MAT 154A Intermediate Algebra
Winter 2014
Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:                  Steve Richardson   
Office:                         D127                          
Meeting Venue:          D125,  T  12:00 - 1:50
Phone:                         541-4660 extension 333
email:                          steve.richardson.ltcc@gmail.com      

Class Schedule and Assignments (subject to revision):

Required Textbook:           Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Fifth Edition  by Elayn Martin-Gay.

Required Software License: It is required to have a software license for this class.  Students have two choices.  The first is to purchase the textbook from the bookstore.  The textbook comes with the license.  The second choice is to purchase the license alone either from the bookstore or online.  The license gives you access to the textbook online.  This is a more economically reasonable choice, but is only recommended to students who have online access and feel comfortable reading a computer screen instead of a traditional book.  Purchasing a used textbook without the software licsense is not an option for this class.

You enter a valid email address when you register on Course Compass (www.coursecompass.com). I will communicate with you via this email. Therefore you must monitor the email address you used.

Our course id is richardson74509

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.

Good Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course:

• I have difficulty learning in a traditional lecture format class.
• I learn well when I can use a computer.
• I often need the instructor to slow down and repeat what was said.
• Math lectures rarely move at a pace that is appropriate for me.
• I learn well with any format, but the computer mediated course will fit my difficult work schedule.

Poor Reasons for Taking a Computer Mediated Course:

• Most of my learning occurs during lecture, but this was the only course that fit my schedule.
• I do not know how to use a computer and thought that this would teach me computer skills.
• I heard that I do not have to work as hard in this section.
• The computer will do the work for me so that I do not have to learn the math.
• I do not want to take pencil and paper exams.

Exams:

There will be two midterm exams given in the quarter. We will have a comprehensive final examination. Exams will be traditional paper and pencil exams. Students are to bring pencils or pens, and paper to each exam.  Grading will based on the progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested, therefore work must be shown in detail. Any student who cannot make it to an exam may elect to take the exam up to two days before the exam is scheduled.  Without prior notice, no makeup exam will be given.

Quizzes:

Each week you will take a MyMathLab quiz. Before you take the quiz, make sure that you have done the guided exercises, read the textbook sections for the week, looked at the video(s), and received assistance from either a tutor or your instructor on any difficult topics.  Please ask for help if you need it.  If you do not take a quiz, a zero will be recorded for that grade.  Quizzes must be completed by midnight each Sunday.

Homework Assignments:

Homework is due each Sunday by midnight.  You will be using the MyMathLab website to work on your homework.  Feel free to consult a fellow classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone else for assistance on the homework.

Homework assignments close Sundays at midnight. However there are versions of the homework assignments that never close. You may work on these homework assignments all quarter. These assignments do not count towards your grade, and are provided so that you may use them as a study and review aid. These assignments are all named with the suffix 'Ungraded'.

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.  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.