Intermediate Algebra Math 0305.01 15/1S Course Syllabus: Fall 2015 Debbie Cannon Office: Humanities M Email: dcannon@ntcc.edu Office Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9:00-9:30 9:00-9:30 The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to be aware of any additional course policies presented by the instructor during the course. Course Description: Intermediate algebra is designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in the second year of secondary school algebra. Topics include the properties of the real number system, operations on polynomials, special products, factor patterns, radicals, rational exponents, solutions of linear, quadratic, systems of equations, inequalities, coordinate systems, and graphing. Three hours of class each week. No college credit. Prerequisite: TSI score of 343-349, Math 0303 or its equivalent. Required Textbook(s): No textbook is required; however, you must purchase a My Math Lab access code. If you took Math 0301 and or 0303, do not buy a new code. Your old code will work. Publisher: Pearson ISBN Number: Recommended Reading(s): None Student Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Recognize, understand and analyze features of a function. 2. Recognize and use algebraic properties, concepts, procedures (including factoring), and algorithms to combine, transform, and evaluate polynomial expressions. 3. Identify and solve absolute value, polynomial, radical, and rational equations. 4. Identify and solve linear inequalities. 5. Model, interpret and justify mathematical ideas and concepts using multiple representations. 6. Connect and use multiple strands of mathematics in situations and problems, as well as in the study of other disciplines. Course Outline: Lectures & Discussions:
Review signed numbers and order of operations from chapter 1 Chapter 8: Equations, Inequalities and Systems Revisited 8. 1 Review of Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities 8.2 8.2 Absolute Value Equations Chapter 3: Graphs of Linear Equations and Inequalities; Functions 3.2 graphing Linear Equations in Two Variables 3.3 The Slope of a Line 3.4 Writing and Graphing Equations of Lines 3.5 Introduction to Relations and Functions 3.6 Function Notation and Linear Functions Chapter 4: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities; Functions 4.1 Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing 4.2 Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution 4.3 Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination Chapter 6: Factoring and Applications 6.1 Factors; The Greatest Common Factor 6.2 Factoring Trinomials (review) 6.4 Factoring Trinomials by Using the FOIL Method 6.5 Special Factoring Techniques 6.6 A General Approach to Factoring 6.7 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring 6.8 Applications to Quadratic Equations 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 Chapter 9: Roots, Radicals and Root Functions 9.1 Radical Expressions and Graphs 9.2 Rational Exponents 9.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions 9.6 Solving Equations with Radical Chapter 10: Quadratic Equations, Inequalities and Functions 10.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property 10.3 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 10.4 Equations Quadratic in Form 10.6 Graphs of Quadratic Functions Evaluation/Grading Policy: Attendance and punctuality are essential to your success. As an incentive to be on time, there will be a warm up question given at 9:30 sharp. At that time you will have exactly 2 minutes to complete and turn in the question. Completed papers may be used as extra points on the final. We're going to call these punctuality points P 2. Homework is your hedge against test anxiety. Preparation is as important as actual execution in most activities. You will have two attempts on the homework when it is assigned. If you have completed the homework on time, I will reopen your assignment during the exam review for you to increase your grade. If you have not completed the homework on time, you will not be able to improve your grade. Students are expected to complete the homework assignment(s) by 6 a.m. on the due date.(i want to have time to see what was giving you trouble so we can clear that up at the beginning of class). Access to a computer, smart phone or tablet is essential.
Cell phones, every minute in class essential. If you must take a text, please leave immediately without interrupting the class. Do not gather your materials-just leave-you may reenter when class is over. If I observe you texting or accessing your phone for non academic tasks, I will dismiss you. Again, just leave and return after class to collect materials. Any work done while you are gone will be forfeited, including tests. Test will be taken in class. If you do not have access to a laptop, smart phone, or tablet, I will print you a paper test. I want to help you learn how to take a math test, there are strategies which lead to success. The day of the test, we will spend the first 30 minutes answering questions and reviewing, the test will begin at 11:30. If you complete the Test Review on paper, showing all steps, you will receive a square root curve on your test. Working the review on paper will allow me to see where you went wrong and help you correct it prior to the test. What is a square root curve??? A square root curve is calculated by taking the square root of your test grade and multiplying it by 10. For example, if you make 49 on your exam, it becomes a 70. I have used this technique for a quarter of a century and it is equivalent to partial credit. There will be 6 exams and a comprehensive final. All exams will be taken the last hour of the class, except the final exam which will be taken in class on Dec 7. Test will be available until Dec 9 in the testing center (no curve available) The grading policy will be as follows: Homework 20% Test 1 5% Test 2 5% Test 3 5% Test 4 5% Test 5 5% Test 6 5% Final Exam 50% Tests/Exams: Test 1: September 9 Test 2: September 23 Test 3: October 14 Test 4: October 28 Test 5: November 11 Test 6: December 2 Final Exam: Dec 7 (if at this time you have not passed the course, you may retake exam before 12:20 on December 9). If you make an 80 on the exam without the curve you automatically pass the class with a grade of 70, or your class average, whichever is larger. Higher grades are achieved by completing homework (this could easily be a 90 or greater average), accumulating punctuality points ( 12 points available to be added to the final exam score), and completing the test reviews and qualifying for the curve. Assignments: Are available on MyMathLab site. Other Course Requirements:
Having access to a computer outside of class is critical. Homework is only submitted online. all tests will be administered online during class time. On campus there are computers available for student use in the library, MS 103, and Humanities 109 (the Academic Skills Center). Computers are also available at the Hansen-Sewell Center in Pittsburg, the Naples/Omaha Education Center in Naples and public libraries. Call first to check for hours of operation. Students are expected to complete the homework assignments whether in class or not. Student Responsibilities/Expectations: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and respectful manner toward the instructor as well as other students. An orderly and cooperative classroom environment is essential for optimum learning to take place. In order to maintain an environment in which learning can take place the following behaviors are expected to be observed: 7 Turn off cell phones or set them on silent. See above 8 Listen. Ask questions. Participate. 9 If you don't have anything nice or constructive to say, keep quiet. Evaluation/Grading Policy:
Tests/Exams: There will be six exams and a comprehensive final. Students are expected to take an exam when it is scheduled. Exams other than the final exam will be administered through MyMathLab. NTCC Academic Honesty Statement: "Students are expected to complete course work in an honest manner, using their intellects and resources designated as allowable by the course instructor. Students are responsible for addressing questions about allowable resources with the course instructor. NTCC upholds the highest standards of academic integrity. This course will follow the NTCC Academic Honesty policy stated in the Student Handbook." Academic Ethics The college expects all students to engage in academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuit. Academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, and collusion is unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action. Refer to the student handbook for more information on this subject. ADA Statement: It is the policy of NTCC to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a College counselor to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to the NTCC Catalog or Student Handbook. Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children s educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred
are considered eligible students. In essence, a parent has no legal right to obtain information concerning the child s college records without the written consent of the student. In compliance with FERPA, information classified as directory information may be released to the general public without the written consent of the student unless the student makes a request in writing. Directory information is defined as: the student s name, permanent address and/or local address, telephone listing, dates of attendance, most recent previous education institution attended, other information including major, field of study, degrees, awards received, and participation in officially recognized activities/sports. Other Course Policies: If THEA or Accuplacer is retaken before the student completes a developmental course, the resulting score will determine placement in subsequent courses. It is the student s responsibility to take the score to the instructor of the class. That instructor will give the student a grade of CR on the final grade sheet, and the student will no longer be required to attend that class for the rest of the semester.