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COURSE SYLLABUS

Mathematics 1003, Spring 2012

Course: College Algebra
Professor: Ms. Cynthia Schultz
Phone: 815-224-0431
Email: cynthia_schultz@ivcc.edu 

Office hours (E304)
Monday:  10:00 am -10:50 am, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Tuesday:  10:00 am -10:50 am
Wednesday:  11:00 am -noon
Thursday:  10:00 am -10:50 am
Friday:  10:00 am -10:50 am

Text Options: Purchase a printed copy of College Algebra by Blitzer  or use the e-book through myMathLab

Rquired Purchase:  CourseCompass.com (MyMathLab) student access kit. 

MyMathLab Course ID:  Available from your professor

Other materials need:  Scientific Calculator (Graphing calculators, cell phones, etc. will NOT be allowed during exams.)

Course description:  This course serves, primarily, as a building block for students continuing in mathematics.  The topics covered include fundamental algebraic operations, radicals, systems of equations, higher order degree equations, inequalities, absolute value, logarithms, matrices, and the binomial theorem.

Prerequisite: MTH 0907 (or equivalent intermediate algebra course) AND MTH 0908 (or equivalent geometry course), both with a "C" or better; or appropriate score on the placement exam

 

Grading

Assignments

 90 -100 %

A

(80% of grade) In class exams @100 pts each  and 1 comprehensive final @100 points

(10% of grade) In class quizzes @10 points each (lowest quiz dropped)

(10% of grade)  online homework @10 points each (lowest homework dropped)

Note that your grade is calculated using a weighted average.

80-89%

B

70-79%

C

60-69%

D

0-59%

F
 

Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of algebra
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of functions
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of polynomial function
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of other functions
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of systems of equations and inequalities
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of sequences, and series

Course Schedule:  For the most recently updated schedule, visit this webpage:  Math 1003 Schedule

Practice Problems:  You will be assigned practice problems for each section.  These problem are neither collected nor graded.  They are to prepare you for the exams.  Time will be allocated during each regular class session to answer questions regarding practice problems.

MyMathLab online assignments: You will be assigned graded homework assignments through MyMathlab.  These assignments are required and are part of your grade.  Each homework will be weighted to 10 points in grade calculations.  Online assignments may not be completed past the deadline.  To accommodate unavoidable problems, your lowest homework score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Quizzes: You will be given quizzes.  You may use one page of notes for each quiz.  Quizzes must be taken at the scheduled time.  To accommodate unavoidable problems, your lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Testing policy:   You are expected to take each exam at the scheduled times.  However, if you have an unavoidable absence you may request to take the test at an alternative time provided you contact your professor before the exam begins and explain your absence.  I will decide if and when you take your makeup exam, which is generally no later than 2 business days.   If you request a makeup via email or voice mail, it is your responsibility to check your messages for my response.  If you do not receive a response from me within a reasonable amount of time, you MUST follow up with another attempt to contact me.  Failure to follow the policy will result in denial of your request.

Exceptions to the above policy will only be given for situations including, but not limited to, jury duty, military orders, serious medical problems (yourself or immediate family member) or a death of an immediate family member.  You MUST be able to provide documentation. (Acceptable documentation include such things as an accident report, doctor's note or hospital discharge papers.) Immediate family member is defined to be a spouse, partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, or your spouse's/partner's immediate family member. These requests will be considered on a individual basis.

Repeated requests for makeup exams WILL REQUIRE that you provide documentation.

Requests to take exams early are generally approved.

If for any reason, you do not take an exam, your final exam score will replace one missed exam score.  Any other missed exam will earn a score of zero.

Lowest exam score:  If you take all exams, your lowest exam score will be replaced with your final exam score (assuming the final is higher).

Attendance: Attendance is taken for the purpose of  financial aid, state auditing, and athletic progress reports.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check the schedule and work on the practice problems for the section covered that day.  If you have questions regarding the missed material, you may make an appointment with me to ask specific questions regarding the material.

Cheating: A score of zero will be given on any assignment where cheating occurs. Cheating includes, but is not limited to copying answers off other students’ tests, submitting another person’s work as your own, and having crib sheets during a test.  Repeated acts of cheating may result in your withdrawal from the course.

Classroom etiquette:  Please be courteous of others' rights in the classroom.  Do not disrupt their right to learn by  inappropriate talking  (talking during lecture or while others are asking or answering questions), whispering, or other immature acts.  Please turn cell phones to silent.  If you need your cell phone for emergency purposes (EMT, firefighters, sick family member, etc.) this is certainly allowed.  Each student is also held to "Student Code of Conduct" as specified in the student handbook. Violation of this student code may result in withdrawal from the course.

Withdrawals: Withdrawal from this course is not automatic.  You will need to initiate a withdrawal from this course by completing the form in the Records Office or through webadvisor.  IVCC has the right to rescind a withdrawal in cases of academic dishonesty or at the professor’s discretion. If you do not initiate a withdrawal, you may receive a grade for this course, which in most cases, is an F.

Students should be aware of the impact of a withdrawal on full-time status for insurance purposes and for financial aid. It is highly recommended that students meet with their instructor or with a counselor before withdrawing from a class to discuss if a withdrawal is the best course of action for that particular student.

 

Please see your course schedule for the last day to withdraw.

 

Cancelled class:  Every effort will be made to announce class cancellations in a timely manner.  Unexpected cancellations will be posted on the IVCC website.  (http://www.ivcc.edu/cancellations/)  You may wish to consider checking this webpage each morning before traveling to the college.  In the event that class is cancelled on an exam day, the exam will be moved to the next class day.  You may also sign up to receive text messages or emails when the college is closed for weather or emergencies (https://www.ivcc.edu/forms/IVCCAlerts.aspx  )

Inclement weather:  In the event of bad weather, please listen to your local radio station for school closings.  If school has not been cancelled, use your own judgment as to the feasibility of traveling to school.

Grading process:  If you do not understand how I graded your work or you disagree with the number of points earned, you have the right and responsibility to initiate contact with me about the matter within 4 class days of the material being returned to you.  These matters will be discussed in my office by appointment.  

Graded materials:  You are to keep all graded materials for this course until after you receive your final grade.  If there is a clerical error, and you do not receive the grade you earned, these materials will be needed to resolve this issue.  In the absence of these materials, the professor's record will be assumed to be correct.

Special Needs Educational Support Services:  If you are a student with a documented cognitive, physical or psychiatric disability you may be eligible for academic support services such as extended test time, texts on disc, notetaking services, etc...  If you are interested in learning if you can receive these academic support services, please contact either Tina Hardy (tina_hardy@ivcc.edu, or 224-0284) or Judy Mika (224-0350), or stop by the Disability Services Office in B-204. 

This course syllabus is subject to change to meet the needs of the professor and/or students.