will be able to:

  1. Represent and analyze basic functions and their applications using tables, graphs, and equations.  Use and interpret function notation in both algebraic and graphical contexts.
  2. Write and analyze linear models for functions with constant rate of change.  Graph linear equations and interpret slope as a rate of change in real world situations.  Model problems involving two or more unknowns by writing and solving systems of equations or inequalities.
  3. Formulate and analyze quadratic models, such as projectile motion, revenue functions, problems involving area or the Pythagorean theorem, and applications of conic sections, such as planetary orbits.
  4. Apply and interpret exponential models such as population growth and compound interest, and logarithmic scales such as pH and earthquake magnitude.
  5. Use exponents and radicals to analyze power function models in applications such as direct and inverse variation and allometry (scaling in Physiology).

Math 215 – Principles of Mathematics I (revised 4/17/12)

Upon the successful completion of Principles of Mathematics I (Math 215) (Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers) the student will be able to:

  1. Give clear explanations of both conceptual and procedural basis of arithmetic algorithms and apply them in several different ways as well as recognize them in various forms.

Math 227 – Statistics

Upon successful completion of Statistics (Math 227) the student will be able to:

  1. Interpret graphical displays and numerical summaries of data
  2. Identify common sources of (statistical) bias in surveys and experiments
  3. Distinguish among measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) as well as their appropriate applications.  In particular, how they can be misused.
  4. Construct a correct inference via a confidence interval or a hypothesis test and interpret the results as well as the interconnection between the two inferences.
  5. Use a graphing calculator or statistical software for calculations needed for statistical analysis.

Math 228A– Statistics Pathway Part I

Upon successful completion of Statistics Pathway Part I (Math 228A) the student will be able to:

  1. Interpret graphical displays and numerical summaries of data
  2. Identify common sources of (statistical) bias in surveys and experiments
  3. Distinguish among measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) as well as their appropriate applications.  In particular, how they can be misused.
  4. Analyze, construct, and interpret graphs of linear equations and apply these abilities to interpret graphs in the real-world.
  5. Use a graphing calculator or statistical software for calculations needed for statistical analysis.

Math 228B– Statistics Pathway Part II

Upon successful completion of Statistics Pathway Part II (Math 228B) the student will be able to:

  1. Interpret graphical displays and numerical summaries of data
  2. Identify common sources of (statistical) bias in surveys and experiments
  3. Distinguish among measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) as well as their appropriate applications.  In particular, how they can be misused.
  4. Analyze, construct, and interpret graphs of linear equations and apply these abilities to interpret graphs in the real-world.
  5. Use a graphing calculator or statistical software for calculations needed for statistical analysis.
  6. Construct a correct inference via a confidence interval or a hypothesis test and interpret the results as well as the interconnection between the two inferences.

Math 238 – Calculus for Business and Social Science I (revised 3/20/12)

Upon successful completion of Calculus for Business and Social Science I (Math 238) the student will be able to:

  1.  Use and interpret the derivative in algebraic, graphical, and numerical contexts to model and solve problems such as optimization of cost, revenue, and profit.
  2. Approximate or exactly evaluate and interpret the integral in algebraic, graphical, and numerical contexts to model and solve summation application problems such as distance traveled, average value, total change, or producer and consumer surplus.

Math 240 – Trigonometry (revised 2/21/12)

Upon successful completion of Trigonometry (Math 240) the student will be able to:

  1. Use the trig ratios (sine, cosine, and tangent) and standard trigonometric identities to solve applied problems involving triangles.
  2. Use the sine and cosine functions of real numbers to model periodic processes and to solve applied problems involving periodic phenomena.

Math 245 – College Algebra

  1. Choose an appropriate basic model (e.g. linear, quadratic, exponential, power, etc.) for an applied situation, find the equation(s) for that model, and solve equations to answer questions about the original situation.

Math 260– Precalculus (revised 2/21/12)

Upon successful completion of Precalculus (Math 260) the student will be able to:

  1. Choose an appropriate basic function (e.g. linear, piecewise, exponential, trigonometric, power, etc.) to model an applied situation and formulate conclusions about the original situation.
  2. Recognize and evaluate functions, including inverse, polynomial and rational functions, and demonstrate knowledge of transformations and compositions of functions.
  3. Recognize, graph and calculate with polar coordinates.

Math 261 – Calculus I (revised 2/21/12)

Upon successful completion of Calculus I (Math 261) the student will be able to:

  1. Use and interpret the derivative algebraically, graphically, and numerically to model rates of change in physical phenomena (e.g. velocity, acceleration, population growth, rates of change when the independent variable is not time) and in other quantifiable contexts (e.g. marginal analysis in economics, slope of a graph).
  2. Use and interpret the integral algebraically, graphically, and numerically to model summation in physical phenomena (e.g. distance traveled) and other quantifiable situations (e.g. average value, net change, and areas and volumes of geometrical figures and solids, respectively).

Math 262 – Calculus II (revised 2/21/12)

 Upon successful completion of Calculus II (Math 262) the student will be able to:

  1. Model and solve an applied problem by formulating a definite integral and evaluating the integral using an appropriate algebraic technique (e.g. substitution, integration by parts) or using numerical techniques (e.g. Simpson’s Rule or Taylor polynomials).

Math 263 – Calculus III (revised 4/17/12)

Upon successful completion of Calculus III Multivariable Calculus (Math 263) the student will be able to:

  1. Use vectors, directional derivatives, the gradient, and optimization to analyze multivariable models of real‐world applications.
  2. Formulate and evaluate integrals (including line and flux integrals) of multivariable functions (and vector fields) over a variety of regions, and interpret the results in an applied context.

Math 270 – Linear Algebra

Upon the successful completion of Linear Algebra (Math 270) the student will be able to:

  1. Perform elementary matrix and vector operations in Euclidean n-space and use them in applications.
  2. Solve a system of linear equations using matrix methods.

Math 275 – Ordinary Differential Equations (revised 5/5/12)

Upon successful completion of Ordinary Differential Equations (Math 275) the student will be able to:

  1. Model an applied problem by formulating a differential equation or system of differential equations, and solving with an appropriate algebraic, numerical, and/or graphical technique.

Math 185 – DIRECTED STUDY - MATHEMATICS

  1. Upon successful completion of Math 185, the student will be able to use a mathematical model to solve a real-world problem.

Math 285 – DIRECTED STUDY - MATHEMATICS

  1. Upon successful completion of Math 285, the student will be able to use a mathematical model to solve a real-world problem.

Math 385 – DIRECTED STUDY - MATHEMATICS

  1. Upon successful completion of Math 385, the student will be able to use a mathematical model to solve a real-world problem.

The SLOs are now part of the Course Outlines of Record (CORs), all available online on the District's Electronic Curriculum Development (ECD) menu.

From the ECD website,

 

Click on Find a Course

At the far right, click on the “Click Here” link to view the COR.