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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "MA 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Algebra"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Margaret Kneller
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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. 
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 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 WallaceOpen Source CC-BY Text978-1-4583-7768-5     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
QuizzesThere will be 6 quizzes, usually given every two weeks. Each quiz will be based on the most recent material studied in class. The lowest quiz score can be dropped. All quizzes account for a total of 35 percent. Quizzes must be taken on the day scheduled, and in class—there are no make-ups, even for justified absences.35%
Mid-term exam A comprehensive midterm, taken in class—no make-up even for justified absences.25%
Final exam (comprehensive)FINAL comprehensive Exam, Registrar Decides Date, No Rescheduling, may even be on a Saturday or Sunday40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AAExcellent understanding of material covered in class, and in the text, and; the ability to apply that understanding to new (but related) materia
BAbove average understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
CModerate understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
DBelow average understanding of material covered in class, and in the text.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the class and text.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance for 24 class periods, will be considered above average class participation.

CALCULATORS: hand-held calculators may be used.  Calculators within mobile devices may not be used in exams. During exams, calculators may not be shared.

CHEATING: cheating on a test, quiz or final will result in an F for the course. Allowing a colleague to copy answers during tests/exams, is also cheating.
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

Check Your Knowledge we will work with these (and similar) problems

 

 

Unless noted otherwise, the chapter and problems all refer to the Tyler Wallace text.The MG prefix refers to the Martin-Gay text.

Week 1

Order of Operations, Chapter 0.3
Properties of Algebra, Chapter 0.4
Intro. to Problem Solving, MG: 2.2

0.3: numbers 7 – 16
0.4: 5 - 15, 53, 57, 61,67,71,73,81
MG: 2.2: 1-22

Week 2 to week 3

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.

[Inequalities and Absolute values are also covered in MG 2.4 to 2.7]

 1.1: 18-20, 37-40
1.2: 15-20, 37-40
1.3: 30-36, 44-46
1.4: 1-4, extra 19-21
1.5: extra 9-14
3.1: 1-10
3.2: 1-10
1.6: 5-12
1.8 extra 1-10, 33
[MG: 56 to 103 in Chapter 2 Review]

Week 4 to week 5

Graphing (Chap. 2): Graphing Equations, Graphing Linear Functions, The slope of a Line, Equations of Lines.

 2.1: 11-16
2.2: make sure you can do these
2.3: also these
2.4: 1, 9, 16, 28, 39-42, 43,44
2.5: 1-4, 9-12, 17, 33, 36, 43-45

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.

 4.1 try these until you can graph
4.2 try 1, 19-24
4.3: select from first 20
4.4: 1-4
4.5: 1-5

Week 7

Midterm Exam

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.

 5-1: 1-26 (select as necessary), 26, 28
5-2: 1-8 (select as necessary),16, 18,  26
5.3: 1-20 (select as necessary)
5.4 1-12 (select as necessary)
5.6 1-4, 19-22
5.7: 1-4
6.1: 1-10
6.2: 1-4
6.3 1-14 (select as necessary)
6.4 1-4
6.5: 1-8, 21, 28, 34, 41, 44
6.7: a few of these

Week 10 to week 12

Rational Expressions (Chap. 7): Multiplying and Dividing, Adding and Subtracting, Simplifying Complex Fractions, Dividing Polynomials, Synthetic division and the Remainder Theorem, Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions.

 7.1: 3, 4, 9, 10, 19, 20
7.2: 5, 6, 15, 16
7.3: 3-4, 23-24
7.4: 9-10, 13-14
7.6: 5-8, 33
7.7: 3-4, 7
7.8: 1, 8, 25, 28

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.

 8.1: 2, 6, 8, 22, 28
8.2: 4, 6, 17
8.3: 6, 12, 14, 15: 8.4: 7-8, 21-24
8.5: 3-6, 13-14
8.6: 1-16

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.

 9.2: 1-4
9.3: 1-4, 9-12
9.4: 1-6
9.7: 1-4
9.11: selected graphs
10.1: 1-7

Finals Week

FINAL comprehensive Exam, Registrar Decides Date, No Rescheduling, may even be on a Saturday or Sunday
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates