Front Range Community College



MAT 121 – COLLEGE ALGEBRA Fall 2016 Course SyllabusDescription This course will include a brief review of intermediate algebra, equations, and inequalities, functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and conic sections.Course Competencies1. Review topics a. Polynomial Operationsb. Linear Equationsc. Factoring by Grouping and Quadratic in Form d. Quadratic Equations and Complex Numberse. The Cartesian Coordinate System2. Equations and Inequalitiesa. Transformations with functions involving Radicals, Absolute Value, Quadratic, Cubic, Square Root, Cube Root, and the Inverse.b. First degree Inequalities and Rational Inequalitiesc. Applications and Formulas including Proportion and Variation of multiple variables.3. Functions and Their Graphsa. Composition and Combinations of functionsb. One-to-one and Inverse functionsc. Rational Root Theoremd. Synthetic Division and approximation of Real Rootse. The Remainder and Factor Theoremsf. The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functionsa. Exponential Functions and their Graphsb. Logarithmic Functionc. Properties of Logarithmsd. Logarithmic and Exponential Equations5. Linear Systemsa. Substitution and Addition Methodsb. Matrices and Gaussian Eliminationc. Matrix Operationsd. Using the matrix key on the calculator6. Graphs and Equation Recognition of the Conic Sectiona. Circlesb. Parabolasc. Ellipsesd. HyperbolasInstructional PhilosophyThe instructor believes that mathematics should be related to experience, and that collaboration and active involvement creates more opportunity for learning. The content, learning resources, assessment procedures, and grading reflect these beliefs by incorporating a variety of activities in addition to traditional lecture methods.Prerequisite You should have successfully completed the Intermediate Algebra (MAT 099) or Algebraic Literacy (MAT 055) with a grade of C or better within the last 2 years or have a placement score of EA >85. Attendance and Class ParticipationWe expect you to attend every class session, to arrive on time, and to stay through the end of the class period. We expect you to think seriously about problems, questions, and concepts presented in class and to contribute actively and constructively to class discussion. You are expected to bring your calculator to every class session and be ready and willing to use it. You are expected to recognize when you need help and to ask questions. You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for any graded classroom activity, for example: group projects, class discussions, quizzes, etc.Calculator A graphing calculator is required. A TI 83, or TI 84 is required for quizzes and exams. No other calculator will be allowed on quizzes and exams.Group ActivitiesSome concepts of the book will be taught or enhanced by in-class group activities. There will be assignments relating to these activities. Missed group activities CANNOT be made up for any reason.Writing Assignments The ability to communicate mathematically is an important objective of this course. Writing assignments will be assigned throughout the course.Homework/Quizzes One of the best methods for learning mathematics is practice. Therefore, you should make a concerted effort to complete all the assigned exercises and understand each of the concepts that these exercises illustrate. Quizzes may be given covering assigned material and selected homework may be collected. Missed quizzes CANNOT be made up for any reason. There may be an on-line component to this section. Check with your instructor for more information.Study TimeFor a college course, you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class for each hour of class. This “two hour rule” is a reasonable rule of thumb for students who have a good command of the prerequisite skills and who use effective study strategies. Students who need to improve their prerequisite skills or who have not learned study strategies will simply need to spend more time studying than that specified by the “two hour rule”.Tests There will be four 70-minute in-class tests designed to evaluate your understanding of the material. Make-up tests will be given only at the instructor’s discretion. You must contact the instructor prior to the absence, except in the case of an extreme emergency. There will also be a Final Exam the last day of class which is explained below.Textbooks College Algebra, by Miller (Required) ISBN: 9781259932694 2nd Edition; Student Solutions Manual (Optional) ISBN 1259575071. This is a custom book. There is also a full size version available at some on-line sites. You may use that book but be advised that some of the practice problems may be different. If you are going to use a full size book, whether rented or purchased, you should check the problem set with someone else in the class every class period.Course ChangeYou may change to another section of MAT 121 or to a lower level ONLY if there are seats available and before the end of the 2nd day of the semester.Final Exam The final exam will be comprehensive and include key concepts and techniques learned throughout this course. The final exam will ONLY be given at the scheduled time. This is a 70 minute exam.Extra CreditNo extra credit assignments will be given. It is to the students’ advantage to spend any extra time in careful study of the required course material. Since math courses are sequential it is vital that all required concepts be mastered for a passing grade. Grading ScaleGroup Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% 90 - 100 . . . . . . . AWriting Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% 80 - 89 . . . . . . . . BHomework/Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% 70 - 79 . . . . . . . . CFour Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60% 60 - 69 . . . . . . . . D Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20% 00 - 59 . . . . . . . . FMath Help Center You can receive FREE help for this course in the Math Help