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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "MA 101"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Flavio Garinei
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 11:10 AM 1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
Office hours by appointment.
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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.
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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.
TEXTBOOK:
An open source (CC-BY) textbook. Available for free download at:
1. http://wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/book.html
2. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/SAYLOR-MA001-TEXT.pdf
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Quizzes | Quizzes every Thursday | 60% |
| Final Exam | The final exam is comprehensive of all the topics covered throughout the course. | 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. 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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) 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. The final exam is on August 4, 2023.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Week 1 (Jul 1 - Jul 4) | Review of Arithmetic, Elementary set theory, Linear Equations and Inequalities. Compound Inequalities. Absolute Value Equations. Absolute Value Inequalities. | | In-class Quiz on July 6 | |
| Week 2 (Jul 8 - Jul 11) | Graphing Linear Equations, Systems of Equations | | In-class Quiz on July 13 | |
| Week 3 (Jul 15 - Jul 18) | Polynomials. Operations with Polynomials, Factoring of Polynomials. Rational expressions, Dividing Polynomials. Solving Equations with Rational Expressions. | | In-class Quiz on July 20 | |
| Week 4 (Jul 22 - Jul 25) | Rational Exponents and Radicals. Operations on Radical Expressions, Radical Equations. Quadratic Equations and Functions. An introduction to functions. | | In-class Quiz on July 27 | |
| Week 5 (29 Jul - Aug 2) | Catch-up/Spill-over week. Also, any review days will take place in Week 5. | | | Final exam (comprehensive) : See University schedule for date and time |
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