SOUTHWEST COLLEGE Department of Mathematics COURSE SYLLABUS MATH 0312: Intermediate Algebra Spring 2015 / RT / CRN 45990 / M W 1 3 PM / January 20 May 11 / West Loop Center, room C.258 INSTRUCTOR: CONTACT INFORMATION: MYMATHLAB COURSE ID: Dr. Jaime L. Hernández jaime.hernandez@hccs.edu hernandez41502 Office location: West Loop Center, Faculty Workroom C.256, Phone: 713-718-2081 Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to contact me to arrange a time convenient to both when we can meet and discuss any issues or concerns. You may E-mail me at jaime.hernandez@hccs.edu. I will check my email every weekday. When emailing, please allow for sufficient time for me to respond. Always include your full name and the class information (MATH 0312) in your email, so I can know who you are and about which class you are inquiring. I will do my best to reply within 24 hours on weekdays. In addition, keep up with Email in your own account too (the one you provide when you set up your account on MyMathLab, our online homework system), as I will be sending important announcements through that as well. Please visit my Learning Web page at http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jaime.hernandez, where you may find a diversity of information about HCCS, the Southwest College, our Math department, our course and me as well. Course Description: Topics include factoring techniques, radicals, algebraic fractions, complex numbers, graphing linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, system of equations, graphing quadratic equations, and an introduction to functions. Emphasis is placed on algebraic techniques in order to successfully complete Math 1314 College Algebra. By HCCS policy, a departmental final examination must be passed with 60% or better in order to pass this course. Prerequisites: Must be placed into MATH 0312 (or higher) or have successfully completed MATH 0308 or MATH 0409 with a C or better. 1
Course Format: This course follows the traditional lecture and discussion format in the classroom. The entire course is to be completed in a period of 16 weeks. The classroom experience will be complemented with videos, slides and online assignments on MyMathLab (MML). It is imperative that the student keep up with the class discussions and the course content as covered, and also work diligently on all the assignments on MML. Course Goal: This course is intended for students who require state mandated remediation. This is the last course in a sequence of three courses intended for students who have never been exposed to algebra or who have been away from the subject for quite some time. In particular, this course is intended to complete the student s preparation for College Algebra. Student Learning Outcomes: Student Learning Outcomes 1. Solve algebraic equations and inequalities involving rational expressions, radicals, quadratics, or linear expressions. 2. Examine and interpret the linear and quadratic graphs of equations and inequalities. Course Objectives 1.1 Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials 1.2 Factor polynomials 1.3 Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational expressions 1.4 Simplify complex fractions 1.5 Solving equations involving rational expressions 1.6 Simplify equations involving rational exponents and simplify radicals 1.7 Add, subtract, multiply, divide expressions involving radicals and solve radical equations 1.8 Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers 1.9 Solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, use of the quadratic formula and the square root property 1.10 Solve systems of linear equations in two variables 2.1 Graph linear equations & linear inequalities in two variables 2.2 Find the slope of a line & write its equation 2.3 Graph quadratic functions and inequalities 3. Solve application problems. 3.1 Solve word problems 4. Use and interpret function notation in both algebraic and graphical contexts. 4.1 Recognize functional notation & evaluate functions Instructional Methods: As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. It is my responsibility to provide you with knowledge concerning mathematical concepts contained in our developmental math curriculum. This knowledge will prepare you for College Algebra and will allow you to meet the math requirements that are needed for your career of choice. 2
As a student wanting to master the mathematical concepts contained in the developmental math curriculum, it is your responsibility to read the textbook, submit assignments on the due dates, study for the exams, participate in classroom activities, attend class, and enjoy the learning experience. In this course, you will be involved in discussions with your classmates and your instructor. As you will want to contribute to these discussions, you will need to come to class prepared to discuss, analyze and evaluate information from your text and notes. Instructional Materials: Textbook: Intermediate Algebra by Margaret L. Lial, John Hornsby, & Terry McGinnis; 11 th Ed. Publisher: Addison Wesley, 2011 ISBN-13: 9780321715418 The purchase of a hard-copy of the textbook is not required. Read below under Homework Assignments for more details. Chapters and Sections to Be Covered: Chapter 2 Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Applications 2.5 Linear Inequalities in One Variable Chapter 3 Graphs, Linear Equations, and Functions 3.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System 3.2 The Slope of a Line 3.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables 3.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables 3.5 Introduction to Relations Functions 3.6 Function Notation and Linear Functions Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations 4.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables Chapter 5 Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions 5.4 Multiplying Polynomials 5.5 Dividing Polynomials Chapter 6 Factoring 6.1 Greatest Common Factors; Factoring by Grouping 6.2 Factoring Trinomials 6.3 Special Factoring 6.4 A General Approach to Factoring 6.5 Solving Equations by Factoring Chapter 7 Rational Expressions and Functions 7.1 Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing 7.2 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions 7.3 Complex Fractions 7.4 Equations with Rational Expressions and Graphs (Omit graphs.) 7.5 Applications of Rational Expressions 3
