MAT 154A Basic Algebra Part II
Winter '09, Section 4
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:                         D127                          
Meeting Venue:         E106, M, W 11:00 am - 1:05 pm
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          richardson@ltcc.edu          

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):

Required Textbook:           Elementary and Intermidiate Algebra, Second Edition, Dugopolski, ISBN 0-07-302224-1

Course Overview:

This course is a continuation of Math 152B. The course includes quadratic equations and functions and their applications, non-linear inequalities, operations and composition of functions, conic sections: parabolas, circles, ellipses and hyperbolas, linear and non-linear systems of equations, inverse functions, exponential functions, logarithms, sequences and series, and the Binomial Theorem.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply the course topics to real-world situations.
2. Sketch and interpret the graphs of functions and relations introduced in intermediate algebra.
3. Simplify mathematical expressions into forms more amenable to analysis.
4. Provide solutions to equations using methods from intermediate algebra.

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

You may take exams early if you have schedule conflicts - make arrangements with me. Note that no makeup exams will be given unless previous arrangements have been made.

Homework Assignments:

There will be 10 homework assignments. These are due at the beginning of class on Mondays commencing with week 2. Assignments may be turned in up to one week late for a maximum of half-credit.

Here are the assigned problems for each homework set, including an 11th set that will not be collected or graded. Please note that these problem sets represent a bare minimum of assigned and graded practice. Should you need more practice to master this material it is your responsibility to do so.

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.