Beginning Algebra Math A

Kristi Rieg Fall 2008

 Textbook: Beginning Algebra, 5^th edition, by K. Elayn Martin-Gay

 Contact Information:

          Email: kristen.rieg@mccd.edu                                   Cell:  209-756-6529

Mailbox: #241 in the admin building                           Webpage: http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/riegk

Math Lab/Tutoring:  Sci-201. Drop-in tutoring is available here; there is a math instructor on staff every hour to assist you. I will be available in the Math Lab on Wednesday and Friday 8-9am and Thursday 8-9:30am.  There is also a tutoring center located in the communications building; one on one tutoring is available there with a referral signed by me.

Calculator:  Scientific (required) or graphing (optional).  No cell phone calculators are permitted.  It is recommended that you use a calculator that you are familiar with.

Course Description: Prerequisites: Math 80 or Math 83. This course covers the basic operations of addition, multiplication, division, squaring and taking the square root of real numbers and algebraic expressions. It also includes solving and graphing first and second degree equations, inequalities and systems of linear equations; factoring and simplifying fractions, radicals, exponents, irrational expressions and complex fractions. Mathematical terminology and written problems will be emphasized throughout the course.

Expected Student Outcomes: 

Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to:

1.         communicate in the language of algebra.

2.         solve first degree equations and inequalities.

3.         perform the four basic operations with expressions with real numbers including integer exponents and radicals.

4.         evaluate and simplify algebraic expressions including complex fractions.

5.         factor and multiply linear and quadratic forms of polynomials.

6.         perform the basic operations with rational expressions, including dividing a polynomial by a binomial.

7.         graph linear equations and inequalities with one or two variables by the table and intercept method.

8.         solve second degree equations by factoring, completing the square, square root method, and the quadratic formula.

9.         multiply, divide and convert between scientific notation and standard notation.

10.       find and identify the slope and y-intercept of an equation of a line.

11.       solve systems of linear equations by graphing, elimination and substitution methods.

12.       find the equation of a line given the slope and y-intercept, two points, or the slope and another line parallel or perpendicular to the given line.

13.       graph parabolas by finding the vertex and then making a table of values.

14.       set up and solve a variety of application (written) problems (both first and second degree)  requiring the use of one and/or two variables.  The specific types include direct interpretation, geometry, consecutive integers, percents, motion, mixture, ratio, proportion, age and variation.

15.       make appropriate use of available technology.

Quizzes: Will be announced the class meeting prior to the quiz.  Homework is used as notes for the quiz so you should complete the homework for the sections discussed in class by the next class session.  Two quiz scores will be dropped.  NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES!

Exams: There will be 9 chapter exams.  Exam dates will be announced in class (tentative dates are on the calendar online) and exams must be taken on the scheduled date.  I will drop your lowest test grade therefore only 8 exams will count in your final grade.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS!

NOTE: I will not drop a test that was assigned a zero due to academic dishonesty!

Homework: Homework is assigned daily and is considered practice and preparation for assessments.  Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the day of each exam.  Each complete homework packet is worth 15 points.  A complete assignment implies:  doing all problems, writing down the problem (unless it is a word problem), and showing all pertinent work.  Even though calculators may be utilized to enhance computational skills, it is required that all steps and computations required for the solution of the problem be clearly presented.  If you miss the exam, it is your responsibility to get your homework packet to me on time.  Late homework will be accepted until the next test with a penalty of 2 points per day.

Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive and mandatory; you must take the final to pass the class.  Scantron #882 is required for the final exam; the final exam cannot be taken prior to finals week. The final exam is scheduled for Friday, December 19^th from 7-8:50am.

Grading:

 Attendance Policy:  Attendance is taken using a check-in method; it is your responsibility to check-in everyday.  I reserve the right to drop anyone from this course who misses four class sessions in a row or 8 class sessions throughout the semester.  If you have an emergency of some sort, come and talk to me about it so we can work around missed class time. Remember, regardless of the reason, there will be no make-up tests or quizzes.  I classify emergencies as extended illnesses that can be proven with a doctor’s note, a death in the family, jury duty or any other situation you can’t get out of.

 Drops:  I will drop students three times during the semester.  These drops will be handled when progress reports are due and will be posted on my website.  It is your responsibility to check to see if you have been dropped; if you wish to be added back into the class you must meet with me to discuss the reason for the drop and what changes will take place for you to re-enroll in the course.  I will only drop you if you have violated my attendance policy at the time of the progress report; this means it is your responsibility to drop the class if you can no longer attend.

Academic Honesty (Cheating) Policy: The following is a list of what I consider to be cheating on a test or quiz in this course: by providing or receiving information by showing another student your paper, by giving another student information, by bringing in or consulting notes when they are not allowed, by sharing a calculator with another student during a test, or by utilizing a cell phone during the test.

1^st offense: If you are caught cheating you will receive a grade of zero on that test.

2^nd offense: If you are caught a second time I will petition to have you dropped from the course. This will result in a notation of this on your academic record.

Miscellaneous: Please no food during class time, as it can be distracting for those of us who are hungry.  Please turn cell phones & pagers off (or to vibrate) while in class. If your cell phone or pager rings accidentally in class, please turn it off immediately and return the call outside of class time.  Do not continuously walk in and out of class answering phone calls, this is distracting and unnecessary.  If you are that busy and are needed with that much frequency you might as well not be in class that day and I will ask you to leave.  Cell phones, PDA’s, and other electronic devices may not be on your desk during a test.

 *This syllabus and all dates herein are tentative and subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.