SYLLABUS HANDOUT

for

Winter 2010-11

Intermediate Algebra

MATH 1310 _1A

Instructor: Dr.Thankam Samuel

WELCOME TO METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Metropolitan Community College

Course Syllabus – Winter 2010-11

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Title: Intermediate Algebra

Prefix / Section MATH 1310_1A

Credit Hours 4.5

Begins/ Ends 12/02/10 -02/24/11

Meeting Day/Time Tue/Thu: 10:00 a.m – 11.55 a.m

Last Day To Withdraw Wed, February 9, 2011

Delivery Type Classroom

Class Location EVC 152

Lab Location EVC 150

CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor Name: Dr.Thankam Samuel

Office Location: EVC 156

Office Telephone: 289-1360

Facsimile: 289-1423

Office Hours: Mon/Wed 9:00a.m–11:00a.m;Tue/Thu 8:55a.m–9:55a.m

Email Address:

Academic Program Area: Math & Natural Sciences

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION:

Program Area: Mathematics Dean’s Office Number 289-1304

After you have spoken to the instructor and you cannot resolve a problem together, contact the Dean. Please see the Process for Grade Appeals and Academic Concerns as stated in the College Catalog under Academic Information.

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description:

Basic Algebra skills are extended in this course to provide the background necessary for further mathematics courses. Topics included are: linear, quadratic, polynomial, radical, and rational equations; systems of linear equations; rational exponents and polynomial factoring; rational and radical expressions; complex numbers; and graphs of linear and quadratic functions.

Course Prerequisites:

MATH 0921or MATH 0960 or MCC Placement Test

Course Objectives:

1.  Review the graphing of linear functions, graphing of other basic functions, and definition of a function and its notation.

2.  Expand upon operations involving exponents, polynomials, and the methods of factoring.

3. Solve systems of equations and apply them to solving application problems.

4. Simplify rational expressions and solve rational equations.

5.  Simplify radical expressions, solve radical equations, define rational exponents, (manipulate and convert from exponential to radical notation and vice versa), and perform operations with complex numbers.

6.  Solve quadratic equations with real and complex solutions.

Required &Supplemental Materials:

Textbook Title: Intermediate Algebra

Edition: Third Edition

Author: Carson, Jordan: Intermediate Algebra

Publisher: Pearson

Materials: Textbook, notebook, and scientific calculators are required. It is the responsibility of the student to bring a calculator to class.

Course Structure

The daily class will consist of:

1.  review of material and questions from the previous class

2.  presentation of new material

3.  discussion of the lecture material

4.  in-class time for practice quizzes and tests.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

1.  Types of Assessment/Assignments

a.  Unit Tests

·  A minimum of FIVE in-class, closed-book tests, worth 60 points each, covering all the required objectives must be administered to the students individually. The combined average of these tests must be 60% or above to achieve a grade of C or above.

·  Material presented in class as well as material found in the text will be covered.

·  Attendance on test is EXTREMELY important. If an unavoidable emergency arises, then arrangements should be made by the student to take the test before the next class by contacting the instructor.

·  If the student is unable to take the test before the next class, a 10% penalty will be assessed.

b.  Homework Quizzes

·  This will be given during the quarter. The dates and sections will be announced in the class before the quiz. No make-ups will be given for the quiz. Exceptions may be considered for unavoidable emergencies only.

c.  Bonus MathLab Problems

·  One test each week taken from each specified section of Math lab problems worth two points each on any unit exam.

·  Due within a week from each test.

·  Cannot be turned in late

Make-up Tests Procedures:

Absence on a test day: (see last page for dates). Please make prior arrangements with the instructor. To avoid the 10% penalty for test, the student needs to take the test before the start of the next class period.

·  To retake a unit test: A maximum of one make-up test may be taken during the quarter. The student needs to call the Instructor to make arrangements for the make-up test.

·  No course grades of incomplete are given.

2. Grading Policy

Final average will be based on:

Five unit tests 300 points

Homework quizzes 90 points

Attendance and class work 20 points

Grading scale:

90% and above: A

80% and above: B

70% and above: C

60% and above: D

Below 60% F

3.  Maintenance of Student Records:

Unit tests: All tests will be returned to the student for review. Tests must be returned to the instructor by the end of that class period and kept on file for one quarter.

Home Work Quizzes: Quizzes will be returned during the next class period. Since there are no retakes, students may keep these to study for the next unit test.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM:

Metropolitan Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning. You may be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be asked to respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are required to do for this course may be shared with faculty and used for assessment purposes.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

1.  Attendance Policy

Class attendance is REQUIRED. The student must make up all work that is missed. Attendance is one of the most important factors in any class. Notify the instructor if you cannot attend a class or need to leave early. Students who attend no class meetings up to and including the Section Census Date published in the Class Schedule at www.mccneb.edu/schedule/ may be disenrolled from the class. There is no appeal for this disenrollment. A student who fails to meet class attendance expectations may receive a final grade mark of FX, indicating an absence-related failure, or a failing (F) grade.

