Math 120 – Intermediate Algebra

 

Spring 2012

 

TREAT YOUR BRAIN LIKE A MUSCLE….EXERCISE IT OFTEN FOR BEST RESULTS!!

 

 Disclaimer:   All information in the syllabus is subject to change if the instructor finds it necessary. Any change will be announced during a class session. It is the student’s responsibility to determine from their peers what they missed in class due to an absence.

 

 

Course Meetings: MW  6:00 – 8:20 pm, Room FL5-111 (Lilac Hall), Folsom Lake College

 

Required Text: Intermediate Algebra, 8th edition, by Bittinger and Ellenbogen. 

 

Instructor:      Professor Michelle Chiang-Yamada 

 

Phone & voice mail: (916) 608- 6606           E-mail:chiangm@flc.losrios.edu        Office: FL1 – 142

 

Web Site:       I will update your grades after every chapter exam.  The grades are listed by your post number.  This number will given to you during the first week of school.  The web site address is:  www.flc.losrios.edu/~chiangm 

 

(Please refresh this webpage whenever you check your grade). 

 

 

Office Hours:   M   8:20 – 9:20 pm               W  5:00 – 6:00 pm     

 

TTh   6:15 – 7:15 AM              F  7:00 – 8:00 am (virtual)

 

Pre-requisites: In order to enroll in Math 120, you must have completed Math 100 with a minimum grade of “C” (in the Los Rios district) or you must show proof of placement into Math 120 via the assessment process at any college in the Los Rios district.  Proof of necessary prerequisite is required by Monday, January 23.  If you have not provided proof of pre-requisite at that point, you will be dropped.

 

 

 The Course: Math 120 is an intermediate Algebra course that reviews and extends the concepts of elementary algebra, with problem solving skills emphasized throughout the course.  Math 120 reviews and extends topics such as: linear and quadratic equations, factoring polynomials, rational expressions, exponents, radicals, equations of lines, and systems of equations.  New topics include graphs and their reflections and translations, functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and nonlinear systems of equations. You should expect to spend a MINIMUM of 15 - 20 hours per week outside of class in order to be successful at learning the material. 

 

Student Learning Outcomes for the course:       

 

Solve equations involving polynomials, rational, absolute value, radical, exponential, or logarithmic expressions.

 

Graph and perform simple transformations (translations, reflections, and scale factors) on linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, simple rational, and simple polynomial functions.

 

Demonstrate the ability to appropriately use function notation, terminology, and operations.

 

Solve application problems using intermediate context-appropriate models.

 

Class Policy:             Treat yourself and others in the room with courtesy and respect.

 

 

This includes being on time, turning off any electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, iPods, headsets, pagers, etc. before entering the room, leaving food and drinks outside (except water), and leaving the room in an orderly manner before dismissal of each session.......just to name a few.  I will not tolerate rudeness – if you get in the way of those that want to learn, I will ask you to leave.

 

 

Texting is not allowed in this class.  If you are caught texting during class, you will get a warning for your first offense.  Any subsequent offenses will result you being asked to leave your phone at the front of the room.  It is YOUR responsibility to remember to retrieve your phone before the class is over.  The instructor is not responsible for any phones left in the classroom.  If you are found consistently texting after your first three offenses, you will lose your exam replacement opportunity and a referral will be documented with the college.  The bottom line is to unplug yourself and make the most of class time!  Personal electronic devices disrupt your learning as well as the learning of other students.

 

Grading:         The standard grading scale will be used:

 

A: 90%-100%     B: 80%-89.9%    C: 70%-79.9%      D: 60%-69.9%        F: below 60%

 

Your grade will be calculated according to the following weights:

 

Classwork/ Participation

5%

Homework

12%

Quizzes

13%

Exams

50%

Cumulative Final Exam

May 14, 2012 (6:00 – 7:50 pm)

 

20%

           

No early or late final exam will be given.  Please plan accordingly.

 

 

Attendance:   You are expected to attend class regularly, to arrive on time, and to stay until the end of each session.  Unless special circumstances arise, you should not be absent from class more than 6% of the class meeting times.  This means if you are absent more than TWO class meetings, you will be dropped from the class without notification.  Also, if you leave the class more than three times before class is officially dismissed, they will count as one absence. The bottom line is---COME TO CLASS and STAY UNTIL CLASS IS OFFICIALLY DISMISSED!  Note that the last day of class instructions is May 9, 2012.

 

Homework:    Each session I will expect that you will have tried the homework assignment for the previous lecture.  Homework will be collected about once a week (see homework assignment sheet for specific due dates).  Any homework turned in after 6:10 pm on due date is considered to be late and is eligible for half credit.  Late homework will be accepted until the next session by 6:00 pm.  See Homework Assignment Guidelines for details on how to put together your homework packet. If any of your math assignment is done in pen, you will receive no credit for that assignment (this includes quizzes, classwork, homework, exams, etc.)

 

Quizzes:         Quizzes will be given almost everyday either in the beginning of a class session, or/and towards the end.   No late or makeup quizzes will be given for any reason.  You will not receive any points for a quiz if you just come to take a quiz and leave immediately.  Additionally, you will be given class work assignments that may be individual or group work.  These may be collected and graded.

 

Exams:           Exams will be given approximately once every three weeks.  Calculators and notes will not be allowed on exams.  Any form of cheating will result in an automatic ‘F’ on the exam WITHOUT any makeup privileges.  A more detailed exam policy is printed on the cover of every exam.  A sample exam cover sheet is attached to the back of this syllabus.  On the day that graded exams are returned, you can only question the grading before you leave class that day.  No other re-grading is possible. 

 

 

Exam Replacement:

If for ANY reason you can not make it to an exam OR if you would like to improve an exam grade, you have an opportunity to replace ONE of the four exam grades with you final exam grade IF your homework average is at least 75% at the end of the semester.   If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you must send an email to me by Wednesday, May 9, 2012.  No exam replacement will be allowed if your email is sent after that date.

 

Resources:    The best resources are your classmates.  Make a point of meeting a few people in class and exchanging phone numbers or emails.  They can fill in a missing point in your notes, discuss homework problems, and study for an exam together. There is also free tutoring in Aspen Hall (FL1).  The schedule is posted around campus.  Additionally, I am available for assistance, both during my office hours or by appointment if my office hours are not convenient for you. 

 

 

 

Understanding and Learning Math

 

Understanding and learning math is a basic 2-step process. The first step is understanding the concepts and steps. This is accomplished through reading ahead, taking notes, paying attention in class, and asking questions whenever they arise.

 

Learning takes place through actual practice through completing your book and online assignments. Learning takes place when you actually “DO” math! Watching math can only help with understanding, but not with learning.

 

An analogy is to think about driving. A person learns how to drive by actually driving. A person can understand the basics of driving through watching and taking notes, but this does not make the person a good driver. What makes a person a good and safe driver is actually practicing driving and through experience. Math is learned in the same manner.

 

Lastly, give your best every time you come to class.  You will get out of the course exactly

what you put into the course. I believe in hard work, teamwork, honesty, mutual respect, curiosity, smiles, persistence, patience, occasional frustration, and ultimately the reward of pride in a job well done!

 

 

 

Here’s to a fantastic beginning.....high fives all around.....

and Welcome to Mathematics!