Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 101-4"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Patrizio Angelini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

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. Its objective is to prepare students for Pre-calculus.

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 student 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 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 Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Beginning and Intermediate Algebra	Tyler Wallace	http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org	978-1458377685			Ebook		http://www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/Beginning_and_Intermediate_Algebra.pdf

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Quizzes	Four in-class quizzes, each on a specific subject. (The lowest quiz score may be dropped.)	25
Midterm exam	Midterm evaluation on the material covered in the first half of the course.	25
Final exam (comprehensive)	Final exam on the material covered in the whole course.	40
Attendance and participation	Attendance and active participation to the class are fundamental and will be part of the final evaluation.	10

-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. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.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 issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

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

Session	Session Focus	Reading Assignment	Other Assignment	Meeting Place/Exam Dates
Week 1	Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions (Chap. 0): Set theory: sets, subsets, union, intersection and difference of two sets; Algebraic Expressions and Sets of Numbers, Operations on Real Numbers, Properties of Real Numbers, Order of Operations and Algebraic Expressions, Exponents and Scientific Notation.
Week 2 to 4	Linear Equations and Inequalities (Chap. 1 and 3): Linear Equations in one variable, Linear Inequalities in one variable, Compound Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations, Absolute Value Inequalities.
Week 4 to 5	Graphing (Chap. 2): Graphing Equations, Graphing Linear Functions, The slope of a Line, Equations of Lines.
Week 6 to week 7	Systems of Equations (Chap. 4): Solving systems of Linear equations in Two Variables, Solving systems of Linear equations in Three Variables.
Week 8 to week 10	Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions (Chap. 5 and 6): Exponents and their laws, 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.
Week 10 to week 12	Rational 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 13	Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (Chap. 8): Radicals and Radical Functions, Rational Exponents, Simplifying Radical Expressions, Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions, Radical Equations.
Week 14	Quadratic 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. An introduction to functions.