Syllabus-Winter 2009

 

CCBC, Owings Mills Campus                                                            School of Math and Science

MATH 083: Intermediate Algebra                                                     Section: 2C5

 

I.               Basic Course Information

 

A.       Instructor: Debra Loeffler

 

B.       Semester: Winter 2009

 

C.       Office Location: E204F on Main Campus, Room 303 Owings Mills Campus

 

D.       Instructor’s contact information: dloeffler@ccbcmd.edu

 

E.        Math Department: 410-455-4251

 

F.        Instructor’s office hours: TR 5:30-6:00,  Room 303 on Owings Mills Campus

 

G.       Pre-requisites: (ENGL 051 or ESOL 051 or LVE 1 or LVE 2 or LVE 3) and (RDNG 051 or LVR 1 or LVR2) and (MATH 082 or MATH 013 with a grade of C or better) or (LVM2 or LVM 3 or LVM4 or LVM5) or a satisfactory score on the math placement test.

 

II.              Course Goals

 

A.       Learning outcomes as listed on the official common course outline:

a.        Functions and Relations

                                                               i.      Introduce function notation

                                                              ii.      Identify the domain and range of a function

                                                            iii.      Perform operations on functions

b.       Quadratic Functions

                                                               i.      Graph quadratic functions, identifying domain and range using function notation

                                                              ii.      Solve quadratic equations using the square root method, factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula

                                                            iii.      Perform operations on complex numbers

                                                            iv.      Solve quadratic equations (including equations with complex number roots)

                                                              v.      Use optimization and simulation methods

                                                            vi.      Solve radical equations

c.        Polynomial, Radical, and Rational Functions and Equations

                                                               i.      Perform operations on polynomial expressions and factor

                                                              ii.      Graph power and polynomial functions, identifying domain and range and using function notation

                                                            iii.      Simplify radicals and expressions with rational exponents

                                                            iv.      Perform operations on rational expressions

                                                              v.      Solve rational equations

d.       Exponential and Logarithmic Functions and Equations

                                                               i.      Graph exponential functions, identifying domain and range and using function notation

                                                              ii.      Graph logarithmic functions, identifying domain and range and using function notation

                                                            iii.      Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions

e.       Conic Sections

                                                               i.      Graph parabolas and circles

                                                              ii.      Write equations of parabolas and circles

 

B.       Objectives as listed on the official common course outline:

a.        Identify functions and use function notation

b.       Determine the domain and range of a function

c.        Factor, add, subtract, multiply, ad divide functions

d.       Graph linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions

e.       Solve quadratic equations by (1) factoring, (2) completing the square, (3) the quadratic formula, (4) graphing the function

f.         Solve applications of quadratic equations

g.       Perform operations on radical expressions

h.       Perform operations on radical expressions

i.         Solve radical equations

j.         Simplify, factor, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions

k.       Solve rational equations

l.         Recognize and graph conic sections

                                                                                                                                                                                           

C.       Rationale: Algebra is a branch of mathematics which studies equations and the methods for solving these equations. Algebra has evolved for more than 3000 years and has emerged as a basic tool of modern science, social science, business, and technology. Algebra is a foundation for al higher mathematics, including, but not limited to, trigonometry, calculus, finite mathematics, probability and statistics. Algebra teaches not only skills, but also thought processes that will be used again and again in college level mathematics courses.

 

III.            Evaluation

 

A.       Requirements (papers, oral reports, projects, quizzes, tests, final exams, etc.)

a.        Daily Quizzes

b.        3 Online Tests

c.        Final exam 

 

B.       Instructor’s grading policy

 

a.        Daily Quizzes 50%

b.        Online Tests 30%

c.        Final exam  10%

 

 

C.       Instructor’s attendance policy:

a.        Students are expected to come to every class. Children or other visitors are not allowed in class since it creates too much of a distraction in the learning process.

b.        Please note the deadline for withdrawing from a course or changing to an audit for the semester. Failure to officially withdraw from a class you have stopped attending may result in an "F" grade.  There are no Audits for Developmental Mathematic Courses.

