A Unit of the University
System of
College Algebra
Fall
2009
Section R and UU (TR)
I. Instructor:
Robert Marsh
II. Course information:
MATH 1111 College Algebra
A functional approach to algebra that
incorporates the use of appropriate technology. Emphasis will be placed on the
study of functions, their graphs, inequalities, and linear, quadratic,
piece-wise defined, rational, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic
functions. Appropriate applications will be included.
III. Prerequisite: Acceptable scores on the CPE, Compass, or SAT
IV. Textbook: College Algebra,
8th Edition, Pearson: Prentice Hall
V. Course Objectives:
1. To teach the fundamental concepts of algebra.
2. To demonstrate how algebraic concepts are applied to a
variety of fields
including the natural sciences, economics, and
others.
3. To cultivate an appreciation for the role of mathematics
in our world.
4. To cultivate the habit for rigorous mathematical
thought.
5. To provide a basis for more advanced study in
mathematics.
VI. Evaluation:
Quizzes: There will be several short
quizzes (less than 10 minutes) throughout the semester. They will be based on
homework assignments and/or class work or lectures. There will be no makeup
quizzes given for any reason.
Journal: Each student is required to
keep a journal where he or she will record comments, observations, problems, or
criticisms of the class. At a minimum, journals must give an opinion of
something. Journals will be turned in at the beginning of class at the end of
each week.
Tests: There will be four announced tests throughout the semester
Final exam:
The final exam will be comprehensive,
and it will contribute
25% to your course grade. Everyone must take the final exam.
VII. Grading: Grades are important.
Employers frequently ask about grades and there may be minimum GPA standards
for graduation or transfer to another institution. So that you can make good
progress on your degree, you should make every effort to be successful in the
course on your first attempt.
Grades for this course will be determined as
follows:
Quizzes, attendance and
participation 6%
Journal/Homework 5%
Test 1 16% Thursday, September 10
Test 2 16% Thursday, October 1
Test 3 16% Thursday, October 27
Test 4 16% Thursday, November 17
Final Exam: 25% Given on the
Note: Your final exam grade may be substituted for
the lowest test grade.
The following scale will apply
for this course.
100-90 = A, 89-80 = B,
79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 0-59 = F
VIII. Absence Policy:
Attendance is important. Students who come to class
generally get higher grades than students who miss classes. If you are
absent from class, it is your responsibility to cover the portion
of material you missed and the assignment that was given. However, do not
expect a private lecture because you couldn’t make it to class. In the event
there is extra credit assigned or changes to the syllabus or course schedule
are made, they will be announced in class. If you do not hear about the changes
because you were absent that day or were not paying attention, no consideration
will be given. If you arrive late or
leave early the instructor will determine if the day counts as present or absent.
In any event, you are responsible for all missed assignments and announcements.
If you have more than four
absences (the equivalent of two weeks of class), your final grade will be
reduced by 10 points (One full letter grade). For each additional two absences
your final grade will be reduced by an additional 10 points (one more letter
grade for each additional two absences.)
IX. Office
information:
Location:
EGC,
phone: 486-7589
e-mail:
Office hours: MW: 9:00 to 10:50 and (Location TBA) 1:00 to
1:50
T: 3:00
to 3:50
F: 9:00
to 11:50
and by appointment.
X. Make-up Policy: There will be
no make-ups on quizzes. A make-up test may be given only with a valid
reason for the absence. The instructor will determine if a reason is valid.
Failure to provide a valid excuse will result in a 5 to 10 point reduction in
the test score. Documentation will be required (e.g. a note from your doctor.)
If you miss a test it is your responsibility to contact the instructor
as soon as possible. No make up tests will be given for any reason after ANY
tests are returned to any students.
XI. Policy regarding taping of class: Students wishing to audio tape a class should notify
the instructor to receive permission.
XII. Plagiarism:
Copying
any material from any other student on a test or allowing any other student to
copy any portion of your test will result in a zero on the test for both the
participants in the cheating and a possible F in the course for both.
All
written work for this course will be turned in via Turn-it-in.com. This service
compares the student work to other works for this course, for other courses in
other institutions, and other published sources. It then provides the
instructor with a plagiarism report that gives the percentage of work that was
derived from other sources as well as the original source of the work. Any student guilty of plagiarizing any work for this course will
receive a grade of F for the course.
