Department of Mathematics Texas A&M University Math 102-500, Algebra Fall 2014 Instructor: Jennifer Anderson, M.S., Blocker 623 E, jennifer.anderson@math.tamu.edu, Class times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:50-2:40, HELD 105 Office Hours: Mondays 12:00-1:30, Thursday 11:00-12:30 & by prescheduled appointment Math Depratment Phone: 979-845-3261 Textbook: Fundamentals of College Algebra, 11th Ed. by Swokowski & Cole Course Description:Sets, structure of number system; absolute values, solution sets of linear and nonlinear equations, of systems of equations, and of inequalities; relations and functions, graphical representations, graphical representations, progressions, mathematical induction, determinants. Prerequisites: None Email Policy: Check your official TAMU email account EVERY day. You are responsible for any information I send via email. Also, because of privacy rights, I cannot discuss grades via email. Please include your full name and course number (Math 102) in any email. Grading Policy: Exam I 20% Exam II 20% Exam III 20% Quiz Average 10% Homework 5% Comprehensive Final Exam 25% Total 100% A= 90 100% B= 80 89% C= 70 79% D= 60 69% F= 0 59% ***At the end of this semester, you will receive the grade you earned in the course according to the distribution above (no exceptions). Quizzes: Quizzes will be very brief and will generally be given at the beginning of class period. These quizzes will test material recently covered in class and are designed to encourage you to study the material as it is covered in class and be regular and prompt in your attendance. In-class quizzes will not be announced in advance and may be given on any class day. Homework: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis as we progress through out the semester. These problems will be taken from your textbook. These problems will be collected on the day of your midterm exams. It is IMPERATIVE that you complete the homework to prepare for exams. If you need help with any of the homework problems, please attend my office hours or a Math 102 Help Session. 1
Exams: Midterms and Finals: You will have 3 midterm exams and a final exam. All of these exams are comprehensive, however they will focus on new material. Each exam will be a mix of multiple choice problems and show-your-work problems. You will need a scantron form 882-E for each exam. You must bring a picture id (student id or driver s license) to the exams. Make-up Policy: No make-ups will be given without written evidence of an official University excused absence (see University Student Rules). In addition, you must notify me NO LATER than the end of the second working day after the missed assignment:... the student must notify his or her instructor in writing (acknowledged e-mail message is acceptable) prior to the date of absence if such notification is feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. accident or emergency) the student must provide notification by the end of the second working day after the absence. This notification should include an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. (Section 7.3 of the University Student Rules) ***If no such notice is given, the rights to a make-up are forfeited. Specifically, in the case of injury or illness, students are required to obtain a confirmation note from a health care professional affirming date and time of a medical office visit regarding the injury or illness. I will NOT accept the Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form as sufficient written documentation of an excused absence. Make-up Exams: If you have a University approved excused absence for missing an exam, you will be expected to make-up your exam according to the following schedule. If you do not complete your make-up exam on one of the following scheduled make-up days, then you must have a University approved excused absence (in writing) for ALL the possible make-up days (in addition to the regular exam day you missed). Make-up Exam I: Monday, Sept. 29 at 5:45pm Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 2:30pm Make-up Exam II: Monday, Oct. 27 at 5:45pm Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 2:30pm Make-up Exam III: Monday, Nov. 24 at 5:45pm Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 2:30pm ***Make-up Exam Procedure/Format: If you miss an exam, a make-up exam will be automatically submitted for you to take (so it will be available the first possible make-up day listed above regardless of whether or not you have contacted me). You must attend one of the above scheduled make-up days to take your exam, and when you go, you will need to bring your calculator, picture i.d., and pencil. Also, in accordance with University Student Rule 7.3 above, you MUST notify me within 2 working days of the original exam you missed if you have an University approved excused absence in writing (whether or not you have already taken your make-up exam). I will not grade your make-up exam grade unless you contact me within 2 working days to let me know you have a University excused absence in writing and provide me with your documentation as soon as possible. 2
