Mat
100
PROF. Helinger
Spring
2008
Introductory
AlgebRA
Office:
Room 535
No. SemesterHours-4
Office
Hours:
No.
Credit Hours – 4
No. Contact Hours 4
Mon. 12-12:50P.M. ;
Tues.9:30-10:20AM
Wed. 10-10:50
Thur. None
Fri. 10-10:50 AM
E-mail:
michael.helinger@clinton.edu
I. Course Description
This course covers basic algebraic skills essential to the study of mathematics. Course topics include linear expressions, equations and inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities; polynomial, rational and radical expressions and equations; and graphing on the coordinate plane. Applications to various fields of study will be explored. This course counts as free elective credit only.
Prerequisites: MAT098 – Prealgebra or equivalent
.
II. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Introductory Algebra, 3rd edition; Alan S. Tussy and R. David Gustafson. Brooks/Cole.
ISBN #:0-534-40735-8
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
A scientific calculator with at least square, square root
and memory functions will be required.
III. Course Objectives
Students satisfactorily completing this course will be able to:
IV. Course Organization and Methods
The
material shall be presented by a combination of lecture together with class
discussion. The final grade will be
computed by taking 60% of the average of 3 1-hour exams, 10% of the average of
announced and unannounced quizzes, and 30% of the Final Exam Grade.
V. Course Outline
1.
An Introduction to Algebra
(textbook chapter 1)
including
describing numerical relationships, fractions and decimals, real numbers,
operations with real numbers, solving equations, exponents and order of
operations, algebraic expressions
2.
Equations, Inequalities,
and Problem Solving (textbook chapter 2)
including
solving equations, problem solving, simplifying algebraic expressions, formulas,
inequalities
3.
Graphs, Linear Equations,
and Functions (textbook chapter 3)
including graphing using the rectangular coordinate system, equations containing two variables, graphing linear equations, the slope of a line, describing linear relationships, writing linear equations, functions
4.
Exponents and Polynomials (textbook
chapter 4)
including integer exponents, scientific notation, polynomials, operations involving polynomials
5.
Factoring and Quadratic
Equations (textbook chapter 5)
including factoring out the greatest common factor, factoring by grouping, factoring trinomials, solving quadratic equations by factoring
6.
Rational Expressions and
Equations (textbook chapter 6)
including
simplifying rational expressions, operations with rational expressions, complex
fractions
7.
Solving Systems of
Equations and Inequalities (textbook chapter 7)
8.
Roots and Radicals (textbook
chapter 8)
including
evaluations square and higher order roots, operations with radicals, solving
radical equations and rational exponents
9.
Quadratic Equations (textbook
chapter 9)
solving
equations using the Quadratic Formula
VI. Methods of Evaluation
Final
Grades— The final grade will be computed by taking 60% of the average of 3
1-hour exams, 10% of the average of announced and unannounced quizzes, and 30%
of the Final Exam Grade.
These hour-exams will be announced at least one week in advance, and a
complete outline of the hour exams will be given in class.
There will also be an optional review class before each hour exam.
In accordance
with the College policy in the catalog, credit will be taken off for incorrect
spelling. Repeated errors in the
same word on the same exam will not be taken off more than once.
If these errors appear on Part I, they will result in loss of all credit
for that particular part of a problem.
Abbreviations will not be permitted as a substitute for correct spelling.
Ten per cent (10%) of your final grade will come from your average on the numerous quizzes. These quizzes will be announced or unannounced. If it is unannounced it can only go back one week in our work. The quizzes will vary from extremely simple quizzes to very difficult quizzes to determine class comprehension and retention. Hour tests will be graded one week after the hour exam, but quizzes will be graded at the earliest convenience of the instructor, usually before the relevant hour exam.
The
final Exam has been scheduled for May 14 12:40-3:10 and Fri. May 16 12:40-3:10
Mid-semester
Grades—Your mid-semester grade will be based on a straight percentage of
the points accumulated thus far from both quizzes and hour tests.
For example, if there had been a one-hour exam and fifty points of
quizzes by mid-semester, the total possible would be 150.
To get an “A” at mid-semester you would need 90% or 135 points in any
combination. Thus, you could get 85
on the hourly and 50 points on the quizzes and have an “A” for mid-semester.
