MAT 103A College Algebra Part I
Winter ‘09, Section 1
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:                         D127                          
Meeting Venue:         E106,  M,W  1:30 - 3:35
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          richardson@ltcc.edu          

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):

Required Textbook:           Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, Fourth Edition, Sullivan and Sullivan, Prentice Hall 2006, ISBN 0-13-149095-8

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

Course Overview:

The course provides an in-depth coverage of functions: polynomial and rational functions, their graphs, and finding solutions and zeros of polynomial functions. Special emphasis will be placed on applications problems and the use of calculators.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The successful student will:

• Produce and interpret graphs of functions and relations.
• Apply techniques to solve polynomial and rational equations and inequalities.
• Model real life situations using algebraic methods.
• Simplify algebraic expressions using skills obtained in the course.

Suggestions, Tips and Advice:

• Class time is valuable.  Arrive on time, be prepared having read the assigned reading and having completed any due assignments.
• Bring your notebook and your textbook to each class
• Take notes in class
• The textbook has been carefully selected.  Read it! 
• Practice. You must practice in order to succeed at math. Do some math every day.
• Use me and the tutors available to ask questions and get help.

Exams:

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

Quizzes:

There is one practice quiz scheduled which will not count towards your final grade.

Homework Assignments:

There will be 9 homework assignments. These are due at the beginning of class on Tuesdays commencing with week 2. Assignments may be turned in up to one week late for a maximum of half-credit.

Online Grades

You can find your scores on the web here, or by searching for our course at http://www.gradesource.com/

Evaluation Criteria:

Grading will be based on your total scores from:

No extra credit work will be assigned or accepted.

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

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  for the course, not merely for the test.  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.