Chapter 8 Roots, Radicals, and Root Functions 8.1 Radical Expressions and Graphs (Omit graphs and resonant frequency.) 8.2 Rational Exponents (Include a review of exponents.) 8.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions 8.4 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions 8.5 Multiplying & Dividing Radical Expressions 8.7 Complex Numbers Chapter 9 Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Functions 9.1 The Square Root Property and Completing the Square 9.2 The Quadratic Formula Homework Assignments: All homework must be completed online using MyMathLab. The MyMathLab (MML) Course ID to be used for registration purposes is hernandez41502. To register, simply go to http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/. If you have never used MML before at all, first you need to create a Pearson account. Go to http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/ and follow the instructions to do so. You will need the Course ID when you do so, so have it handy. The system may also ask for the college zip code: enter 77081. If you have used MML before, then you already have a Pearson account. Do not create another one for this course. Simply go to http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/, log in using the username and password of the account you already have, and add this course to your list of courses using the Course ID. If you have not attempted this course on MML before, using the same edition of the textbook we use, you will need to purchase an access code. You can either purchase the textbook packaged with a MML access code at an HCC bookstore, or you may purchase MML access separately online at http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/. You may use MML for free for 17 days at the beginning of the term, but eventually, if you have not attempted this course before using the same edition of the textbook, you will be required to purchase an access code to use MML. However, if you already attempted this course on MML before, using the same edition of the textbook, then you do not need to purchase another access code. Simply add this course to your list of courses using the Course ID. In either case, you will need to enter the Course ID, so have it handy. Since all online assignments will be completed using MML, having a MML account and enrolling in our MML course is a requirement. The hard-copy of the textbook is NOT required, but MML is. You will have access to an electronic version of the entire textbook online (ebook) through MML. Once again, purchasing the textbook is NOT required, but completing all the homework assignments on MML is required. Make sure that you gain access and start working on the MML course within the first two days of classes. Contact MML technical support staff directly if you have any difficulties setting up your account or using MML in the future. The instructor cannot assist you with technical difficulties in this area. The collection of homework assignments together add up to 100 points and have the same weight as one term exam. Completion of these assignments is required, including the initial Introduction to MyMathLab and review assignments. The due date for a homework assignment will be the same day of the exam where its corresponding section is tested. Before doing the homework for a section, be sure to watch the corresponding slides and video on MML, and read the section in the hardcopy or electronic textbook. If you see that the deadlines posted are for the end of the term at the beginning of the course, be aware that those deadlines will change and will be moved back. Again, assignments will be due on the same day that the exam testing their content is administered. The due dates for the homework assignments are clearly posted on MML. So again, keep up with those deadlines! Completion of these assignments is required. Also included on MyMathLab are various optional activities, such as sets of audiovisual media aids, such as videos and slide that would complement the classroom experience, as well as sample tests, exam reviews, exercises for extra practice, etc. Under a 4
section called Study Plan on MML you may find extra problems for each section. Although working on those is not required, it is highly recommended, in particular as extra practice to strengthen the course skills and to prepare for the exams. There is a button to access the Study Plan on the Dashboard, the opening page you land on upon logging into MML. There are also Practice Tests on MML that you may use to prepare for our term exams. Upon logging into MML, run the Browser Check. A link for that effect is provided on the Dashboard. That program will check your computer to ensure that all the necessary software needed for MML is correctly installed in your computer. Make sure you download and install any software that you are prompted by the Browser Check to do so. Otherwise, you may experience problems opening assignments, videos, the ebook, or just running MML in general in your computer later. Term Exams: There will be three in-class tests, each worth 100 points, and one in-class final exam, worth 200 points. Their exact dates will be announced as the course progresses. Although exams consist of multiple choice questions, the student must show ALL supporting calculations and work performed to arrive at his/her answer. Lack of such supporting steps may result in no credit for correct answers. So, you must show your work. The course content will be distributed among the three term exams as follows: Test 1: sections 2.5, 