Math 120 Syllabus Beginning Algebra
Purpose and Learning Objectives
"The function of education is to teach the student to think intensively and
critically.
Intelligence plus character.... that is the goal of education."
Dr. Martin Luther King
Course Description:
Math 120 is the study of the following: variables and variable expressions,
integers, laws of
exponents, Equations (linear, quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value),
Linear Inequalities ,
linear systems, coordinate graphing and problem solving.
Prerequisite(s): Math 110 or equivalent
Course Goals:
The purpose of this course is to develop a progressive understanding of
more basic algebraic skills, concepts, and problem solving techniques; to
obtain a sense of how and why algebra is used, and to be able to relate these
problems and use the learned problem solving techniques to real life
applications. Great emphasis will be placed on understanding of terms,
concepts, principles and theories rather than cramming and memorization.
Performance Objectives:
I. Core Course Objectives
1. Simplify basic algebraic, exponential, rational, and radical expressions
using mathematical processes
and symbol manipulation .
2. Use algebraic processes to solve linear, quadratic, rational, radical and
literal equations and linear
systems of equations .
3. Demonstrate understanding of concepts of linear equations by: graphing a
linear equation, finding xand
y- intercepts, and finding the slope of a line.
4. Solve basic application problems using algebraic processes and procedural
techniques.
5. Demonstrate a knowledge of current techno logy and its uses and/or scientific
issues.
II. Associate Degree Outcomes
• The ability to comprehend and use information including written and oral
forms (ADO 2)
•Computational Skills and understanding appropriate to the program of
study (ADO 3)
•Critical thinking and problem solving (ADO 4)
•A knowledge of science and technology (ADO 11)
Course Information and Requirements
Attendance and With drawal Policy
"A person who neglects his
education
neglects his most valuable and
vulnerable resource. He neglects
his future." |
"Education is the best
provision for old age."
Aristotle |
| 1 Office Hours: |
I strongly encourage you to come
to me first to get help outside of class. Please do
not ever get behind because of lack of understanding. I always want to
do my best to
help you understand this thing called math. If your available time and
mine do not
match, then there are other alternatives for help outside of class. Also
always feel
free to leave messages on my phone. I will return your calls. |
| 2 Tutoring: |
Math Tutors are available Monday -
Friday in the MeTec Center, located in the lobby
of McDivitt Hall. There is also Computer Tutorial Programs available for
some of the
courses as well. Besides tutorial help from the MeTec Center, there are
also personal
tutors available through the Developmental Education Department. If you
feel that
you need a personal tutor, please come see me and I will put you in
touch with the
person in charge of this service. |
| 3 Study Groups : |
I strongly encourage you to make a
friend or friends in class that you can get
together with outside of class. One of the best ways to study and to
learn is by
helping one another. Like “they” say, “Two heads are better than one.” |
From the three items above, I hope
it is obvious that your success is of utmost importance to all of us
here.
There is never a need to feel lost because of lack of understanding.
There are so many ways for you to
obtain math tutoring outside of the regular classroom. There is always
some type of math help available.
As long as you are being responsible for your learning by attending
class, doing the as signed homework and
other classroom activities, asking questions in class, and seeking help
outside of class from the instructor,
the tutoring services and your fellow classmates, success will be
yours!!! |
| 4. |
You are responsible for the
homework assignments.
Here are the details you will need to get your homework started.
Course ID: gada88566
Course Name: Beginning Algebra MTH 120 -04 SP2008
All homework assignments will have their respective due dates. There
will be adequate time given for each
homework assignment. Certain homework assignments will be allotted
during the class and will be the only
ones to be submitted on paper during the following class or as decided.
If you fail to come to class, you will not only miss
the lectures, but will also miss the quizzes and the homework
review.
You will consequently receive a poor grade, not because you cannot do
math, but because you failed to show up in class. Remember, there is a
strong positive correlation between attendance and performance. It has
also
been determined that for each hour spent in class, one should spend
at least two hours studying and reviewing
outside of class. Be
sure to allow time to do your coursework, to ensure success.
|
| 5. Calculators: |
Graphing Calculators (TI-83 or
TI-84 preferred) are required for MTH 131, 132,
140, 151, 154, and 251. For MTH 110 and MTH 120, a calculator is not
required,
but it would be advisable to have a scientific calculator that performs
the basic
operations (add,subtract, multiply, and divide), percents and fractions. |
| 6. |
Attendance is required and will be
taken in some fashion daily (either by roll call or quiz).
Attendance
will be included in the quiz grade. Quizzes count 15% of your grade. I
will drop 3 quizzes at the end of the
semester. If you do not plan to attend lectures regularly, you are
advised to withdraw. |
| 7. |
You bear the sole responsibility for
your withdrawal from this course just as you did when you registered for
the course. |
| 8.Classroom Behavior: |
As stated in the Student Handbook,
“misconduct for which students or visitors are
subject to discipline are as follows:1)
Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing
false information to the College.
2) Forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records or
identification.
3) Obstruction or disruption of teaching, lecturing, research,
administration, disciplinary procedures, or other authorized
activities on College premises...” |
I would like to specifically address the highlighted words
in this section:
If I ever have any suspicions of dishonesty, the students involved will
receive no credit for that particular
assignment.
I will not tolerate the classroom teaching/learning process to be disrupted.
When I am teaching, I expect my
students to be actively listening , in order to answer questions I may ask of
them. Talking to one another while I
am teaching is not permitted. If you have a question while I am lecturing,
ask that question of me, not your
friend beside you. If you feel the need to come to class and visit with your
friends, I will ask you to leave class
and not return until you've met with me to discuss a plan for improved classroom
behavior. If your behavior
does not improve after this, then I will visit with the dean of students or the
dean of instruction to determine
appropriate measures to be taken at that time.
