Math 152a: Basic Algebra (4 Units)                                        Winter, 2005

Instructor: David Ory

Contact: email: dtory@ucdavis.edu; cell: 415-378-9102; voicemail: 530-541-4660 x 490

Class Time and Location: Monday and Wednesday, 6:00 to 7:50 pm, Room HSST5

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:00 pm at high school

Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra (Mark Dugopolski)

Calculator: No calculators are needed

Course Description: This course is an introduction to algebra. Topics include: real numbers and their properties and operations, absolute value equations, simplifying algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, applications with formulas, the rectangular coordinate system, graphing linear equations and inequalities, polynomials and their operations, integral exponents, scientific notation, and an introduction to functions. This course will introduce more abstract mathematical concepts that are germane to “real world” applications.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Math 187B or equivalent; or, appropriate skills demonstrated through Math Assessment process.

Grading Policy: Your grade will be determined by a combination of homework, quizzes, exams, and a final. The breakdown is as follows:

1. Homework (10 @ 10 points each): 100 points total
2. Exams (3 @ 100 points each): 300 points total
3. Quizzes (3 @ 20 points each): 60 points
4. Comprehensive Final (1 @150 points): 150 points

Based on these grades, letter grades will be awarded in the typical manner: A (90 to 100%), B (80 to 89%), C (70 to 79%), D (60 to 69%), F (less than 60%).

Homework: Homework will be due each week (see the homework schedule at the end of the syllabus).  Homework not turned in at this time will not be accepted. Each homework assignment will be worth 10 points – 5 points for completing the assignment (including neat graphs and good overall presentation) and one point each for 5 problems randomly chosen to be graded. If all homework assignments are turned in and receive a score of 6 or better, the lowest regular exam (i.e. not the final) score will be dropped (i.e. the 300 points will be composed of the average of your two highest exam scores times 300).

Quizzes: There will be three quizzes given over the quarter, each about 15 to 20 minutes long. These quizzes will be designed to help prepare you for the exams, and quiz problems will be very similar to the homework assignments. If you miss a quiz with an excused absence, your grade on the exam which covers the same material as the quiz will be used as the quiz score.

Exam: Each exam will be ~1 hour long. 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 may take it up to 2 school days prior to the scheduled date with proper arrangements.  Otherwise, the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.

Learning Disabilities: If you have a learning disability, be sure to let me know; I am more than willing to grant you reasonable accommodations.

Registration Issues: 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 January 28.  After January 28, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until March 4.  After March 4, if you are still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I. It is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid a grade.

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. 

Tips for Success: A few recommendations for succeeding in this course, and in math courses in general:

1. Come to every class (be alert, pay attention, and participate);
2. Do your homework (if the assignments are not enough to make the concept clear, do more problems on your own);
3. Be organized (keep all your homework, handouts, and notes together and easily accessible);
4. Prepare for exams (preparing for exams thoroughly helps you learn and re-learn the material; go over notes and do a bunch of problems from the book to prepare for the exam). 

Course Objectives: The successful student in this course will:

1. Exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in this course;
2. Engage in logical and critical thinking;
3. Read technical information;
4. Demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate math statements and checking and verifying results;
5. Think critically by problem solving during class and on homework assignments.

Schedule: Tentative, will probably change as the quarter goes along.

Homework Assignments: This table is tentative; due dates and problems may be changed.