South Plains College Math 0315 – Beginning Algebra (3:3:1) Course Syllabus Fall 2011 Instructor: Diane Eagle Office: M106 (mathematics building) Phone: 806-716-2736 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 10:30 – 11:00 1:30 – 2:30 10:30 – 11:00 2:45 – 3:15 10:30 – 11:00 1:30 – 2:30 10:30 – 11:00 2:45 – 3:15 9:00 – 12:00 Prerequisites: Minimum score of 42 on Accuplacer or 180 on THEA. Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Sullivan/Struve/Mazzarella, 2010, Second Edition, Prentice Hall/Pearson Education Supplies: Graph paper, straightedge, notebook paper, pencils, and eraser. Calculators (including calculators on cell phones or other electronic devices) are NOT allowed in MATH 0315. Course Description: This course is designed for those students who need MATH 0320 and have not had one year of high school algebra. It includes properties of signed numbers, algebraic expressions, linear equations in one unknown and geometry. Time in a math lab is required. This course will not satisfy graduation requirements. This course is required if testing indicates a need. Course Purpose/Rational/Goal: The purpose of this course is to provide a background in beginning algebra concepts necessary for MATH 0320. Student Learning Outcomes/Competencies: Upon completion of this course and receiving a passing grade, the student will be able to: 1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide real numbers (1.4, 1.5) 2. Use the order of operations to simplify an expression (1.7) 3. Simplify algebraic expressions (1.8) 4. Solve linear equations (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) 5. Translate and solve word problems (2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7) 6. Solve linear inequalities (2.8) 7. Graph equations in two variables by the intercept method and the slope intercept method (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) 8. Evaluate expressions using exponent rules (5.2, 5.3) 9. Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials (5.1, 5.4, 5.5) 10. Factor polynomials (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5) 11. Solve quadratic equations by factoring (6.6)*Developed by the Coordinating Board and the Faculty of South Plains College’s Math and Engineering Department. Course Requirements: To maximize the potential to complete this course, a student should attend all class and laboratory meetings, take notes and participate in class, complete all homework assignments and examinations including final examinations. Course Evaluation: Your final grade will be determined by the average of 4 major tests (400 points) the comprehensive departmental final exam (100 points) quizzes (100 points) and bonus points. A total of 600 points are possible. The number of points earned will follow the grading scale below: A 90 to 100 537 to 600 points B 80 to 89 477 to 536 points C 70 to 79 417 to 476 points D 60 to 69 357 to 416 points F Below 60 0 to 356 points ***NOTE: I do NOT issue the grade of “PR” for this class under any circumstances. Exams: Dates for the 4 major tests and comprehensive departmental final exam are listed on the calendar. There are no makeup tests! If you miss one of the 4 major tests, your final exam will count twice to replace the missing grade. A second missed test will be averaged as a zero. The final exam grade (if higher) will also replace the lowest major exam grade; however, if the final exam is lower than any of the 4 major exam grades, then it will only count once in the course average. Homework: Homework is assigned from each section covered, and time will be available at the beginning of class to ask questions. Homework will not be collected or graded; however, test and quiz questions are often selected from these problems. Consistently working problems reinforces the skills and concepts presented, and therefore is essential for success in this course. Quizzes: On random days, a short, 10-point quiz will be given at the end of class. These quizzes will consist of a few problems from the previous day’s homework. Completed homework assignments and notes may be used when taking quizzes, but not the textbook. There are NO makeups for a missed quiz, and a grade of zero will be assigned. Bonus Points: At the beginning of the semester, each student has 50 bonus points. A student will lose 10 points for each absence (up to 5.) At the end of the semester, any remaining bonus points will be added to the student’s overall point total. Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken every class period. Students who arrive late, leave early, sleep during class, or fail to sign the attendance sheet may be counted absent. Whenever absences become excessive and, in the instructor’s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to absences, the student will be withdrawn from the course. Any student who misses 4 consecutive classes or exceeds 6 absences throughout the semester will be administratively dropped and receive a grade of F. Students wishing to drop this class must see the registrar to officially withdraw and receive a grade of W. Please be mindful of the new state law that allows a student that began college after Fall 2007 a maximum of 6 withdrawals for their entire undergraduate career; these withdrawals include developmental courses.Tutoring: Students can obtain free tutoring in room M116 in the math building on the South Plains Campus in Levelland or in Building 8 at the Reese Center. Tutoring schedules will be posted on campus. Course Specific Instructions: There are videotapes of many topics available in room M116 in the math building at the Levelland campus. These tapes can be viewed in the lab, or checked out and taken home for viewing. These videos can also be viewed online. Go to http://spc.blackboard.com and login using “mvideos” and password “mvideos.” Click on Math – Math Videos and locate the appropriate course and the topic in which you are interested. Classroom Civility: Students are expected to be respectful of their fellow classmates and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices before entering the room. The instructor reserves the right to ask a student to leave if his/her cell phone is left on and disrupts the class. Refrain from using offensive language, reading newspapers, chewing tobacco products, or otherwise being disruptive in class. Food