Math 203 Spring 2015 Syllabus Course: Math 203 Intermediate Algebra Section 22079 TTh 3:00 pm - 5:15 pm, D 222 Prerequisite: Math 201 Instructor: Michael Valdez Instructor Email: mvaldez@peralta.edu Office Location: L 230 Office Hours: TTh 2:00 2:50 pm, MW 3:00 4:20 pm, or by appointment Pearson MyLab/Mastering Website: http://mymathlab.com/ MyMathLab Course ID: valdez87211 Required Course Materials: Ø MyMathLab Access for Intermediate Algebra Through Applications, Akst & Bragg, 3 rd Ed You do not need to purchase the physical textbook. An electronic copy is on MyMathLab, but a physical copy will be available at the CoA Math Lab. Ø Non-graphing scientific calculator. Ø Access to a computer with internet. Ø General supplies such as #2 pencils, eraser, at least 3 colored pencils or pens, a highlighter, and a ruler. Recommended Materials: Ø 2 Class Binder and 4 divider tabs as follows: 0. Syllabus Should be in the front before your tabs begin. 1. Class Notes Keep your agendas, notes, and any in-class worksheets in this tab. 2. Homework Keep the work of your MyMathLab homework in this tab. 3. Quizzes Keep the work from your MyMathLab quizzes here. 4. Exams Keep all practice exams and graded exams in this tab. Course Description Intermediate algebraic operations: Real number properties and operations; solutions and graphs of linear equations in one and two variables; absolute value equations; advanced factoring; complex numbers; quadratic equations and systems of quadratic equations; conics; determinants; solutions and graphs of first-degree, quadratic, and rational inequalities; exponential and logarithmic functions; and sequences and series. Course Topics 1. Review of Real numbers-properties and operations 5% 2. First degree equations in one variable and applications (word problems) 5% 3. Absolute value equations 5% 4. Linear equations in two variables, graphs, slope-intercept and point-slope forms of linear equations 10% 5. Polynomials operations and factoring (including cubes and grouping) 10% 6. Rational expressions: operations, equations, ratio, and proportion 10%
7. Exponents and radicals 10% a. Rational exponents; laws, simplifying b. Radicals; operations and simplifying c. Complex numbers d. Equations involving radical expression 8. Quadratic equations 5% a. Three methods of solution b. Solving equations reducible to quadratic form 9. Solving Systems of Linear equations 5% a. Solving by graphing, substitution and addition b. Systems of quadratic equations 10. Inequalities 10% a. Graphing and solving first-degree inequalities b. Solving quadratic and rational inequalities c. Inequalities in two variables 11. Exponential and logarithmic functions 10% a. Definitions, graphing, and evaluating b. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations 12. Conic sections 5% a. Definitions: relation, domain, range, function b. Graphing parabolas, circles, ellipses, hyperbolas c. One-to-one and inverse functions 13. Sequences and series 10% a. Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series b. Binomial expansion Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Manipulate algebraic expressions to simplify them, including expressions that represent functions. 2. Develop problem-solving abilities: Synthesize data, translate words into math language, and construct an abstract model that describes the problem. 3. Determine if an algebraic expression is an equation, classify the equation, then solve the equation (and check the solution). 4. Given data, analyze information, and create a graph that is correctly titled and labeled, appropriately designed, and accurately emphasizes the most important data content. Grading Below is the break down of your overall course grade along with the grading scale. Homework 35% Quizzes 5% Midterm Exams 40% Final Exam 20% Grade At least A 90% B 80% C 70% D 60% F Below 60% v Homework Homework will be completed online through MyMathLab. You must keep a written record of your work for studying purposes OR in the event your account information is compromised. You will have 3 tries to submit a correct answer before it is marked incorrect. For problems
with multiple parts, partial credit is awarded. If a problem is marked incorrect or partially correct, you can reattempt the entire problem as many times as you would like for full credit. MyMathLab has useful homework tutorial features such as View an Example, Help Me Solve This, or Video Example. Although helpful, be cautious using these features as becoming dependent on them may hinder your ability to develop problem-solving abilities necessary for exams. Online homework from one week s lecture is generally due online the following at 3:00 pm (unless otherwise specified). Late homework will result in a 10% daily penalty per problem meaning no extensions. As a courtesy, I will drop the two lowest individual scores from your final grade. Note: If you don't have access to a computer at home, you are more than welcome to use the computers in the Math Lab (L207) or the Open Lab (L202D). If you do this, you must sign up for LRNRE 501 Supervised Tutoring (Course Code: 22533) to utilize these services. This course is a no-credit ungraded course that will not show up on an official transcript. Your effort to sign up this course will help keep our labs open and free to all students. v Quizzes There will be online quizzes due along with each assignment with the possibility of in class pop quizzes. You will have 10 45 minutes to complete an online quiz with at most 2 chances to take it. While taking the quiz, you may not ask anyone for help. Try to take these without the aid of your textbook, notes, homework, or formula sheets. These may be reviewed after their perspective due dates this is incentive for you to figure out your mistakes prior to retaking the quiz. You must complete a quiz once you start it, and may not save and come back to it later. Internet connection issues or failure to submit a quiz before closing your browser window will continue to run the timer. Online quizzes will be due with their corresponding online homework. There will be no extensions under any circumstances. That said, I will drop the lowest two quiz scores from your final grade. v Exams Below is a schedule of exam dates. Exam 1 Chapter 2 Due Online, Sunday, 2/8/15 at 11:59 pm* Exam 2 Chapters 3 & 4 In-class,, 2/26/15 at 3:00 pm* Exam 3 Chapters 5 & 6 Due Online, Sunday, 3/22/15 at 11:59 pm* Exam 4 Chapters 7 & 8 In-class,, 4/16/15 at 3:00 pm* Exam 5 Chapter 9 In-class,, 4/30/15 at 3:00 pm* Final Exam Chapters 2 10 In-class,, 5/19/15 at 2:00 pm *The dates described above are tentative to the pace of course and may be subject to change. I also reserve the right to change an in-class exam to being online and vise versa. Midterms We will have 5 midterm exams: 3 in-class & 2 online. Most in-class exams may consist of a calculator and no calculator portion. You will need to bring a photo ID to the first in-class exam. All online exams must be taken in one sitting the weekend of there specified due date. There will be no make-ups under any circumstances. That said, I will drop the lowest midterm score from your final grade. Final Exam The final exam will be cumulative and is weighted as 2 midterms. This exam will also consist of a calculator and no calculator portion. Absolutely no make-ups or rescheduling of the final exam (especially if you schedule a flight that conflicts with this date).
Course Help Find yourself stuck or in need of help? Below is a list of resources where students can go to get help with the class: Ø MyMathLab s View an Example, Help Me Solve This, & Video Example Features Ø Office Hours Ø Forming a study (highly recommended before each exam) Ø Check out another Intermediate Algebra textbook from the Library for reference. Ø CoA Math Lab, L207 Open M Th 10:00 am 4:50 pm & F 10:00 am 1:50 pm Ø Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2 Adding/Dropping It is your responsibility to officially drop the course if you choose not to complete it (even if you never show up). Please note the important dates below: Last day to Date Drop with a Refund Sunday, February 1, 2015 Add Sunday, February 1, 2015 Drop without a W Sunday, February 1, 2015 Drop with a W Saturday, May 3, 2015 I also reserve the right to drop you from the course if you miss 2 consecutive class sessions, or if you miss 3 total class sessions. Please note that arriving late 3 times = 1 absence, and leaving early = 1 absence. Religious Holidays Reasonable accommodations will be made for you to observe religious holidays when such observances require you to be absent from class activities. It is your responsibility to inform me during the first two weeks of class, in writing, about such holidays. Students with Disabilities Students with documented learning and/or physical disabilities may receive reasonable classroom and/or testing accommodations. These arrangements need to be made with me privately within the first week of class or as soon as the documentation is determined. You will have to show me an accommodation slip that you received from DSPS. You can find DSPS in D-117, and their phone number is (510) 748-2328. Unfortunately, I will not be able to accommodate last minute requests. Classroom Etiquette You are bound by the College of Alameda Student Code of Conduct. I would like to stress the following: If arriving late or leaving early, please do so in a manner that avoids disrupting the class. All electronic devices are to remain off during lecture. In particular, cell phones are to remain on silent and put away with vibrate feature turned off during class. There will be no texting or answering of phone calls during class. As you find yourself working with classmates, be respectful of individual differences. I encourage you to ask questions and interrupt me during lecture, but do so politely! Refrain from using vulgar language including racial, gay, or gender slurs. In severe cases, a student may be referred to the dean and suspended from class.