 

 

IV.           Course Procedures

 

A.       Materials (texts, equipment and supplies): Intermediate Algebra by Charles McKeague

 

B.       Special procedures (includes policies regarding classroom behavior, style of written assignments, retention of papers, compiling of portfolios, availability of support services, etc.):  I expect that everyone knows the rules of etiquette. Therefore, when someone is talking, whether it is another student or the instructor, then no one else should be talking. There are times when you will be working on a problem together, and then normal “math” talk is permitted. I am responsible for a good learning environment free of distractions for all students, so therefore, if you are creating a distraction to learning, I will ask you to leave the room.  If I have to ask again, you will leave and not return to class for the rest of the semester. No Exceptions, No Excuses!

 

C.       Tentative list of dated assignments

 

a.  Final Exam will be Jan 29th in class from 6:00-8:00

 

D.       Course Repeat Policy: Policy on Repeated Courses, page 194 of the 2004-2006 CCBC catalog states, “Students may repeat a course only once without permission.  When a student repeats a course, only the higher grade is computed into the Quality Point Average (QPA).  All grades will remain on the student’s transcript.  Before a student is permitted to register for the course for a third time, the student must have the permission of the academic dean responsible for the course.  Before a student may repeat a developmental course that he or she has failed twice, the student’s record must be reviewed by a support team which will make recommendations regarding enrollment.”  Please note:  The instructor does not have the authority to grant permission to register for a third attempt at the course.

 

 

E.        Services for Student with Disabilities: CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students by arranging support services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.  A student with a disability may contact the appropriate campus office for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations.  An appointment must be scheduled within a time period which allows staff adequate time to respond to the special needs of the student.  The student must provide the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for reasonable accommodations.

 

For more information, contact:

CCBC Catonsville                                                CCBC Dundalk                                         CCBC Essex

410-455-6946 or                                                 410-285-9808 or                                     410-780-6741 or

410-455-4163 (TTY)                                           410-285-9529 (TTY)                               410-238-4601 (TTY)

 

 

F.        Code of Academic Integrity: For the College to make its maximum contribution as an institution of high learning, the entire college community must uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior.  In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative.  Each student has a responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own, or to provide clear and complete acknowledgement of the use of work attributable to others.  To these ends, the following actions are expected of students:

·          Complete all work on exams without assistance.

·          Follow the professor’s instructions when completing all class assignments.

·          Ask for clarification when instructions are not clear.

·          Report to the instructor any unauthorized information related to an exam.

·          Provide proper credit when quoting or paraphrasing.

·          Submit only one’s own work.


Students who do not accept responsibility for the integrity of their own work will experience sanctions, including a written reprimand, failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and/or dismissal from the program.  For repeat and extreme offenses, the College reserves the right to suspend or expel students.

 

G.       Inclement Weather / Emergency Closing Policy: In the event that the college (or a specific campus) opens late due to weather-related or other emergency conditions, classes will commence at the announced opening time and resume the normal schedule thereafter for the remainder of the day.  Faculty, students, and classified staff should report to wherever they would normally have been at the announced opening time. **

 

Students and faculty engaged in field placement programs (such as internships, clinical placements, etc.) should discuss the handling of emergency situations at the beginning of the placement period.  Both the requirements of the program and the safety of persons involved should be considered in planning a course of action in those cases where students are expected to report to off-campus locations.

 

** For example, if you had a class that began at 9:35 and the college opened at 10:00 because of snow, you would report to your 9:35 class at 10:00.

 

When the college closes because of severe weather or emergency conditions, announcements of class cancellations are made on local radio and television stations and the college website (www.ccbcmd.edu).  Closings and delays will also be recorded on the campus weather lines:

Catonsville

410-455-4567

Dundalk

410-282-6700

Essex

410-780-6711

 

 

H.       Tutoring Services: Students are encouraged to seek help from their instructors whenever they encounter academic difficulty (either during scheduled office hours or by appointment).  In addition, each campus offers free academic support services.  For more information, contact:

Campus:

Office:

Room:

Phone:

Catonsville

Tutoring Services

K 205

410-455-4420

Dundalk

Tutoring Services

CAR-530

410-285-9877

Essex

Student Success Center

A-307

410-780-6820

 

 

I.          Civility and Community Building Expectations - Creating a Culture of CARE©  (Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Empowerment)

 