It is extremely important for each student to be in class on time. Not
only is the class disrupted by
latecomers, the late student misses out on enough time to take quizzes, misses
being counted for attendance, and
any instructions given at the beginning of class.
It is also extremely important that students do not get up and leave in the
middle of class . (It is very
disruptive ,to my teaching and others learning, for students to get up and leave
or wander in and out of class at any
given time.)
I will not tolerate the learning process of any student to be interrupted by
lack of respect and consideration
from a small few.
Electronic Communication Devices Policy
The use of cell phones, walkie talkies, beepers, pagers, any electronic
communication device is not permitted in the
classroom. I ask that you turn the sounds that they make completely and totally
off!!! These devices are not to
disrupt class at any time for any reason. If the situation is so extreme that it
warrants disrupting the entire class
with your communication, then I ask that rather than disrupt class in that
manner, perhaps you need to stay home
and take care of your business. This perhaps sounds exceptionally rude and for
that I apologize. However, this
has become a severe problem to the learning process and we will no longer
condone the behavior of people who feel
the need to be rude to the entire class. If one of these devices ever disrupts
my class, I will ask you to leave class
for that session and I will report the disturbance and your dismissal from class
to the Dean of Students. If the
behavior happens more than once, you will be dismissed from class and will not
be able to return until you have
made a visit to the Dean of Students, she notifies me that you will be returning
to class, and you and I meet to
discuss a plan for improved classroom behavior.
EVALUATION:
Homework & Quiz ……… 10%
Exams (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40%
Midterm …………………………………………….. 20%
Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%
Lab assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
GRADING: Final grades will be assigned according to
the following scale:
| 90 - 100 % |
4.0 |
65 - 74% |
2.0 |
| 85 - 89% |
3.5 |
60 - 64% |
1.5 |
| 80 - 84% |
3.0 |
55 - 59% |
1.0 |
| 75 - 79% |
2.5 |
50 - 54% |
0.5 |
| |
|
0 - 49% |
0.0 |
It takes all of us working together in a positive
fashion to get the most out of our class.
I am looking forward to sharing with you, a very positive and rewarding semester
of
mathematics. Not only do I look forward to your success, but I also hope you
enjoy the
learning process along the way.
Course: Math 120 (Beginning Algebra)
Text: Beginning Algebra, 4th edition
Author: K. Elayn Martin-Gay
Publisher: Pearson
| Day |
Sections |
Topic |
| |
1.1
1.2 |
Tips for Success in Mathematics
Symbols and Sets of Numbers |
| |
1.3 |
Fraction |
| |
1.4 |
Introduction to Variable Expressions and
Equations |
| |
1.5
1.6
1.7 |
Adding Real Numbers
Subtracting Real Numbers
Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers |
| |
1.8
1.9 |
Properties of Real Numbers
Reading Graphs |
| |
2.1 |
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions |
| |
2.2
2.3 |
The Addition Property of Equality
The Multiplication Property of Equality |
| |
2.4 |
Solving Linear Equations |
| |
2.5 |
An Introduction to Problem Solving |
| |
2.6 |
Formulas and Problem Solving |
| |
2.7 |
Further Problem Solving |
| |
2.8 |
Solving Linear Inequalities |
| |
 |
Review for Exam #1 |
| |
|
Exam #1 on Chapters 1&2 |
| |
3.1 |
The Rectangular Coordinate System |
| |
3.2 |
Graphing Linear Equations |
| |
3.3 |
Intercepts |
| |
3.4 |
Slope and Rate of Change |
| |
3.5 |
The Slope- Intercept Form |
| |
3.6 |
The Point-Slope Form |
| |
3.7 |
Functions |
| |
4.1
4.2 |
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution |
| |
4.3 |
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Addition |
| |
4.4 |
Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving |
| |
|
Review for Exam #2 |
| |
|
Exam #2 on Chapters 3&4 |
| |
5.1 |
Exponents |
| |
5.2
5.3 |
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Multiplying Polynomials |
| |
5.4 |
Special Products |
| |
5.5 |
Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation |
| |
5.6 |
Division of Polynomials |
| |
6.1 |
The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by
Grouping |
| |
6.2 |
Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 +bx ;
+ c |
| |
6.3 |
Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c |
| |
6.4 |
Factoring Binomials |
| |
6.5 |
Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring |
| |
6.6 |
Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving |
| |
|
Review for Exam #3 |
| |
|
Exam #3 on Chapters 5&6 |
| |
7.1 |
Simplifying Rational Expressions |
| |
7.2 |
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions |
| |
7.3 |
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with
Common
Denominators and Least Common Denominators |
| |
7.4 |
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with
Unlike
Denominators |
| |
7.5 |
Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions |
| |
7.6 |
Proportion and Problem Solving with Rational
Expressions |
| |
7.8 |
Simplifying Complex Fractions |
| |
|
Review for Exam #4
Exam #4 on Chapter 7 |
| |
8.1 |
Introduction to Radicals |
| |
8.2 |
Simplifying Radicals |
| |
8.3 |
Adding and Subtracting Radicals |
| |
8.4 |
Multiplying and Dividing Radicals |
| |
8.5 |
Solving Equations Containing Radicals |
| |
8.6 |
Radical Equations and Problem Solving |
| |
8.7 |
Rational Exponents |
| |
9.1 |
Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root
Method |
| |
9.2 |
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the
Square |
| |
9.3 |
Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic
Formula |
| |
|
Review for Exam #5 |
| |
|
Exam #5 on Chapter 8&9 |
| |
|
Comprehensive Review |
| |
|
Final Exam |
| |
|
Final Exam |
