Spring, Title: College Algebra. slope, 050 or its. 2. Solve. 4. Graph 5. Write 6. Solve 7. Apply. 9. Solve. 10. Graph. skills. 14.

Transcription

1 SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine College Algebra Online Course Syllabus Spring, 2017 Title: College Algebra Credit Hours: 3 Instructor: Gary Amara gamara@smccme.edu Catalog Number: MAT 140-D4 or D5 Total Contact Hours: 48 Office Hours: By appointment Office: Preble 202 / Math Adjunct Office *All s must contain your name, course number and section in the subject line. (Ex: Pythagoras Johnson MATH 140-D4 or MATH 140-D5) Course Description This course covers variables and symbols; scientific notation; formulas and literal equations; slope, intercepts, and equations of lines; graphs of linear and quadratic functions; graphs of linear inequalities; solving systems of linear equations; polynomials, products and factors; roots, rational exponents, and complex numbers; rational expressions; solving linear, quadratic, and higher order equations; solving linear inequalities; an introduction to exponential and logarithmic functions, and applied problem solving. This course requires the use of an online learning system.3 credits Prerequisite: MATH 050 or its equivalent or Placement test Course Objectives Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Use the properties of real numbers to simplify and evaluate expressions. 2. Solve linear equations and inequalities. 3. Use and transform formulas and functions. 4. Graph linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables. 5. Write the three forms of the equation of a line. 6. Solve systems of linear equations by graphing, substitution, and addition. 7. Apply the laws of exponents and use scientific notation. 8. Factor and perform operations with polynomials. 9. Solve quadratic equations by three methods: factoring, completing the square, and by using the Quadratic Formula. 10. Graph quadratic equations. 11. Perform operations with rational algebraic expressions, and solve rational equations. 12. Simplify and perform operations with radical expressions and rational exponents. 13. Use exponential and logarithmic functions. 14. Solve word problems using one or more of the above skills. TROUBLES WITH My Math Lab? Be sure to go to the BROWSERR CHECK on the dashboard of this MML course to check your web browser. This will ensure you have all the necessary plug ins. When alll else fails, call tech support at or visit

2 Course Expectations: Students are expected to work through the Homework, complete the Online Quiz for each chapter, take a proctored Midterm and Final Exam on campus, and have at least Weekly contact with me. It is your responsibility to keep up with scheduled assignments. Required Materials: MyMathLab Student Access Kit (or Access Code purchased separately) IMPORTANT: You must purchase your Access code at the SMCC bookstore or through MyMathLab. Codes from other sources will not work in our environment. Access to a computer with internet access You must have a reliable internet connection and all the necessary plug-ins for the online site. Be sure to use the Browser Check after you register and access our online course through the SMCC student portal at Textbook Algebra for College Students, Lial, Hornsby, & McGinnis, 8 th edition, Pearson, If purchased in the SMCC bookstore, the text will be packaged with the Student Solutions Manual and MyMathLab/Coursecompass access. Scientific Calculator - You may use a non-graphing, scientific calculator for all homework and exams. If you don t already have one, I like the Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS. It s inexpensive and easy to use. YOU MAY NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE AS A CALCULATOR FOR EXAMS IN THIS COURSE. ** The textbook, videos, and Student Solutions Manual are all online by purchasing your ACCESS CODE. You may choose not to purchase the hard copy of the text. Student Evaluation and Testing: Your grade will be determined as follows: Online Homework (15%) Unlimited Attempts 10 Online Quizzes (30%) Two Attempts Only PROCTORED ON-CAMPUS MIDTERM EXAM (25%) PROCTORED ON-CAMPUS FINAL EXAM (25%) Weekly contact with me during the semester (5%) (Include your name, course number-section (MATH 140-D4 or D5) in the subject line.) Grading: The letter grade you receive will be based on the following grading scale as provided in the Southern Maine Community College Student Handbook. A B C D A B C D B C F 0 62 Important Dates: January 17 th Spring Classes Begin January 17 th - January 24 th 5pm Drop-Add Period February 27 th March 3 rd Midterm Exam Week March 5 th 11:59 pm Unit 1 Due (Chapters 1-4) March 13 th March 19 th Spring Break April 18 th 5pm Last Day to Withdraw May 8 th May 11 th Final Exam Week May 11 th 11:59pm Your Course Ends Unit 2 Due (Chapters 5-10)

