MAC 1105 - Syllabus - TR

TEXTBOOK:   College Algebra, Ratti/McWaters, Pearson Publishers

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS: a scientific calculator and a clicker

PREREQUISITE:  Intermediate Algebra with a grade  "C" or higher or recommendation of the mathematics department.

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: A college algebra course containing topics such as solving, graphing, and applying linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; exponential and logarithmic properties; linear, quadratic, rational, absolute value and square root functions; function operations, compositions and inverses; and systems of equations and inequalities, all with applications throughout the course.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

1. The students should be able to work with algebraic concepts.

2. The students should be able to solve quadratic equations and rational, quadratic, and absolute value inequalities.

3. The students should be able to work with relations, functions, and their graphs.

4. The students should be able to solve and graph logarithmic and exponential equations/functions.
5. The students should be able to solve linear systems of equation

Attendance:
Class attendance is required. A student is allowed 4 absences. Any student who has more than 4 absences will receive a course grade of F. Tardy arrivals and early departures will result in a half-absence. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the class in the
event of an absence. Exceptions may be made for non-penalized absences (religious holy day observances in his/her faith, the student’s serious illness, death in the family, or attendance to statutory governmental responsibilities) Documentation for non-penalized absences shall be presented by the student should the faculty member request it.

Withdrawals:  Should it become necessary, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the course through the registrar's office. The last date to withdraw without a grade penalty is March 24, 2009.   Students who do not officially withdraw but stop attending class after the withdrawal date will receive a grade of "F".

Audits:  Students who wish to audit this course must do so through the registrar by March 24, 2009. Students who audit this course must adhere to the attendance policy. Students who fail to meet these requirements will be withdrawn from the course.

3-TAKE POLICY:  There is a limit of 3 attempts for this course, including the original grade, repeat grades, audits, and withdrawals. Upon the third attempt, you will not be permitted to withdraw and will receive a grade for the course. Enrollment after JAnuary 12, 2009 will count as an attempt.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Except for test days and review days, class time will be spent discussing new material and problem solving together or in groups. Students are expected to do all homework assigned and those assignments will be discussed as time permits. Students are encouraged to participate in discussions and to share solutions to homework or classroom problems.

CONDUCT AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Students have a right to a quiet classroom. In addition to refraining from classroom talking, electronic devices that emit audible signals (e.g. beepers, cellular phones, etc.) should be set to silent mode or turned off (except for persons employed in emergency health and safety occupations). Any person who infringes on this right will be asked to leave the classroom. No iPods, Bluetooth wireless devices, or other electronic/wireless devices (other than the calculator) may be used or worn during class.  

College policy prohibits you from eating in the classroom and from bringing children or guests to class.

Do not walk in and out of class. Each student expects to receive an equal opportunity to learn without disruptions.

Students are expected to adhere to the college's policies on conduct and academic honesty as stated in the BCC Student Handbook and the college catalog. Violations of these policies will not be tolerated. In particular, cheating on any quiz or test will result in a zero for that grade and the zero will not be dropped. If a second offense should occur, the student will receive a failing grade for the course.  If I see a student with any electronic device (except calculator) during assessment I will assume the student is cheating.

GRADES:

There will be five 100-point tests, a 100 point clicker grade, and a 100 point comprehensive final exam. Your final grade will be determined by averaging these seven grades. A student has the option of dropping his/her lowest test grade and counting the final exam grade twice. The following grading scale will be used.

90 - 100 A

80 -  89  B
70 -   79 C
60 -   69 D
Below 60 F

EXAM ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is mandatory on the day of an exam. If a student cannot be present to take an exam, the student's final exam will count twice. There will be no make-up exams. Exceptions may be made for non-penalized absences (religious holy day observances in his/her faith, the student's serious illness, death in the immediate family, or attendance to statutory governmental responsibilities) Documentation for non-penalized absences shall be presented by the student should the faculty member request it.

Classroom Performance System  (Clicker Questions):

Clicker questions will be asked throughout the class most days.  At the beginning of class, students should be prepared to answer clicker questions covering material from the previous class.  Students should also be prepared during class to answer clicker questions covering review material or new material.  Clicker questions cannot be made up for any reason.  There will be an opportunity for students to earn bonus points to cover any unexpected absences.  Additional information covering clickers can be found on my website.   
A student's clicker grade will be determined by dividing a student's clicker points by the total number of clicker points.  


MyMathLab:  MyMAthLab is completely optional.  Students can earn 4 extra-credit points per test by completing a MyMathLab assignment with a score of 90% or above.  Each assignment must be completed before class time on the day of the test.  MyMathLab can be purchased in the bookstore or online.

HOMEWORK:
Following is a proposed course schedule. All assignments ( except practice tests)  are for odd-numbered problems only. On review days students should prepare to be tested. Studying homework problems, review sheets and doing review exercises and practice tests at the end of the chapter are good ways to review College Algebra.

Final Exams:
  TR - 11:00 - April 30-  10:30 - 12:20
 TR -   2:00 - April 30 - 2:30 - 4:20