Syllabus – MATH 152B: Basic Algebra II

Spring 2012 - Sections 3 & 4

(Keep this syllabus in your notebook for reference.)

LTCC Math Webpage: http://www.ltcc.edu/academics.asp?scatID=5&catID=34

TEXTBOOK (OPTIONAL):  Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 5^th Edition, Elayn Martin-Gay

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 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.  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.

A temporary license can be acquired for no cost, but it is only available for 17 days.  After that period, a full license must be purchased.  If you are waiting for financial aid reimbursement, this option is available once, but do not wait to purchase the license once it is available.

The courseID is listed in the table above, and is required to access the online portion of this course. 

For assistance call 1-800-677-6337.  Mon – Fri 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  Online assistance is available 24 hours every day at: 247pearsoned.custhelp.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   
MAT 152B is a continuation of MAT 152A.  Topics covered will include factoring, solving equations with rational and radical expressions, systems of linear equations, and solving quadratic equations. Prerequisite for this course is a grade of C or better in MAT 152A, or appropriate skills demonstrated through the Math assessment process.

CALCULATORS:  Calculators are not allowed in this class on quizzes, exams or the final exams.

Technology in the Classroom:  All cell phones, laptops, 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 and exams.

TUTORING:  Tutoring is available in the Math Success Center (MSC) in Room 201. Students will earn 0.5 point toward the total grade for every 10 hours in MSC or DRC. However, if any student misses two or more classes, no lab credit will be granted.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:        
1. Factor a polynomial.
2. Apply the four basic operations to rational and radical expressions.
3. Solve equations with rational and radical expressions.
4. Solve a 2 x 2 system of linear equations.
5. Solve quadratic equations.
6. Apply course topics to real world situations.

GRADING BREAKDOWN:

Your letter grade will be based on your total percentage:

A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F: less than 60%

CHECKING YOUR GRADE ONLINE:
You can check your grade at any time in MyMathLab where you will be doing your homework. I will drop a student from the class if the student misses two classes or more and is unable to keep up with the learning.

HOMEWORK:
Homework will be done online using MyMathLab.  Due dates are listed for you when you go on line to do the assignments.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework. In addition, the computer will give you help with any problem, show you an example of a similar problem, and in some cases show you a video of someone teaching how to do that type of problem.  If you don’t have the internet connection at home, you can print them out in school at Math Lab, TLC, or D-wing Lab, work the problem on the papers, and enter the answers in school.

      Homework assignments for each class session will be made available immediately after the corresponding lecture.  The due date and time for any homework assignment will be a Tuesday, about 30 minutes before class begins.  You will be given a minimum of one week for any assignment (the specific due date and time is listed with every assignment).  Any change to this will be announced either in class or on the course’s MyMathLab main page.

QUIZZES:
The quizzes will be assigned every Tuesday, they will be no longer than 10 minutes, and will be at the beginning of class only.  There are NO make-up Quizzes, including being late to class.  If you know you will be late, please discuss with me before that particular day of class. 

Quizzes will be out of 4 points: 2 points for accuracy and 2 points for participation (2 for full participation, 1 for some/lackluster participation, 0 for no/very little participation).  The primary goals for these quizzes are:

1.      Keep you on track with the study schedule.

2.      Give you an idea of what the exam problems will look like, and what is expected for full credit.

3.      Build your confidence in your test taking abilities.

EXAM POLICY:                 
Grading will be based on progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested. The more you show me with steps and detail, the better your chances for partial credit.  You provide me the communication and detail in your answers; and I will give you the best grade I can based on that communication and answer. You can use one 8½ x 11 in. page of hand-written notes, front and back, for quizzes, exams and the final.

EXAM MAKE-UP POLICY:
There will be no make-up exams with the exception of extreme emergencies with legitimate documentation, i.e, death in the family or severe illness.  If I am contacted in advance and the absence is excusable, then we may be able to setup an alternate time to take the exam, either with me or at the TLC (Tutoring & Learning Center). 