3 **CAUTION**: Your course ends Thursday May 11 th at 11:59 pm. Unless special arrangements have been made in advance, any online work completed after the scheduled deadline will not be considered. Places to go for help: Online Tutoring through SmartThinking, by Pearson. Accessed through Blackboard. The Learning Commons: Located on the second floor of the Campus Center at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland provides free professional tutoring by faculty and teaching assistants with a personal approach to academic success through individual tutoring and other resources. Spring Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm; Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday closed; Sunday 4pm-8pm Khan Academy: Free lectures and instructional videos Course Requirements: Attendance In this internet-based course, attendance does not have the same meaning it does in the traditional classroom. Your instructor will not be checking on you to see that you are or are not working your lessons; you are responsible for your own time management. What matters is that you have made a consistent and honest effort to complete the assigned lessons and course materials including all Weekly Progress s. WARNING! While you may set the pace of your own work in this course, any student who appears to be idle for more than one week without permission may be reported to Enrollment Service as having stopped attending. This will result in the student being dropped from the course. This can be avoided by getting your assignments done on schedule and ing regularly. Homework You will have an Online Homework Assignment for each section in the textbook that is required. These are found under the Assignments tab. You may repeat these assignments as many times as you wish to achieve sufficient skill with each concept being taught. Homework assignments are worth 15% of your grade and are essential building blocks to understanding the material and performing well on online quizzes and exams. You might also want to practice in your textbook. There are no formal assignments from the text, but attempting every other odd problem will definitely improve your understanding of the skills being taught. If you find the work difficult, I suggest you practice MORE than what is assigned and always be sure to take advantage of the help available. See Places to Go for Help.

4 Online Quizzes You will also have an Online Quiz for each chapter which can be found in the Assignments tab. You should work neatly and thoroughly on paper as you complete these assignments, in case there is a computer malfunction. This work in your notebook will also be very useful for future study. Online Quizzes can only be taken twice, so make sure that you are ready before you begin. NOTE: If you are unable to complete a Quiz in one sitting, you may save it for later, but you will NOT be permitted to revisit questions that you have previously viewed. Midterm and Final Exams Both the Midterm and Final Exams will be administered on campus, in the Testing Center in the Student Center, during the designated exam weeks. You do not need an appointment. Please give yourself two hours to complete the each exam. The proctor will shut down the testing room promptly at closing time. Each exam is worth 25% of your final grade. Midterm Exam dates and times (Subject to Change): Monday February 27 th 8am 8pm Tuesday February 28 th 8am 8pm Wednesday March 1 st 8am 8pm Thursday March 2 nd 8am 8pm Friday March 3 rd 8am 4pm Final Exam dates and times (Subject to Change): Monday May 8 th 8am 8pm Tuesday May 9 th 8am 8pm Wednesday May 10 th 8am 8pm Thursday May 11 th 8am 8pm More details concerning exam dates and times will be available as it draws near. Be sure to read announcements online on a regular basis for updates. For your midterm and final exams, I will allow you to bring one 8.5 by 11 sheet of notes (front and back) for use during exams, however you must turn it in with your test as well as any work done on scrap paper. Your notes should be your own, hand-written or typed. No photocopies or digital images are allowed. You should bring a photo ID, pencils, one sheet of notes, and a calculator No cell-phone or laptop calculators will be permitted. If you are not available to come to campus to take your exams, you must enlist the help of a facilitator. Typically, outside facilitators are approved for students who are active military, MDOC, out-of-state, or students with disabilities. The due date for completed Facilitator forms is January 30 th. For more information me at gamara@smccme.edu as soon as possible. Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices Cell phones and all other electronic devices must be turned off during proctoring time. If you are expecting and emergency phone call, please check with the proctor before leaving your phone on. Text-messaging during exams is strictly prohibited.

