MATD 0390 Intermediate AlgebraFall 2012
MATD 0390 Intermediate Algebra Fall 2012 Syllabus and First-Day Handout for Students
Synonym:14225 – Lec 028 Campus: RGC1 Room 341 TTh 11:50am-1:30pm.
Instructor: Mahnaz RiaziFarzad
Office Hours: MW:8:00-9:00am, Tuesday: 10:20-11:50am.
Office: RGC1 Room 122.1Phone Number:223-3360
You can arrange a conference with me outside of office hours by talking with me before or after class.
I will be at RGC learning lab (Rm. 212):
MW 10:30am-6:30pm. Tuesday 1:45-4:15pm. Thursday 10:30-11:30am, 1:45-4:15pm. Phone Number: 223-3367
E-mail:
Web Site:
Required Texts/Materials:
Intermediate Algebra: 2nd Edition, Sullivan & Struve; Pearson. (ISBN 0-321-56752-8)
Optional: Student Supplements:
Text (hard bound book) & MyMath LabISBN 0-321-61474-7
Text (3-hole punch) & MyMath LabISBN 0-321-67372-7
MyMath Lab (stand-alone)ISBN 0-321-59342-1
Chapter Test Prep Video (stand-alone)ISBN 0-321-59304-9
Student’s Solutions ManualISBN 0-321-58929-7
You can access the chapters from the textbook covered in the first two weeksonline at password: acc0390 before you buy your text.
MyMathLab access: MyMathLab is not required in our class. MyMathLab access is not included with the purchase of a used book, and may not be included with a new book purchased at a different bookstore. Refer to the handout Information about MyMathLab.
Supplemental Materials: Two-spiral note book, Rectangular coordinate graphing paper,Scientific calculator
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
MATD 0390 Intermediate Algebra. A course designed to develop the skills and understanding contained in the second year of secondary school algebra. Topics include review of properties of real numbers, functions, algebra of functions, inequalities, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, quadratic functions and their graphs, solving quadratic equations.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
This course is taught in a classroom as a lecture/discussion course.
Prerequisite: C or better in Elementary Algebra, MATD 0370, its equivalent knowledge, or a passing score on the MATD 0390 placement test.Additional information about ACC's mathematics curriculum and faculty is available on the Internet at
Pretest: To be sure that you are placed correctly, you will take a pretest first day of class.If you miss the day it is given in class, you may be asked to take it in the Testing Center.The last day for Developmental Math Level Changes is 9/11/12.
Course Rationale: This course is designed to prepare students for various college-level science and mathematics courses. After succeeding in this course, students may enroll a number of courses in science, mathematics, and various technical areas. These include General College Physics, General Chemistry, Magnetism and DC Circuits, AC Circuits, Manufacturing Materials and Processes, and Math for Business and Economics, and College Algebra.
Note: To take MATH 1332(College Mathematics, formerly Topics in Mathematics) or MATH 1342(Elementary Statistics), you do not necessarily need to take this course. Completing the Math portion of TSI by passing a state-approved test or successfully completing MATD 0385 is sufficient.
Attendance:
Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students.If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. Attendance is required to your success in this course. Students who miss more than 4 classes may be withdrawn. You are responsible for the material covered and any assignment that is due for classes you miss. You are expected to arrive promptly.(To be late twice is equal to one absent and if you leave the class early it is going to count tardy). The TSI law requires regular attendance. TSI–mandated students who have excessive absences will be withdrawn.
TSI Warning for students who are not TSI complete**
Students who are not TSI complete in math are not allowed to enroll in any course with a math skill requirement. All students are required to be "continually in attendance" in order to remain enrolled in this course. If this is the only developmental class you are enrolled in, and you withdraw yourself from this course or are withdrawn by your instructor, then:
a) You may be withdrawn from courses that you should not be enrolled in, such as any class with a math skill requirement.
b) You will have a hold placed on your registration for the following semester. The Hold will require that you register for the next semester in person with an advisor or counselor and that you work with the Developmental Math Advisor during that semester.
c) You will continue to face more serious consequences, up to being restricted to only registering for developmental courses, until you complete the required developmental math course or satisfy the TSI requirement in another way. More information can be found at
** If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.
Withdrawal Policy: It is your responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. You may withdraw yourself from the course at any time. If you stop attending you are responsible for withdrawing yourself. I may withdraw you or if it past the withdrawal date, you will receive an “F”.The withdrawal deadline is November 26th, 2012.
If you decide to withdraw, you should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date (11/26/12). The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.
Importance of Completing Developmental Course Requirements
The first steps to achieving any college academic goal are completing developmental course requirements and TSI requirements. The first priority for students who are required to take developmental courses must be the developmental courses. TSI rules state that students are allowed to take college credit courses, if they are fulfilling their developmental requirements. Because successful completion of dev courses is so important, ACC will intervene with any student who is not successfully completing developmental requirements. This intervention can mean a hold on records, requiring developmental lab classes, working with the Dev Math Advisor, and monitoring during the semester.
Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn generally will not be reinstated unless they have completed all course work, projects, and tests necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class.
Incomplete grades (I) are given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to qualify for an "I", a student must have taken all exams and assignments, have a passing grade, and have a personal situation occur that prevents course completion after the last day to withdraw.
In Progress grades (IP) are also rarely given. In order to earn an "IP" grade the student must remain in
the course, be making progress in the material, not have excessive absences, and not be meeting the standards set to earn the grade of C or better in the course. Students who are given an IP grade must register and pay tuition for the same course again to receive credit. Students who make a grade of IP should not go on to the next course.
