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INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA
Math 154A Spring, 2009 Monday & Wednesday 6:00 – 7:50 Room: A211 4 units
INSTRUCTOR: Jane Ellis & Judy Guinn will be teaching for 2 weeks
PHONE NUMBER: 541-4660, Extension 247
OFFICE: A204
E-MAIL: ELLIS@LTCC.EDU
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, Fourth Edition by Martin-Gay
Required Software License: It is required to have a software license for this class. Students have two choices. The first choice 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 economical 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. Our course id is ellis38188.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to the third class in the algebra sequence here at LTCC. In this course, you will use many skills that you learned in Math 152A/B (Beginning Algebra). We will continue our study of functions and quadratic equations including systems of quadratic equations. New topics will include inverses of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, and sequences and series.
TUTORING: Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center (MSC) in Room. Tutoring schedules will be distributed to you in class.
ACADEMIC COACHES: These are special tutors in the Math Success Center whose first priority is to assist beginning and intermediate algebra students. Their hours are: Cindy Littell: Mon & Wed 11:00 – 1:00 Rachael Green: Tues & Th 9:00 – 11:00 & Fri 1:00 – 3:00
JANE’S OFFICE HOURS: My office is in room A204.
Monday.......................................................... 4:00 – 5:00 Tuesday.......................................................... 5:00 – 6:00 Wednesday..................................................... 5:00 – 6:00
CALCULATOR: You will need a scientific calculator for this course. It should have the following keys: log, ln, and an exponent key. Graphing calculators are not allowed. (See handout for more details)
JANE’S COMMITMENT TO THIS CLASS: · I will check the earlier part of my day at the door when I enter the classroom, and I will 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.
PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in Math 152B, Mat 152BB, or equivalent; or a satisfactory score on Mathematics Assessment Test.
GRADING POLICY: MATH 154A: Method of Student Evaluation
Homework (will be done online) 15% Quizzes (will be done online) 15% Exam #1 (will be done in class) 15% Exam #2 (will be done in class) 15% Exam #3 (will be done in class) 15% Final (will be done in class) 25%
Grades will be determined by the following percentages: A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F less than 60%
Make-up Policy: For Quizzes, Chapter Exams, and the Final, make-up is possible if the instructor is contacted in advance and the absence is excused; there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused. Homework may be done at any time but it will be difficult to pass quizzes and exams if it is not done before they are taken.
CHECKING YOUR GRADE ONLINE: You can check your grade at any time in MyMathLab where you will be doing your homework and quizzes. You will need the course code which is ellis38188 in order to register in the MyMathLab component of this class.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATH CLASS:
1) Come to every class meeting.
2) Arrive early, get yourself settled and be ready when class starts. Sit where you won’t be distracted.
3) Read each section before it is discussed in class. Use either the online or traditional textbook.
4) Do all of the homework.
5) Do some math every day.
6) Start preparing for tests at least a week in advance.
7) Take advantage of tutors and office hours, extra help can make a big difference.
8) Do some review every time you study math.
9) Be willing to ask questions.
10) Take notes.
11) Study in groups and find a study buddy.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: If you need help paying for your books or other expenses, call our financial aid officer, America Ramirez, at 541-4660 x236, email her at Ramirez@ltcc.edu, or drop by A100.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING):
Cheating will be defined as but not limited to: (1) using any method to copy an other’s work on an exam, quiz, or final (2) having someone else to all or part of your homework assignment (3) using any method other than your own honest efforts to complete exams, quizzes, the final, or homework assignments. The following activities are NOT cheating: (1) collaborating with other students to complete homework assignments (2) working with math tutors or academic coaches to complete homework assignments (3) working with other students to study for exams, quizzes or the final.
Disciplinary actions for cheating in this class: Cheating will result in a grade of zero on the item on which the cheating occurred. The worst thing about cheating, however, is compromising your character for such a small reward.
LEARNING DISABILITIES: If you have a certified learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with Jane. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.
