1 SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE MATH 0315 BEGINNING ALGEBRA Spring 2011 INSTRUCTOR: Debbie Maddox OFFICE: 116-G PHONE: 894-9611 ext 2740 OFFICE HOURS: 1:00-2:00 TT and 10:00-11:00 MW EMAIL: [email protected] PURPOSE OF COURSE: This course is designed to furnish the algebraic background necessary for enrollment in Math 0320. Exposure to some concepts present on the Accuplacer/THEA placement test will be presented. TEXTBOOK: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra (2nd Edition) , by Sullivan, Struve, and Mazzarella. Prentice-Hall Publishers. OBJECTIVE: Provide a solid foundation in algebra for students who have had no previous experience in algebra and for those who need a review of basic algebraic concepts. SUPPLIES: You will need a scientific calculator or graphing calculator, pencils, graph paper and a large spiral notebook. Calculators on cell phones or other electronic devices will not be allowed. ATTENDANCE: Attendance and effort are extremely important for success in this course. If lack of attendance has put you at risk of failing and you do not fill out a student initiated drop, you may be dropped at the discretion of your instructor with an X or an F. If you miss four accumulative days you may be dropped from the class. This class MUST be a priority. You will be given fifty points toward your grade in this class. Every time you are absent, 10 points are taken off. Two tardies equal one absence. Attendance can be taken any time during regular class hours. NO sleeping in class LAB SESSIONS: The lab time is part of class. There will be a daily lab activity or quiz. Lab assignments are designed to reinforce the lecture and ensure that you understand the material before attempting HW. There will be NO make-up quizzes or lab activities. The two lowest quiz or lab grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. MyMathLab Follow these steps for a painless registration procedure: Before you start, you will need: A student access code with is found in your Course Compass Student Access Kit that comes with the text. Course ID number for your course is: Or you can purchase online an access code using a credit card. A valid email address that you check on a regular basis SPC zip code is 79336 To register and enroll in my Compass course: Go to www.coursecompass.com and click Register for student2 You will create a login and password Click on the name of your course and begin to explore. Homework and quiz assignments are listed with due dates. If you are a previous user, do the following: Click on login but do not enter login name or password Click on View account summary Enter user name and password Click on login and enroll into a course TUTORING: Free tutoring is available in the Testing and Learning Center. Students are encouraged to review and check out the math videotapes. You can also access them by going to http://webct.southplainscollege.edu. Webct ID is mvideos and password: mvideos. EXAMINATIONS: There will be 4 major exams. Exams MAY NOT be made up. Therefore, make every effort to be in class on exam days. If you are absent on the day an exam is given, you will receive a grade of zero for that exam. To prepare for the comprehensive Final Exam, correct major exams and quizzes as they are returned. GRADING: The final grade for this course will be determined by: ( 4 exams + daily average + final exam) / 6 A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-70 D 69-60 F below 60 A grade of C or better is required in order to advance to the next course. Although your grade in this course will not be used in calculating your GPA, your grade in this course is used to determine academic status for financial aid. This course and its grade will be recorded on your official transcript. If you plan to transfer to another college or university, be advised that the grade you make in this course may reflect on your ability to transfer. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. READ YOUR SYLLABUS! 2. Attend class and be aware of announcements made in class. Failure to attend class could result in being dropped. 3. Do My MATH Lab problems early enough to seek help if needed. 4. Work extra problems, as required, to understand each topic. 5. Read and know the attendance policy. 6. Turn off cell phones before entering the room. (Cell phones are disruptive. Show respect for the class by turning them off before entering the room.) BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE: Students are expected to participate in class. When students arrive they should open their book and begin reading the section. Second, when the instructor begins the introduction of the material, students may ask questions and take3 notes. Third, when students are working on the assignment, they may talk quietly to one another or to the instructor. Students who do not comply may be asked to leave. COURSE OUTCOMES: Objectives for Math 0315: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers. 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 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 6. Solve linear inequalities 2.8 7. Graph equations in two variables by the intercept method & slope intercept method 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 8. Exponent rules 5.2, 5.4 9. Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials 5.1, 5.3 10. Factor polynomials 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 11. Solve quadratic equations by factoring 6.6 DROPPING A COURSE: To drop the course, return a completed official drop to the registrar’s office. Follow the official Drop/Withdrawal Policy & Procedures in the class schedule. Return the official drop to the registrar’s office by: January 16: you will receive a W (no grade penalty) check with the registrar’s office Arpil 26: last day to drop a class CALENDAR: The class calendar (weekly topic outline below) is tentative. It will be updated throughout the semester. DISABILITY STATEMENT: Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of