TESTS:
There will be four major tests and a departmental final exam in this class. The 4 tests will be administered in RGC Testing room 127 Center the final exam will be administered in the classroom. The grade on your final may substitute for your lowest grade (missing test). Students with perfect attendance will receive extra point added to their exam on that section.
Weekly Quizzes: There will be 12 quizzes (two lowest grades will be dropped). Questions on some of your in class quizzes will be picked out of homework problems.
Class participation expectations: After each lecture there will be group work that some of them will be graded as a quiz.
HOMEWORK: You have received a list of homework problems (One of your first-day handouts). I may change or add problems as the semester progresses. Homework should be carefully completed with reasonable work shown to support each answer. An important part of the homework is the organization and format of your solutions. All work should be done in pencil, clear and legible in a step-by-step manner. Homework is due before each test (There are seven homework). Completed homework is worth 100, missing problems count off. It is your
Responsibility to ask for help on problems not understood. Homework with only answers and no work to support them will receive a maximum of 25. (Questions on some of your in-class quizzes will be picked out of homework problems.)
Late work Policy: No late work is accepted.
If you are having difficulty with the course, you should see me at once. I will do whatever I can to help you.
Course-Specific Support Services: You have access to free tutoring at all campuses on first come, first served basis. You will receive extra credit on a quiz grade if you attend the learning lab for assistance. The locations, contact information, and hours of availability of the ACC Learning Labs are available from Students who need regular tutoring are encouraged to use the Learning Labs before they get very far behind. DVD videos that cover all topics can be checked out in the Learning Resource Centers (libraries).
For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.
Testing Center Policy
Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an
exam, one must have:
- ACC Photo ID
- Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
- Course Number (e.g.,1301)
- Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
- Course Section (e.g., 005)
- Instructor's Name
- Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at
- Use of ACC email
- All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at
GRADES:
The following grade distribution will be used.
Written Homework5%
Quizzes 25%
Tests 50%
Final Exam20%
At the end of the semester, your grades will be averaged and a letter grade assigned according to the following scale:
90 % - 100 %A 80 % - 89 % B 70 % - 79 % C 60 % - 69 %D 0 % - 59 %F
*Please do not eat anything in the classroom. This is an ACC policy.
*Please turn off your cell phone before entering to the classroom.
This is a tentative Schedule:
Week1 / R.1-R.5 / Week 9 / 4.7, 4.8, 5.1, 5.2Week2 / 1.1-1.6 / Week 10 / 5.3, 5.4, 5.6
Week 3 / 1.7, 1.8, 2.1,2.2 / Week 11 / 6.1-6.3
Test 3(11/8/12-11/12/12)
Week 4 / 2.3, Test 1(9/18/12-
9/21/12), 2.4 / Week 12 / 6.4-6.7
Week 5 / 2.5-2.7 / Week 13 / 6.8, 7.1, 7.2
Week 6 / 3.1, 3.2, 3.6 / Week 14 / 7.4, 7.5Test 4 (11/29/12-12/3/12)
Week 7 / 4.GR,4.1-4.3Test 2 (10/11/-10/15/12) / Week15 / 8.2*,9.1, 9.2, Review
12/4/12, 12/6/12
Week 8 / 4.4-4.6 / Week16 / Review & Final in class 12/13/12
Comprehensive Final Exam in class 12/13/12
Prerequisites for Calculus
There are two calculus sequences at ACC (and at most colleges) -- Business Calculus and Calculus. The prerequisite sequence is different for these. Depending on background, students may start the prerequisite sequence at different places
Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) / Intermediate Algebra (MATD 0390) / /
College Algebra**(MATH 1314)
/ Math for Bus & Eco
(MATH 1324) / College Algebra
(MATH 1314)
*Trigonometry (MATH 1316) /
/ Business Calculus I (MATH 1425)
Precalculus (MATH 2412) /
/ Business Calculus II (MATH 1426)
Calculus I (MATH 2413)
Calculus II (MATH 2414)
Calculus III (MATH 2415)
Where to start: The only way that students may skip courses in a sequence is to begin higher in the sequence, based on current knowledge of material from high school courses.
- A student who needs a review of high school Algebra II will start in Intermediate Algebra (or below.)
- A student who completed high school Algebra II, but no higher, and whose assessment test score indicates that he/she remembers that algebra, will start in College Algebra or Math for Business & Economics. A substantially higher assessment test score enables the student to start in Trigonometry.
- A student who completed some precalculus, elementary analysis, or trigonometry in high school, and whose assessment test score indicates that he/she remembers algebra, is eligible to start higher in the sequence than College Algebra. Check the catalog or the math web page.***
* The material in the Trigonometry course requires that students are quite adept with the skills from high school Algebra II (Intermediate Algebra). Some students will achieve that level of skill in the College Algebra course if their placement score is high enough, while others need an additional semester of work on algebra that is done in two courses, Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra.
** Some students who are very successful in College Algebra are tempted to skip either Trigonometry or Precalculus and enroll in Calculus I. That is not acceptable. Trigonometry topics are essential to success in Calculus, and while it is true that the topic list for Precalculus has only a few additions from the topic list for College Algebra, the level of sophistication of the presentation and the problems on all topics is greater in Precalculus. That increased sophistication is necessary for an adequate background for the Calculus sequence. ***
Notes about the Business sequence: Texas State University requires Math for Business and Economics and Business Calculus I. Students who will attend the UT College of Business must complete the entire Business Calculus sequence before transferring. For more information, including requirements for UT economics students, see
*** For additional information, including prerequisite review sheets for most courses, see
Additional Details on Course Policies.
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty
A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.
Statement on Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.
Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.
Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations. Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at
Safety Statement
Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at
Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.
Use of ACC email
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at