3.1 3.6, 4.1, 5.4 5.5; on the 6 th week of classes Test 2: sections 6.1 6.5 and 7.1 7.5; on the 11 th week of classes Test 3: sections 8.1 8.5, 8.7, 9.1 9.2; on the 15 th week of classes Final Exam: covers the entire course content; on the last week of the term Keep up with the course material as it is covered and with the homework assignments. Do NOT procrastinate! Doing so will NOT pay off! You will run out of time! Final Examination: The final examination is departmental and consists of 33 multiple-choice problems. It is a comprehensive exam, that is, the problems cover all the material required in the course. By HCC and departmental policy, if you score lower than 60% on the final exam, you will automatically receive a course grade of F in the class. If your score on the final exam is 60% or higher, then your grades are added using the formula specified under grading policy below. You MUST pass the final exam in order to pass the course. The final exam is worth 200 points and has the weight of two term exams. Calculator Policy: By departmental policy, the use of any kind of calculator will not be allowed when working in the classroom, on homework assignments or exams. Students shall abstain from using them when working on the course away from the classroom. Make-up policy: There will be no individual make-up exams. The final exam will replace one, and only one, missing term exam grade, or if none are missing, whichever term exam grade is lowest, provided the final exam score is higher. This does not apply to the homework assignment grade on MyMathLab. That grade will not be replaced. Grading Policy: Your instructor will conduct exams, and monitor your progress on homework assignments to determine how successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of course content and skills) outlined in this document. If you find you are not mastering the material and skills, you are encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class. Your instructor welcomes a dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in finding resources on campus that will improve your performance. 5
The grade will be computed as follows: Three term exams (100 points each): 300 points One final exam: 200 points (It is a departmental policy that scoring less than 60% in the final exam will yield automatically a grade of F in the course.) Collection of homework assignments on MyMathLab: 100 points Total number of points: 600 points Bonus points: At the end of the semester, the instructor may add at his discretion from 0 to 15 extra points to the student s total from adding the scores of the assessment tools listed above. The awarding of these points, if any, is based on attendance, timeliness, classroom participation and involvement, completion of all homework assignments, effort and interest shown in the course, etc. Upon adding all exam and homework scores and bonus points, if any, a grade will be assigned according to the following scale: 600-540 => A 539-480 => B 479-420 => C 419-360 => D 359-0 or less than 60% in the final exam => F Final grade of FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of FX at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of FX, compared to an earned grade of F which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of FX is treated exactly the same as a grade of F in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress. Incomplete Policy: NO grade of Incomplete shall be granted in this course at the end. The final grade will be determined as explained above under Grading with those assessments that the student completes on time and successfully submits when required. HCC ADA Policy Statement About Services To Students With Disabilities: Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7910 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty is only authorized to provide accommodations approved by the Disability Support Service Office. A letter from that office must be provided to the instructor to request such accommodations. HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty : includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. 6
Cheating on a test includes: Copying from another students test paper; Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test; Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization; Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not been administered; Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one s own written work offered for credit. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook) HCC Attendance Policy Statement: Class Attendance is required! It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly and in a timely fashion is the best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for material covered during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences. Missing over 20 minutes of class, whether at the beginning, middle or end of the period, will be counted as an absence. The student is expected to arrive to class on time. Frequent late arrivals will not be tolerated. If you are not attending class or walking in late, you are missing content information. As the information that is discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of six (6) hours of instruction. The six hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early. You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision not to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class. However, if this happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have lost the class. Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or a buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in paper if you unavoidably miss a class. Class attendance is essential for class success. So plan on attending class and being on time please! HCC Course Withdrawal Policy: If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course prior to the final date of withdrawal. Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree. To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor may alert you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. to stay in class and improve your academic performance. 7
