MAT 103B College Algebra Part I
Spring 2015
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:
                        D127                          
Meeting Venue:
         T, Th  1:00 - 2:50 E106
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          steve.richardson.ltcc@gmail.com          

Office Hours (D127)

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
online
11:30 - 1:00
8:00 - 9:00
8:30 - 10:00

 

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):


mtg

date

topic covered

Reading Assignment

1 4/7 Composite Functions 5.1
2 4/9 One-to-One Functions; Inverse Functions;Exponential Functions 5.2, 5.3
3 4/14 Logarithmic Functions 5.4
4 4/16 Properties of Logarithms; Logarithmic and Exponential Equations 5.5, 5.6

4/17

Last day to drop with no record!

 
5 4/21 Financial Models 5.7
6 4/23 Exponential Growth and Decay Models; Newton's Law; Logistic Growth and Decay Models 5.8, 5.9
7 4/28
The Circle; The Parabola 1.5, 10.2
8 4/30 Exam 1: Chapter 5 sections 1 - 9
 
9 5/5 The Ellipse 10.3
10 5/7 The Hyperbola; Systems of Linear Equations 10.4, 11.1
11 5/12 Systems of Linear Equations: Matrices 11.2
12 5/14 Systems of Linear Equations: Determnants; Matrix Algebra 11.3, 11.4
13 5/19 Systems of Inequalities 11.7
14 5/21 Linear Programming 11.8

5/22
Last day to withdraw from the course with a W!   
15 5/26
Review for midterm
 
16 5/28
Exam 2: 1.5; 10.2 - 10.4; 11.1 - 11.4, 11.7, 11.8
17 6/2
Sequences 12.1
18
6/4
Arithmetic Sequences; Geometric Sequences; Geometric Series
12.2, 12.3
19 6/9 Mathematical Induction 12.4
20 6/11 Mathematical Induction; The Binomial Theorem 12.4, 12.5
21 6/16 Permutations and Combinations 13.2
22 6/18 Review for final exam   

 

6/25

Final exam Thursday 1:00 - 2:50 pm

 




Optional Textbook:           Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, Fifth Edition, Sullivan and Sullivan

Required Software License :  It is required to have a software license to use the software MyMathLab in this class.  Students have two choices.  The first choice is to purchase the textbook new from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the software license for an additional cost of approximately $5.  The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online at coursecompass.com.  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.  If you purchase a used textbook, you will also need to purchase the software license.  This software license will also be good for Math 103B, and MAT104 (If your instructor uses it) at no extra cost. The software license is valid as long as the student uses the same textbook; the student may need to call the tech support to obtain another access code if the student takes the same class again later.

Our course id is richardson43763

Required Calculator: A Texas Instruments 89 or equivalent. I will be using and demonstrating with a TI89.

Course Overview:

The course covers the properties of logarithms and exponentials, conic sections, systems of equations and their solution with Gaussian Elimination, a brief introduction to linear programming, sequences, series, permutations and combinations..

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Prove and derive mathematical statements using various methods including induction.
2. Employ matrices and their properties to solve systems of equations.
3. Construct and interpret graphs of conic sections and transcendental functions.
4. Apply the topics of the course to real world situations.

Suggestions, Tips and Advice:

Exams:

There will be two midterm exams given in the quarter. We will have a comprehensive final examination.

Online Quizzes:

There are 5 online quizzes. See the CourseCompass website for due dates and times.

Homework Assignments:

There are 25 online homework assignments. See the CourseCompass website for due dates and times.

One homework assignment will be sumitted offline (i.e. paper and pencil). This is the assignment for section 12.4 which covers Mathematical Induction.

Evaluation Criteria:

Grading will be based on your total scores from:

2 Midterm exams

200 points
44.4 %

1 Comprehensive Final   

150 points
33.3 %
Online Quizzes
50 points
11.1%

Homework assignments 

50 points
11.1 %
Total 
450 points
100%

No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.

The letter grade assigned will be based on the following cutoffs:

90 % - 100 %
A
80 % - 90 %
B
70 % - 80 %
C
60 % - 70 %
D
< 60 %
F

Help:

I am here to help you learn.  I want you to succeed in this course and beyond.  Use me as your resource.  See me during my office hours.  Do not hesitate to make arrangements to see me anytime outside of class or office hours. Make arrangements with me if you have any difficulties or special needs.  We have tutoring and a Learning Assistance Center available.  We have the Math Success Center with tutors, computers and help available. We have a Learning Disabilities Lab available and I will accommodate any learning disability you may have to the best of my and the College’s ability.  If you find that you are lost or behind please do not hesitate to see me.

A Word on Honesty:

Cheating or copying will not be tolerated. People who cheat dilute the honest effort of the rest of us.  If you cheat on an exam you will receive an F.  Other college disciplinary action including expulsion might occur. Please don’t cheat in this class.  If you are having difficulty with the course, please see me.

Classroom Behavior and Etiquette

You have enrolled in this college class voluntarily and I commend you for your efforts at further educating yourself, an admirable thing to do. I therefore assume that you are attending class to learn. My responsibilities include maintaining an effective learning environment in the classroom so that you may learn in this class.

I expect you to respect our class meetings as a time and place for learning. As such, disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated. If you elect to disrupt your classmates while they are trying to learn I will eject you from the class. (I may eject you for any inappropriate behavior.) You may not return to class for two class meetings. Before returning to class you must come see me.