Refund Date: September 14, 2007                                         Withdraw: December 4, 2007

COURSE NUMBER/TITLE/CREDITS:  MATH 121 – Intermediate Algebra - 4 Credit Hours

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

            Anna Cox

            Kellogg Community College

            450 North Avenue

            Battle Creek, MI  49017-3397

            e-mail:  coxa@kellogg.edu

            Telephone:  (269) 965-3931 ext. 2333 (Please listen and follow voicemail directions!)

            Fax machine: (269) 565-2056

            Office:  C-54 (Classroom building)

    Office Hours:  To Be Announced

Additional office hours are available by appointment (Don't hesitate to make one!)  Also remember there is help available in The Learning Place on a walk-in basis.  It is located in the Ohm Technology Building on the second floor.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Topics included are subsets of the number system, the number line, relations and functions, graphs of linear equations and linear inequalities, linear systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions and equations, exponents and radicals, complex numbers, polynomial equations, exponential and logarithmic functions and equations, and applications.

PREREQUISITE:  ASSET elementary algebra assessment score of at least 46, or ASSET intermediate algebra assessment score of at least 38, or COMPASS algebra assessment score of at least 40, or a grade of “C” or better in Math 101.

 

TEXTBOOK(S):  Intermediate Algebra:  Concepts and Applications, 7th edition, by Bittenger and Ellenbogen.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES REQUIRED:  Graphing Calculator TI-83, TI-83 Plus,
TI-84, or TI-84 Plus.  Have all cell phones and beepers turned off during class.  You will not use the calculator functions of cell phones and palm pilots for tests.

BELIEFS ABOUT STUDENT LEARNING:  Learning is a life-long process that is enhanced through formal classroom experiences.  While textbooks, tutors, and instructors exist to assist in learning, ultimately the responsibility and reward of learning rests on the learner.

BELIEFS ABOUT TEACHER'S ROLE:  The teacher provides an environment which enables and encourages each learner to achieve his/her educational goals.  The teacher clearly defines expectations for success in Intermediate Algebra.  The teacher is accessible to student needs and is open to students' ideas, yet remains consistent and demanding.  The teacher expects each student to strive for excellence.

METHOD OF EVALUATION: 

            Students will earn points for successful completion of:

                        1.         Tests                                                                @100 points

                        2.         Daily Work (homework, quizzes)                        @3-50 points

                        3.         Comprehensive Final Exam                                @150 points

                        4.         Notebook                                                          @100 points

The total number of points will be approximately 1000.  Because the problem sets and quizzes are given in a sporadic, spontaneous manner, it is not possible to predict the exact number of points for the term.

                                    Grading Scale:                                       90 - 100                        A

                                                                                                80 -   89                        B

                                                                                                70 -   79                        C

                                                                                                60 -   69                        D

                                                                                                  0 -   59                        F

 Plus and minus grades will be determined by the instructor at the end of the semester and in part will be decided upon class participation and attendance.

Homework assignments will be collected daily at the start of class and will be worth 3 points each day.  You must show work when it is warranted on homework assignments, I will not accept just neatly printed answers.  Homework must be turned in at the start of class or it will not be accepted.  If you are absent, homework may NOT be turned in late.  I will drop 5 homework assignments for the semester to allow for absences, sickness, family emergencies etc.  No homework assignments will be received late.

NOTEBOOKS

In order to help you stay better organized, there will be a notebook kept.  You should use a three ring binder.  Your notebook will be worth 100-points and must be organized as I've outlined.

                         1.        Keep the course syllabus and outline in front along with my office hour schedule

                         2.        Keep a section for each of the following in chronological order:

                  In-class notes

                  All homework, in order

                 Returned tests/quizzes

                  Other assignments including grade sheets

AUDITS:  I will not approve your desire to change to audit status unless you are passing with a "C" grade and unless you give me a commitment to attend class.

INCOMPLETE GRADE:  I will consider granting an incomplete grade only in rare circumstances such as a lengthy illness that precludes successful completion of the course within this semester.  I will not grant an incomplete grade if you are failing or receiving a "D" grade at the time you request an incomplete grade. 

POLICIES ON ATTENDANCE:  Regular class attendance is an important part of educational success and is expected of all students.  The student is responsible for all work missed due to absence.  I also expect to be notified before class that a student will not be attending a class, this can be done via e-mail, a phone call or even leaving a message on my voicemail.  I consider this common courtesy.  Class begins promptly at the scheduled time.  I expect that everyone will be attentive.  In the event that you must arrive late, please enter the room unobtrusively.  Excessive absences will directly affect a students grade.  Please be considerate and turn off cellular phones and pagers.  An ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL will be initiated when the instructor believes it is no longer possible for the student to pass the course.
 