2.  Expected Classroom Behavior

1. Bring the assignment to each class with all problems completed or with your questions if it is not completed.

2. Take notes on the lecture material and read the textbook material for further explanation.

3. Participate in class discussions by offering ideas, answering questions asked by the instructor and asking questions.

4. Keep up with assignments regularly as a great deal of the material builds on previous material. Do not get behind!

5. View the videotapes of the lecture material and use the software available in the Learning Center (Math Center) for additional review and reinforcement.

6. Work with classmates, friends, tutors or Learning/Math Center personnel. Form study groups. The instructor is also available for help outside of class. Use all available resources.

7. Contact the instructor as soon as there is a problem.

3.  Portable Electronic Device Usage

In order to minimize disruption of class, please place your phone/pager on vibrate-only while you are in the classroom. If your phone/pager does not have a vibrate-only feature, please turn it off. Calls/pagers should be answered/made before or after class. Also any other types of portable electronic devices are not allowed in the class without the permission of the instructor.

Notice: This syllabus is written as an expectation of class topics, learning activities, and expected learning outcomes. However, the instructor reserves the right to make changes in this schedule that may result in enhanced or more effective learning for students. These modifications will not substantially change the intent or objectives of this course, and will be done within the policies and guidelines of Metropolitan Community College.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS:

When you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Code of Conduct (http://www.mccneb.edu/catalog/studentinformation.asp), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/.html.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:

Students are reminded that materials they use as sources for class work may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library website at http://www.mccneb.edu/library or by your instructor. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. Disciplinary procedures are available in the Advising/Counseling Centers or at http://www.mccneb.edu/procedures/V-4_Student_Conduct_and_Discipline.pdf.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:

If you cannot participate in and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1-800-228-9553. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an attendance-related failure (FX) or failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw is noted in the COURSE IDENTIFICATION section of this syllabus.

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LEARNING SUPPORT

MCC's Academic Resource Centers, Math Centers, and Writing Centers offer friendly, supportive learning environments that can help students achieve educational success. Staff members in these centers provide free drop-in assistance with basic computing, reading, math, and writing skills. Self-paced, computer-assisted instructional support in reading, vocabulary, typing, English as a Second Language, and online course orientation is also available.

Detailed information about the Academic Resource, Math, and Writing Centers is in the Student Handbook, College Catalog, and online at http://www.mccneb.edu/arc/.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

If you have a disability that may substantially limit your ability to participate in this class, please contact a Disability Support Services Counselor located in the Student Services Office on each campus. Metropolitan Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. However, it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations. For further information, please visit http://www.mccneb.edu/dss/ and/or contact Student Services.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

For assistance with student email, passwords, and most other MCC technology, contact the Help Desk at 457-2900 or .

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:

By using the information technology systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones), you acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following website: http://www.mccneb.edu/procedures/X-15_Technology_Resources_Use.pdf.

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:

The problems listed below are the most appropriate MINIMUM problems for practice. This is a tentative schedule; instructor may vary pacing as the class progresses.

Date / Chapter/Section/
Test details / Exercise Set/Question
December 2 / 3.1(Review), 3.2,3.3 / p.130-132(17-68 every other odd );p.140-142(11-53 odd) ; p.151-154(7-79 odd)
December 7 / 3.3, 3.5 / p.173-176(15-55 odd);
December 9 / 4.1, 4.2 / p.206-209(7-13 odd, 19-55 odd, 59-77 odd); p.217-218(7-25 odd);
December 14 / 4.2, 4.3 / p.224-226(5-31 odd)
December 16 / Review; Test 1(Chapters 3 & 4)
December 21 / 5.1(Review),5.2(Review),5.3 / p.276-277(7-87 every other odd); p.288-289(9-21 odd, 33-51 odd); p.300-302(55-83, 93-111 odd)
January 4 / 6.1, 6.2 / p.334-335(5-63 odd); p.346-347(7-91 odd)
January 6 / 6.3 / p.356-357(9-111 odd)
January 11 / 6.4,7.1 / p.367-368(7-55 odd) ; p.393-396(7-109 odd)
January 13 / Review; Test 2(Chapter 5 & 6)
January 18 / 7.1,7.2 / p.405-407(7-83 odd)
January 20 / 7.3, 7.4 / p.414-416(7-59 odd); p.422-423(7-65 odd)
January 25 / Review; Test 3(Chapter 7)
January 27 / 8.1,8.2 / p.458-459(7-111 odd); p.470-471(7-123 odd)
February 1 / 8.2, 8,3 / p.477-479(5-113 odd)
February 3 / 8.3, 8.4 / p.484-485(5-87 odd)
February 8 / 8,5,8.6 / p.492-493(5-71 odd); p.501(7-57 odd)
February 10 / 8.7,9.1 / p.509-510(7-73 odd); p.529-530(7-51 odd, 71-79 odd)
February 15 / Review; Test 4(Chapter 8)
February 17 / 9.2, 9.3 / p.539-541(7-49 odd, 55-73 odd); p.549-550(7-25 odd, 31-51 odd)
February 22 / 9.3, 9.4 / p.561(23-29 odd)
February 24 / Review; Test 5(Chapter 8)

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