SYLLABUS

 

I.        MATH 111                                     College Algebra I                                 3 credit hours

 

II.      Fall 2001                                                               Professor:  Dr. Keith Stafford

                                                                                                        Room: 103 Farr-Chinnock, Ext. 6413

                                                                                                        e-mail: kstafford@lmunet.edu

          Conference Hours (reserved times to assist students):

                      Monday - 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. and by appointment

                      Tuesday - 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and by appointment

                      Wednesday - 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. and by appointment

                      Thursday – 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and by appointment

                      Friday - by appointment only

 

III.     COURSE PREREQUISITES:  Math 100 OR two units of high school algebra and an ACT score of 18 or more.

 

IV.     COURSE DESCRIPTION/COURSE GOALS:  Major topics include the real number system, rational exponents and algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, applications and problem solving, coordinate geometry and functions.  Major goals: 1) to nurture and expand critical thinking;  2) to develop algebraic background and skills needed in other courses or/and real-life situations;  3) to learn how to express mathematical ideas clearly in written and oral forms;  4) to instill a respect for and positive attitude toward mathematics.

 

V.      RELATIONSHIP OF THIS COURSE TO CONTENT AREA KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:  This course is unrelated to the Tennessee Matrix with regard to the mathematics major.  For other fields of study, it aids the student's awareness of information sources, the ability to analyze information and data, the awareness of the importance of mathematics to other fields of study, the understanding of how algebraic and geometric ideas are applied as models in problem-solving situations, and the ability to express and interpret information in graphical form.

 

VI.     TEXT:  Stewart, James, Precalculus, Third Edition, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, Pacific Grove, CA, 1998.

 

VII.    COURSE OBJECTIVES:  1) to learn basic properties of the real numbers system and their applications;  2) to use set notation correctly;  3) to employ properties of exponents and radicals in simplifying expressions and working with polynomials;  4) to become proficient in factoring and completing the square of quadratic expressions for use in solving quadratic forms and graphing conic sections;  5) to solve practical (written) problems of various kinds, employing diagrams, common literal equations (formulas), and the thinking processes necessitated when problem solving;  6) to solve various types of inequalities;  7) to represent functions in terms of descriptions, formulas, ordered pairs and graphs;  8) to recognize the increasing importance of mathematics in all fields of human endeavor.

 

VIII.  OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENTS/UNITS OF INSTRUCTION: 

1.            Elementary logic and notation: properties of the real number system (including completeness); absolute value; exponents and radicals.

2.            Algebraic simplification: integral exponents; rational exponents and radicals; polynomials and factoring; rational expressions.

3.            Equations in one variable:  linear and fractional equations; the quadratic equation and complex numbers; certain nonlinear equations; written problems.

4.            Inequalities in one variable:  set and interval notation; linear, absolute value, and quadratic and fractional inequalities.

5.            Functions and graphs (as time allows):  the Cartesian coordinate system, graphs, the function concept and various representations (rule, formula, collection of ordered pairs, pictures).

 

IX.     REQUIRED READINGS:  Textbook

 

X.      SUGGESTED READINGS/BIBLIOGRAPHY:  None.

 

XI.     METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING:  Lecture and problem-solving constitute the principal instruction methods.  All students are expected to participate actively in class discussions, board work, and recitation.  Homework is assigned or implied daily, based on the material covered in the class.

 

XII.   COURSE REQUIREMENTS/METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION: Details of the grading system are outlined in the “Determination Of Grade” portion below.  All students are expected to attend classes and to keep up with homework.  Three or four major tests and a final exam are the main sources of evaluating subject comprehension and knowledge.  Make-ups may be taken only with valid excuse for absence.  Weighting of tests and final exam will be at the discretion of the professor, but conform to the following scheme:

 

        88 & up        A                     72 to 77        B                     56 to 61        C                     40 to 45        D

        83 to 87        A-                  67 to 71        B-                   51 to 55        C-                   35 to 39        D-

        78 to 82        B+                   62 to 66        C+                   46 to 50        D+                   00 to 34        F

 

          The final exam will be taken only on the official date designated in the LMU current schedule of classes, excepting the requirements of early grades for graduating seniors.

 

XIII.      CLINICAL/LABORATORY/FIELD EXPERIENCES:  None.

 

XIV.  DATE OF REVISION:  August 20, 2001

 

Determination Of Grade

 

            Your grade will be based on three factors:

 

                        1. In-class exams

                        2. Final exam

                        3. Attendance

 

Attendance: One (1) point is subtracted from your final grade for each fifty minute class period you miss, including excused absences.  Accordingly three-halves (1.5) is deducted for each seventy five minute class absence.  One-half (.5) point is deducted for being late.  If you come to class late make sure immediately after class that you were marked tardy rather than absent.  Points indicative of the time gone are also deducted for leaving class early.  You start with negative three (–3) points.  Basic arithmetic tells you that these negative points are a bonus to take advantage of, not a penalty.

 

Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive.  Under no circumstances are you exempted from the final exam.  Failure to take the final exam at the prescribed time during final’s week results in a zero (0) score figured into your final grade.  This exam accounts for between one-third (1/3) and two-fifths (2/5) of your final grade.

 

In-Class Exams: Four of the in-class exams are averaged together for between two-thirds (2/3) and three-fifths (3/5) of your final grade. If five exams are administered throughout the term, the lowest score of these five in-class exams is dropped.  In this case, make-ups will only be considered after the first missed exam is designated as your dropped score.

 

 

Tentative Exam Schedule (all exams are administered in the regularly scheduled classroom):

 

            Exam #1            Monday, September 10, 2001.

            Exam #2            Monday, October 1, 2001.

            Exam #3            Wednesday, October 24, 2001.

            Exam #4            Wednesday, November 14, 2001.

            Exam #5        Friday, December 7, 2001.

            Final Exam            Monday, December 10, 2001.