COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PREP-003 COURSE SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA FALL 2015 Aaron Reeves INSTRUCTOR
COURSE #: COURSE TITLE: PREP-005-03 Introductory Algebra CLASS TIME/LOCATION: 12:00-12:50 MWF A/S 310 CREDIT HOURS: INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE LOCATION: OFFICE HOURS: 3 Credit Hours Aaron Reeves Room 117 Weinberg Hall Posted on Office Door TELEPHONE: 251-7700 Ext. 2087 E-MAIL: aaronr@coffeyville.edu If you e-mail me, I will e-mail you back. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours, assume that I did not receive your e-mail. At that point, you need to call and leave a message on my recorder. PREREQUISITES: REQUIRED TEXT COURSE DESCRIPTION: Credit in Elements of Math or a score of 24 or better on the Pre-Algebra test of the COMPASS Beginning Algebra, 12 th Edition, Lial/Hornsby/McGinnis This is a beginning course in algebra, designed for those who have not previously studied algebra or for those who want a formal review of basic algebraic concepts.
EXPECTED LEARNER OUTCOMES: 1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide signed numbers. 2. Solve equations and inequalities. 3. Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomial expressions. 4. Factor polynomial expressions. 5. Simplify and solve rational expressions. 6. Graph linear equations and inequalities. 7. Simplify and solve radical expressions. LEARNING TASKS AND ACTIVITIES Unit I: The Real Number System Unit II: Linear Equations and Inequalities in One Variable Unit III: Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables; Functions Unit IV: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities Unit V: Exponents and Polynomials Unit VI: Factoring and Applications Unit VII: Rational Expressions and Applications Unit VIII: Roots and Radicals Unit IX: Quadratic Equations
ASSESSMENT OF OUTCOMES The student will be assessed in four areas: A. Cognitive: Knowledge and understanding of the materials. Knowledge of all areas of material will be assessed through exams which are mainly objective in nature(multiple Choice and Matching questions), with additional short answer/essay questions. (40% of grade) B. Metacognition: Each student will be required to show how they can incorporate the cognitive aspects of this material attained from the text and lectures by answering study guide questions. These questions will represent the different levels of learning. These will be presented in written and verbal form. (40% of grade) C. Affective Attendance, attitude, assignments and participation in classroom discussion and exercises. (20% of grade)
GRADING POLICY Semester grades will be based upon the following: 1. Unit Exams 2. Worksheets 3. Pre Test/Final exam UNIT TESTS CELL PHONES There will be five unit tests. Each test will be worth 100 points. As a student you are required to be present for all exams. If you cannot be present for an exam, you must notify me IN ADVANCE. ABSOLUTELY NO MAKEUP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER THE DATE OF THE TEST. If you are not present for an exam, and I have not heard from you by the day of the exam, you will not be allowed to make up the exam and will be given a zero (0) for that exam. Cell phones are not to be used during class. Calculators may be used on tests. HOMEWORK/ WORKSHEETS You will be given homework to do nearly every class period. The homework will consist of both reading and written assignments. On some days. You will also be given a worksheet or two every unit. Each worksheet or Homework exercise will be worth up to 60 points apiece. Each assignment will have a due date. Each assignment must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day that it is due. Any assignment not turned in at the beginning of class will be accepted for reduced points.
FINAL EXAM The final exam will be comprehensive and will be worth 100 points. You must take the final exam on the designated final exam date. The final will not be given at any other time. NO EXCEPTIONS!! GRADING SCALE A... 90 100% B... 80 89% C... 70 79% D... 60 69% F... 0 59% A grade of a C or higher must be achieved in this class in order to enroll in Intermediate Algebra. 5 exams ** (@100 points)... 500 points Homework/Work Sheets... 300 points Pre Test/Final Test... 100points TOTAL POINTS... 800 points ** If all five exams are taken, the lowest of the five scores will be dropped. >>Bonus Points: There will be a couple of opportunities to earn a few bonus points during the semester. INCOMPLETES: PLAGIARISM: CELL PHONES: Incomplete grades for the semester will be given in case of emergencies and only by mutual consent of the student and the instructor. Plagiarism is an unacceptable activity. You are expected to do your own work on all homework exercises, worksheets, lab exercises and exams. Any student caught cheating will be immediately dropped from the class. There is no second chance! If you are caught, you will be dismissed from the class. All cell phones are to be turned off and put away during class. This also applies to MP-3 players.