As members of the CCBC community of learners, we are expected to act with respect, honesty, responsibility and accountability.  Each of us is expected to be aware of the impact our behavior has on the community.  CCBC wishes for each learner to commit to the following actions:

                                •   Become an active and engaged learner

                                •   Celebrate the richness of our diversity

                                •   Respect the campus and its code of conduct

                                •   Practice empathy and compassion

                                •   Promote the empowerment of others

 

J.        Major Religious Holiday Policy: Students not attending class because they are observing major religious holidays shall be given the opportunity, to the maximum extent possible, to make up, within a reasonable amount of time, any academic work or tests they miss. Arrangements between the student and the faculty member(s) for the student to make up missed assignments or tests must be made in advance of the religious holiday, at the initiation of the student.

 

 

K.       Student e-mail accounts:  CCBC has joined the ranks of the very few community colleges in Maryland who provide email accounts to all credit students.  Each student who is registered in credit classes now has an email account and up to 5 Mb of storage in their mail box.  This account will not be deleted even if the student graduates or leaves CCBC for any reason.

 

For information about the system and how students can determine their email address, go the CCBC Home Page and click on “Student Email”.  From here students can find their email address, get to an on-line user manual and access instructions on how to forward the CCBC email to the system of choice (AOL, Comcast, Hot Mail, etc.)

 

 

 

 

Following is a list of sections that must be covered and will be included on quizzes, tests and the  final exam.  Other sections may be covered as review or instruction at the instructor’s discretion.

Topics

 

Sections

Problems

Factoring

5.4a

To factor out the Greatest Common Factor

1-20

 

5.5a

To factor a trinomial of the form x2 + bx + c

1-22

 

5.5b

To factor ax2 + bx + c

29-52

 

5.6b

To factor the difference of two squares

29-46

 

5.6c

To factor the sum or difference of two cubes

79-98

 

5.7a

To factor a variety of polynomials

1-4, 6, 8-11, 13-17, 19-24

 

5.8a

To solve an equation by factoring

1-8, 15-16, 19-30

Functions

3.5b

Identify the domain and range of functions

1-10, 21-24

 

3.5c

Determine if a relation is a function

11-20

 

3.6a

Evaluate functions using functional notation

1-26, 33-40

 

3.7a

To perform operations on functions

1-30

 

3.7b

To find the composition of two functions              

31-36

 

 

Test #1-Online

 

Rationals

6.1a

Reducing rational expressions to lowest terms

1, 2, 5-32

  

6.1b

Find function values for rational expressions

3, 4, 57-64

 

6.3a

To multiply and divide rational expressions

1-36, 61-64

 

6.4a

To add or subtract expressions with a common denominator

11-18

 

6.4b

To add or subtract rational expressions

25-64

 

6.5a

To simplify a complex fraction                              

7-22, 27-34, 54-46

 

6.6a

To solve a fractional equation

1-16

Radicals

7.1b

To simplify expressions with rational exponents

33-56

 

7.3a

To simplify radical expressions

1-34

 

7.4a

To add or subtract radical expressions

1-26

 

7.5a

To multiply radical expressions

1-30

 

7.5b

To divide radical expressions

49-86

 

7.6a

To solve a radical equation

1-18

 

 

Test # 2-Online

 

Complex

7.7a

Simplify complex numbers

1-8

   Numbers

7.7b

Simplify powers of i

9-14

 

7.7d

To add or subtract a complex number

25-40

 

7.7e

To multiply complex numbers

41-66

 

7.7f

To divide complex numbers

67-78

Quadratic

8.1a

To solve a quadratic equation by taking square roots

1-16

  Equations

8.1b

To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square

17-26, 31-44

 

8.2a

To solve a quadratic equation by using the quadratic formula

1-14, 17-18, 23-26

 

8.5a

Graph parabolas

1-28

Circles

10.1c

To find the equation of a circle and then graph the circle

13-30

 

10.1b

To write the equation of a circle in standard form

31-36

 

 

Test # 3-Online

 

Exponential

9.1a

To evaluate an exponential function

1-8

   and

9.1b

To graph an exponential function

9-16

  Logarithmic

9.3a

Convert between logarithmic and exponential forms

1-24

  Functions

9.3c

To graph a logarithmic function

37-44

**********

 

FINAL EXAM --- 10% of course grade-Cumulative-In class