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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Alice Fabbri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: MW 7:30PM - 8:30PM By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a review of elementary algebra for students who need further preparation for pre-calculus. Students enroll in this course on the basis of a placement examination. The course covers the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving algebraic expressions; factoring of polynomial expressions; exponents and radicals; solving linear equations, quadratic equations and systems of linear equations; and applications involving these concepts. This course does not satisfy the General Distribution Requirement in Mathematics and Science.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is a review of intermediate algebra and has few prerequisites other than elementary familiarity with numbers and simple geometric concepts such as: finding the least common multiple of two or more numbers, manipulating fractions, calculating the area of a triangle, square, rectangle, circle, etc. The course covers the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving algebraic expressions; factoring of polynomial expressions; exponents and radicals; solving linear equations, quadratic equations and systems of linear equations; and applications involving these concepts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course the students should be able to:

1. Solve different types of algebraic equations and write down their solution sets. 

2. Produce solutions to first-degree inequalities, using the interval notation to represent solution sets.

3. Solve systems of linear equations and write down their solution sets. 

4. Demonstrate the use of elementary graphing techniques.

5. Factor polynomials and simplify simple rational expressions.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Beginning and Intermediate AlgebraTyler WallaceAvailable for free download at:http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/Beginning_and_Intermediate_Algebra.pdf978-1458377685     
Intermediate AlgebraRon Larson and Kimberly NoltingCengage learning978-1285087412     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Test IGiven on Week 420%
Test IIGiven on Week 820%
Test IIIGiven on Week 1220%
Final exam 40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. The student demonstrates complete, accurate, and critical knowledge of all the topics, and is able to solve problems autonomously
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence that the student uses clear logic in his/her arguments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures. Mathematical statements are properly written most of the time.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. Many mistakes are made in solving the problem raised. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the subject-matter. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Full credit for attendance will be given to students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences will result in a proportional reduction of the grade. Coming late to class or leaving early will be possible only with permission of the instructor.

Major exams cannot be made up without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Week 1Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions (Chap. 0): Set theory: sets, subsets. The Real number line, Absolute Value. Algebraic Expressions and Sets of Numbers, Operations on Real Numbers, Properties of Real Numbers, Order of Operations and Algebraic Expressions, basic properties of Exponents.   
Week 2 to week 4Linear Equations and Inequalities (Chap. 1 and 3): Linear Equations in one variable, Linear Inequalities in one variable, Compound Inequalities, Union and Intersection of sets. Absolute Value Equations, Absolute Value Inequalities.   
Week 4 to week 5Graphing (Chap. 2): Graphing Equations, Graphing Linear Functions, The slope of a Line, Equations of Lines. Parallel and Perpendicular lines.   
Week 6 to week 7Systems of Equations (Chap. 4): Solving systems of Linear equations in Two Variables. Generalizations and Problems.   
Week 8 to week 10Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions (Chap. 5 and 6): Exponents and their laws. Scientific notation. Introduction to polynomials, operations with polynomials, Multiplying Polynomials, The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping, Factoring Trinomials, Factoring by Special Products and Factoring Strategies, Solving Equations by Factoring. Introduction to functions.   
Week 10 to week 12Rational Expressions (Chap. 7): Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions, Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions, Simplifying Complex Fractions, Dividing Polynomials, Synthetic division and the Remainder Theorem, Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions.   
Week 12 to week 13Rational Exponents, Radicals (Chap. 8): Radicals and Radical Functions, Rational Exponents, Simplifying Radical Expressions, Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions, Radical Equations.   
Week 14Quadratic Equations and Functions (Chap. 9 and 10): Solving Quadratic Equations by completing the square. Solving Quadratic equations by the Quadratic Formula, Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods.