South Plains College Math 1314 College Algebra 3 3 1 Course Syllabus Spring 2012 Instructor Diane Eagle Office M106 mathematics building Phone 806 716 2736 E mail deagle southplainscollege edu Office Hours Monday 10 30 11 30 2 15 3 00 Tuesday 11 45 12 15 5 00 5 20 Wednesday 10 30 11 30 2 15 3 00 Thursday 11 45 12 15 5 00 5 20 Friday 9 00 12 00 Prerequisites 2 years of high school algebra or Math 0320 TSI compliance Textbook College Algebra 5th edition Blitzer Pearson Prentice Hall 2010 Supplies Pencils paper straightedge and graph paper No calculators above a TI 30 are allowed Your calculator needs to be able to perform square roots logarithms and exponential functions Calculators on cell phones graphing calculators or other electronic devices will NOT be allowed during tests or in class assignments Arrive prepared to take notes every day Course Description A standard course in college algebra Quadratic equations ratio and proportion variation binomial theorem inequalities complex numbers theory of equations determinants and matrices Course Purpose Rational Goal The purpose of the course is to provide a fundamental background in algebra to meet the mathematics requirement for the core curriculum and to provide a basis for further study in mathematics Student Learning Outcomes Competencies Upon completion of this course and receiving a passing grade the student will be able to 1 Solve and graph problems involving linear 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 quadratic 1 5 1 6 3 1 exponential 4 1 4 4 and logarithmic 4 2 4 3 4 4 functions 2 Solve and graph linear quadratic and rational inequalities 1 7 3 6 5 5 3 Identify and simplify complex numbers 1 4 4 Apply midpoint distance and circle formulas 2 8 5 Analyze and graph polynomial functions 3 2 3 3 3 4 6 Analyze and graph rational functions 3 5 7 Create and solve systems of equations with algebraic techniques 5 1 5 2 5 4 with matrix techniques 6 1 and with determinants 6 5 8 Apply the Binomial Theorem to expand binomials of higher degree 8 5 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 Prerequisite Knowledge To successfully complete the course objectives students must already possess a prerequisite skill set Students need to be able to reduce and or simplify algebraic polynomial exponential radical and rational expressions as well as perform basic operations with each of these types of expressions Knowledge of factoring polynomials is REQUIRED as is a basic understanding of the coordinate plane and graphing equations These topics are covered in Chapter P of the textbook An online quiz over this prerequisite material will be given during week 1 to assess the student s readiness to proceed in College Algebra Course Evaluation Your final grade will be determined by the average of 4 major tests 400 points the comprehensive final exam 100 points homework quizzes 150 points A total of 650 points are possible The number of points earned will follow the grading scale below A B C D F 90 to 100 80 to 89 70 to 79 60 to 69 Below 60 582 to 650 points 517 to 581 points 452 to 516 points 387 to 451 points 0 to 386 points Exams Dates for the 4 major tests and comprehensive 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 will be collected periodically Time will be available at the beginning of class to ask questions Consistently working problems reinforces the skills and concepts presented and therefore is essential for success in this course In addition many test questions come directly from the assigned problems and examples worked in class Quizzes Online quizzes worth 5 points each will be assigned for most sections and may be accessed at http wps prenhall com esm blitzer coll alg 3 Upon completion of the quiz you will receive your score A link will appear so that you can email your results to me to be recorded You are strongly urged to email your score to yourself also and to print the summary page for study purposes Other days a worksheet or brief 10 point quiz may 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 in class but not the textbook There are NO makeups for missed quizzes and a grade of zero will be assigned Bonus Points Do NOT ask for extra credit Typically students who request extra credit help are those who are not completing the basic requirements of the class to begin with Occasionally tests may include a bonus problem or a bonus problem may be assigned to complete outside of class 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 Please remember to sign in when you seek the help of a tutor in each of these places 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 3 consecutive classes or exceeds 5 absences throughout the semester will be administratively dropped and receive a grade of X or F Students wishing to drop this class must see the registrar by Tuesday April 24 2012 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 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