The make-up exams will cover the same material, but they are not multiple choice. They will be workout as well as short answer for the conceptual questions. You will have 50 minutes to complete the make-up exam. You should study the same way you would for the original exam. Remember, in accordance with University Student Rules, you must complete your make-up exam on one of the scheduled make-up days for that particular exam unless you have a University approved excused absence in writing for *ALL* the possible make-up days for that exam. Calculator Policy: No calculators will be allowed during quizzes, midterm exams or the final exam. Electronic Device Policy: You are NOT allowed to have any electronic device (cell phone, computer, ipod, ipad, etc.) out or turned on during class. If I hear or see your cell phone, I may ask you to leave class (this is in accordance with University Student Rules). Attendance: I STRONGLY suggest that you attend every lecture. Falling behind in this course can be very detrimental to your grade. If you miss lecture, you must have an official University excused absence (with written proof) in order to hand-copy my notes (during office hours). Help Sessions: The times and locations for Math 102 Help Sessions will be announced by the second week of classes and can be found on the course web page. The help sessions have drop-in hours where you can get help with your homework, class notes, or other problems. These help sessions are an excellent source of help, especially if you are unable to attend my office hours office hours. Scholastic Dishonesty: Copying work done by others, either in-class or out-of-class, is an act of scholastic dishonesty and will be prosecuted to the full extent allowed by University policy. Collaboration on assignments, either in-class or out-of-class, is forbidden unless I grant permission. If you cheat on an assignment, you will receive a zero. Also, you will be reported to the University. Another form of cheating is typing formulas in the calculator or using programs that give you an advantage over classmates. If I catch anyone cheating this way, you will get a zero on the assignment and be reported to the University for cheating. Remember the Aggie Code of Honor: An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. For more information about the Honor Council Rules and Procedures visit the web site: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Copyright Policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One copy (or download from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited. 3
Statement on Disabilities Act: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 979-845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu. Note: I must have written proof of the necessary accommodations before a quiz or exam, not the day of. Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Interpret and make decisions, predictions, and critical judgments from functional relationships. Identify and sketch the general forms of linear, quadratic, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. Solve linear, quadratic, rational, exponential and logarithmic equations and inequalities. Understand properties of and solve for inverse functions. Be able to solve and apply the solutions to systems of equations using the methods of elimination, substitution and matrix operations. Understand and apply basic operations involving matrices and their determinants. Identify and understand basic properties of arithmetic and geometric sequences and series including the ability to competently utilize summation (sigma) notation. Important Dates: Friday, September 26 Midterm 1 Friday, October 24 Midterm 2 Friday, November 21 Midterm 3 Friday, November 21 Last day to drop a course with no penalty (Q-drop) November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holidays Monday, December 8 Redefined day students should attend their Friday classes Tuesday, December 9 Last day of fall classes Tuesday, December 9 Redefined day students should attend their Thursday classes Tuesday, December 16 Final Exam, 3:30-5:30 pm 4
Tentative weekly schedule: (Any changes will be reflected on the calendar on our course web page.) Week # Lecture Material Description (Sections) 1 Chapter 1 Review, 2.1-2.2 Equations and Inequalities 2 2.2-2.4 Applications of equations, Quadratic equations, Complex numbers 3 2.5-2.7 Other equations, Inequalities 4 3.1-3.2 Exam 1 Rectangular coordinate systems and graphs 5 3.3-3.5 Lines and functions 6 3.6-3.7, 4.1 Quadratic functions, Operations on functions, Polynomials 7 4.2-4.4 Polynomial division, Zeros of polynomials, Complex roots 8 4.5-4.6, 5.1 Exam 2. Rational functions, Variation 9 5.1-5.3 Inverse functions, Exponential functions Logarithmic functions, Properties of logarithms, Exponential and 10 5.4-5.6 logarithmic equations 11 5.6, 6.1-6.2 Exponential and logarithmic equations, Systems of equations 12 6.2-6.3 Exam 3. Systems of linear equations and inequalities 13 6.6-6.8 Algebra of matrices, Inverse of a matrix, Determinants 14 6.9, 7.1 More on determinants, Infinite sequences 15 7.2-7.3 Arithmetic and geometric sequences 5