Math 0098 Course Syllabus
COURSE TITLE: Intermediate Algebra Georgia Perimeter College
PARTICULARS: Spring, 2008 11:00 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. MWF Room SB-2100
INSTRUCTOR: Chris Smith CRN# 33175
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays: 1-2 PM and 4-5:30 PM; Wednesdays: 1-2 PM and 4-5:30 PM;
Fridays: 1-6 PM
(other times by appointment Mon-Wed-Fri) Room SC 0230
TELEPHONE: (678) 891-2803 to leave a message (GPC Math/CompSci) csmit4@gpc.edu
TEXT: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition, Lial, Hornsby,
McGinnis. A scientific calculator or TI-83 graphing calculator
is required. An appropriate MyMathLab access code is required.
TI-83+, TI-84, and TI-84+ calculators also work fine. Your MyMathLab
course ID for this semester is smith14307
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING YOUR MYMATHLAB/COURSECOMPASS ACCESS: Please see here for
instructions you must follow to set up your coursecompass access so that you can do your
homework. Internet homework is assigned for each class meeting, and you must get this set up
and start doing your internet homework right away. Thank-you.
If you have trouble getting the MyMathLab coursecompass going on your home computer, for
example, please call customer technical support (be sure to be at your computer and at the
stage you are stuck at before you dial the number):
you can contact Customer Technical Support Monday through Friday 8AM to 8PM, and
Sunday 5PM to midnight, Eastern Time (US and Canada) using one of the following methods:
By phone at 1-800-677-6337.
PREREQUISITE: MATH 0097 (with a grade of "C" or better) or placement by examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to prepare students for college level
mathematics courses. Topics include graphing lines and parabolas,
function notation, integral and rational exponents, solving absolute
value and quadratic equations and inequalities, solving radical
equations, problem solving involving linear equations, quadratic
equations, and systems of equations in two variables, and writing
equations of lines. Additional topics include operations with radicals
and complex numbers, geometric concepts, and calculator usage.
TUTORING AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Tutorial assistance in mathematics
is provided via one-on-one instruction, computer-assisted instruction,
video and audio instruction. For more information please visit the
LTC lab. The web page for the Decatur Campus Learning and Tutoring Center
is here.
NOTE: The course calendar/schedule is here.
NOTE: The homework assignments are here.
NOTE: Other interesting things (including reviews for tests) are here.
NOTE: The main page for the Decatur Math/Computer Science Dept. is here.
NOTE: Follow this link to the classroom management policy.
NOTE: If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and require assistance or support
services, please seek assistance through the Center for Disability
Services (CDS). A CDS Counselor will coordinate those services.
NOTE: This course syllabus provides a general plan for the semester; deviations may become
necessary.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY (STUDENT INITIATED): If it becomes necessary for a student to withdraw
from this course, she or he should consult the instructor first. If a student withdraws
themself by the mid-point of the semester, she or he will receive a grade of "W." A student
who withdraws themself after the mid-point of the semester will receive a grade of "WF."
CLASSROOM COURTESY:GPC instructors expect professional and courteous behavior from all
students. Please take appropriate measures to minimize the disruptions that you may
cause in class by arriving to class on time and NOT participating in side discussions
during lecture portions of the class period.
CHEATING: Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor as
she or he assesses the student's academic achievement during the semester. Any student
found by their instructor to have engaged in cheating (which includes helping another student)
on a graded test, quiz, project, assignment, or examination will be assigned a grade of "F"
for the course. Of course students should work together on assigned homework exercises from
the textbook.
COURSE CONTENT STANDARDS; COURSE OBJECTIVES; LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are held accountable for the following
Expected Educational Outcomes:
As a result of completing this course, the student will be able to do the following:
4. Solve inequalities, write the solution set in interval notation, and graph the following types: a. Factorable quadratic b. |ax + b| < or > constant c. Factorable polynomial of degree higher than two 5. Solve a system of two linear equations in two variables (having no, one, or many solutions) by graphing, substitution, or elimination 6. Perform operations with complex numbers (excluding division) 7. Apply properties of exponents with integral and rational exponents 8. Perform the four basic operations with radicals (excluding rationalizing) 9. Solve problems where students have to display comprehension of basic geometric concepts including the Pythagorean Theorem, area and perimeter. 10. Perform the following activities with lines: a. Use the distance and midpoint formulas b. Graph equations in standard form and slope-intercept form c. Find the slope of a line d. State if lines are parallel or perpendicular e. Write the equation of a line 11. Use a graphing calculator
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required. If a sign-in sheet is ever used,
it is the student's responsibility to sign the sign-in sheet as
appropriate. You are allowed four absences without prescribed
penalties. The instructor reserves the right to withdraw the student from
the course in the following circumstance: the student misses class more
than four times prior to the semester midpoint and the student has a
course average below 60% at that time. If attendance or tardies become
a problem this semester, a full blown attendance policy will be implemented
under which three tardies (or leaving early) will count exactly as one
absence. Please take good attendance seriously.
Students' academic success is the major priority of the college. Because regular
participation enhances the learning process, students are expected to adhere to
the attendance policy by the college and individual faculty members. Differences
in content and teaching styles exist among courses, which can impact students'
learning. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to attend all classes to
better prepare them for assignments, tests, and other course-related activities.
Students are accountable for assignments and material covered during an absence.
TEST MAKE UPS: When a student is not present for a scheduled test
or final, the student must telephone (678) 891-2803 and leave a
detailed message for the instructor on the day of the absence. There
will be no make up tests this semester regardless of how valid the
reason is for missing a scheduled test. A score of "zero" will be
recorded for a missed test. A low test score will be dropped this
semester. This will benefit all students, but will obviously aid
students who miss one scheduled test greatly.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: To complete the course you must fulfill the
following requirements:
(1) Complete the five scheduled tests (see also "Test Make Ups"
above).
(2) Take a scheduled, comprehensive final examination.
(3) Follow the attendance policy.
(4) This list is not necessarily exhaustive. For example, please
see "Course Evaluation Methods and Procedures" below for more
information.
COURSE EVALUATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The following apply to
the student's final course grade:
(1) 60% -- best four scores from five equally weighted, scheduled tests
25% -- scheduled, comprehensive, departmental final examination
15% -- MyMathLab homework (see here for details)
(2) Course grades will be assigned in accordance with the following
grading scale:
Final average between 90 and 100 (inclusively) A
Final average greater than or equal to 80 but less than 90 B
Final average greater than or equal to 70 but less than 80 C
Final average greater than or equal to 60 but less than 70 IP
Final average less than 60 F
Unless notified by the instructor that they are exempt, in order to pass this class students must take the COMPASS exit exam and receive a score of 37 or higher. Students with a grade of A, B, or C in MATH 0098 but who fail the exit exam will |