Applied algebra with laboratory experimentation

This paper describes a work in progress. Students in a variety of majors at the community college-level are required to take at least two courses in math and science. Often these students elect to take college algebra, which neither prepares them for a data-oriented environment in the workplace nor exposes them to scientific methodology. These students need an interdisciplinary course or a course with an interdisciplinary focus, which gives them these necessary skills. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded an Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Leadership in Laboratory Development Grant, 96-51137, to three faculty members at Harrisburg Area Community College to develop a text, lab manual, and course to meet this need. This paper discusses the methodology behind the text, manual, and course and gives examples of the lab experiments to be used.