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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "MA 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Iannone Stefano
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 19:00-20:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
M-Wed:16.45-17.30 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.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completing this course 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:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Intermediate Algebra (5th edition) | K. Elayn Martin-Gay | Pearson | ISBN13: 9780138158484 ISBN10: 0138158487 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance | | 10% |
| Homework | | 10% |
| Quizzes (lowest can be dropped) | | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | | 25% |
| Final Exam | | 40% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.
B: This 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.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
Final grades will be determined by the evaluation of homework and quizzes (the lowest quiz grade will be dropped), one mid-term written examination, a comprehensive final examination, and by attendance as follows:
Homework evaluation is worth 10%
The total quiz score is worth 15%
The mid-term exam is worth 25%
The comprehensive final examination is worth 40%
The remaining 10% will be assigned based on attendance and class participation.
The final grade is obtained by converting the weighted mean grade according to the following table:
A 100 - 94
A- 93 - 90
B+ 89 - 87
B 86 - 83
B- 82 - 80
C+ 79 - 77
C 76 - 73
C- 72 - 70
D+ 69 - 67
D 66 - 63
D- 62 - 60
F 59 - 0
-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.
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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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SCHEDULE
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Session
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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Other Assignment
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Meeting Place/Exam Dates
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1st week
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Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions (Chap. 1): 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, More work with Exponents and Scientific Notation.
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handout
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2nd week, 3rd week and 4th week
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Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving (Chap. 2): Linear Equations in one variable, An Introduction to Problem Solving, Formulas and Problem Solving, Linear Inequalities and Problem Solving, Compound Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations, Absolute Value Inequalities.
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handout
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4th week and 5th week
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Graphs and Functions (Chap. 3): Graphing Equations, Introduction to Functions, Graphing Linear Functions, The slope of a Line, Equations of Lines.
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handout
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5th week, 6th week and 7th week
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Systems of Equations and Inequalities (Chap. 4): Solving systems of Linear equations in Two Variables, Solving systems of Linear equations in Three Variables.
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handout
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7th week, 8th week, 9th week
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Polynomials and Polynomial Functions (Chap. 5): Multiplying Polynomials, The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping, Factoring Trinomials, Factoring by Special Products and Factoring Strategies, Solving Equations by Factoring and Problem Solving.
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handout
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10th week and 11th week
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Rational Expressions (Chap. 6): 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, Rational Equations and Problem Solving. Variation and Problem Solving.
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handout
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12th week and 13th week
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Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (Chap. 7): Radicals and Radical Functions, Rational Exponents, Simplifying Radical Expressions, Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions, Radical Equations and Problem Solving.
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handout
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14th week
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Quadratic Equations and Functions (Chap. 8) Solving Quadratic Equations by completing the square. Solving Quadratic equations by the Quadratic Formula, Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods, Nonlinear Inequalities in one Variable.
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handout
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