Center which is located in the Student Center West Conference Room. Hours of operation and additional help center locations are posted on the bulletin boards in the back of your class room.Academic HonestyRefer to the student code of conduct in the Student Handbook and Planner MisconductBehavior violating a student’s rights and freedoms includes but is not limited to:Fraudulent representation of student workCopying the work of another studentUnapproved use of electronic devices, calculator programs, notes, or informationCommunication of any kind between students during an examHelping someone else violate standards of academic behaviorThis behavior will call for disciplinary action at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may give a zero on any assignment or exam where a violation has occurred. A report of the incident will be filed in the office of the Dean of Student Services. Repeated offenses may result in a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the college.Cell PhonesNon-emergency use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Cell phones should be set to “vibrate” mode for reverse 911 calls.Important DatesLast day to drop a class and receive a refund (Census Date) for 15-week courses…..….September 6, 2016 Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for 15-week courses………………………………….November 19, 2016No Registrations after the Census (Drop) date will be allowed.NOTE: You must use your ONLINE account to complete an official “drop” or “withdraw”.Policy on Non-AttendanceAny student who does not attend a class by 6 pm on Monday, August 29 will be dropped from that class. ?If a student is dropped for non-attendance, and by wishes to re-enroll in a course, he or she must go through the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the Course Instructor, the Instructional Dean, and the Campus Vice President.? Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the instructor, and it is unlikely that a student will be re-enrolled in a course which they have not attended.Financial Aid RecipientsThe following actions have implications for financial aid recipients: non-attendance, dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.Disability Support Services:? Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the learning resources and support programs on each campus to arrange accommodations and support services. The link to these programs is .Recording LecturesExcept where a student is entitled to make an audio or video recording of class lectures and discussions as an educational accommodation determined through the student’s interactive process with college disability services, a student may not record lectures or classroom discussions unless written permission from the class instructor has been obtained and all students in the class as well as guest speakers have been informed that audio/video recording may occur. A student granted permission to record may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor’s explicit written authorization.Students of ConcernFront Range Community College provides faculty, staff, and students a resource to report their concern about any member of the FRCC community. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please go to frontrange.edu/care and report.Our college is committed to preserving a safe and welcoming educational environment for all students. As part of this effort, I have an obligation to report certain issues relating to the health and safety of campus community members. I must report to the appropriate college officials any allegation of discrimination or harassment. Sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and sexual exploitation, is considered a form of discrimination.In addition to reporting all discrimination and harassment claims, I must report all allegations of dating violence or domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and/or credible threats of harm to yourself or others. Such reports may trigger contact from a college official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like more information, you may reach the Title IX/EO Coordinator by emailing Paul.Meese@frontrange.edu or calling 303-678-3707. Reports to law enforcement can be made with the local law enforcement agency or you may contact the campus security office at: Boulder County Campus – 303-678-3911 Larimer County Campus – 970-204-8124 Westminster Campus – 303-404-5411If you would like a confidential resource, please contact Paul Meese, FRCC Executive Director of Human Resources. Further information may be found on the college’s web site at: : All students must activate their new FRCC student email accounts.? Please see instructions located on the Front Range Community College Website: 2016 Course OutlineCollege Algebra MAT 121-609Instructor: Alan DinwiddieE-mail: alan.dinwiddie@frontrange.eduPhone: (970) 204-8163 Fax: (970)204-8486TR: 11:30-1:20Room: CP 223Office Hours: MWF 12-1pm; TR 10-11amLocation: Office 216Tentative Course OutlineRefer to the specific section in your textbook for the lesson objectives to be assessed.TUESDAYTHURSDAY08/23Syllabus, graphing calculator practiceReview: section 2.108/25Review: Sections 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5 08/30Section 2.609/01Section 2.709/06Section 2.809/08Section 2.8, Review09/13ReviewTEST 109/15Section 3.1Section 3.209/20Section 3.2Section 3.309/22Section 3.409/27Section 3.509/29Section 3.610/04Section 3.7Review10/06ReviewTEST 210/11Section 4.110/13Section 4.2Section 4.310/18Section 4.4Section 4.510/20Section 4.510/25Section 4.610/27Section 4.6Review, Exponential Functions Quiz11/01TEST 3, Section 2.211/03Section 7.111/08Section 7.2Section 7.311/10Section 7.3Section 5.211/15Section 6.1Section 6.211/17Section 6.2Section 6.3THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS (11/21/15 – 11/27/15)11/29Section 6.4/Matrix applicationsReview12/01ReviewTEST 412/06Final Exam Review12/08FINAL EXAM ................
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