Syllabus Course Syllabus
Downloadable Version
MAT 120 OA Syllabus Spring 2013
Downloadable Version MAT 120 OA Syllabus Spring 2013 (.pdf, 567K) MAT 120 OA Syllabus Spring 2013
Lackawanna College MAT 120 OA: College Algebra Spring 2013: January 28 - March 17 Online Classroom Instructor Email
Vincent E. Pricci
[email protected]
Office Hours
Online through Chat at a mutually convenient scheduled time.
Email is checked several times daily.
Textbook: Algebra for College Students seventh edition; Robert Blitzer. Prentice Hall 2012 packaged with MyMathLab Description MAT 120(Formerly MA 116) – College Algebra This collegelevel course is designed to prepare students for further study of college mathematics. It commences with a review of intermediate algebra concepts and progresses through subject matter within college algebra. Topics to be covered include algebra and problem solving, factoring techniques, linear functions and inequalities, systems of linear equations, polynomials, polynomial functions, rational expressions and functions, radicals, radical functions, rational exponents, imaginary and complex numbers, quadratic equations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, graphing techniques and analysis (3 Credits). Objectives By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1.
Classify, perform arithmetic operations, understand properties of real numbers and determine the domain of a variable.
2.
Evaluate expressions containing exponents, work with Laws of Exponents and use Scientific Notation.
3.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials; and use formulas for Special Products. They will also be adept at manipulating Rational Expressions.
4.
Factor polynomials using G.C.F., Special Case and Factor by Grouping concepts.
5.
Work with the properties of radicals.
6.
Evaluate expressions with Fractional Exponents and simplify radical using Rational Exponents.
7.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem and other Geometry formulas.
8.
Solve and graph linear, quadratic and higher degree types of Equations & Inequalities. They will be adept at using set and interval notation.
9.
Work with concepts regarding Rectangular Coordinates, Graphs of Equations, Lines, and Circles.
10.
Work with concepts regarding Functions, their graphing techniques and operations.
11.
Work with concepts regarding Synthetic Division and Complex Numbers.
12.
Students will be able to work with concepts regarding Inverse Functions, Exponential Functions, and Logarithmic Functions
Attendance Policy Students enrolled in credit-bearing courses at Lackawanna College will fail any course(s) in which they accumulate absences beyond the maximum number allowed. This pertains to online classes as well. Attendance is defined by participating in an academic activity within the online classroom, which includes posting in a graded discussion forum or submitting a written assignment. Postings not related to the aforementioned activities will not count for attendance purposes. · You are required to engage in discussion at least TWICE on FOUR days throughout the week for a total of EIGHT posts in all. · You should respond to the DQs posted AND respond to your classmates. · Responses MUST be substantive. See the document titled Good Discussions in your Handouts and Links. · Responses that do not move the conversation forward by providing information to which others can respond and build upon will NOT be counted toward your weekly score. · Students who miss one week of discussion will be DROPPED from the course. Withdrawal Policy A student has the privilege of withdrawing from any courses or from the College itself without academic penalty up to and including the final date for withdrawal indicated on the College calendar. To withdraw officially from a course or from the College, a student must obtain the proper withdrawal form from the Student Affairs Office or from your Center Director, complete this form and submit it to the Registrar's Office before the final day for withdrawal without academic penalty as indicated on the College calendar. If a student should stop attending or never attend an enrolled class or classes without officially withdrawing prior to the last day to withdraw without academic penalty, the student will receive a grade of F* (Failure) in these courses. No exceptions will be made. Students who violate the College's Academic Integrity Policy and fail a course in consequence may not exercise the withdrawal privilege in that particular course. Financial obligations to the College will be determined according to the Refund Policy. Instructor Policies As future professionals, you should practice behaviors that represent you as responsible and thoughtful. To that end, this class abides by the following rules: · There is no extra credit. · With the exception of homework/quizzes/tests from MyMathLab, assignments must be submitted via file exchange on the Portal.Files must be saved as .doc or .rtf only. Discussion and Interaction Requirements: In order to benefit best from discussions, there must be consistent interaction. Therefore, you are required to answer all discussion questions, posting at least twice on four separate days for a total of eight posts per week. Discussions count toward a large percentage of your grade. Please see the table below under the heading Requirements & Instructional Methods for the exact number of discussion points. The content of these posts must be substantive in order to earn points. Please see your Handouts and Links to find helpful hints for formulating your discussion posts. Also, for a successful online participation, be sure to: • Log in daily and read the your home page update • Participate no less than 2x on four separate days • Contribute to class by answering DQs, joining in discussions about your classmates’ comments, or asking questions • Maintain respectful communication • Be prepared, and submit assignments in a timely manner Grading Letter Grade
Numeric Range
Quality Points
A
96 – 100
4.0
A-
90 – 95
3.67
B+
87 – 89
3.33
B
83 – 86
3.0
B-
80 – 82
2.67
C+
77 – 79
2.33
C
73 – 76
2.0
C-
70 – 72
1.67
D+
67 – 69
1.33
D
60 – 66
1.0
F
0 – 59
0
Due Dates and Late Penalties Late assignments will not be accepted. Any assignment/quiz/test not completed by the due date will receive a grade of 0. Please follow all deadlines listed in the syllabus and course calendar. Technical difficulties are NOT a justification for lateness.