If you take the test at TLC, you need to make an appointment at TLC 24 hours ahead by going to TLC, call (530)541-4660 x 740, or e-mail TLCProctors@ltcc.edu.

COMMUNICATION POLICY:
The best way to get in touch with me (if I am not on campus) is through my email address above.  One of the features of MyMathLab homework is that if you have a question on one of the problems, you can click ‘Ask My Instructor’ to send the problem to my email directly and you can tell me what is troubling you.  NOTE: If you do not write anything and just send the problem, I will assume that you do not know how to get started, so I will only go as getting started.

If I am on campus, then I am either teaching or I am in my office.  If I am there, you are more than welcome to ask me anything, even if it is technically not during my regularly scheduled office hours. 

If you miss the class, it is your responsibility to pick up the class handouts or obtain the information either from your classmates or from me during the office hours.

LEARNING DISABILITIES:
If you have a certifiable learning disability that may affect your performance in this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with me during the first week of class.  Learning disabilities will be accommodated.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING): 
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.

      Cheating will be defined as but not limited to: (1) using any method to copy another’s work on an exam, quiz, or final (2) directly copying another student’s 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.

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.

WHERE TO FIND A COMPUTER ON CAMPUS: 
Computers are available for your use in the following locations on campus:

§         Learning Assistance Center (LAC)* open M – Th 9 – 6, F 10 – 2, Sa 11 – 3.

§         Math Success Center (MSC) * open Mon – Thurs 9 – 6, Fri 10 – 2, Sat 11 – 1.

§         Open Labs in the D-wing which have available times posted by the door of each lab.

* Both the LAC and the MSC are in room 201.

Tips to Succeed in a Math Course

·         Choose to attend all class periods and be on time.

While attendance in a college math course is unlikely to ever be mandatory, attending class is important for a lot of reasons:

1.       It is important to practice math as much as possible, almost every day if possible.  Attendance class regularly keeps you thinking about math, making the rest of your week lighter and much less cramming for exams.

2.       Any important announcements about the course, particularly the schedule or grading breakdown, are made during class.

3.       While missing class does not necessarily mean you will fail the course, those that fail the course are almost always those that skipped class.

·         Exchange names and phone numbers with classmates.

If you find that a math course is like a sinking ship, you are not the only one sinking.  If you are not taking this class with a friend, find someone to study with.  If you are struggling with a course’s topic, you will likely continue to struggle if you refuse to work with anyone.  If you are not struggling, someone in the class can benefit from your knowledge, which will in turn make your understanding that much greater.

·         Learn from your mistakes and be patient with yourself.

All too often, students decide that they don’t understand a topic, and simply give up.  Let me give you this little piece of information that I wish someone gave me a long time ago:

The only reason teachers can do any of these topics so well is because they have done them a lot.

Topics like factoring and adding fractions are difficult concepts, but your teachers were all in the same place as you with those topics at one time, they have just done it many times since.  Mistakes can be a very good thing if you choose to learn from them.

·         Don’t be afraid of asking questions.

There is a common misconception that questions make you look stupid to the teacher.  This is absolutely not true.  If you can admit that you do not understand a topic and want to understand it, that is smart.  That is much smarter than sitting idly and waiting to understand it in time for your test, which is not at all reliable.  If you feel uncomfortable asking around your fellow classmates during class, your teacher will often be available to answer any questions you have after (or even before) class.

·         Know how to get help if you need it.

Every college instructor will have office hours, which is time that a student can meet with the instructor without any sort of appointment to ask any questions you like. Another common misconception is that going to office hours makes you look stupid, which could not be farther from the truth.  The instructor is always a great resource, but they are never the only one.  Every college has tutoring centers and very often a place for just math tutoring.  The tuition for the course pays for all of this, meaning you have paid for their service already.  If you do not use these resources when you need them, you are wasting your money.

·         Organize your class materials.

Math courses are cumulative by design, meaning previous concepts will be assumed knowledge as more concepts are introduced.  Having a place for all class materials will be important when it is time to review for exams.  Organizing it all by the order in which the material is presented will be greatly beneficial.  It is also very important to keep any graded materials to verify your grade with your teacher if necessary.

·         Do your homework and DO NOT WAIT to do so.

To stay ahead and on top of the material, try the homework as soon as you have gone over the material in class; attempt the homework that very day if possible.  You may not be able to finish it as a result of not understanding some of the problems, which you can ask your instructor.  If you wait to do homework (especially online homework) thinking that it will take some certain amount of time, you may not finish.

·         Check your work.

All too often, students believe that the first person to finish an exam is the smartest student in the class.  Teachers will never agree with that.  The smartest student is the most patient and careful student in the teacher’s eyes, and let’s be honest: that more important to your grade than how the students see you.  So if you finish early, use your extra time and check your work.  If you make some simple mistake that costs of points, you will regret it.

·         Hand in assignment on time.

Many teachers will set due dates for assignments and will be unsympathetic to late submissions.  However, probably every teacher has no problem turning an assignment in early.  This is where communication is key: if you know that you are not going to be able to turn in an assignment for reasons such as doctor’s appointments, etc., you must come to an agreement with the instructor.

·         Read your textbook before class.

Not every teacher requires this; in fact, very few teachers will.  Textbooks are great way to combat sleep deprivation because they are, well, boring.  But if you read chapter knowing your class will discuss that concept the next meeting, whatever concepts did not quite make sense are significantly more likely to be understandable after the teacher explains them.

·         Know what is expected of you for any examinations.

Teachers are fully aware that exams are stressful, and will likely dedicate class time to reviewing for any exam.  However, this does not mean that your review begins at the review session.  You should not only know what capters are to be covered on the exam, but also know where your weaknesses are BEFORE THE REVIEW SESSION BEGINS and find out what amount of work is expected for full credit.  Teachers will not mind answering any questions like this.

Tentative Lecture Schedule for Math 152B

Any changes to this schedule (which are very likely) will be announced in class or on MyMathLab.

(Be sure to use class time, office hours, and the MSC to get all of your questions answered.)

First Homework Assignment: (HW1) due 1/10 before class

Write me a letter introducing yourself. 

·         Tell me whatever you would like, such as your hobbies, goals, or plans for the future. 

·         Most important, tell me your honest opinion on the topic of math.  If you like math or hate math, tell me that and why (if you do not know specifically why, you do not have to elaborate any further than simply liking or hating it).

Please have them typed. (No page minimum, no longer than 1 page please).  You may either email it to me or give me a physical printed copy.

Here is a sample letter from me to you:

Dear Students,

My name is John Stockton, and I am excited to teach math to you all this quarter.  I recently finished my Master’s degree in Mathematics (with an emphasis in Statistics), which I hope to put to good use here at Lake Tahoe Community College.  The topic of math has always been a strong topic of mine, but it was not until I was a graduate student that I truly discovered how amazing and fascinating the topic can be.  I sincerely wish that everyone can see math the way that I see it, which is why teaching math is something that I am committed to and passionate about, and I hope this enthusiasm can rub off onto to all of you.

I enjoy playing music as well; in particular, I play guitar, bass, piano, and saxophone (not necessarily well).  I very much enjoy watching movies and TV shows.  Some very recent favorite movies include Drive, The Artist, and especially Inception.  I like the shows How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, and my current favorite is Community (somewhat ironic, I know).  I like to play video games (when I have time to), and my favorite travel destinations are any places with roller coasters.

I am really looking forward to the coming quarter, and I plan on making this as fun and informative and I possibly can.  Just remember, math was not designed to make your life miserable.  Just remember to study regularly and ask questions!  Best of luck to you all.

                                                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                                                      John Stockton