Central Alabama Community College

Math 100 Tu Th -Intermediate College Algebra

Course Syllabus - Spring 2012

3 Semester Hours

Instructor: K. W. Nicholson

Office Phone: (256) 215-4336 (almost never there, try 4343)

Home Phone: (256) 839-6728

Email: nnicholson@cacc.edu

Webpage: http:// caccphysics.cacc.cc.al.us

Date: December 22, 2011

Course Prerequisites: MTH 092 or MTH 098 or appropriate mathematics placement score.

I. Course Description:

This course provides a study of algebraic techniques such as linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, and operations with exponents and radicals. Functions and relations are introduced and graphed with special emphasis on linear and quadratic functions. This course does not apply toward the general core requirement for mathematics.

3 Semester hours credit

II. Textbook: Beginning and Intermediate Algebra for Central Alabama CC, 6th edition by Gustafson | Karr | Massey 2011 Cengage Learning/Brooks and Cole

III. Aims and Objectives:

As a result of completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.

2. Simplify expressions using rules for exponents.

3. Perform operations on polynomials.

4. Evaluate polynomials.

5. Define a function and evaluate it using function notation.

6. Factor polynomials using various techniques.

7. Solve polynomial equations by factoring.

8. Simplify rational expressions.

9. Perform operations on rational expressions.

10. Solve equations containing rational expressions.

11. Solve ratios and proportions.

12. Graph linear equations using various methods.

13. Write equations of lines.

14. Solve systems of equations in two variables using various methods.

15. Simplify radical expressions.

16. Perform operations on radical expressions.

17. Apply the Pythagorean Theorem and Distance Formula.

18. Solve equations containing radicals.

19. Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and using the quadratic formula.

IV. Content and Organization:

The pacing guide for this course is posted on Moodle in the first box underneath the name of the

course. In the Moodle topic boxes, all test dates are posted. This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

V. Required Assignments:

Midterm Exam

Given on the date specified on the pacing chart. If a student misses the midterm exam, the midterm will be assigned the same grade as the final exam.

Online Quizzes

With exception of the first, each homework assignment has 10 multiple choice questions. You may retake each homework assignment twice to improve your grade. The highest of the two grades will be used to compute your homework average. It is recommended that you work each problem on notebook paper and keep this paper as an aid in studying for a test.

There are two ways to approach submitting the answers to each question. The student may submit each answer as the problem is worked or may wait until all ten problems have been worked and submit the entire quiz at once. It is recommended that the student submit after each problem is worked. It is important to remember that if a student does not submit the problems individually and leaves the computer, the answers will be lost. Other than the deadline, there are no time limits on the quizzes. If you wish to exit a quiz before you finish, you must click "save without submitting". All problems are multiple choice with four solutions.

The lowest of the four online exam grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. If a student is unable to take an online exam, the student will be assigned a grade of 0 for that exam, and that will be the grade that is dropped. If a student misses more than one online exam, a grade of zero will be assigned for those

Written Activities

5 take home quizzes, due on dates specified in the pacing chart. None accepted late.

VI. Evaluation Procedures:

1. Grade weight: online Quizzes 20% completed on Moodle

Online exams 20% completed on Moodle

5 in-class quizzes 10% as assigned by instructor

Midterm exam 25% in-class

Final Exam 25% in-class, comprehensive

2. Grade Challenge Policy:

The assignment of grades is the sole responsibility of the course instructor. The grade assigned will stand unless (1.) the instructor agrees to change the grade, or (2.) the instructor is proven to have violated the grading standards set forth in the syllabus for that course. With the exception of the grade of “I”, if a student wishes to challenge the final grade assigned in a course, he/she must follow the steps outlined in the College Catalog.