5 Academic policies: End-of-Course Evaluation In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, who can be reached at Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual s accommodations. SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy In an effort to control the escalating cost of supplies and to encourage students to conserve resources, SMCC charges for printing. Students receive a $20 credit every semester. This credit resets for each semester and extra credit is not rolled over to the next semester. Per page costs are as follows: 8.5"x11" black and white: $0.10 per page / 8.5"x11" color: $0.50 per page 8.5"x14" and 11"x17" black and white: $0.20 per page 8.5"x14" and 11"x17" color: $1.00 per page Duplex (two-sided) pages are discounted 50% from the listed page costs. Students can monitor their remaining credit and number of pages printed by visiting the IT Help tab on MySMCC or by checking the Printing Information icon in the lower right corner of the screen while logged in to an SMCC computer. More information about the Pay-for-Print Policy is available on the IT Help tab on MySMCC. Add-Drop Policy Students who drop a course during the one-week add/drop period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Withdrawal Policy A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation W will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal. Plagiarism Statement Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

6 Week 1 Course Calendar and Pacing MATH 140 College Algebra Online, Spring 2017 (Week numbers refer to the 16 weeks of the semester) Your course begins! Buy your textbook and MyMathLab code and register (1/17-1/23) online through the SMCC Student Portal/Blackboard Print out this syllabus so you will have the pacing and details about the course. Week 2 Send me an by January 24 th, introducing yourself. Please include your name, course and section number (MATH 140-D4 or D5) in the subject line of all s that you send to me at gamara@smccme.edu Begin Unit 1: Complete Chapter O: Orientation Questions for My Math Lab Finish the Chapter R Assignment. Begin Chapter 1: Linear Equations, Inequalities and Applications ** DROP/ADD ENDS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 TH AT 5PM. Finish the assignments for Chapter 1, including the Mastery Quiz. (1/23-1/30) Begin working on chapter 2. ** NOTE: ONLINE MASTERY QUIZZES CAN ONLY BE TAKEN TWO TIMES. ONLY THE HIGHEST SCORE WILL BE COUNTED. Week 3 Complete the assignments for Chapter 2. (1/30-2/6) Week 4 (2/6-2/13) Begin and complete the assignments for chapter 3 (there are only 3 sections). Week 5 Begin the assignments for chapter 4. (2/13-2/20) Week 6 Complete the assignments for chapter 4. (2/20-2/27) Prepare for the Midterm Exam next week, covering chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4. Week 7 MIDTERM EXAM WEEK The Midterm Exam will be held on campus in (2/27-3/6) the Testing Center in the Campus Center. See dates and times under Midterm and Final Exam above. YOU WILL BE GIVEN TWO HOURS TO COMPLETE THE MIDTERM WHICH IS WORTH 25% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE. BE SURE TO BRING A PHOTO ID, PENCILS, ONE PAGE OF NOTES AND A CALCULATOR. All assignments, including online Homework and Mastery Quizzes, for Unit 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4) are due by Sunday, March 5 th by 11:59pm

7 Week 8 Begin Unit 2. (3/6-3/13) Begin the reading and online assignments for chapter 5. (3/13-3/17) Spring Break Use this time to relax, reflect, work ahead or get caught up. Week 9 Finish the assignments for chapter 5. (3/20-3/27) Week 10 (3/27-4/3) Begin working on the chapter 6 assignments. Week 11 Finish up the chapter 6 assignments. (4/3-4/10) Begin working on the chapter 7 assignments. Week 12 (4/10-4/17) Finish up the chapter 7 assignments. Week 13 Begin and complete the assignments for chapter 10(Short Chapter). (4/17-4/24) Begin working on the chapter 8 assignments. Week 14 Finish the assignments for chapter 8. (4/24-5/1) Week 15 Monday, April 18 th, by 5:00 pm is the deadline to withdraw from a course this semester. Begin and complete the assignments for chapter 9 (Short Chapter). (5/1-5/8) Study for your Final Examination (covering chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). Complete all unfinished assignments for Unit 2. Week 16 FINAL EXAM WEEK - The Final Exam covering Unit 2 will be held on (5/8-5/11) campus in the Testing Center in the Campus Center. Check the recent Announcements online for confirmation of the dates and times it is available. YOU WILL BE GIVEN TWO HOURS TO COMPLETE THE FINAL WHICH IS WORTH 25% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE. BE SURE TO BRING A PHOTO ID, PENCILS, ONE PAGE OF NOTES AND A CALCULATOR. Finish up all Unit 2 assignments for chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Thursday, May 11 th is the last day of your online course for the Spring Semester, 2017 All online work must be completed by 11:59 pm for it to be considered.

