MATH 152A

Basic Algebra (Part I Computer Mediated)

Tuesday and Thursday  10:00 to 11:50 AM

Room D 123      4 UNITS

Instructor Larry Green

Phone Number Office: 541-4660 Extension 341

e-mail:...greenl@ltcc.edu

Your Grades

Web Pages:    LTCC webpage:   http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/152a/152a.htm
                      Class webpage:  http://www.coursecompass.com/ccindex.html   (Use green24367 for the course ID)

Required Text Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Third Edition  by Elayn Martin-Gay

Textbook Information  It is required to have the software for this class.  Students have two choices.  The first is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software.  The second choice is to purchase the software from the bookstore.  The software comes with the textbook online.  This is a more economically reasonable choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  Purchasing the textbook used without buying the software is not a possible choice for this class.

Course description   This course will study the basic concepts of algebra. Topics include the real numbers their properties, solving linear equations and inequalities, the four basic operations with polynomials, graphing linear functions and inequalities in two variables, properties of exponents and introduction to functions.

Course Objectives  The successful student will

1. exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course;
2. engage in logical and critical thinking;
3. read technical information; and 
4. demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results

Prerequisite MAT 187B with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process

Grading Policy Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of possible points.

A 90 -- 100% C 70 -- 79%

B 80 -- 89% D 60 -- 69%

Homework: ...........................................................................…150 points

Quizzes:  ....................................................................................150 points

Exam 1: May 2   Chapters 1, 2 and 3.1  .....................................200 points

Exam 2: June 6  3.2 - 3.7 and 5.1 - 5.4 ......................................200 points

Final Exam: June 20,     11:00 to 12:50 PM….........................…300 points

Exam Policy Students are to bring pencils or pens, and paper to each exam. Exams will be traditional paper and pencil exams.  Grading will based on the progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested, therefore, work must be shown in detail. Any student who cannot make it to an exam may elect to take the exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled.  Without a proven medical excuse, a 10% per day penalty will be given for each day the exam is taken late.  

Homework Policy  Homework is due each Thursday or by midnight.  You will be using the MyMathLab website to work on your homework.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.   Homework that is turned in within one week of the due date will be counted as half credit. Homework may be turned later than one week after the due date, but points will not be awarded.

Quizzes:  Each week you will take a MyMathLab quiz. before you take the quiz, make sure that you have done the guided exercises, looked at the video, followed each link for the week, and received assistance from either a tutor or your instructor on any difficult topics.  Please ask for help if you need it.  If you do not take a quiz, a zero will be recorded for that grade.  Quizzes must be completed by midnight each Thursday.

Communication Policy  All students are encouraged to attend every mini-lecture (10:30 - 11:00 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays).  Every student is to communicate with the instructor two different days each week either by coming to class or office hours, sending an e-mail, or calling on the phone.  25 points will be deducted for each failure to communicate.   All students must e-mail Larry at GreenL@ltcc.edu on the first day of class.  You will be receiving regular e-mails from your instructor to let you know of the links you should follow and to give you advice on the topic of the week.

Registration

In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid the unwanted grade.

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday  .............................  11:00 to 12:00 Noon           A210

Tuesday  .............................  9:00 to 10:00 AM            GMC 

Wednesday .....................      1:00 to 2:00 PM               GMC

Thursday ........................       12:00 to 1:00  PM            A210

Friday  ..................................  11:00 to 12:00 Noon            A210

Learning Disabilities If you have a learning disability, be sure to discuss it with Larry. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

Tutoring  Tutors are available at no cost in G4 (The Gateway Math Center).  

CALCULATORS: Calculators are not permitted on any of the exams.

Managing Your Time on the Computer

To make the best use of your time on the computer, you may use the following guidelines:

1. If you have prior knowledge of the material in a lesson, take the practice test in your book.  If this test is fairly easy for you, complete the pretest in Overview on the computer.
   
2. If you have difficulty with the practice test or if much of the material is new or problematic, begin with the explain and apply modules on the computer.  Do your homework.  Then use the practice test in the book and the overview pretest on the computer to prepare for the evaluate quiz on the computer.

SCHEDULE

The homework assignment for each section will consist of the Explain and Apply and Explore (if applicable) every third problem beginning at problem 1 (1, 4, 7, 10, etc.)  or every fifth problem(1,6,11,16, etc.) as indicated and every problem from the practice test.

4-6        1.3        Fractions
             1.5        Adding Real Numbers
             1.6        Subtracting Real Numbers
             1.7        Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers

4-13     1.8        Properties of Real Numbers
            2.1        Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
            2.2        The Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality

4-20    2.3        Solving Linear Equations
            2.4        An Introduction to Problem Solving
            2.5        Formulas and Problem Solving

4-27    2.6        Further Problem Solving
            2.7        Solving Linear Inequalities
             3.1        The Coordinate System

5-4       3.2        Graphing Linear Equations
             3.3        Intercepts

5-11      3.4        Slope and Rate of Change
             3.5        The Slope and Intercept Form

5-18       3.6        The Point-Slope Form
              3.7        Functions

5-25      5.1        Exponents
              5.2        Polynomials:  Definition, +, -

6-1       5.3        Multiplying Polynomials
             5.4        Special Products        

6-8       5.5        Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
            5.6        Division of Polynomials           

6-15       9.1        Compound Inequalities
               9.2        Absolute Value Equations

6-20        Comprehensive Final Exam 11:00 - 12:50  (Note Time)

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS

• Come to every week
  

• Arrive early, get yourself settled, and have you materials ready when class starts.
  

• Read each section before it is discussed in class.
  

• Do some math every day.
  

• Start preparing for the tests at least a week in advance.
  

• Spend about half of your study time working with your classmates.
  

• Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.

Good Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

1. I have difficulty learning in a traditional lecture format class.
2. I learn well when I can use a computer.
3. I often need the instructor to slow down and repeat what was said.
4. Math lectures rarely move at a pace that is appropriate for me.
5. I learn well with any format, but the computer mediated course will fit my difficult work schedule.

Bad Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course

1. Most of my learning occurs during lecture, but this was the only course that fit my schedule.
2. I do not know how to use a computer and thought that this would teach me computer skills.
3. I heard that I do not have to work as hard in this section.
4. The computer will do the work for me so that I do not have to learn the math.
5. I do not want to take pencil and paper exams.

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