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a HCC counselor or your professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a W on your transcript. Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length and starting point in time. Please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines. Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class as your final grade. It is ultimately your responsibility to drop the course correctly by going through the appropriate channels on time. Repeat Course Fee: The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective on the fall of 2006, HCC started charging a higher tuition rate to students registering for the third or subsequent time in the same course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor or counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing skills, homework completion, test-taking strategies, attendance, course participation, and tutoring or other assistance that might be available. Use of Camera, Recording and/or Other Electronic Devices: As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect for your fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices and put them away, and will not use these devices in the classroom IN ANY WAY AT ALL, unless you receive permission from the instructor. The use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations as stated before. Instructor Responsibilities: The instructor shall: Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived Facilitate an effective learning process through class activities, discussions, and lectures Describe any special projects or assignments Inform students of policies regarding attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make-up exams Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments Maintain a strict learning environment in the classroom for ALL students, eliminating any interruptions or distractions Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required Explain to the best of his abilities and cover the entire content of the course in its duration Student s Responsibilities: To be successful in this class, the student shall: Meet the course prerequisites by the time the course starts Attend all class sessions in a timely manner Involve him(her)self in class discussions by taking clear and organized notes, asking questions and/or answering inquiries from the instructor Read, while assuring comprehension, the sections in the textbook as they are covered in class 8
Complete homework assignments in MyMathLab by the time they are due Study (includes reading the textbook, completing homework assignments, reviewing class notes, seeking help from the instructor or any other recognized authority in the subject, etc.) for as long as it takes to ensure understanding of the course material and successful performance in the course Perform satisfactorily in all written assessment tools Seek individualized help from the instructor during conference hours when necessary to discuss any questions or class-related issues Make use of the tutorial help, references, and videotapes available in the Math Lab and Tutoring Center or Library as needed Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments and graded exams Online Tutoring Services: Houston Community College offers FREE online tutoring to HCCS students in a variety of disciplines, including mathematics, English, writing and other subjects. To register and take advantage of these Online Tutoring Services, go to www.hccs.askonline.net. Your questions will be answered by a qualified HCC tutor or faculty member within 24 hours (usually under 6 hours). Sexual Harassment: It is a violation of HCCS policy for an employee, agent, or student of the college to engage in sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance Handbook 47). EGLS 3: Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System: At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term. Classroom Demeanor and Behavior: As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal. Students must exhibit appropriate behavior and be attentive during class. Any student who disrupts the class will be asked to leave. Any student who naps or falls asleep in class will be marked as absent. So, please: no side conversations or snoozing! It is HCCS policy that children or any individual who is not a registered student not be allowed to stay in the classroom. Cellphones and pagers must be turned off at all times while class is in progress. There will be NO exceptions to this rule. While the class is in progress, the student shall abstain from checking, making or answering phone calls, checking E-mails or messages, reading or sending text messages, working on MyMathLab or anything else other than paying full attention to the class lecture and discussion. Engaging in any of these activities listed while the class is in progress will be considered grounds for dismissal from class. The student shall abstain as much as possible from arriving to class late or from exiting and reentering the classroom while class is in progress as that can be a distraction which disrupts the learning environment for both the student and the class as a whole. Class attention and involvement are essential to the learning process. All students are expected to honor these rules and behave accordingly. There will be no exceptions. 9
Disclaimer: The rules, policies, stipulations, terms and guidelines of this syllabus are subject to change and may be updated, corrected, modified or adjusted by the instructor, at any time, due to unforeseen circumstances, changing needs of the class, implementation of new technology, or departmental or institutional directives. The student shall be notified of any such changes in the provisions and specifications of this document. 10