8 Checklist for the First Few Days of Classes You ve got your book and student access kit for MyMathLab You ve ed your teacher at least once using the proper subject line (Your Name, MATH 140-D4 or D5) You ve printed a copy of this syllabus and read it carefully more than once. You ve logged into Blackboard through the SMCC portal and registered for MyMathLab a. To access your online course materials you can access blackboard directly through this link: For detailed video instructions on how to set up your course for the first time, click or enter the link: b. The opening page of your online course contains links to all other parts of your course. You should take some time to explore using the navigation buttons at the side of the window. In particular, click on the Browser Check, Assignments, and the Announcements buttons. These are very important. The Browser Check will help you install all of the necessary plug-ins that you will need for your computer to function properly in the online environment. The Assignments button contains all of your homework assignments and online quizzes. The Announcements button contains all past and present announcements and is designed to keep your on track. Also, be sure to explore the Multimedia Library. Here you will find video lectures, slideshows, a digital copy of your textbook, etc. Try to find the resources that work with your learning style. c. Your first homework assignment is for you to complete Chapter O: Orientation Questions for My Math Lab in the Assignments tab. It is the first homework assignment on the list. This assignment will give you a good idea of what MyMathLab assignments are like and teach you how to enter answers properly. Keys for Success Online courses are very different from the traditional classes. They take more focus and selfmotivation, so please do not get a slow start. Know that it generally takes time to get used to the online environment, so please be patient as you learn how it works. I also have some advice: Work with as little distraction as possible. Smaller quantities of quality time are surely better than longer distracted time. Get into your lessons often during the week, paying special attention to the calendar deadlines. It is estimated that a typical course like this takes approximately 6-9 hours of study a week to complete successfully. Have a pencil in your hand and paper on your desk as you work through the course materials. The more interactively you work with the course materials, the more you will gain from your experience. When you come to something you don t understand don t let yourself stay stuck for long. 1. Find a similar problem in your student s solutions manual or in your textbook. 2. Use the Help Me Solve This and View An Example buttons. 3. Use Smarthinking, a free online Pearson tutoring service, accessed through Blackboard. 4. Visit the Learning Commons on campus for free tutoring. 5. I am here to help you. Use the Ask My Instructor button in the homework assignments.

9 Frequently Asked Questions: How do I get started? Video Directions on how to access this course: Do I need a a Course ID for MyMathLab? Not anymore. You will be able to link to your MyMathLab course through the SMCC portal through Blackboard. I need a student access code. Where do I get this? You can purchase a MyMathLab student access kit from the bookstore with your textbook or purchase a code when you register for MyMathLab through Blackboard. What should I tell you in my weekly s to you? You should tell me how your work is progressing. Are things moving smoothly? Do you have any questions? Are you behind? How do plan to catch up? Is everything great? Etc. A question was marked incorrect but I think my answer was right. What should I do? Let me know as soon as possible. I will review it and correct the problem if necessary. I have taken a quiz more than once. Which grade counts? Only your best score counts. When are assignments due? There are only two strict due-dates for your assignments throughout the semester. Unit 1, covering chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4, is due Sunday March 5 th by 11:59 pm. Unit 2, covering chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, is due by Thursday May 11 th at 11:59 pm, when your Spring semester course ends. However, if you are idle (do not complete any work) for any one week period, you may be dropped from the course for having stopped attending. Communicating your intentions and status on a weekly basis will help you avoid this consequence. Can I work ahead of the pace of the course outlined in the syllabus? Absolutely. Though it will be a challenge, working ahead of the pace of the class will bring you confidence and peace of mind. I just lost power or my computer shut down mid-assignment. What should I do? MyMathLab will save all of your progress when you log out or in case of a power failure. Do I have to complete every homework assignment? Yes. Your homework grade (15%) depends on you completing all of the assignments I have been using MyMathLab, but I am experiencing technical difficulties. Who do I contact? Go to to contact Pearson/Coursecompass/MyMathLab technical support. Or, call for technical support. I am having technical difficulties with Blackboard. Who should I contact? Contact Michael Hart, E-Learning Coordinator, at blackboard@smccme.edu

