MATH 0320.53 Intermediate Algebra Syllabus, Fall 2016 Instructor: Jasmine Cruz Office: MAGC 3.540 Lectures: MW 10:50 am 12:05 pm Classroom: MAGC 1.318 E-mail: jasmine.cruz01@utrgv.edu Telephone: (956) 665-3362 Office Hours: MW 12:10 pm 1:10pm or by appointment TEXT & RESOURCE MATERIAL Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: 2 nd ed. by Tyler Wallace. The online complimentary book along with videos can be downloaded at http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/book.html PREREQUISITE Co/Prerequisites: TSI Assessment score 336-349 and with PROFICIENT in Elementary Algebra or PROFICIENT in Intermediate Algebra or MATH 0310 with minimum grade RC This course may not be used to satisfy any general university graduation requirements. This course does not count toward students hours for graduation or in the determination of hours attempted or earned. INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES A course in algebra designed to prepare the student for College Algebra or the equivalent. Topics include factors of polynomials; rational expressions; radical expressions; an introduction to complex numbers, quadratic equations, rational equations, radical equations and elementary inequalities. CORE CURRICULUM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES After completing this course student will be able to 1. Apply basic algebraic operations to rational algebraic expressions consisting of polynomials or complex fractions, and transform these algebraic expressions into equivalent algebraic expressions. 2. Factor polynomial expressions using a variety of methods. 3. Solve linear, polynomial, and rational equations using appropriate solution techniques, including the Zero Product Property, completing the square, and the use of the quadratic formula. 4. Solve application problems involving polynomial equations and equations containing rational expressions. 5. Solve simple and compound inequalities, and application problems involving inequalities. 6. Apply the laws of radicals to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of expressions involving radicals and to solve equations containing one or two radicals. 7. Perform basic algebraic operations involving complex numbers. 1
HOMEWORK Reading assignments and homework problems will be assigned. You are advised to attempt all homework problems, and in situations where you cannot solve the problems, you should make use of the office hours. You are allowed to work in groups to complete the homework, but the assignment must be written solely by you. Any type of academic dishonesty will be handled by the instructor or by the appropriate administration. Late assignments will not be accepted; therefore please meet all deadlines. A grade of zero will be given for any missed homework. Exception: For legitimate reasons, the instructor may allow a student to turn in a homework assignment a day late for a penalty of one letter grade. DISCUSSION WORKSHEETS (In-Class) Each discussion session will involve working in groups on worksheets containing mathematics problems. Worksheets will be collected either at the end of the discussion or at the next class lecture meeting. The instructor has the discretion to choose to grade all or some of the problems. Late assignments will not be accepted. A grade of zero will be given for any missed worksheets. QUIZZES Quizzes of five to ten minutes will be given at the beginning of each discussion session or at other times; therefore BE ON TIME. If a student arrives after the quiz has been collected, a grade of zero will be recorded for that particular quiz. Failing to take a quiz will result in a grade of zero; quizzes will not be retaken nor will there be any make-up quizzes. Additional quizzes will be given at the discretion of the instructor. Important Note: For homeworks, discussion worksheets, and quizzes, detailed work is required for each problem. Any problems that show only an answer and no work will receive 0 points. FINAL EXAM There will be a comprehensive final exam. There will be a minimum grade of 60% or higher on the final to pass the class! GRADING POLICY: MATH 0320 Final grades assigned for this course will be based on the percentage of total points earned and are assigned as follows: Component Weight Homework 50% Discussion Worksheets 15% Quizzes 15% Comprehensive Final Exam (TBA) 20% Total 100% Course grade is determined as follows (TBD by registrar): RP(Remedial Passed)------ 70%-100% RNP(Remedial Not Passed)----- 69% and Below Or RA (90-100)%; RB (80-89)%; RC (70-79)%; RD (60-69)% and RF below 60% 2
DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE COURSE. I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU STUDY MORE EFFECTIVELY OR RECOMMEND ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS. REMEMBER...I WANT YOU TO DO WELL IN THIS CLASS. ATTENDANCE Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. The instructor has the prerogative to drop any student who has 3 or more absences or is habitually tardy. The Attendance Policy will be strictly enforced. TOOL REQUIRED An inexpensive scientific calculator is recommended. Each student will use their own personal calculator while taking tests. You will not be allowed to share calculators with your neighbor nor use a cell phone during quizzes or the final exam. You may borrow a calculator for the semester from the Math Department (MAGC 3.202). Please be advised that they have a limited supply and it is first come first serve. Instructor may limit calculator use in a specific class session if needed. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES There are a number of FREE resources available on campus and online. These include: 1. Making use of instructor's office hours (or by appointment). 2. Free math tutoring from the Learning Assistance Center (LAC) building, room 114. Phone: (956)665-2532. 3. Free math tutoring from the Math Lab in the Math (MAGC) building, room 1.106 4. Khan Academy. Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that produces micro lectures in the form of YouTube videos. Login required through email and/or Facebook account. 5. PatrickJMT. Micro lectures in the form of YouTube videos. 6. Paul's Online Notes Online math tutorial and notes. CALENDAR OF ACTIVITES The UTRGV academic calendar can be found at my.utrgv.edu at the bottom of the screen, prior to login. Some important dates for Fall 2016 include: Aug 29 Fall classes begin Sept 1 Last day to add or register for Fall classes Sept 2 Last day to withdraw (drop all classes) for a 80% refund Sept 5 Labor Day Holiday, no classes Sept 14 Census day (last day to drop without it appearing on the transcript) Nov 17 Last day to drop (DR grade) a class or withdraw (grade of W) Nov 18 - Dec 8 Online course evaluations available Nov 24 - Nov 25 Thanksgiving Holiday, no classes Dec 8 Study Day, no classes Dec 9 Dec 15 Final Exams 3
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at ability@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at ability@utrgv.edu. MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account (http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted through email with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available: Oct 5 Oct 12 for Module 1 courses Dec 1 Dec 7 for Module 2 courses Nov 18 Dec 8 for full fall semester courses SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. 4
COURSE DROPS According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be aware of the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time. COURSE OUTLINE Please note that this is a tentative outline and subject to change Section and Topic Over view of Syllabus 0.1 Integers (integers) 0.2 Fractions (fractions) 0.3 Order of Operations 1.1 One-Step Equations 1.3 General Linear Equations 1.4 Solving Linear Equation-Fraction 2.1 Points and Lines 2.2 Slopes 2.3 Slopes Intercepts 2.4 Point-Slope 2.5 Parallel and Perpendicular lines 3.1 Simple Inequalities 3.2 Compound Inequalities 3.3 Absolute Value Inequality 5.1 Exponents 5.2 Negative Exponents 5.4 Add Polynomials 5.5 Multiply Polynomials 5.6 Multiply Special Products 5.7 Divide Polynomials 6.1 Greatest Common Factor 6.2 Grouping 6.3 Factoring Trinomial where a=1 6.4 Factoring Trinomial where a is not 1 6.5 Factoring Special Products 6.6 Factoring Strategy 6.7 Solve by Factoring 8.1 Square Roots 8.2 Adding Radicals 8.5 Rationalize 8.6 Rational Exponents 8.8 Complex Numbers Review For Final Exam Final Exam Date & Time TBA The syllabus may be subject to change. 5