Intermediate Algebra

Fall 2002

Instructor: Justin Ferranto

Phone Number: 541-5993

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:00-5:00 in the Gateway Math Center

Class Time and Location: Tues., Thurs. 6:00-7:50 room ST5 at the high school.

Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Mark Dugopolski

Course Description: MAT 154 is an introduction to the definition of a function and it’s inverse, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, and conic sections. Quadratic equations and systems of quadratic equations will be solved.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 152B, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.

Course Grade: Your final letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale:

A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59%

The following items will make up the course grade:

Quizzes:                                 20%

Exam1 (October 23)                         25%

Exam2 (November 20):      25%

Final Exam (December 9):            30%

Homework:                              5% extra credit

Homework:  Homework will not be collected for this class. To measure your progress there will be nightly quizzes in which the problems are taken directly from the suggested problems (I’ll just change the numbers a little). Because of this I highly recommend that everyone do the suggested problems.

Super Ultra Homework Bonus: On the last day of class if you turn in the suggested problems from every set I will give extra credit equal to 5% of the total grade. 

Quizzes: Since I won’t be collecting homework there will be a ton of quizzes. I will not allow quizzes to be made up, although I will drop the 2 lowest quizzes.  These are a large chunk of the grade, so attendance is very important to this class.

Exams:  Students are to bring a pencil and blank scratch paper to each exam.  If you cannot make it to an exam (final not included), you must tell me before I give the exam and you can make it up in the LAC.

Registration Information: You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records.  You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before October 18.  After October 18, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until November 22.  After November 22, if you are still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.

How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:

I) Come to every class session.  Be prepared, and plan on participating. Come to class with questions and don’t be afraid to ask them! A “stupid question” is one that you miss on the exam because you were embarrassed to ask me in class.

II) Do homework! The best way to learn math is to do it. If you don’t do any problems you probably won’t pass this class.

III) Read the book.  You paid good money for it, so you might as well use it.

IV) Make use of available tutors and my office hours.  You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the GMC.

V) Do math every day.  Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.

Learning Disabled Students: It is important that students who are identified as being learning disabled speak to me about their special needs.  I am more than willing to grant you reasonable accommodations.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated.  Students caught cheating on exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero on the assignment for the first offense and a course grade of F for the second offense.  Students my work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all students understand the material covered.

Course Schedule:

The following is a tentative schedule.  If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know.

Date                        Section Covered                        Quizzes

9/24                        10.3                

9/26                        10.4, 10.5

10/1                        11.1, 11.2                        Quiz #1

10/3                        11.3                        Quiz #2

10/8                        11.4                        Quiz 3

10/10                        12.1, 12.2                        Quiz 4

10/15                        12.3                        Quiz #5

10/17                        12.4                        Quiz #6

10/22                        Review                        Quiz #7

10/24                        Exam # 1

10/29                        8.3

10/31                        13.1                        Quiz #8

11/5                        13.2, 13.3                        Quiz #9

11/7                        13.4                        Quiz #10

11/12                        Review                        Quiz #11

11/14                        Exam #2

11/19                        14.1, 14.2

11/21                        14.3                        Quiz # 12

11/26                        14.4                        Quiz # 13

11/28                        Thanksgiving

12/3                        14.5, Review                        Quiz # 14

12/5                        Review

12/10                        Final Exam