10 Textbook Topical Outline of Instruction And Additional Book Practice (optional): UNIT 1 CHAPTER 1 LINEAR EQUATIONS, INEQUALITIES, and APPLICATIONS 1.1 Linear Equations in One Variable 1-81 odd 1.2 Formulas and Percent 1-5 all 7-71 odd 1.3 Applications of Linear Equations 1-63 odd 1.4 Further Applications of Linear Equations 1-47 odd 1.5 Linear Inequalities in One Variable 1-67 odd 1.6 Set Operations and Compound Inequalities odd 1.7 Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities 1-27 odd odd CHAPTER 2 LINEAR EQUATIONS, GRAPHS, and FUNCTIONS 2.1 Linear Equations in Two Variables 1-55 odd 2.2 The Slope of a Line 1-89 odd 2.3 Writing Equations of Lines 1-91 odd 2.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables 1-53 odd 2.5 Introduction to Relations and Functions 1-67 odd 2.6 Function Notation and Linear Functions 1-61 odd CHAPTER 3 SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS 3.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables 1-79 odd 3.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables 3-21 odd 3.3 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations 1-27 odd odd CHAPTER 4 EXPONENTS, POLYNOMIALS, and POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS 4.1 Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation every other odd 4.2 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials 1-85 odd 4.3 Polynomial Functions 1-17 odd 4.4 Multiplying Polynomials 1-73 odd 4.5 Dividing Polynomials 1-51 odd

11 UNIT 2 CHAPTER 5 FACTORING 5.1 Greatest Common Factors; Factoring by Grouping 1-71 odd 5.2 Factoring Trinomials 7-63 odd 5.3 Special Factoring 1-63 odd 5.4 A General Approach to Factoring 1-71 odd 5.5 Solving Equations by the Zero-Factor Property 1-45 odd CHAPTER 6 RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS and FUNCTIONS 6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing 1-91 odd 6.2 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions 1-89 odd 6.3 Complex Fractions 1-45 odd 6.4 Equations with Rational Expressions 1-47 odd 6.5 Applications of Rational Expressions 1-7odd,11-41odd,57-65odd 6.6 Variation 1-9odd,35-41odd,45-57odd CHAPTER 7 ROOTS, RADICALS, and ROOT FUNCTIONS 7.1 Radical Expressions 1-43 odd, odd 7.2 Rational Exponents odd 7.3 Simplifying Radicals odd, odd 7.4 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions 1-57 odd 7.5 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions odd 7.6 Solving Equations with Radicals 1-55 odd 7.7 Complex Numbers 1-87 odd CHAPTER 10 INVERSE, EXPONENTIAL, and LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS 10.2 Exponential Functions odd 10.3 Logarithmic Functions 1-61 odd CHAPTER 8 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS and INEQUALITIES 8.1 The Square Root Property and Completing the Square 1-85 odd 8.2 The Quadratic Formula 5-45 odd 8.3 Equations Quadratic in Form 1-67 odd 8.4 Formulas and Further Applications odd CHAPTER 9 ADDITIONAL GRAPHS of FUNCTIONS and RELATIONS 9.3 More about Parabolas and Their Applications 7-39 odd