3. Grading Scale: 90-100 A

80 - 89 B

70 - 79 C

60 - 69 D

0 - 59 F

VII. Other Important Information:

1. Attendance will be recorded for each class but is not required. Regular attendance is essential for success in mathematics classes. The instructor cannot administratively withdraw students from a class for any reason. A student who stops attending class and does not complete an official withdrawal will receive a grade of F in the course. Classes will begin and end on time. You must remain for the duration of a class unless you have permission to leave. Cell phones and headphones are not allowed.

VIII. Office Hours:

(See below the pacing chart below.)

IX. Important! If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor before the end of the first week of classes to file a student disability request and to discuss a reasonable plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you in meeting the requirements, provided you are timely in working with the instructor to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

Resources Available to Support Course:

1. Tutoring - Student Support Services provides this free service for qualifying students. All appointments with the math tutor must be scheduled outside of class time.

Al Watkins - Childersburg campus - Bill Nichols Building

Mrs. Margaret Fuller and Dr. Larry Parks - Alex City campus - BS #233

2. Computer Lab - The computer lab on each campus will be available during college hours. Check the schedule that is printed on the door of the lab. If class is being held in the computer lab, you may need to use the computers in the library. The physics lab is also available on Tuesday's and Thursdays 1 - 5 PM.

Childersburg campus - Building E, Room 2

Alex City campus - BS #110, BS #102

Talladega Center - Room 114

3. A calculator may be used in this course, provided that it is not a graphing calculator. But, if you require a calculator to add, subtract, multiply or divide single digit positive or negative numbers, you will not be able to follow, much less engage mentally in even the most elementary discussion in this or any other math course. That is a solvable problem you should attack today, immediately! Need help, holler.

X. Statement of Harassment/Discrimination: The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual's race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.

MTH 100 Precalculus Algebra

Tuesday & Thursday 10:50 -12:05

NOTE: The instructor has the right to make necessary changes/adjustments to the schedule.

Class	Day	Date	Tentative Class Schedule
1	T	Jan 10	(Classes Begin) Orientation and 7.1
2	Th	Jan 12	7.1 Inequalities
3	T	Jan 17	4.7
4	Th	Jan 19	4.8
5	T	Jan 24	5.2 & 5.5
6	Th	Jan 26	5.6
7	T	Jan 31	5.7
8	Th	Feb 2	Quiz #1 Test # 1 opens on February 2 at 9:00 pm and closes on February 5 at 9:00 pm
9	T	Feb 7	8.1/4.4
10	Th	Feb 9	8.2
11	T	Feb 14	8.3
12	Th	Feb 16	3.3
13	T	Feb 21	3.4 & 3.5
14	Th	Feb 23	Quiz #2 Test # 2 opens on February 23 at 9:00 pm and closes on February 26 at 9:00 pm
15	T	Feb 28	Midterm Review
16	Th	Mar 1	Midterm In Class
17	T	Mar 6	6.1
18	Th	Mar 8	6.2
19	T	Mar 13	6.3
20	Th	Mar 15	6.5
21	T	Mar 20	6.7/6.8
22	Th	Mar 22	Quiz #3 Test #3 opens on March 22 at 9:00 pm and closes on March 25 at 9:00 pm
	T	Mar 27	SPRING BREAK
	Th	Mar 29	SPRING BREAK
23	T	Apr 3	9.1/9.3
24	Th	Apr 5	9.2
25	T	Apr 10	9.5
26	Th	Apr 12	9.6
27	T	Apr 17	10.1
28	Th	Apr 19	10.2
29	T	Apr 24	Quiz #4 Test # 4 opens on April 26 at 9:00 pm and closes on April 29 at 9:00 pm
30	Th	Apr 26	Quiz # 5
	T	May 1	Final Exam 10:30-12:30

K.W. Nicholson's Schedule for Spring 2012

Monday & Wednesday	Tuesday/Thursday	Friday
8 – 9:15 Office or Lab	7:30-8 Office	Office Hours by Appt. only
10:50 - 12:40 Phy 13	8-9:15 Math 112
Phy lab 1-4	10:50 - 12:05 Math 100
	1 - 5 Office or Physics lab