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BASIC ALGEBRA (Part I)
Math 152A-4, 4 units TuTh 1:00-2:50 PM Room: A211 Spring 2009
INSTRUCTOR: Judy Guinn, home phone (775) 588-6413; voicemail (530) 541-4660 ext.476
REQUIRED TEXT: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition, Elayn Martin-Gay.
REQUIRED SOFTWARE LICENSE: It is required to have a software license for this class. Students have two choices. The first is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore. The textbook comes with the license. The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online. The license gives you access to 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 a used textbook without the software license is not an option for this class.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will study the basic concepts of algebra. Topics covered will include the real numbers and their properties; the four basic operations with positive and negative numbers; simplifying algebraic expressions; solving and graphing linear equations, inequalities, and absolute value equations in one variable; graphing linear equations and inequalities in two variables; an introduction to polynomials; properties of integral exponents including scientific notation; and a brief introduction to functions.
PREREQUISITE: It is strongly recommended to have received a C or better in Math 187B or an equivalent course, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the math assessment process.
MY COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS: (“My” being that of the teacher) · I will check the rest of my day at the door when I enter the classroom, and give this class 100% of my attention while we are meeting. · I will come to class well prepared. · I will be here on time. · I will listen and seek to understand what is being said. · I will not shortchange the students in this class by setting low standards. · I will put 100% of my effort into being the best possible teacher for the students in this class.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS: (“Your” being that of the student) Suggestions and Advice
STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOMES: The successful student
will: 2) Define and employ terminology and arithmetic relating to polynomials in one variable. 3) Determine the equation and graph a line given information about the line. 4) Manipulate expressions with integral exponents. 5) Apply course topics to real-world situations.
EXAMS: There will be two midterm exams given in the quarter. We will have a comprehensive final examination. Exams will be traditional paper and pencil exams. Students are to bring pencils and blank scratch paper to each exam. Grading will be 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 a makeup exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled. Without prior notice, no makeup exam will be given. Otherwise, the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.
QUIZZES: There will be four scheduled quizzes during the quarter. Each quiz will be made up of problems that are very similar to the problems from your homework assignments. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Because of this, there will be no makeup quizzes.
HOMEWORK: Homework is due each Wednesday night at midnight. You will be using the MyMathLab website to work on your homework. The online homework is assigned each class period and should be completed before the next class so you can ask any questions you may have covering the homework. Homework assigned each Tuesday and Thursday will not be due until the next Wednesday to allow for questions regarding the Thursday homework (or Tuesdays) to be addressed on the following Tuesday. Do not wait until the last minute to do the entire weeks’ homework. Keep up with the pace of the course and do your homework in a timely manner. To access our class page, go to www.coursecompass.com and register using the course ID: guinn02367 and your student access code.
GRADING POLICY: Method of Student Evaluation
Category Points Approx. % of Grade Exam 1 150 points 20 Exam 2 150 points 20 Quizzes 75 points 10 Homework 175 points 25 FINAL (cumulative) 200 points 25
No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.
The letter grade assigned will be based on the usual grading scale:
A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F less than 60%
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated. If you cheat on an exam you will receive an F for the course, not merely for the test. Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class or ever. If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me. Students may work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to do so) as long as all students understand the material covered
ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any students needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify me and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in room A205) or by phoning 541-4660, ext. 249 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students). All information will remain confidential.
CALCULATORS AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM: Calculators will not be allowed on quizzes and examinations. Calculators are not required for this course. While I cannot stop you from using one when doing your homework, I do not encourage you to do so. There will be word problem sections when we will use simple calculators for cumbersome calculations. Otherwise, calculators will be required and taught in MAT 154A. Mat 152A is concerned with you learning mathematical processes and acquiring some basic mathematical skills before learning the button pushing sequences that execute those computations. Feel free, however, to approach me on how to operate your calculator. They can vary greatly. Cell phones, headphones, MP3 players, iPods, etc., must be turned off prior to the start of each class.
OFFICE HOURS: I will be available by appointment as needed. You can contact me by voice mail by calling the college at (530) 541-4660 and leaving a message on extension 476, or, preferably at home (775) 588-6413. Note, there is a 1.00 unit supplement course for this class, MAT183, offered TuTh 12:25 PM- 12:55 PM.
TUTORING: Free tutoring is available in the Math Success Center. There are already regularly scheduled coaching hours for MAT 152A as follows:
Rachel Green: TuTh 9-11 AM; Fri 1-3 PM Cindy Littell: MW 11 AM-1 PM
Also, the more extensive and general schedule for tutoring will be handed out in class when made available to me.
SCHEDULE (Spring 2009)
DATE, SECTIONS COVERED HOMEWORK
April 7 sec. 1.2 Multiples of 5 (5, 10, 15…) sec. 1.3 Multiples of 5
April 9 sec. 1.4 Multiples of 7 sec. 1.5 Multiples of 5 _____________________________________________________Due 5/15/09
April 14 sec. 1.6 Multiples of 5 sec. 1.7 Multiples of 7
April 16 QUIZ #1 (sections 1.2-1.5) sec. 1.8 Multiples of 5 sec. 2.1 Multiples of 7 _____________________________________________________Due 4/22/09
April 21 sec. 2.2 Multiples of 7 sec. 2.3 Multiples of 7
April 23 sec. 2.4 Multiples of 5 sec. 2.5 Multiples of 7 (except 77) _____________________________________________________Due 4/29/09
April 28 QUIZ #2 (sections 1.6-2.3)sec. 2.6 Multiples of 5 (except 70)sec. 2.7 29 and 31
April 30 sec. 2.7 Multiples of 5 (except 30 and 45) sec. 2.8 Multiples of 7 _____________________________________________________Due 5/6/2009
May 5 Review for Exam 1 sec. 3.1 Multiples of 5 (due after Exam 1, on 5/20)
May 7 EXAM 1 (covers Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 material) ________________________________________________________________
May 12 sec. 3.2 Multiples of 5 sec. 3.3 Multiples of 5
May 14 sec. 3.4 Every Other Odd, 1- 49 (1, 5, 9,…45) _____________________________________________________Due 5/20/09
May 19 sec. 3.4 Multiples of 5, 55-85 sec. 3.5 Multiples of 7
May 21 sec. 9.4 Multiples of 5 Ch 3 Review Multiples of 5, 5-85 _____________________________________________________Due 5/27/09
May 26 QUIZ #3 (sections 3.1-3.5) sec. 3.6 Every Other Odd, Omit 81
May 28 sec. 5.1 Multiples of 7, 7-112 sec. 5.2 Multiples of 7, 7-112, skip 98 _____________________________________________________Due 6/3/09
June 2 sec. 5.3 Multiples of 5 sec. 5.4 Multiples of 7, omit 105
June 4 sec. 5.5 Multiples of 7, omit 126sec. 5.6 Multiples of 7_____________________________________________________Due 6/10/09
June 9 Review for Exam 2 sec. 12.1 1, 3, 5, 7; Not due until 6/19/09
June 11 EXAM II (covers Ch. 3, 9.4, and Ch. 5 material) _______________________________________________________________
June 16 sec. 9.1 Multiples of 7sec. 9.2 Multiples of 5
June 18 QUIZ #4 (sections 3.6, 12.1) Review for Final _______________________________________________Due Friday 6/19/09
June 25 FINAL (Cumulative) 1:00-2:50 PM |