Note on late quizzes and tests:

1.  Quizzes:  No quizzes will be made up.  I will drop the lowest two quizzes.

2.   Tests:  It is assumed that when a test is given during a class period that all students will be ready to take the test at that time.  If you are unable to attend class due to unforeseen circumstances you must contact me immediately and make up the test in the testing center (Lane Thomas bldg., third floor) BEFORE the next class period.  Students who have not made up the test prior to the next class period will receive a grade of zero. 

 

Note:  Some circumstances, such as extended illness, death in the family, will make this policy void, but they need to be discussed with the instructor.  You must email, or phone me with these extended circumstances.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: 

If I determine that you have cheated on any test or group project, then you will earn a zero for the examination or the group project.  Depending on the nature of the cheating, I may consider harsher action as provided in the college “Student Handbook”.

OFFICE HOURS:  I am more than happy to make time for you if you have shown a true desire to succeed in this class.  The only way I can help you do your best is if I know you are having troubles, so please feel free to ask questions or come in to see me.  My office hours are posted on my door and you have received a copy of my schedule.  If these times will not work for you, please ask me to set up an appointment with you.  I am more than happy to accommodate your schedule where possible.

ADA STATEMENT:  Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability.  KCC is committed to compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

DISCLAIMER:  Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester.  However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student.  The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligations.
   

Learning Activities                                                                                                         

     I.                  Sets and Real Numbers                                                                                   

                        1.         Sets, vocabulary, and notation.

                        2.         Set operations.

                        3.         The real numbers and sub-classifications.

                        4.         The real number line and interval notation.

                        5.         Operations with signed numbers.  (Review as needed)

                        6.         Properties of the real numbers.

                        7.         Order relations and absolute value.

    II.                 Linear Equations and Inequalities in one variable                                    

                        1.         Solving linear equations.  (Review as needed)

                        2.         Solving linear inequalities.

                        3.         Solving linear equations and inequalities with absolute value.

                        4.         Showing solutions in set and interval form and graphing on the number line.

                        5.         Applications.

  III.                 Linear Equations and Inequalities in two variables                                               

                        1.         The rectangular coordinate system.

                        2.         Graphing equations and inequalities.

                        3.         Slope and forms of equations of the line.

                        4.         Applications.

  IV.                 Relations and Functions.                                                                                   

                        1.         Definitions.

                        2.         Range and domain.

                        3.         Function terminology and notation.

                        4.         Linear functions.

    V.                Exponents and Polynomials                                                                   

                        1.         Integer exponents and laws of exponents.

                        2.         Operations with polynomials:  sums, differences, products, and quotients.

                        3.         Special products.

                        4.         Factoring, common factors.

                        5.         Factoring trinomials.

                        6.         Factoring binomials:  Difference of two squares, sum and difference of two cubes.

                        7.         Factoring by grouping.

  VI.                 Quadratic Equations and Functions                                                        

                        1.         Solving quadratic equations by factoring.

                        2.         Solving quadratic equations by completing the square.

                        3.         Quadratic formula and nature of roots.

                        4.         Quadratic functions, domain, range.

                        5.         Graphing quadratic functions.

                        6.         Applications.

 VII.                 Rational Expressions                                                                            

                        1.         Reducing algebraic fractions.

                        2.         Multiplication and division.

                        3.         Finding common denominators.

                        4.         Addition and subtraction.

                        5.         Complex fractions.

                        6.         Solve fractional equations.

                        7.         Applications.

VIII.                 Radicals and Complex numbers                                                            

                        1.         Fractional exponents and radicals.

                        2.         Laws of exponents and radicals.

                        3.         Simplifying radicals.

                        4.         Operations with radicals

                        5.         Solving equations involving radicals:  square and cube roots.

                        6.         Rationalizing monomial and binomial denominators.

                        7.         Complex numbers, powers of i.

                        8.         Operations with complex numbers.

  IX.                 Solving systems of linear equations                                                        

                        1.         In two variables by graphing and algebraic methods.

                        2.         In three variables.

                        3.         Applications.

    X.                 Exponential and Logarithmic functions                                                   

                        1.         Exponential functions and graphs.

                        2.         Definition of a logarithm.

                        3.         Properties of logarithms.

                        4.         Common logarithms, natural logarithms.

                        5.         Using the calculator to find logs and anti-logs.

                        6.         Exponential and logarithmic equations.