ST



ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT FLORISSANT VALLEY

Fall 2007

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA

MTH:140-______

INSTRUCTOR: PATRICIA A. SUESS

OFFICE PHONE AND VOICE MAIL: 314-513-4852 E-MAIL: psuess@stlcc.edu

CELL PHONE: 314-412-8681

OFFICE HOURS: 7:30 – 8:00 AM & 12:00 – 1:15 PM Mondays & Wednesdays

7:30 – 8:50 AM & 10:00 – 10:50 AM & 12:00 – 12:30 PM Tuesdays & Thursdays

7:30 – 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Fridays

TEXT: ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA (3rd Edition), Tussy and Gustafson, Thompson – Brooks/Cole, 2006.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS: Video skill builder CD provided with new text. Student supplemental package included in a shrink wrapped package with new texts and can be purchased separately with used texts.

A TI-83/TI-84 calculator is recommended for use in this course.

COURSE PRE-REQUISITE: MTH:030 with a grade of C or better, or satisfactory score on placement test and Reading Proficiency.

CLASS LOCATION: SM-266

CLASS TIME: 8:00 – 8:50 AM Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

OR

10:00 – 10:50 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

OR

1:30 – 2:45 PM Mondays & Wednesdays

CREDIT HOURS: 3.0

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate instructional and/or student needs.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide the transition from elementary algebra into college algebra. Operations on rational expressions, operations of radicals, solving quadratic equations, and the rectangular coordinate system are among the topics covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The student will…

1. be able to perform binary operations on rational expressions and to solve equations involving rational expressions.

2. be able to perform binary operations on expressions containing rational exponents and radicals, and solve equations involving exponents and radicals.

3. be introduced to the complex number system and perform basic operations on complex numbers.

4. be able to solve quadratic equations in one variable and graph quadratic functions.

5. be able to graph linear equations in two variables, and write the equation of a line in various forms.

6. be introduced to the concept of a function and investigate properties of basic functions.

7. be able to solve application problems related to the objectives above, using a wide variety of techniques and approaches.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Assignments will be given every class period and will be discussed at the following class period. Assignments should be completed in a math notebook which will be collected on test days for instructor review. However, the student is expected to complete the assigned problems prior to the following class session.

Homework assignments 20% of course grade

Ten quizzes 10% of course grade

Five tests 50% of course grade

Comprehensive final exam 20% of course grade

In general, students are required to take tests as scheduled; NO makeup tests will be given. If the instructor has been notified prior to the class period of the test that, due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, the student will not be able to attend that class period, the instructor MAY allow the student to complete the test prior to the scheduled test date. Any student meeting these conditions must request and arrange with the instructor a mutually agreeable time for taking the test prior to the scheduled test date. Otherwise, the student’s final exam grade will be substituted for the missed test grade. In the event that a second (or third, etc.) test is missed, the student will receive zero (0) points for that test. There are NO provisions for making up missed quiz grades. Students may only take a quiz on the scheduled quiz date.

Attendance is clearly an essential factor in successfully completing any mathematics class. Students are expected to attend and participate in each class session. In the case of illness and other unusual circumstances, it will be the student's responsibility to secure notes from a colleague. To facilitate the taking of attendance, students will be required to sign a class sheet at the beginning of each class session.

EVALUATION AND GRADING:

90 – 100 = A, 80 – 89 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 = D, 59 & below = F

I – A grade of Incomplete is normally given after successful completion of 70% of the course because of extenuating circumstances.

W – A Withdrawal grade is STUDENT initiated. The last day to withdraw from a course this semester is November 9, 2007.

PR – A Progress/Reenroll grade is given at the discretion of the instructor, and requires a written request from the student.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Any student in this class with a documented disability, certified by the Access Office (513-4551), who needs special testing arrangements, note taking, or other accommodations should feel free to discuss this with the instructor. All discussions will remain confidential. No information will be shared without permission.

ASSESSMENT:

St. Louis Community College is committed to improving the quality and accountability of its programs and services. To achieve these ends, students will be encouraged to provide the College input, at various points in their experience dealing with classes, courses, programs, general education and college services. It is through a partnership with students that St. Louis Community College can determine the extent of their involvement, satisfaction, personal growth, and skill development – and the College’s contribution to each. Knowledge gained from assessments will be reported to students and to appropriate staff and may serve as a benchmark for both personal and institution-wide improvements. By joining St. Louis Community College, students become part of a community engaged in continuous innovation, growth, and change.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTED CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

1. Be responsible for your actions AND inaction.

a. Do not blame everyone else for your problems, if those problems occur because you have not done what is expected of you.

b. Seek help early and often. Do not wait until the last minute to find ways of dealing with a crisis.

c. Take responsibility for your attendance, participation, and learning in the course.

d. Make sure that your other responsibilities do not conflict with your class schedule.

2. Be aware of academic policies and requirements.

a. Read and reread the course syllabus.

b. Ask the instructor about any requirements or policies that you do not understand.

c. Keep all handouts, tests, and other assignments until you have received your final grade from the Registrar.

3. Be prepared.

a. Take careful notes.

b. Keep up with all assignments; get information from the instructor or another class member if you must be absent.

c. Spend at least two hours on outside work for every hour of classroom work.

d. Have your text and notebook open and ready to begin work before class starts.

4. Be attentive.

a. Listen carefully to the instructor’s comments, noting information that is stressed.

b. Do not attempt to copy every example the instructor writes on the board. Listening and watching are important also.

c. Avoid distracting behavior such as sleeping, wearing headphones, sharpening pencils during class, and having a pager.

5. Be punctual.

a. Attend class on time.

b. Get required work in on time, or see the instructor if that is impossible.

c. Be on time for all examinations.

6. Be respectful.

a. Tell the instructor if you must leave early or arrive late.

b. If you arrive late, enter quietly and sit in an available seat close to the door.

c. Be polite and respect yourself, your classmates and the instructor.

d. If you have a criticism of the course or need to talk to the instructor, make arrangements to see the instructor privately.

7. Be serious.

a. Work hard.

b. Ask and respond to questions in a serious manner.

c. Abide by the honor system during exams, quizzes and out-of-class assignments; do not cheat or assist in cheating.

8. Be aware of the Student Rights and Responsibilities in the 2007-2008 Fact Finder: Student Handbook of St. Louis Community College.

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