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MAT 099 Course Syllabus
Basic Course Information MAT 099 Intermediate Algebra Hours: Class/Week - 5
Instructor Information Ron Murphy Office: Building D, Phone: 706-837-4208 Office Hours by appointment E-mail: rmurphy@westgatech.edu Web page: http://www.westgatech.edu/FacultyWebs/RMurphy/default.htm
Prerequisites Elementary Algebra ASSET score of 39 or higher or MAT 103 with a grade of C or higher AND Numeric ASSET score of 40 or higher or MAT 101 with a grade of C or higher
Course Description This course is designed for students who require additional skills in algebra prior to taking College Algebra. The major topics include: operations with algebraic expressions; linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, and functions; graphing techniques; rational expressions and equations; exponents, radicals, and complex numbers; and simultaneous equations. Class includes lecture, applications, and homework to reinforce learning.
Competency Areas I. Algebraic Concepts and Operations Fundamental Laws Algebraic Expressions Factoring II. Linear Equations and Inequalities Equations Inequalities Applications III. Linear Functions and Graphs Slopes Equations Graphing IV. Rational Expressions Operations Complex Fractions Equations V. Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers Integral and Rational Exponents Radicals Complex Numbers VI. Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Equations Inequalities Applications VII Quadratic Functions and Graphs Equations Graphing VIII Systems of Linear Equations Graphical Solutions Algebraic Solutions
Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Identify and use the fundamental laws of algebra. Utilize fundamental laws of algebra to simplify algebraic expressions. Factor common monomials, difference of squares, difference of cubes, sum of cubes, perfect square trinomials, simple trinomials, general trinomials, and polynomials of four or more terms. Solve linear and literal equations. Solve linear inequalities and state solutions in set notation and interval notation and graph on a number line. Use linear equations and inequalities to solve application problems. Find the slope of a line using various methods. Write the equation of a line. Graph linear functions. Simplify, multiply, divide, add, and subtract rational expressions. Simplify complex rational expressions. Solve equations involving rational expressions. Compute value of expressions containing integral and rational exponents. Simplify and compute with radical expressions. Compute with complex numbers. Solve quadratic equations. Solve quadratic inequalities state solutions in set notation and interval notation and graph on a number line. . Use quadratic equations and inequalities to solve application problems. Write the equation of a parabola. Graph quadratic functions. Solve systems of linear equations graphically. Solve systems of two linear equations algebraically. Name the systems and type of lines. Solve systems of three linear equations by determinants. (optional)
Student Learning Outcomes 1. The student will be able to identify and extract relevant date from given mathematical or contextual situations, compute the solution, and determine the validity of the results. 2. The student will be able to communicate mathematical thought and ideas clearly and concisely to others in the oral and written form. 3. The student will be able to incorporate mathematical knowledge into viable job skills that make him/her successful in the workforce. 4. The student will be able to use the basic fundamental concepts of algebra to solve linear, quadratic, and higher degree equations, solve linear and quadratic inequalities, and solve linear systems. 5. The student will be able to use appropriate technology, including calculators and computers, as tools to assist with mathematical processes, information retrieval, and communication. 6. The student will demonstrate individual responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for all classmates.
Course Texts and Materials Aufmann,R., Barker, V., & Nation, R. (2006). Intermediate Algebra. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN# 0-618-50308-0
Students will need a scientific calculator.
Instructional Strategies/Methods Lecture Individual Assignments Group Projects Critical Thinking Writing Across the Curriculum
Evaluation Procedures The writing assignment counts as one major test grade.
ASSET Exit Exam To successfully pass this class the student must have a 75 average or above in the class and make the required score on the ASSET exit exam. The ASSET exit exam will be your final exam in this class. In order for a student to be eligible to take the ASSET exit exam, the student must have a final average of 75 or above.
The ASSET exit exam will be given at scheduled times during final exam days. It is the student’s responsibility to sign up for a test date and time. Failure to take the ASSET exit exam at your scheduled time will result in failure of the class. Only ASSET scores taken during the posttest sessions will be accepted.
NO RETESTS WILL BE GIVEN!!
