New Page 1

Math A-Beginning Algebra-Fall 2008

Section 1605-MTWThF 12 to 1pm-IAC 144

Course Description: 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.

Prerequisites: Math 80 or Math 83

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

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

Calculator: You will need a scientific calculator for this course. I recommend a TI-30X. Cell Phone calculators will not be allowed for exams.

Math Lab/Tutorial Center:

The Math Lab is located on the 2^nd floor of the Science Building. Drop-in tutoring is available here; there is a math instructor on staff every hour to assist you as well as computers for your use.
The Tutorial Center is located in the communications building; drop in tutoring and one on one tutoring is available there with a referral signed by me.

Exams:

There will be 6 or 7 chapter exams
Ch1: week 2, Ch2: week 5, Ch3: week 8, Ch4: week 10, Ch5: week 13, Ch6: week 15, Ch7: week 17; exact exam dates will be announced in class and posted on my website at least one week prior to the exam.
You may use your late exam coupon to make-up an exam. You have 3 school days to do this.
I will provide all materials needed to take exams.
If you know you will be absent on an exam day you can arrange to take the exam early. This goes for students involved in sports or other campus activities and any other situations when you must be absent on an exam day. **There are no re-take exams to improve your exam grade.

Homework:

Homework will be due on Mondays.
You have a choice on how to do homework: pencil and paper or online using the textbook website.
Each section of homework is graded separately and is worth 10 points for the entire section.
Late homework assignments will only be accepted with a late coupon stapled to it.
You have until the next homework due date to turn in late assignments.

On-Line Homework:

· The homework for this course can be submitted using a web-based computer program called MyMathLab.

· You can access this part of the course by going to http://www.coursecompass.com.

· You will need the following to register into the program: valid e-mail address, course ID, access code

· The ID number for our course is: bruley49977

· The online homework assignments will be shorter and you will be given until midnight of the due date to submit it.

· The computer program provides assistance in completing assignments.

Extra Credit:

1 point of extra credit will be applied to your homework point total for every time you attend a tutoring session in the Tutorial Center or study in the Math Lab.
Your extra credit that is generated from visiting either the Tutorial Center or the Math Lab will need to be recorded on an extra credit record sheet and will require you to obtain a signature for verification; this sheet will be due at the end of the semester and the points will be applied to your homework total at that time.
You will receive extra credit points (face value) for each unused late coupon. Unused coupons will be collected the last day of class.

Final Exam:

· The final exam is comprehensive and mandatory; you must take the final exam to pass the class.

· You will need the skinny scantron 882 to take the final exam.

· The date for the final exam is Monday, Dec. 15^th 10-11:50am.

Grading:

Scale

Grade Composition

A 89.5%-100%

B 79.5%-89%

C 69.5%-79%

D 59.5%-69%

F Below 59.5%

Exams 70%

Homework & In Class 15%

Final exam 15%

Your grade will be computed as follows:

Keep track of your percentage for each category	Computing your category percentages	Multiply your percentage in each category by the categories value	This quantity is the percentage points you’ve earned for each category
Exam%		70*Your Exam %
Homework & In Class work%		15*Your Hw & In Class %
Final Exam%		15*Your Final Exam %
The final exam will be excluded until it is taken. *Your percentages should be used in decimal form		Total Percentage Points Earned (Add up the points earned from all categories) *Out of 85 until the final is taken

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is taken using a check-in method. It is your responsibility to check yourself in!
I reserve the right to drop anyone from this course who misses three weeks of class (15 class meetings).
You are responsible for all announcements made in class whether or not you were able to attend.
Important dates for the class will be posted on the website calendar for this class.
I only drop people on census and progress report dates; dropped students will be posted on my website.
If you have an emergency of some sort, come and talk to me about it so we can work around missed class time. 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.
Contact Information (In case of absence):

Name:

Contact number:

E-mail:

Drops:

I will drop students three times during the semester.
These drops will 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.
NOTE! 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, DO NOT ASSUME I WILL DO IT FOR YOU!

Academic Dishonesty (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 taking information from another student’s paper or by bringing in or consulting notes when they are not allowed.

· There is also an outside of class form of cheating which is to ask other students what is on the exam before you take the exam. After you take the exam is the time to speak with others who have taken the exam.

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

2^nd offense: You will receive a grade of zero on that quiz or test and be referred to the Vice President of Student Personnel for disciplinary action by the Student Discipline Committee (serious or repeated offenses may result in suspension from the college).

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



	Resources: Graphing Grids, Word Problems Handout (4.4), Practice Handout-factoring