FALL QUARTER, 2010       

      

      MATH  154A-4  SYLLABUS

 

 

 

Instructor:  Audrey Morrow

Phone:  541-4660 Ext 573

Email:  ammathtype@earthlink.net

Home phone:  577-4141

 

Welcome to Intermediate Algebra at LTCC.  I will do everything possible to help you understand the class, and to succeed academically, while you are my student. 

 

Class meets:   Mondays, Wednesdays 6pm – 7:50pm  in room A213. 

 

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

 

You’ll need a software license to use the MyMathLab  (MML)portion of this class.   If you purchased your text new from the LTCC bookstore, it comes with the license.  If you got your book another way, you’ll need to purchase the license either from the bookstore or online.   In order to complete the homework, you must sign up with MML online, using your license. You will also need a valid email address for the homework portion of the class.  If you do not have an email address, you can sign up for one in the Math Success Center.   (Tutoring lab, ext. 740)  Signup is free for LTCC students.

 

The course id for this class is:  morrow89923.  For assistance with MML, you may any of the following:  

 

1)     Help with using MML and Course Compass is available on the phone at 800-877-3016  Mon-Fri 5am – 5pm & Saturday 2pm – 9pm. 

 

2)     Assistance is available online 24/7 at http://www.pearsontutorservices.com/. 

 

 

 

3)     The  tutors in the Math Success Center are trained to help in both the problem-solving for  this class, and in helping you with MyMathLab to complete your homework assignments.  Tutoring is free.

 

4)     You’ll need to have a calculator for this class.  Make sure it has both log and ln keys, and an exponent key:  Either a yx button, xy or the  ^

 

5)    Your homework will be turned in online, but for the most part, the work of learning and organizing the information in any math class is done on paper. 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.  A small ruler is a great graphing aid.

 

 

Important dates for  Fall quarter 2010:

 

 

 

 

Friday,  10/15:  Last day to drop a full-quarter class with no record.

 

Friday,  11/5:  Last day to drop with a ‘W’ for full-quarter classes.

 

Wednesday, 12/6 :  Final exam from 6:00-7:50 pm in Room A-213.

 

LTCC is closed for Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11th

 

LTCC is closed between 11/25 and 11/28 for Thanksgiving.

                            

                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL  INFORMATION

 

You may register for this class on Webreg 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.   If you are on campus, you may also register at the Admission desk inside the front doors.

 

Homework:   Your homework assignments will be completed online in MyMathLab.  You’ll use the course id to register with Course Compass.

 

My make-up policy:  Quizzes are unannounced.  There is no makeup for quizzes.   Like the quizzes, your exams will be taken in class, offline.  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 have three ways to contact me. 

 

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.  For example,  if  you  miss a  Wednesday exam, you have until 6PM on the following Monday to complete the makeup exam.

 

3)  Early or makeup exams are proctored in the Learning Assistance Center, on the second floor, Ext. 740. You'll be expected to furnish a photo ID before taking the test.  Be sure to call ahead to check on their hours in order to give yourself enough time.If you know that you need to take an exam early, please see me at least two weeks in advance and we can make an arrangement for you.  In general I strongly encourage taking the tests on time, with the rest of  the class. 

 

 Extra credit is allowed under the following three 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.           

 

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:

Each Midterm will count 20% of your final course grade, total 60%.

Final exam counts as 25% of your course grade.  Midterms + Final total 85% of your final course grade.

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

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

 

A course grade of 'F' is usually reserved for students who drop out without informing A&R.  I will not be utilizing the online “gradebook” so if you’re wondering where you stand gradewise, just ask me.  Also, throughout the quarter your quizzes and tests will be returned with a “to date” grade circled.

 

Cellphones:  Please leave your cellphones outside of class, or make certain that they are turned off during the lecture.  Phones have no place in an interactive classroom.  Allowing your phone to disturb everyone else is an unpardonable breach of courtesy.  Remember, conduct is 5% of your grade!

 

Many students end up evenly positioned between two letter grades at the end of the class.  For example,  it would be equally fair and appropriate for you to receive an A or a 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 cellphones are turned off in class.

 

ATTENDANCE:  Your presence and participation in the class are the foundation of your learning experience.  Your questions and comments in class will help others learn, and their input will help you.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  In this class you will learn how to solve linear equations and inequalities;  understand terminology relating to polynomials in one variable;   you’ll graph and manipulate expressions with one or more exponents; applying course methods to actual situations.

 

 

          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 tests and quizzes will be graded in a thoughtful manner.  I won’t shortchange anyone by setting low standards, or allowing my personal life to interfere with class.

 

 

CLASS SCHEDULE:

 

 

 

September 20th:  Welcome to class.  Cover 3.6 & 4.4. systems of linear equations in 3 variables; functions.  Homework in these sections is due on 9/26, 10PM.

 

Sept 22nd:  Finish 4.4, Cover 8 .2, Graphing nonlinear functions.   Homework is due on 9/26 10 pm.

 

September 27th Cover 8.3, 11.3.  Shifting and reflecting of graphs, solving quadratic equations.  Homework is due 10/2.

 

September 29th:  Finish 11.3, Cover 11.4, nonlinear inequalities.  11.4 homework is due on 10/3.

 

October 4th:  Sections 11.5 & 11.6 Quadratic functions and their graphs; Further graphing of quadratic functions.  HW due on 10/09.

 

October 6th:  Section  12.1, Composite functions.  Review for Exam #1 covering  3.6, 4.4, 8.2-8.3, 11.3-11.6.  12.1 Homework due on 10/10.

 

October 11th: Exam #1, you’ll be given the entire class period.  Read 12.2 for Wednesday.  No actual homework is assigned for Wednesday.

 

October 13th:  Cover 12.2, Inverse functions.  Homework due on 10/16.

 

October 18th:  12.3, 12.4:  Exponential and logarithmic functions.  Homework due  on  10/17.

 

October 20th:  Finish 12.4, 12.5 Properties of logarithms.  12.5 HW due on 10/24.

 

October  25th:  Cover 12.6, 12.7 Common and natural logs, change-of-base formula; exponential & logarithmic equations.  Homework due on 10/26.

 

October 27th:  Comprehensive review for Exam #2 on Chapter 12.

 

 

 

November 1st:  Exam #2 on Chapter 12.  Read 13.1 for Wednesday.

 

November 3rd:   13.1 The parabola, & the circle.  Homework due on 5/26.

 

November 8th:  13.2  The ellipse & hyperbola.  Homework due on  5/30.

 

November 10th:  Finish conic sections, cover 13.3, Nonlinear systems of equations.   13.3 Homework due on 6/2.

 

November 15th:  13.4, Nonlinear inequalaities and systems of inequalities.  13.4 HW due on 6/7.

 

November 17th:  Review for Exam #3 on 13.1 – 13.4.

 

November 22nd:  Exam #3 on Chapter 13, three sections.

 

November 24th:  14.1, 14.2, Sequences, Arithmetic and Geometric sequences.  HW in these sections due on 6/15. 

 

Thanksgiving Holiday:    LTCC is closed from Thursday, 11/25

 through Sunday, 11/28.

 

November 29th:  14.3, begin 14.4, Series, partial sums of arithmetic and geometric series.  HW in 14.3 due on 6/19.

 

December 1st:  Finish 14.4, Review for final.  14.4 Homework due on 6/21.  This is your last homework assignment in Math 154A.

 

December 6th:  Final exam, 6pm – 7:50pm in Room A213.   Congratulations, you have successfully completed Math 154A, you are now fully prepared to enter LTCC’s more advanced mathematics classes.