South Plains College MATH 0320 - INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA Fall 2011 Course Syllabus Instructor: Laura Franks E-Mail: [email protected] Blackboard: http://spc.blackboard.com Office Hours: By Appointment Course Description: MATH 0320. INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA. (3:3:1) Prerequisite: MATH 0315 (Beginning Algebra) or one year of high school algebra. This course is designed for the student who needs MATH 1314 or 1324. It includes factoring, fractions, linear equations in one unknown, graphs, systems of linear equations, exponents, radicals, and quadratic equations. Time in a math lab is required. This course will not satisfy graduation requirements. (Copied from the current SPC catalog) Course Objectives: Successful completion of this course should reflect mastery of the following objectives. (Chapter and section numbers are indicated in parentheses.) 1. Graph linear equations and inequalities and write the equation of the line. (3.5, 3.6, 3.7) 2. Solve systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination. (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) 3. Translate and solve word problems using systems of equations. (4.4, 4.5) 4. Graph systems of inequalities. (4.6) 5. Factor polynomials-review. (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5) 6. Solve quadratic equations by factoring. (6.6) 7. Simplify rational expressions by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5) 8. Solve rational equations. (7.7) 9. Simplify radical expressions by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. (9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6) 10. Solve radical equations. (9.8) 11. Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers. (9.9) 12. Solve quadratic equations by square root property and quadratic formula. (10.1, 10.2) Expectations: • Read the syllabus. • Attend class, arrive on time, do your homework, and be prepared to participate. • TURN OFF and PUT AWAY all cell phones and pagers when you enter the classroom and keep off for the duration of the class. Do NOT send or receive text messages during class. • Maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. For more detail, see page 23 of the South Plains College General Catalog. • Foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. For more detail, see page 23 of the South Plains College General Catalog. TSI: The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state program designed to ensure that all Texas institutions provide placement testing, personal advisement and appropriate instruction to students to enhance their opportunities for success in their college studies. All new students entering Texas colleges and universities are required to take a placement test prior to enrolling in college-level courses, unless exempt from testing under specified state standards (i.e., scores on ACT, SAT or TAKS). Testing will indicate whether a student possesses adequate basic college-level skills in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to begin an undergraduate program of study. (copied from the current SPC catalog) Attendance: Attendance and effort are the most important activities for success in this course. Record of your attendance will be maintained throughout the semester. You may be dropped from this course with a grade of X or F if you exceed three absences throughout the semester. Absences are not classified as ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’. Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Sullivan/Struve/Mazzarella, Second Edition, Prentice Hall/Pearson Education. Supplies: You will need pencils, paper, and a folder or notebook. Calculators on cell phones or other electronic devices will not be allowed. Please make certain all materials accompany you to each class meeting.Grading: Grading Scale: A 90-100 Homework 30% B 80-89 Unit Exams 60% C 70-79 Final Exam 10% D 60-69 F 59 or below A grade of C (70) or better is required to advance to the next course. Although your grade in this course will not be used in calculating your GPA, your grade is used to determine academic status for financial aid. This course and its grade will be recorded on your official transcript. Homework: • Homework assignments from the textbook are given on the calendar; changes will be announced in class. Homework problems should be worked early enough to seek help if needed. Work extra problems, as required, to understand each topic. • Written assignments must be done in pencil. Writing on both sides of the paper is permitted. • All work must be shown on homework. Homework with just the answers written down will be graded as a zero. Exams: There will be 4 unit tests and a comprehensive final exam. Dates for the exams are given on the course outline. If for any reason you are unable to take an exam at the designated time you must contact me prior to class time. Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. Tutoring and Free tutoring and video tapes are available in Room 116 of the Math Building. Digital versions Video Tapes: of these tutorial videos can be viewed on your personal computer. There is a link for these videos on blackboard. http://spc.blackboard.com. Equal South Plains College strives to accommodate the individual needs of all Opportunity: students in order to enhance their opportunities for success in the context of a comprehensive community college setting. It is the policy of South Plains College to offer all educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or age. Disability Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric Statement 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 his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services Building, 894-9611 ext. 2529. Diversity: In this class the teacher will establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual