*All s to me should have your name, course number and section in the subject

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "*All s to me should have your name, course number and section in the subject"

Collin McGee
6 years ago
Views:

1 SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine Course Syllabus - Spring College Algebra - MATH My Math Lab code: conley35941 Title: College Algebra Catalog Number: MATH140 Credit Hours: 3 Total Contact Hours: 45 Instructor: Jocelyn Conley Office Location: Preble Hall Room 203 * jconley2@smccme.edu Office Help Times: By Appointment Phone: (207) Textbook website: *All s to me should have your name, course number and section in the subject 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. Student Evaluation and Testing 15% Homework on MyMathLab (MML) 15% Mastery Quizzes on MyMathLab (MML) 10% Participation Grade 60% Tests (four in-class proctored exams)

2 2 HOMEWORK and MASTERY QUIZZES: Homework and Quizzes are each worth 15% of your overall grade. Students are required to use MyMathLab for online homework and quizzes. Students are expected to be fully registered and working in the online learning system by the end of the third week of the semester. It would be most beneficial if the student begins working in MML as soon as the semester begins. Students must remain up-to-date in their work. All assignments must be completed and submitted prior to the corresponding unit exam. Assignment due dates will be strictly enforced. If there are extenuating circumstances which hinder your ability to complete the assignments on time, contact me in advance. PARTICIPATION : Participation is 10% of your overall grade. You are expected to attend each class meeting and participate in the classroom discussions and activities. Please keep your instructor informed about any need for repeated absences. Please note that after 3 consecutive unexcused absences, a last date of attendance will be reported to Enrollment Services and you will have earned a grade of AF for the course. A student with at least six unexcused absences, consecutive or not, may be given a failing grade for the course. EXAMS: 60% of your overall grade. Tests account for a significant portion of your overall grade. Four unit exams will be given during the semester. Test retakes, unless due to extenuating circumstances, will not be allowed. MY MATH LAB : The required electronic assignments in MML are: Homework is assigned for each section and is required. You may repeat the assignment as many times as needed, but before the specified deadline, in order to improve your score. Mastery quizzes are assigned for each chapter. These may only be attempted twice. So, be sure you are ready! MML Homework will be assigned each time the class meets. Students are expected to stay current with all MML assignments. The following is very important: Homework and quizzes should be kept neatly in a three-ring binder or notebook. MML problems should be copied into the binder or notebook and all steps towards deriving the answer should be shown, as well as completing them in MML. Your paper work gives you a record of how you arrived at your answers. If necessary, you can use this work to convince me that the computer miscalculated your grade. When you have questions while working in MyMathLab or disagree with an answer provided, you may notify your instructor using the Ask My Instructor button found to the right of each homework problem. Tutorial support is available online through MyMathLab; tutorial help is available through the SMCC Academic Achievement Center; and students may seek help from their instructor. TROUBLES WITH My Math Lab? Be sure to go to the BROWSER CHECK on the dashboard of this MML course to check your web browser. This will ensure you have all the necessary plug ins. When all else fails, call tech support at or visit

3 3 Final Course Grades: A B C D A B C D B C F Below 63 Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices: Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and stored away during class time. If you are expecting an emergency phone call, please check with me before leaving your phone on. Text-messaging during class is strictly prohibited. Required Text, Tools, and/or Supplies 1. Algebra for College Students, Lial, Hornsby, & McGinnis, 8th ed., Pearson, Access to My Math Lab 3. Scientific calculator. You may not use your cell phone as a calculator on proctored exams Required Course Topics Chapter R No Lecture Mandatory MML Review Homework assigned Day 1 Chapter 1 Linear Equations, Inequalities & Applications all sections 1.1 Linear Equations in One Variable 1.2 Formulas and Percent 1.3 Applications of Linear Equations 1.4 Further Applications of Linear Equations 1.5 Linear Inequalities in One Variable 1.6 Set Operations and Compound Inequalities (Objectives 3 & 5 only) 1.7 Absolute Value Equations (Objectives 1, 2, and for Objective 4, example 5 only) Chapter 2 Linear Equations, Graphs, and Functions all sections 2.1 Linear Equations in Two Variables (Objectives 1-6 only) 2.2 The Slope of a Line 2.3 Writing Equations of Lines 2.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables 2.5 Introduction to Relations and Functions 2.6 Function Notation and Linear Functions Chapter 3 Systems of Linear Equations all sections 3.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables 3.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables (Objectives 1 & 2 only) 3.3 Applications of Systems of Linear Equations (Objectives 1 3 only) Chapter 4 Exponents, Polynomials, & Polynomial Functions all sections 4.1 Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation

