MAT 1033 - Syllabus

TEXTBOOK:    Intermediate Algebra, 9^th edition,  Lial, Hornsby, and McGinnis, Addison Wesley

BCC Emergency Hotline:    (954) 201-4900

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 
A continuation of algebra containing topics such as factoring; operations with rational expressions; absolute value; exponents;  radicals and  roots;  complex numbers;  linear and quadratic equations and linear inequalities;  graphs;  systems of equations;  and functions;  all with applications throughout  the course.  Successful completion of this course will award three hours of elective credit towards the general education degree requirements for the AA.  degree.  Prerequisite:  High school algebra II with a grade of “C” or better and placement by the counseling department or completion of MAT 0024 (Elementary  Algebra)  with a grade of “C” or better.

COURSE OUTCOMES: 

1. The students should be able to factor polynomials.
2. The students should be able to simplify rational expressions and complex fractions; and solve rational equations,  
   literal equations and applied problems.
3. The students should be able to solve equations and inequalities in one variable.
4. The students should be able to simplify expressions using the rules of exponents and radicals, and
   perform operations with complex numbers.
5. The students should be able to solve quadratic equations and related applied problems.
6. The students should be able to graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables, solve and graph
   systems of linear equations and inequalities in two variables, and solve related applied problems.
7. The students should be able to identify the characteristics of a function of the form
     y = f(x).
   

Attendance:  
Class attendance is required. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes from another student, including any changes regarding course content or schedule, and to complete the regular assignments. Late arrivals and early departures from class are a nuisance to the rest of the Class. Tardiness will be noted.  Two late arrivals or early departures will count as one absence.  Five or more unexcused absences may result in a failing grade.  If you arrive after class begins or if you plan to leave early, please sit in a vacant seat nearest to the door. Always notify me in advance if you need to leave class early.

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 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 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.

MY MATH LAB: 
In this course, students will use an online educational program titled MyMathLab.   MyMathLab will come bundled with your textbook.  This program can be used on any computer with internet access.   Computers are available in the Math Lab (52-203)  and in the library.  MyMathLab will count toward your final grade.  

GRADES:
There will be four 100-point tests, 200 points in clickers/quizzes (counts as two test grades), 100 points MyMathLab,  and a 100 point final exam.  These grades combine for a total of 800 possible points during the semester.  A student has the option of dropping his/her lowest test grade and counting the final exam grade twice.  The clicker/quiz grade and the MyMathLab grade cannot be dropped and will count toward your final grade.  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).  In the case of these exceptions, I must be notified in advance of the reason for the absence.   Documentation for non-penalized absences shall be presented by the student should I request it.

QUIZ/Clicker grade:  Each day of class (other than test days) there will be a 10 point quiz or clicker grade.   The clicker questions will be asked throughout the class period.  Quizzes may be given at the beginning or the end of class.  These grades cannot be made up if a student is absent or misses the quiz/clicker questions due to late arrival or early departure.  There are, however, "bonus" days built into the schedule which should cover any unexpected absence from class.  

 
EXTRA CREDIT:  There is a possibility of extra credit being given periodically during the semester.  Students must be in class the day extra credit is given.  Extra credit cannot be made up.

HOMEWORK:
Following is a proposed course schedule. All assignments 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.  Students should bring their completed homework to class everyday.  

         




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Final Exams:  
  9:30 Class  - Monday May 3 - 8:30 - 10:20 
11:00 Class - Wednesday, April 29 - 10:30 - 12:20
2:00 Class - Wednesday, April 29  - 2:30 - 4:20

                                              MyMathLab Proposed Schedule