Academic Honesty College of Alameda and myself take cheating very seriously. Please make sure any work produced is your own. It is also your responsibility to ensure other students are not copying from you (e.g., two identical tests will be considered both students' responsibility). At the very least, anyone caught cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment, and will NOT have any of their lowest scores dropped from their final grade. Consequently, your grade will severely be reduced. In some instances, a student may be asked to leave the course. You also run the risk of being reported to the dean and facing disciplinary action from the college. If you are having trouble in the course come talk to a counselor or me. I am more than happy to help you with any concepts giving you trouble, or tips for studying. Cheating is never worth risking your education! Tentative Schedule Date 1/20/15 1/22/15 1/27/15 1/29/15 2/3/15 2/5/15 2/10/15 2/12/15 2/17/15 2/19/15 2/24/15 2/26/15 3/3/15 3/5/15 3/10/15 3/12/15 3/17/15 3/19/15 3/24/15 Topics Syllabus & MyMathLab Introductory Activity Section 2.1: Solving Linear Equations Section 2.2: Solving Literal Equations Section 2.3: Solving Linear Inequalities Section 2.4: Solving Compound Inequalities Section 2.5: Solving Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Section 3.1: The Rectangular Coordinate System Section 3.2: Slope Section 3.3: Graphing Linear Equations Section 3.4: More on Graphing Linear Equations Section 3.5: Graphing Linear Inequalities Section 3.6: Introduction to Functions Section 4.1: Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing Section 4.2: Solving Systems of Linear Equations Algebraically Section 4.3: Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables Section 4.5: Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities Section 5.1: Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials Section 5.2: Multiplication of Polynomials Section 5.3: Division of Polynomials Section 5.4: The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping Section 5.5: Factoring Trinomials Chapters 3 & 4 Exam Section 5.6: Special Factoring Section 5.7: Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Section 6.1: Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions Section 6.2: Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions Section 6.3: Complex Rational Expressions Section 6.4: Solving Rational Equations Section 6.5: Variation Section 7.1: Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Section 7.2: Simplifying Radical Expressions Section 7.3: Addition and Subtraction of Radical Expressions Section 7.4: Multiplication and Division of Radical Expressions Section 7.5: Solving Radical Equations Section 7.6: Complex Numbers Section 8.1: Solving Quadratic Equations: The Square Root Property of
3/26/15 3/31/15 4/2/15 4/7/15 4/9/15 4/14/15 4/16/15 4/21/15 4/23/15 4/28/15 4/30/15 5/5/15 5/7/15 5/12/15 5/14/15 5/19/15 Equality; Completing the Square Section 8.2: Solving Quadratic Equations: The Quadratic Formula Section 8.3: More on Quadratic Equations No School Spring Break No School Spring Break Section 8.4: Graphing Quadratic Functions Section 8.5: Solving Quadratic and Rational Inequalities Section 9.1: The Algebra of Functions and Inverse Functions Section 9.2: Exponential Functions Section 9.3: Logarithmic Functions Chapters 7 & 8 Exam Section 9.4: Properties of Logarithms Section 9.5: Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base Section 9.6: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations Section 10.1: Introduction to Conics; The Parabola Section 10.2: The Circle Section 10.3: The Ellipse and the Hyperbola Chapter 9 Exam Section 10.4: Solving Nonlinear Systems of Equations Section 10.5: Solving Nonlinear Inequalities and Nonlinear Systems of Inequalities Final Review (Ch 2 4) Final Review (Ch 5 7) Final Review (Ch 8 10) Final Exam (2:00 pm 4:00 pm) ***I reserve the right to amend the syllabus at any point in the semester***