ATTENDANCE: Each student is required to attend every class session. Only in the event of illness or an emergency will you be excused from class. All other absences will be classified as unexcused absences. In event of illness or emergency, you must notify me personally by telephone or e-mail. If you are not in class and I have not heard from you by the beginning of the next class session, you will be given an unexcused absence. You must either call me or e-mail me before the class meets the next time; coming up to me before class on the day of the next class session will not excuse your absence. IMPORTANT NOTE: After seven (7) absences during the course of a semester, the student will be dropped from the course. This includes both excused and unexcused absences. A summary of excused and unexcused absences is listed below: EXCUSED ABSENCES: Illness Emergency (Personal or family related) Participation in a school related activity For those students that have to miss class due to school related activities (sports, music, etc), these absences will not count toward the three excused absences provided that their exams and/or homework are made up prior to missing class. Each student is allowed only three excused absences. After the third excused absence, all absences become unexcused absences.
For excused absences, it is your responsibility to get in touch with me to make up any tests and/or homework. Any tests and/or homework that need to be made up must be done by the next class period. After the third excused absence, no tests and/or homework can be made up. Those students that must miss class because of a school related activity must make up any exams and homework they will miss before the day they are going to miss class. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: All other absences. For unexcused absences, you will not be allowed to make up the work that you missed. THIS INCLUDES EXAMS. This syllabus is subject to revision during the semester with prior notification to the student by the instructor.
COMPETENCIES for INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE SIGNED NUMBERS 1. Apply the rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to fractions. 2. Apply the rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to decimals. 3. Convert percents to decimals and vice versa. 4. Know the meaning of the five inequalities. 5. Find the value of algebraic expressions, given values for the variables. 6. Identify natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational, and irrational. 7. Apply the rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to signed numbers. 8. Use the order of operation with real numbers. 9. Interpret words and phrases that indicate subtraction, multiplication and division. 10. Evaluate expressions that use variables. 11. Simplify numerical expressions. 12. Translate sentences into equations. 13. Identify the use of the commutative, associative, identity, inverse, and distributive properties. SOLVE EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES 14. Identify and solve linear equations by using the properties of equality. 15. Translate sentences of a word problem into a equation, and then solve the problem. 16. Use a formula to solve a word problem. 17. Solve ratio and proportion problems. 18. Graph inequalities on a number line. 19. Use the addition and multiplication property of inequality. ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE POLYNOMIAL EXPRESSIONS 20. Apply the rules of exponents for any situation. 21. Use zero and negative numbers as exponents. 22. Express numbers in scientific notation. 23. Identify terms and coefficients. 24. Know the vocabulary for polynomials. 25. Calculate the sum or difference of polynomials. 26. Multiply any polynomial situation. 27. Divide a polynomial by either a monomial or polynomial.
FACTOR POLYNOMIAL EXPRESSIONS 28. Identify prime numbers and prime factorization. 29. Factor out the greatest common factor. 30. Factor by grouping. 31. Factor any trinomial regardless of the lead coefficient. 32. Factor the difference of two squares. 33. Factor the sum or difference of cubes. 34. Solve quadratic equations by factoring. 35. Solve word problems involving area, perimeter, and consecutive integers. SIMPLIFY AND SOLVE RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS 36. Find the values of a variable for which a rational expression is undefined. 37. Write rational expressions in lowest terms. 38. Multiply and divide rational expressions. 39. Rewrite rational expressions with the least common denominator. 40. Add and subtract rational expressions regardless of the denominators. 41. Simplify complex fractions. 42. Solve equations involving rational expressions. 43. Solve word problems about distance, work, and variation using rational expressions. GRAPH LINEAR EQUATIONS 44. Write a solution as an ordered pair. 45. Complete ordered pairs for a given equation. 46. Plot ordered pairs. 47. Find x and y intercepts for a line. 48. Graph linear equations. 49. Fine the slope of a line. 50. Use slope to determine the planar relationship of two lines. 51. Write the equation of a line regardless of supplied information. 52. Graph linear inequalities.
SIMPLIFY AND SOLVE RADICAL EXPRESSIONS 53. Find square roots. 54. Use the Pythagorean formula. 55. Simplify radical expressions and quotients. 56. Multiply radicals. 57. Add and subtract radical expressions. 58. Write radicals in simplified form. 59. Rationalize denominators. 60. Simplify radical expressions with sums, products, and quotients. 61. Solve equations with radicals. 62. Identify extraneous solutions. This syllabus is subject to revision with prior notification to the student by the instructor.