SYLLABUS

Math 152A  Basic Algebra, Part 1

Instructor:  Audrey Morrow

Class meets:  Mondays & Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:50 in room A213,

Textbook:  "Beginning and Intermediate Algebra" 4th Edition, Martin-Gay.

Course description:  Math 152A is designed to introduce the student to a variety of algebra concepts.  We will cover the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with signed numbers and with polynomials.  We will study the concepts used with sets, solve linear equations, and graph some of the more basic equations.  This course introduces functions, the properties of exponents and Slope of a line. 

Prerequisites:  Math 187B with a grade of 'C' or better, or equivalent skills demonstrated on the math assessment exam.

Calculators:  Calculators are not permitted in Math 152A.

Instructor’s Contact Info: 541-4660 ext 573; ammathtype@earthlink.net  

Home Phone:  577-4141

Items you’ll need to bring to class with you in addition to the book:  Lined notebook paper for daily note-taking; Several different colors of  pencil will help you in making your graphs more pleasing and easier to read when we reach that part of the class.  A yellow or light-green highlighter may be helpful also in notating your handouts, marking useful portions of your text, and highlighting your class notes.

Important dates for Spring Quarter 2009:

Friday, 4/17:  Late Registration ends, also last day for refunds.

Friday, 5/1:  Last day to drop a full-quarter class with no record.

Friday, 5/22:  Last day to drop with a ‘W’ for full-quarter classes.

Monday, 6/22:  Final exam from 4pm - 5:50 pm in Room A-213.

                             GENERAL INFORMATION

Getting registered:  With WEBREG, Students may enroll online up until 11:00 PM on the first day that class meets.  After that, you'll need a permit from A&R with the instructor's signature in order to enroll.

My make-up policy:  Quizzes are unannounced, and there is no makeup.  You may take one exam late, under the following conditions: 

1)  Let me know before the exam that you will be unable to take it with the rest of the class.  You may use 541-4660 extension 573 for this. 

2)  There is a 10% penalty for taking the exam late. You will have until the start of the following class to turn in a completed exam.

3)  Your exam will be proctored in the Learning Assistance Center, Ext. 740.

You'll be expected to furnish a photo ID before taking the test.  You may check on their available hours in order to give yourself sufficient time.

If you know in advance that you need to take an exam early, please see me at least one week in advance and we can make an arrangement. 

 I allow extra credit under the following conditions:  The student has missed no more than one lecture, is current on the homework, and your grade just before the final exam is below 'C'. 

Learning disabled students:  If you have a certified learning disability that may affect your performance, please see me so that I can make sure your needs are met.  If you think that you may have a disability but have not yet been tested, you may inquire about this at the Disability Resource Center Extension 249.

Cellphones are not permitted in lecture.  If your phone disturbs the class, you will be asked to leave and return next time. 

                                      GRADING POLICY

During the quarter, students will take three exams including the final, several quizzes, and complete 19 or so homework assignments.  If you are still enrolled on Monday May 25th, you will receive a letter grade for Math 154A. Your course grade is structured as follows:

Midterms + Final exam:  85% of your course grade.

Combined homework and quiz scores:  10% of your course grade.

Attendance, participation and conduct:  5% of your course grade.

Quizzes will be unscheduled, and given at the start of class.  A course grade of 'F' is usually reserved for students who drop out without informing A& R. Each time I return a test or quiz to you, I'll circle a letter at the top to represent what your course grade looks like at the present time. 

With only four letters at the instructor's disposal, many students end up evenly positioned between two letter grades at the end of the class.  For example, pointwise it would be equally fair and appropriate for you to receive the C as the B. When this happens, your attendance and conduct play a part in your final course grade.   Responsible behavior will net you the higher course grade.  Attend class regularly.  Be courteous and respectful of those around you. This means arriving in class on time or early; avoid chit-chatting with your neighbors.  Make sure your cellphone is turned off at all times when class is in session.