STUDENT OUTCOMES: The successful student will:
REGISTRATION:
1. You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records. 2. The last day to drop the class with no record is Friday, May 1. 3. The last day to drop the class for a "W" grade is Friday, May 22. 4. After May 22, if you are enrolled, you will receive one of the following grades: A B C D F or I (Incomplete, is only allowed in special cases).
In this class, it is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid a grade. You must go to the registrar by the above dates to avoid a grade from option three or four.
SCHEDULE
Do homework for a section before the next section is presented in class. Having a hard time getting started? Promise yourself that after doing math for a half-hour, you can do something else.
April 6........ Introduction to Class Section 4.4 Solving Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables Section 3.6 (Review) Functions
********* v Introduce yourself to 3 classmates to develop a math support system.
April 8........ Finish Section 3.6Section 8.2 Reviewing Function Notation & Graphing Nonlinear Functions
Quiz #1 (Sections 4.4 & 3.6) due by Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 pm v Attend class every day on time.
April 13...... Section 8.3 Shifting and Reflecting Graphs of Functions Section 11.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods
Quiz #2 (Sections 8.2 & 8.3) due by Monday, April 20 at 6:00 pm
********* April 15...... Finish Section 11.3 Section 11.4 Nonlinear Inequalities in One Variable
v Write 5 questions on what you do not understand in this chapter. Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!
April 20...... Section 11.5 Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs Section 11.6 Further Graphing of Quadratic Functions
Begin today reviewing for your exam next Monday. Do some math everyday.
********* April 22...... Section 12.1 Composite Functions Review for Exam #1
v Write 5 questions on anything you do not understand. Plan time to get assistance; then DO IT!
OVER
Schedule Continued v Write a practice exam and take it.
April 27 Exam #1 (Sections 3.6, 4.4, 8.2, 8.3, 11.3 – 11.6)
********* April 29...... Section 12.2 Inverse Functions
Quiz #3 (Sections 12.1 & 12.2) due by Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 pm v Every time you do homework from a section, write down 2 problems which could be on the next math exam. Use them to make a practice test.
May 4......... Section 12.3 Exponential Functions Section 12.4 Logarithmic Functions
********* May 6......... Finish Section 12.4 Section 12.5 Properties of Logarithms
Quiz #4 (Sections 12.3 & 12.4) due by Wednesday, May 13 at 6:00 pm v Review your class notes before beginning your homework. You did take notes didn’t you? If not, try doing it at the next class meeting.
May 11....... Section 12.6 Common Logarithms, Natural Logarithms, and Change of Base Section 12.7 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations and Applications
********* May 13....... Finish Section 12.7 Review for Exam #2 v Summarize what you learned in class today.
May 18....... Exam #2 (Chapter 12)
********* May 20....... Section 13.1 The Parabola and the Circle Section 13.2 The Ellipse and the Hyperbola
Schedule Continued
v Use the holiday from class to catch up if you are behind…final exam in 3 weeks!
May 25....... MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
********* May 27....... Finish Section 13.2 Section 13.4 Nonlinear Inequalities and Systems of Inequalities
Quiz #5 (Sections 13.1 & 13.2) due by Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 pm v Recognize how much more math you know now than when you began this class.
June 1......... Section 13.3 Solving Nonlinear Systems of Inequalities Section 14.1 Sequences
Quiz #6 (Sections 13.3 & 13.4) due by Monday, June 8 at 6:00 pm
********* June 3......... Section 14.2 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences Section 14.3 Series v Stay focused, you will be done in 2 weeks.
June 8......... Section 14.4 Partial Sums of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
********* June 10....... Review for Exam #3
June 15....... Exam #3 (Sections 13.1 – 13.4 & 14.1 – 14.4)
v Begin going over old exams to prepare for the final. Write a practice final.
********* June 17....... Review for Final Exam
June 22....... Cumulative Final Exam This is the day that you successfully complete Math 154A. CONGRATULATIONS! |