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Maria Andersen

Math Instructor, Muskegon Community College

Phone: 231-777-0682 Fax: 231-777-0487

Office: 143-3 in the Math/Physical Science wing (corner office) of MCC.

Email: maria.andersen@muskegoncc.edu

M.S. Mathematics, University of Wyoming (2002)
M.B.A. University of Wyoming (2001)
B.S. Chemistry, University of Montana (1996)
B.A. Mathematics, Univeristy of Montana (1996)
B.A. Environmental Biology, University of Montana (1996)

Classes for Summer 2008

Math 161: Calculus I (Online)
Math 161: Calculus I (Web-enhanced, Traditional classroom with Online Homework)
Math 162: Calculus II (Online)
Math 162: Calculus II (Web-enhanced, Traditional classroom with Online Homework)

If you are planning to take Calc I, click here to go to the review page for Calc I.

If you are planning to take Calc II, click here to go to the review page for Calc II.

What to do if you're a transfer student and want to take Calc I or Calc II this summer?

Apply for admission at MCC (you must be assigned a student number).
Send MCC a transcript showing the math classes you have passed so that you will be cleared to enroll in Calc I or Calc II.
Register and pay for your summer class online (registration does not begin until March 15, 2008).
Set up forwarding on your MCC email if you do not plan to check it regularly.
Log in to Blackboard when your course becomes available (you will receive an email from me, sent to your MCC email, when the course is available).
Obtain a book and WebAssign access code (both available from the bookstore).
Download the recommended Internet plugins for the course (these will be listed in the Blackboard course).
Review your math skills in preparation for the class.

What will it be like to take ONLINE CALCULUS? I will use a mix of video mini-Lessons, concept activities with discussion board responses, and a homework management system called WebAssign. Our learning management system will be Blackboard, with integrated WebAssign. Tests must be taken at an approved testing center (like the MCC Testing Center).

Technical requirements for Online Calculus: You will need to have a way to submit handwritten work or typed mathematical work, including graphs. The recommended software for this is MathType and Jing (both are available free). You can also do this with a digital pen (click here for Logitech website), a scanner, or a camera (as long as you can reduce the file sizes to something reasonable). You will also need to download the latest versions of several Internet Plugins (Java, Flash, Quicktime, etc.).

WARNING: Online calculus is really intended for students with high-speed internet access. You can use campus computers for high-speed internet access if you do not have it at home. During a standard 15-week semester, online calculus requires a minimum time commitment of 12 hours per week (regular calculus requires a commitment of 4 hours of class time + 8-12 study hours per week). If you do the math... 12 hours divided by 6 days (one day off for good behavior), you will see this works out to at least 2 hours per day. If you do not have this time in your schedule, do not sign up for online calculus.

Video Help for some Tricky Algebra Class

Factoring trinomials of the form ax²+ bx + c (click here)

Factoring a Sum or Difference of Cubes (click here)

Factoring "Tricky" Expressions (click here)

Simplifying Rational Expressions (click here)

Multiplying or Dividing Rational Expressions (click here)

Adding or Subtracting with Like Denominators (click here)

Adding or Subtracting with Unlike Denominators (click here)

What will it be like to take HYBRID ALGEBRA? The hybrid courses are intended for students that are a) good independent learners, b) have already had some exposure to algebra, c) are good at asking questions when they have them. In a normal algebra classroom, you might spend 20-30 minutes of your hour of class time going over homework problems and getting questions answered. In a hybrid class, the questions & answers about homework are all taken care of online. This significantly reduces the amount of time that you have to be in the classroom, but still gives you classroom time to go over new material. Tests are taken during normally scheduled class sessions. The learning management system for this class is Blackboard with integrated WebAssign. You will do homework problems online (with instant feedback). A variety of materials are available for help on online homework problems, including videos and online tutoring. Occasionally students will need to watch a short video mini-lesson. Attendance for scheduled classes is mandatory. If you cannot make the scheduled classes on a regular basis, sign up for a fully-online class.

Technical requirements for Hybrid Algebra: Reliable Internet Access, a WebAssign Access Code.

WARNING: Although the hybrid courses can be taken by anyone, if you are a student that has never taken algebra before, you might be happier in a traditional 4-hour a week class. You will need reliable online access for the hybrid algebra courses.