Grading Scale
Tutoring WGTC offers free tutoring for mathematics students. Please see your instructor for the tutor’s hours.
Courtesy Notes Please turn mobile phones and pagers off (or to silent mode) before entering the classroom. This will save other students from losing concentration and will save you the embarrassment of it ringing during class. Only students registered for a class are allowed in the classroom. Visitors (family/friends) must wait outside the classroom.
Attendance Policy Attendance and punctuality in class is one of the student’s primary responsibilities. Time lost can never be replaced. In the event that an absence is deemed necessary by the student, he/she is held accountable for all work missed. If a student is absent from class for five (5) consecutive instructional hours and does not contact the instructor or misses more than 20% of class time, he/she will automatically be dropped form the course. Absences are counted from the first scheduled meeting date, not from an individual student’s first day of attendance.
Makeup Work/Makeup Test Policy Students are responsible for work covered on the days they are absent. The student should first consult other students or their study buddy about missed work. After all attempts have been made to attain the information, the student may schedule a meeting with the instructor.
STUDY BUDDY______________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________________Email_____________________________
There are NO MAKEUP TESTS!!!! However, there are provisions to alleviate any hardships caused by this policy. The final exam can be used for one missed test. If you have not missed any tests, the final exam will replace your lowest test grade.
Tardies Tardies count toward absences. Minutes tardy add to total time absent. It is the student’s responsibility to let the instructor know if he/she comes in after attendance has been taken. The student must let the instructor know the time he/she arrived. Absences will be changed to tardies only on the day/night they occur.
Work Ethics Good work habits are as valuable as technical skills. Work ethic traits including attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organizational skills, communication, cooperation and respect are included in the work ethics evaluation.
Academic Honesty Policy A student who engages in academic misconduct such as cheating shall face disciplinary charges under the Code of Student Conduct in addition to any loss of academic credit or standing that may result from their having failed to meet a course’s academic requirements. Plagiarism, using the words and ideas of someone else as your own, will not be tolerated. All essays/reports/summaries must be your own work. If a student is caught turning in plagiarized work as his/her own, the student will automatically receive a “O” for the assignment. Further disciplinary action may also be taken. A student may be dismissed from the class and given an “F” as a final grade and/or be dismissed from school. Plagiarism is a serious offense.
Confidentiality Statement The rules of confidentiality do not apply to the instructor/student relationship. Please do not disclose information assuming it will be confidential. An instructor is considered a “mandatory reporter”. Any information revealed to an instructor that may represent potential harm to the student or another individual must be reported by law.
ADA Statement If you have a disability that you think may affect your ability to function in this class, please inform the instructor and the West Georgia Technical College Special Needs Career Planner, Gil Ausman at 706-812-4246 (Student Services Offices, Building A) to discuss a request for accommodations. All requests for accommodations are welcomed.
Severe Weather Warning Periodically, WGTC will conduct severe weather warning and fire drills. Instructions on what to do in the event of these warning will be given in class and may be found in print form posted in classrooms and labs. Students are expected to participate in these drills in preparation for any actual threatening situations that may occur.
DTAE Guarantee Curriculum standards have been developed with direct involvement of business and industry. These standards serve as the industry-validated specifications for each occupational program. These standards allow the Georgia system of technical colleges to offer their business and industry partners this guarantee: "If one of our graduates educated under a standard program or his/her employer finds that the graduate is deficient in one or more competencies as defined in the standards, the technical college will retrain the employee at no instructional cost to the employee or the employer." This guarantee is in effect for a period of two years after graduation.
Exit Exams (diploma/degree programs only) All graduating degree and diploma students are required to take program area graduation exam in their field. The exam must be taken in the last quarter or next to last quarter before graduation. Information on scheduling the exit exam may be obtained from the program advisor.
CAAP Testing (degree level programs only) All graduating degree students are required to take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency exam. The exam must be taken in the last quarter or next to last quarter before graduation. Scheduled times for the exam will be posted on campus.
Graduation Application Students expecting to graduate must complete an application for graduation. This form may be obtained from the Office of Student Services located in the Administration Building. Students should apply for graduation during the registration period in which they register for their last quarter of classes. |