The
Vice President for Academic Affairs will be notified of any instance of
cheating.
XIII.
If
there is any student in the class who has special needs because of learning
disabilities of other kinds of disabilities, he or she should discuss this
problem with the instructor.
XIV. Additional course Requirements:
Calculator: A TI-83 graphing calculator is
recommended but not required for this course.
Cell Phones: You will not be allowed to use a cell phone for any
reason during a test. Cell phones are not allowed as calculators, clocks, or for
any other reason.
Materials: Every student is required to come to class with paper
and something to write with. Students without these materials will be required
to leave the class to find the necessary materials. If you are in class without
these materials you will counted as absent for that day.
Respect: Please conduct yourselves in a manner that reflects
positively on your upbringing. Some examples of behavior that should not be
engaged in during class include doing work for other classes, reading
newspapers, sleeping, holding private conversations, or any other behavior
which distracts the class. Beepers and cell phones should be turned off before
class begins. Headphone, ear buds, or ear phones are not allowed to be worn in
class without permission. Engaging in behavior that interferes with other
students’ ability to learn will not be tolerated. Any student who persists in
engaging in disruptive behavior will be asked to leave the class. Any student
asked to leave the class will have up to 5 points deducted from his/her final
class grade. Arguing or excessive discussion after being asked to leave may
result in an additional 5 point deduction.
Do not interrupt the class to ask questions like, “Are
we having a quiz today?” or “Are we going to do anything important today?” Do
not attempt to discuss your personal business, such as your reason for being
late or absent or your grade, during class.
This will not be tolerated and the day may count as an absence for
you.
Using
the textbook: The book will not
be any benefit to you unless you study it. You cannot simply "look it over" and hope to understand all
the material. It is in your best interest to actually read the book, carefully,
section by section as the course progresses. It is important, that you keep up
as the class progresses. It is unlikely that you will be able to catch up a
weeks work in one long session. Instead, you should set aside some time every
day to study this material.
Hint: It might be necessary for you to read a
particular section several times. You may find that, in order to understand
that particular section, you will need to go back to another earlier section.
Homework will be assigned for you to practice the material
covered in class. It will not be collected throughout the semester but may be
considered at the end of the semester. So, the homework should be reasonably
neat, and logically organized. When done properly, completed homework
assignments will be a valuable study aid for the future. In addition, frequent
quizzes based on homework assignments will be given
It is important that you do your homework daily. This
is how you actually learn mathematics (or any other subject). Before you
can do a problem, you might need to refer to an example from the section. Make
sure that you understand each step (both how and why) toward the answer. So do
not work the same problem over and over until you memorize each number. Work a
variety of problems so that you understand the steps involved in solving the
problem.
When
you request a homework problem be worked in class, you should have already
tried to work it. Questions should be specific. Some struggle should be
expected. However, if you are experiencing any problems with an assignment, do not wait until class.
XV. Daily Syllabus:
Generally
the class will begin with questions from the previous day's lecture or
homework. You should be ready with questions when class begins. Following the
question and answer period will be a lecture to that day's assignments. You
should have read the section in the book and looked at the homework questions
before the lecture.
Campus Emergencies:
In
the event the fire alarm is sounded, everyone must evacuate the building at
once and in a calm and orderly fashion -
DO NOT RUN - using the nearest exit. In the event of a severe weather
warning, which will be delivered verbally, everyone must proceed immediately to
the nearest designated shelter area which are marked by a small tornado symbol.
All severe weather shelter locations for the main campus are posted on the EGC
website. Each student should, on the first day of class, determine the location
of the nearest exit and the nearest designated shelter area for each of his or
her classrooms. If you have difficulty locating either ask you instructor to
assist you.
Journal: Every student is required to keep a journal in this
class. Entries must be made at a minimum of every week and turned in every Thursday
before class begins. Entries can be made in the form of comments about the
homework, comments about the class lecture, questions of a general nature,
specific questions about anything related to the course or mathematics in
general. The instructor will read your entry and comment. If a question is asked
it must be answered in the next entry. This is your chance to interact with
your instructor on a one-to-one basis.