4 4 4.2 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials 4.3 Polynomial Functions (Objectives 1 & 2 only) 4.4 Multiplying Polynomials (Objectives 1 5 only) 4.5 Dividing Polynomials (Objectives 1 & 2 only) Chapter 5 Factoring 5.1 Greatest Common Factors and Factoring by Grouping 5.2 Factoring Trinomials (Objectives 1, 2, & 4 only) 5.3 Special Factoring 5.4 No Lecture Factoring Review assignment in MML only. 5.5 Solving Equations by the Zero-Factor Property all sections Chapter 6 Rational Expressions and Functions 6.1 Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing 6.2 Add and Subtract Rational Expressions (Skip Objective 2 Find LCD in context.) 6.3 Complex Fractions (Objective 1, 2, & 4) 6.4 Equations with Rational Expressions (Objectives 1 & 2 only) 6.5 Applications of Rational Expressions (Objectives 1-3, & 5 only) 6.6 Variation (Objectives 1-3 only) all sections Chapter 7 Roots, Radicals, & Root Functions all sections 7.1 Radical Expressions (Objectives 1, 2, 4, & 5 only) 7.2 Rational Exponents 7.3 Simplifying Radicals (Skip objectives 4, 6, & 7) 7.4 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions 7.5 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions 7.6 Solving Equations with Radicals 7.7 Complex Numbers Chapter 10 Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions 10.2 Exponential Functions (Objectives 1 & 3 only) 10.3 Logarithmic Functions (Objectives 1, 2, & 3 only) 10.2 & 10.3 only Chapter 8 Quadratic Equations & Inequalities only 8.1 The Square Root Property and Completing the Square 8.2 The Quadratic Formula (Objectives 2 & 3 only) 8.3 Equations Quadratic in Form 8.4 Formulas and Further Applications (Skip objective 1.) Chapter 9 Additional Graphs of Functions and Relations 9.3 only 9.3 More About Parabolas and Their Applications (Objectives 1, 2, 3, & 4 only; for objective 1, begin with example 3 to exclude finding the vertex by completing the square)

5 5 Study Skills In addition to the topics above, the textbook does a good job discussing study skills, as follows: Ch R Using Your Math Textbook p xiv Reading Your Math Textbook p 42 Ch 1 Completing Your Homework p 53 Taking Lecture Notes p 65 Using Study Cards p 102 Using Study Cards Revisited p 111 Reviewing a Chapter p 123 Ch 2 Managing Your Time p 147 Taking Math Tests p 177 Analyzing Your Test Results p 196 Ch 8 Prep for Your Math Final Exam p 231 End-of-Course Evaluation Students complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal. Students can access the course evaluations beginning one week before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs Monday at 5 PM following the last day of the class. You will receive an to your student account when course evaluations are available. ADA Syllabus Statement 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, Sandra Lynham, 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 Each semester students receive a $20 printing credit. The balance resets at the end of the semester and any remaining credits are removed. The College s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all printers (including those in general access labs, library printers, Tutoring Services, Campus Center Lounge and technology labs). Be sure to log OUT of the system when you ve finished your printing, to prevent unauthorized access to your account. Students can check the number of pages they have printed by using the Printing Balance tool available on SMCC computers (located in the lower right corner of the screen, near the clock). Departments with work study students who need to print documents for the department should contact the Help Desk at to have a special account set up. To find ways to reduce your printing charges, please go to the IT Help tab on My SMCC. If you have questions about the pay-for-printing policy or your printing charges, please contact the Help Desk at or send an to helpdesk@smccme.edu.

6 6 Refunds Print jobs are eligible for a refund in the event of mechanical or electronic error on the part of the printer, print server, or software used to submit the job. Jobs are not eligible for a refund in cases where the job was not set up correctly, was submitted multiple times, or the student is not satisfied with the result. To request a refund, please bring the offending print to the IT Department in the basement of the Ross Technology Center. Refunds will be granted in the form of a credit to the student s account. 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 (usually 75 percent of course meeting times; please check with the Registration Office. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Registration Office. This process must be completed either in person or by using SMCC accounts. Plagiarism Statement If an instructor suspects that a student has knowingly committed a violation defined in the Maine Community College System Policy on Student Grade Appeals and Academic Misconduct, the instructor has the authority to review the alleged misconduct and determine the grade that the student should receive for the assignment and the course. The instructor may assign a failing grade for the assignment or course and may require the student to complete additional work for the course. The instructor may consult with the department chair and/or the College s chief academic officer prior to making such decisions. If a student seeks to challenge an instructor s determination, the student should submit a grade appeal. Grade appeal forms are available in the Advising Office on the South Portland Campus or in the administrative offices in the Learning Commons on the Midcoast Campus. An instructor may also refer the matter to the College s disciplinary officer for review under the procedures of the MCCS Student Code of Conduct.

SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine 04106

SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE South Portland, Maine 04106 Title: Precalculus Catalog Number: MATH 190 Credit Hours: 3 Total Contact Hours: 45 Instructor: Gwendolyn Blake Email: gblake@smccme.edu Website: