WINTER QUARTER, 2011          

      

          MATH  154A  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 4pm – 5:50pm  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:  morrow78399.  For assistance with MML, you may any of the following:  

 

*  Help with using MML and Course Compass is available on the phone at 800-677-6337  Mon-Fri 5am – 5pm & Saturday 2pm – 9pm. Assistance is available online 24/7 at 247pearsoned.custhelp.com. 

 

*  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.

 

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

 

 

Your homework will be done on paper, as you are used to, then turned in online. 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, and highlighting your class notes, or text.  A small ruler is a great graphing-aid.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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 need to make an appointment, and 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:

The three combined midterms will add up to: 60% of your math grade.

Your final exam counts as :                               25%

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 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 you by setting low standards. My personal life won’t interfere with class. 

 

 

CLASS SCHEDULE:

 

This is your guide for assignments, due-dates and exam-dates, also the school holidays for Winter quarter, 2011.  Keep this as a reference so you know each time what topics will be covered, and reviewed.

 

 

 

January 3rd:  Welcome to class.  Cover 3.6 & 4.4. systems of linear equations in 3 variables; functions.  Homework in these sections is due on January 8th and 10th.  (See your Math Lab)

 

January 5th:  Finish 4.4, Cover 8 .2, Graphing nonlinear functions.   Homework is due on 1/10.

 

January 10th Cover 8.3, 11.3.  Shifting and reflecting of graphs, solving quadratic equations.  Homework is due  on 1/15.

 

January 12th:  Finish 11.3, Cover 11.4, nonlinear inequalities.  11.4 homework is due on 1/17.

 

January 17th:  Martin Luther King Day, School holiday.  LTCC is closed.

 

January 19th:  Sections 11.5 & 11.6 Quadratic functions and their graphs; Further graphing of quadratic functions.  HW due on 1/24.

 

January 24th:   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 1/29.

 

January 26th: Exam #1, you’ll be given the entire class period.  Read 12.2 for Wednesday.  No actual homework is assigned for Wednesday.

 

January 31st:   Cover 12.2, Inverse functions, begin 12.3, exponential functions.  12.2 & 12.3 due on 2/5 & 2/7.

 

February 2nd:  Finish 12.3, 12.4, Logarithmic functions.  Homework due  on  2/7.

 

February 7th:  12.5 Properties of logarithms, begin12.6 Logs to different bases.  12.5 HW due on 2/12.

 

February 9th:  Finish 12.6, 12.7 Common and natural logs, change-of-base formula; exponential & logarithmic equations.  Homework due on 10/26.

 

February 14th:  Comprehensive review for Exam #2 on Chapter 12.

 

 

February 16th:  Exam #2 on Chapter 12.  Read 13.1 for next Wednesday.

 

February 21st:   Washington’s Birthday, school holiday.  LTCC is closed.

 

February 23rd:  Cover 13.1, the Parabola and the circle.  Begin 13.2, the ellipse & the hyperbola.  13.1 HW is due on 2/28.

 

February 28th:  Finish 13.2  The ellipse & hyperbola, Cover 13.3, Nonlinear systems of equations.  13.3  Homework due on  3/3.

 

March 2nd:  13.4, Nonlinear inequalaities and systems of inequalities.  13.4 HW due on 3/7.

 

March 7th:  Review for a short exam on Chapter 13, four sections.  Exam follows review, 13.1 – 13.4.  Read 14.1 and 14.2 for Wednesday.

 

March 9th:  Cover 14.1, 14.2 Beginning sequences.  HW due on 3/14.

 

March 14th:   Cover 14.3, begin 14.4 Series, partial sums of arithmetic and geometric series.  Homework due on 3/19.

 

March 16th:   Finish 14.4 and review sequences and series.  HW in 14.4 is due on 3/19

 

March 21st:   Comprehensive review for the final exam.

 

March 23rd:  Final exam between 4PM – 5:50 in Room A213.   Congratulations, you have successfully completed Math 154A, you are now fully prepared to enter LTCC’s more advanced mathematics classes.