Mathematics 1314 – College Algebra South Plains College, Levelland Campus Fall Semester 2011 Credit: 3 Lecture: 3 Lab: 1 Section: 001, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00 am-9:45 am Room: Levelland Mathematics Building Room 108 Instructor: Sheyleah V. Harris-Plant, PhD Office Info: Room: Levelland Math Building 104 Phone: (806) 716-2665 Email: [email protected] Hours: the following table will display the regular office hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1000-1130 1500-1600 None Scheduled 1000-1130 1500-1600 None Scheduled 0900-1200 OR BY APPOINTMENT This course satisfies a core curriculum requirement: Yes – mathematics Prerequisites: 2 years of high school algebra or Math 0320, TSI compliance Available Formats: conventional/internet/ITV Campuses: Levelland Campus, Reese Campus, Plainview Center, ATC Textbook: College Algebra, Blitzer, 2010, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall/Pearson Education. ISBN-10: 0-321-55983-5, ISBN-13: 978-0-321-55983-8 Supplies: Six (6) blue books, pencil, paper, and erasers Disclaimer The instructor reserves the right to alter any class policies as deemed necessary by the instructor or South Plains College, and will announce any changes in class. If a student has any questions about a change in policy ask the instructor for clarification. To successfully complete the course objectives, the students must already be prepared to factor algebraic expressions, reduce, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and simplify rational expressions, and simplify, add, subtract, multiply and divide exponential and radical expressions. Course Specific Instructions There are video tapes of the lectures available in room M116 (math building) on the Levelland campus. These tapes can be viewed in the lab, or checked out and taken home for viewing. The tapes can also be viewed on Blackboard. These tapes do not replace class meetings, but can be used as supplemental material for students’ use (Username: mvideos, Password: mvideos). 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. Course Description This is a standard course in college algebra. Quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; variation; binomial theorem; inequalities; complex numbers; theory of equations; determinants and matrices.** Submission of the syllabus receipt is required. 2 Student Learning Outcomes/Competencies Successful completion of this course should reflect mastery of the following objectives. The course objectives the student will be able to meet are: (Chapter and section numbers are indicated in parentheses.) 1. Solve and graph: a. linear functions (1.2, 2.3, 2.4) b. quadratic functions (1.5, 3.1) c. logarithmic and exponential functions (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4) 2. Solve and graph: a. linear inequalities (1.7) b. quadratic/polynomial inequalities (3.6) c. rational inequalities (3.6) 3. Identify and simplify complex numbers (1.4) 4. Apply distance, midpoint, and circle formulas (2.8) 5. Analyze and graph polynomial functions (1.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) 6. Analyze and graph rational functions (1.2, 3.5) 7. Find the solutions for systems of equations and systems of inequalities by using one or more of the following techniques: a. Algebraic Techniques (5.1, 5.2, 5.5) b. Matrix Techniques (6.1, 6.2) c. Determinants (6.5) 8. Expand a binomial raised to an integral power (8.5) Course Requirements To maximize the potential to complete this course, a student should attend all class meetings, take notes and participate in class, complete all homework assignments and examinations including final examinations. Resources  Free tutoring at Levelland is available in room 116 of the Mathematics-Engineering Building, at the Reese Center campus in room RC 256 and in Building 8, and at the Byron Martin ATC in Lubbock (34th and Avenue Q). Please remember to sign in when you seek the help of a tutor in each of these places.  The South Plains College Department of Mathematics and Engineering has put one copy of the textbook for this course on reserve in the Levelland Campus Library. Guide to Being Successful in This Course In order for YOU the student to be successful at this or any other level of higher education, YOU must be aware of one very important aspect: student accountability. I as the instructor am accountable for aiding in your success by properly presenting the mathematical concepts of this course, as well as any real-world applications, in a manner that allows for the general group of students to display understanding of said information. YOU as the student are accountable for your success by putting forth the effort necessary to gain such understanding. This is achieved by completing all assignments using the information that I have presented in the lecture and by asking questions regarding any concepts that are not understood. If YOU fail to do what is required in this course, then YOU will be responsible for the just grade that is received.** Submission of the syllabus receipt is required. 3 The “Secret” of Math Mastery When you are learning math you need to focus and learn the concepts and patterns of the skill or skills being taught. All of math can be tied to or derived from fundamental arithmetic skills. Then we apply these skills to different looking entities. The goal for you as a student is not how to solve one problem, but how to solve a type of problem. Mathematics is built upon two fundamental principles—pattern recognition and problem solving. It is the ultimate objective of this and any other mathematics course to enable the student to become proficient in both. Too often have I observed students hang a majority of time up on each specific problem, so it is my mission as your instructor to emphasize that there are sets of problems within the homework assigned that require one concept or skill to solve all problems in each set! Feedback I usually return feedback by the next class day; however I reserve the right to have one (1) week to grade assignments and post grades from the due date. All supplemental material and a close approximation of your current grade are available all semester on South Plains College’s Blackboard server. Grading Policy* Grading Scale 90 or above A 80 to 89 B 70 to 79 C 60 to 69 D Below 60 F * All grades are rounded from the first decimal. Upon