HOMEWORK:   I will accept two late homework assignments without any penalty for the student.  If you have to miss a lecture, you may drop your homework through the student mail slot on the due date, or have a friend bring it to class.  Students are not permitted in the mailroom.  

ATTENDANCE:  Your presence and participation in the class are the foundation of your learning experience, and your building of a skill set that will make you a capable algebra student.

       HABITS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

1)  Attend every lecture if you possibly can.  Sit where you know you won’t be distracted, and where you can see and hear what's going on in class.

2)  Take notes, working along in class and keeping a glossary of unfamiliar terms. Graph along with the class on the days that we do curve-sketching.

3)  Do all assigned reading before class, so that you can bring up points in class that you found confusing.  Work the example problems as part of your reading.

4)  Do all of the assigned homework, even problems you are not able to finish.  Staple each assignment separately.  No paper clips, please.

5)  Ask questions in class.  If you are having trouble understanding a concept the chances are good that other students are experiencing the same problem.

                             Audrey's commitment to this class: 

I care as much as you do about your success, comfort and accomplishments in our class.  Everything I do is designed to help you achieve positive results in math.

I will maintain, at all times, a respectful and learning-friendly environment for my students.  Your questions and your input are encouraged and appreciated. 

I will never embarrass or humiliate you.  Period.   You'll receive a courteous and respectful answer to any math question you wish to ask me.  If you feel awkward about bringing something up that was covered previously, ask anyway.  If we need to spend more time than we can take at the moment, we can meet outside of class.

I will be on time, prepared and organized when I get to class.  Your work will be read and graded.  The earlier part of my day stays outside the door.  I will not shortchange you by setting low standards.

I will give 100% of my attention to the class.

Math 152A Schedule of topics, assignments & exams.  Spring Quarter 2009.  This is a schedule of your homework assignments for every class meeting throughout this quarter. Homework will be collected the lecture following each assignment, except for meetings after exam dates.  For example your first homework assignment is based on the April 6th lecture, and collected on Wednesday, April 8th.  "EOO" stands for every other odd problem,  Eg.  # 3,7, 11, 15, and so on. "Vocab" problems indicate the vocabulary & readiness question sets that are found at the end of each section.

April 6th:  Welcome to Math 152A;  Cover 1.2 & 1.3, Sets of numbers, Fractions. HW#1 due Wed:  1.2 # 1-73 EOO; 1.3 # 1-95 multiples of 5.  Read 1.4 & 1.5 for Wednesday.

April 8th: 1.4 & 1.5  Algebraic expressions; Addition with real numbers.  HW#2: 1.4 Do Example 8 on P. 29; # 1-61 EOO; 65, 66, 75-91 odd. 1.5# 1-9 in Vocab check P. 39;    #1-81 EOO; 85, 92.  Read 1.6 & 1.7 for Monday.

April 13th:  1.6 & 1.7  Subtraction, Multiplication & Division with real numbers. HW#3:         1.6 #5-75 Multiples of 5; #78 1.7 # 7-112 Multiples of 7; 115, 118.  Read 1.8 & 2.1.

April 15th:  1.8 & 2.1  Properties of the real numbers and their uses.  HW#4: 1.8# 1-21 odd; 35-75 Multiples of 5, #71-84.  2.1 # Vocab 1-6, # 9-15; 6-66 Multiples of 6; 69-101 EOO.  Read 2.2 & 2.3 for Monday.

April 20th:  2.2 & 2.3 Properties of Equality, Solving Linear Equations.    HW#5:             2.2 # 5-70 Multiples of 5; 73-81 odd; 90, 94, 98, 99, 102. 2.3 Vocab # 1-7, 5-65 Mult. 5.   Read 2.4. Bring your Chapter 1 & 2 review questions to class next time.

April 22nd:  2.4 + Review for Exam #1 on Monday.  HW# 6:  2.4# 1-45 odd.  You will be provided with a review-sheet in class, which will contain HW# 6 problems.