VII.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The
College policy on attendance states:
“When
a student misses more than 15% of the class meetings for a particular course,
his or her absence will be considered excessive.
Excessive absence may result in a student being involuntarily withdrawn
from the course by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor and may
in turn affect financial aid. In
such cases, the student will receive a grade of “WY.”
In
this course, students exceeding 15% absence will be required to meet with the
instructor in his
office to discuss reasons for absences and to evaluate the student’s
situation and progress. If possible,
a strategy for completing the course will be jointly drawn up and signed.
Failure to comply with this procedure may result in the student’s being
involuntarily withdrawn with a grade of “WY.”
When a student comes more than 10 minutes late, or leaves early for any
reason, it will be counted as 1/3 of an absence.
When a students misses more than ½ of the class it will be counted as an
absence.”
In
general, I do not give “WY’s” past mid-semester grades.
If you disappear or exceed 15% absence after mid-semester grades, you can
rest assured that you have an “F” for the semester.
According to the Spring 2008 Administrative Calendar, the last day to
drop without penalty is April 2, 2008. If
you don’t want an “F” for a final grade, but have an average below 60%,
you must accept the responsibility to WITHDRAW BY April 2, 2008.
IF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND YOUR CONTROL PREVENT YOU FROM COMING TO
AN EXAM OR QUIZ, YOU MUST NOTIFY ME BEFORE THE TIME OF THE EXAM OR
QUIZ OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT, IN GENERAL, YOU CAN TAKE
THE EXAM OR QUIZ BEFORE THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED EXAM. MAKE-UPS WILL BE GIVEN
ONLY FOR DOCUMENTED
ACADEMIC CONFLICTS (e.g.
field trips, athletic buses officially leaving before the exam) OR
DOCUMENTED MEDICAL EMERGENCIES (e.g. I must see receipt signed by
Doctor’s office stating you were there on the day and time of the exam), or
DOCUMENTED MECHANICAL EMERGENCIES (e.g. a receipt from the tow truck that
jump started your car or towed it out of
the ditch that indicates that your vehicle was not in service on the day
and time of the exam).Obviously notes from Mommy or Daddy have no place in a
college setting. APPOINTMENTS FOR MAKE-UPS MUST BE REQUESTED AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE, BUT NOT LATER THAN YOUR FIRST DAY BACK TO CLASS AFTER THE EXAM. IF YOU
NOT REQUEST THE MAKE-UP BY THE END OF YOUR FIRST DAY BACK TO CLASS, THE
CONSEQUENCE WILL BE A ZERO, 0, FOR THE EXAM.
No
more than one appointment will be scheduled per person per make-up, whether it
is for an hour test or a quiz. If
you miss your appointment for a make-up, you receive a zero for the grade.
VIII.
Academic Honesty
All
students are expected to behave with academic honesty.
It is a serious matter (please see College catalog - "Academic
honesty is expected of all
In
this class students caught cheating will have three choices.
1.
The student may take an immediate grade of “F” for the course.
2.
The student may withdraw from the course immediately.
3.
The student and I will go immediately to the Office of the Vice President
for Academic Affairs and I will hand him or his secretary a copy of the
evidence. I will then follow the
recommendation of the Vice President in deciding the penalty.
IX.
Grading Scale
Numerical equivalents of letter grades for this course.
Letter Grade Numerical
Interval
A
90-100
A-
87-89
B+
84-86
B
80-83
B-
77-79
C+
74-76
C
70-73
C-
67-69
D+
64-66
D
60-63
X.
Special Reminders
If you have, or suspect you may have, any type of disability or learning problem that may require extra assistance or special accommodations, please speak to Laurie Bethka, Room 420M in the Tutoring Center, for further assistance.
Please
remember to turn off all cell phones before coming to class.
CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF BEFORE COMING INTO THE CLASSROOM.
The first time a cell phone rings in the classroom the entire class will
be warned. From then on, when a cell
phone rings, that person will be required to leave for the remainder of the
class. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Also,
please be advised that I consider carrying on private conversations on cell
phones or in person during class as disruptive behavior, and therefore, a
violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Persons engaging in such behavior will
be required to leave for the remainder of the class; such behavior can result in
suspension from class.