Academic Integrity Academic dishonesty in any form, such as plagiarism and cheating, will not be tolerated. Sanctions will include an automatic F for plagiarism, but the severity or frequency of the violation may result in dismissal from the College as well. Please see the Student Handbook for a complete explanation. The following are among the forms of dishonesty for which sanctions may be applied: · Using books, notes or other materials during an examination, unless expressly permitted; · Using purchased essays, term papers or preparatory research for such papers; · Copying others' work or engaging in unauthorized cooperation during an assignment or examination; · Allowing another student to copy from an examination or other assignment intended to be performed independently; · Borrowing from published works, whether material is taken verbatim or with minor alterations,without proper and/or sufficient acknowledgment; · Submitting as one’s own work originally done by someone else; · Submitting the same written report in more than one course without prior approval from the instructor(s) involved; · Stealing examinations or assignments; · Supplying or selling examinations or assignments; · Misrepresenting statements concerning work submitted; · Falsifying or fabricating experimental data or results; · Falsifying or fabricating the need for extensions on papers or make-up examinations. Disability Statement Lackawanna College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity institution. Students with disabilities and other needs should feel free to contact the instructor privately if there are services and adaptations which can be made to accommodate specific needs. Students who are having difficulties with class material are strongly advised to seek assistance in the reading and writing lab. If you feel that you have a disability that has not been formally documented, you may meet with Ms. Deborah Hartzell in the academic development office to discuss your options. Equal Opportunity Statement Lackawanna College will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, ancestry, union membership or any other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with State law, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and with Federal law, including Titles VI and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Inquires should be directed to Dr. Gail Scaramuzzo, Affirmative Action Officer: 961-7848. Portfolio and Coursework Lackawanna College will empower you to experience learning by inspiring your critical thinking, assessing your talents and skills, motivating you toward a career choice, and encouraging you to make a difference. In evidence of this learning, the College requires a graduation portfolio containing Career Documents, including a résumé, two letters of recommendation, and a career exploration; Core Coursework, including a research paper from College Writing; three sample papers or projects from Major Coursework; and a Lackawanna College Reflection Paper. Course Schedule Week Dates 1
Topic
Assessment
January 28 Syllabus and Getting - February Started 3 5.1 Introduction to Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Discussion Questions Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
5.2 Multiplication Polynomials
of 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 Homework 5.3 Greatest Common assignments in Factors and Factoring MyMathLab by Grouping 5.1 - 5.3 Quiz in MyMathLab 2
February 4 5.4 Factoring - February Trinomials 10 5.5 Factoring Special Forms
Discussion Questions
5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 Homework 5.6 General Factoring assignments in MyMathLab Strategy 5.7 Polynomial 5.4 - 5.7 Quiz Equations and Their in MyMathLab Applications
3
Chapter 5 Test in MyMathLab
February 6.1 Rational 11 - Expressions and February Functions: Multiplying 17 and Dividing
Discussion Questions
6.1, 6.2, 6.3 Homework 6.2 Adding and assignments in Subtracting Rational MyMathLab Expressions 6.1 - 6.3 Quiz 6.3 Complex Rational in MyMathLab Expressions
4
February 6.4 Division of 18 - Polynomials February 6.5 Synthetic Division 24 and the Remainder Theorem 6.6 Rational Equations
Discussion Questions 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 Homework Assignments in MyMathLab 6.4 - 6.6 Quiz in MyMathLab Chapter 6 Test in MyMathLab
5
February 7.1 25 - March Expressions 3 Functions
Radical Discussion and Questions
7.1, 7.2, 7.3 7.2 Rational Exponents Homework 7.3 Multiplying and Assignments in Simplifying Radical MyMathLab Expressions 7.1 - 7.3 Quiz in MyMathLab
6
March 4 - 7.4 Adding, Subtracting, Discussion March 10 and Dividing Radical Questions Expressions 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 7.5 Multiplying with Homework More than One Term Assignments in and Rationalizing MyMathLab Denominators 7.4 - 7.6 Quiz 7.6 Radical Equations
7
March 11 - 7.7 Complex Numbers March 17 Course Evaluation Final Exam
in MyMathLab 7.7 Homework Assignment in MyMathLab Chapter 7 Test in MyMathLab Final Exam
*This course outline is subject to amendment as class needs and progress dictates. Requirements& Instructional Methods Instructional methods include lecture, discussion and interaction, video analysis, and shared reflection. Assignments include:
Project
Percent of Grade
Discussions
10%
Homework Assignments
20%
Quizzes
25%
Tests
30%
Final Exam
15%
Evaluation Rubrics provide details on the objectives of your assignments. Use these as a guide, checking off each item before turning in your assignments, and there is no reason why you cannot earn every available point! Below is the rubric that will be used for scoring discussion postings. Classroom Discussion & Group Interaction 20 points each week for a total of 120 points In order to understand, remember, and benefit from what we learn in class, discussion and interaction are crucial. This means that you are reading and contributing. There is a resource in Handouts and Links called Good Discussions to help you understand the meaning of substantive. Responses such as, “Well said.” Or “I agree.” Or “Good thinking.” are NOT acceptable. You should also NOT simply repeat what someone else has already said. This rubric can help you to formulate an effective discussion response. Create substantive responses in the following ways: · 3 points : Responding to each of the posted
Discussion Questions · 3 points: Interacting with two or more classmates · 3 points : Posting no less than 8 times per week · 6 points: Crafting a response that: · Answers the question · Provides an example to
explain your answer · Relates your answer to the
course reading/notes, to your own everyday life, or to both · Provides the class with a
response that is non-generic – meaning that they learn from what you have contributed · Encourages classmates to
respond to you · Use proper spelling and
grammar