MAT 152A

Basic Algebra (Part I)

Winter 2009

Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu

Office Hours: Room A210,   Mon.                10:00 – 11:00 AM

            Mon.                1:00 – 1:30 PM

            Wed.               1:00 – 1:30 PM

Thurs.              12:00 – 1:00 PM

MSC,               Wed. & Fri.      10:00 – 11:00 AM

Class Time and Location: Mon. & Wed. 1:30 -3:35 PM, G4-B

Textbook: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4^th Edition, Elayn Martin-Gay  

Course Description: This course is designed as an introduction to algebra.  Topics covered include the four basic operations with positive and negative numbers and with polynomials, solving and graphing linear equations, an introduction to functions and sets, and properties of integral exponents.

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

Calculators: Calculators are not allowed in MAT 152A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1.      Solve linear equations and inequalities.

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.

Course Grade: Your final letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale:

A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59%

The following items will make up the course grade:

Homework:                              200 points      

Quizzes:                                 150 points      

Exam1 (January 28)

Exam2 (February 23):             450 points      

Exam3 (March 11)

Final Exam (March 23):          200 points

You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website:

http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/15200/index.html

Homework: Homework may be completed either online with MyMathLab, or on paper as is traditionally done.  The online homework is assigned weekly and will be due Sunday at midnight.  Late homework will be accepted for half credit up to a week after the due date.  To access our class page, go to www.coursecompass.com and register using the course ID:  armbrust33484 and your student access code.  You must have a valid e-mail address to use the on-line curriculum.

Traditional style homework will be due the class period after it is assigned.  Homework not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in homework up to one week after it is assigned for half credit.  Your homework score will be determined in the following way: up to 5 points for completion and one point each for 5 problems chosen at random to be graded.

If all homework is turned in, and no more than two are late (or one late if opting for online homework), the lowest regular exam score will be dropped. 

Quizzes: Each week you will be required to take a quiz on My MathLab.  The quiz will be made up of problems that are very similar to the problems from your homework assignments.  Quizzes must be completed by midnight Sunday.  The quizzes may be taken as often as you would like before this time.  However, your most recent score will be the score entered into the grade book.  So be aware that your score can go down if you retake the quiz.  Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.  Because of this, there will be no make-up quizzes.

Exams:  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.

Registration Information: 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 30.  After January 30, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until February 20.  After February 20, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.

How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:

I) Come to every class session.  Be prepared, and plan on participating.

II) Do your homework.  Remember that what I assign is what I consider a bare minimum.  If you need more practice, do it.  Don’t make me be a homework enforcer.

III) Read the book.  You paid good money for it, so you might as well use it.

IV) Make use of available tutors and my office hours.  You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the Math Success Center (MSC).

V) Do math every day.  Math is just like everything else: if you don’t practice, you become rusty.

Technology in the Classroom:  All cell phones, headphones, MP3 players, iPods, etc, must be turned off and put away prior to the start of each class.  No electronic devices may be used during quizzes and exams.

Learning Disabled Students: 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.

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.  Students my work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all students understand the material covered.

Course Schedule:

The following is a tentative schedule.  If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know.

January

5          1.2, 1.3                        Introductions, Real Numbers, Fractions

7          1.4, 1.5                        Algebraic Expressions and Addition of Real Numbers

12        1.6, 1.7                        Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of Real Numbers

14        1.8, 2.1                        Properties of the Real Numbers and Their Uses

19        NO SCHOOL             MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

21        2.2, 2.3                        Properties of Equality and Solving Linear Equations

26        2.4, Review                 Problem Solving

28        Exam I

February

2          2.5, 2.6                        Applications of Algebra

4          2.7, 2.8                        More Applications of Equations, Solving Linear Inequalities

9          3.1, 3.2                        Rectangular Coordinate System and Graphing Lines

11        3.3, 3.4                        Intercepts and Slopes of Lines

16        NO SCHOOL             PRESIDENT’S DAY

18        3.5, Review                 Equations of Lines

23        Exam II

25        3.6, 9.4                        Functions, Linear Inequalities of Two Variables

March

2          5.1, 5.2                        Exponents and Polynomials  

4          5.3, 5.4                        Multiplying Polynomials          

9          5.5, Review                 Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation

11        Exam III

16        5.6, 9.1                        Dividing Polynomials, Compound Inequalities

18        9.2, 12.1                      Absolute Value Equations and Function Operations

23        Final Exam                 Note: The final is from 2:00 - 3:50 PM.          

The following is a list of all homework assignments for this course.  The due dates for the various sections will be given in class.