April 27th:  Exam #1 on Chapter 1 Sections 2-8; Chapter 2 Sections 1-2.  No written homework.  Read 2.5 & 2.6 for Wednesday.

April 29th: 2.5 & 2.6 Applications of Algebra; Formulas.  Percent and Mixture problems.

HW#7:  2.5# 1-61 EOO; 2.6 # 1-57 EOO.  Read 2.7 & 2.8 for Monday.

May 4th:  2.7 & 2.8, General problem-solving with Algebra; Solving Linear Inequalities. HW#8:  2.7# 1-17 odd; 21-45 EOO; 2.8 # 1-8 Vocab, # 5-80 Multiples of 5.  You may omit # 50 & 65.)  Read 3.1 & 3.2 for Wednesday.

May 6th:  3.1 & 3.2 Reading graphs, the rectangular (Cartesian) coordinate system, Beginning to graph linear equations.  HW# 9:  Work Example 2 on Page 167; 3.1# 1-5 in Vocab; # 1-41 EOO; 49-69 odd; 70-100 Multiples of 5. 3.2 # 3-36 Multiples of 3, 89-93. Read 3.3 & 3.4 for Monday.

May 11th:  3.3 & 3.4.  Finding intercepts; Slope of a line. HW# 10:  3.3# 1-15 odd; 20-50 Multiples of 5; 54.  3.4# 1-15 in Vocab; # 3-69 Multiples of 3.  Read 3.5.  Bring review questions for Wednesday. 

May 13th:  Cover 3.5 Equations of lines, & Review for Exam 2 on  Monday. HW # 11:  3.5 # 3-66 Multiples of 3.  Review questions for the exam will be assigned in class on your review sheet.

May 18th:  Exam #2 on Chapter 2 Sections 3-8; Chapter 3 Sections 1 & 2.  No written homework this time.  Be sure to read 3.6 for Wednesday.

May 20th:  3.6 Introduction to Functions;  HW # 12:  3.6# 1-8 in Vocab; # 3-83 EOO; 86.  Read 5.1 & 5.2 for next Wednesday.

May 25th:  Memorial day Holiday.  College is closed.

May 27th:  5.1& 5.2:  Working with exponents; Polynomials.  HW# 13:  5.1 # 1-10 in Vocab # 5-100 Multiples of 5; 5.2 # 5-85 Multiples of 5.  Read 5.3 & 5.4 for Monday.

June 1st:  Review for Exam #3 on Wednesday.  HW# 14 will be assigned on a review sheet that will be distributed in class.

June 3rd:  Exam #3 covering 3.3-3.6 and 5.1.  No written homework.  Read 5.3 & 5.4 for Monday.

June 8th:  5.3 & 5.4 Multiplying with polynomials; Special products. HW # 15:  5.3 Vocab & Readiness # 1-4; # 1-61 EOO; 71, 74, 79.  5.4 # 3-75 Multiples of 3. Read 5.5 for Wednesday.

June 10th:  5.5 & 5.6, Negative exponents, Scientific notation, division with polynomials. HW# 16:  5.5# 3-87 Multiples of 3.  5.6 # 1-3 in Vocab; 7-63 Multiples of 7.  Read 5.7 for Monday.

June 15th:  5.7 & 9.1:  "Synthetic" division, the Remainder Theorem and Compound Inequalities.  HW# 17:  5.7 #5-40 Multiples of 5.  9.1 # 3-63 EOO.  Read 9.2 for Wednesday.

June 17th: 9.2 Absolute Value equations; Review for the final exam.  HW # 18: 9.2 #3-63 EOO; 76, 79, 80.

June 22nd:  Cumulative Final Exam on topics covered in Math 152A, 4pm - 6pm in A213.  Your exam will be based approximately 50% on new material from 5.2-5.7, plus 9.1 & 9.2.  The remaining 50% will be based on topics from the first part of Math 152A, covered on your first two exams.  Congratulations.  You have successfully completed LTCC's Basic Algebra Part 1, and are now ready to go on to Part 2.