SYLLABUS

COURSE:

MATH 0099, Intermediate Algebra

SEMESTER:

2009 Fall Semester

CREDIT:

4 Semester credit hours

PREREQUISITE:

Completion of Math 0097, IP in Math 0098, or COMPASS entrance score of 31-41

INSTRUCTOR:

Mrs. Teresa Betkowski

 

Instructional Complex 232

 

770-358-5837

 

t_betkowski@gdn.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS:

MTWR – 8:00 am – 9:00 am

MTWR – 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

TEXT:

Beginning & Intermediate Algebra-Fourth Edition

 

Martin-Gay; Prentice Hall 2009

 

MyMathLab Required

Course ID: betkowski58277

Note: This is a tentative syllabus and may be changed by the instructor at any time.

  1. DESCRIPTION
    1. This course is a study of algebra, including the set of real numbers, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions and functions, radicals, the basic concept of complex numbers, quadratic equations and systems of equations.
    2. To do well in the course, you must practice many problems outside of class, ask questions in class until you have a complete understanding of each concept, and prepare for tests by reviewing problems worked in class.
    3. You must maintain a notebook and bring it to class every day.
    4. All of your written homework assignments from the text book must be placed in your notebook.
    5. You must use your Gordon email address to receive important information from your instructor and the school on a daily basis.
  2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
    1. General education objectives:  Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of college-level mathematics.
    2. Learning Support Math Program Goal:  Mathematics students will be provided the knowledge and skills needed for successful college level work.
    3. Outcomes:  Successful MATH 0099 students will demonstrate an understanding of solving higher degree equations, radical equations and rational equations.
  3. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
    1. Log onto this website as soon as possible for practice COMPASS math problems http://www.highlands.edu/wcotter/COMPASS/compass.htm
    2. Use the Math Lab in the Student Success Center for free tutoring.
    3. Create a study group with fellow classmates.
  4. METHOD OF EVELUATION
    1. Tests - 70% (NO MAKE-UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.)
    2. Daily quizzes – 10%
    3. MyMathLab assignments - 20% (YOUR MUST REGISTER FOR MYMATHLAB THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.)
    4. Extra time will not be given to complete tests unless documentation is on file with the college specifying this requirement.
  5. GRADES
    1. A% - 90 or above and 42 or better on the COMPASS
    2. B% - 80 -89 and 42 or better on the COMPASS
    3. C %- 70 – 79 and 42 or better on the COMPASS
    4. IP%- 70 or above in the class, below 42 on the COMPASS, 2nd semester of LS math OR Avg. below 70 in the class, making progress, 2nd semester of LS math
    5. F%- or above in the class, below 42 on the COMPASS, 3RD semester of LS math OR Avg. below 70 in the class, 3rd semester of LS math
    6. WF%- Withdrawn after midterm or stopped attending after midterm without officially withdrawing from the class
    7. W - Withdrawn before midterm
  6. ATTENDANCE

Attendance is important. All students are expected and urged to attend all classes. Students are responsible for every assignment, every instruction, and all material covered in class whether they are present or absent.  You should obtain the name and phone number of a classmate. Students should not be absent more than 4 days.  Each absence makes it more difficult for you, the student, to acquire knowledge and increase learning.  Excessive absences will, most likely, negatively impact your grade in this class.

  1. CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

a.       Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with respect. 

b.       Please refrain from the following during class time:

1.       Talking with other students (other than during group activities).

2.       Leaving class early (other than an emergency).

3.       Leaving the desk to sharpen a pencil in the middle of a lecture.

4.       Consistently late coming to class.

5.       Placing or receiving cellular phone calls or text messaging during class.

6.       Text messaging during class

 

8.      OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR EXTRA HELP

a.       Bring your textbook and lesson notes.

b.       Make sure you have read the lesson notes and studied the examples.

c.       Be prepared to show me at least two problems that you have attempted to solve.

d.       Bring your incomplete or incorrect solution to each problem.

e.       Ask for help as early as possible. Do not wait until the day of the test.

           

9.      CALCULATOR

 

Students will not be allowed to use a calculator for any graded assignment.             

  1. ACADEMIC HONESTY

Each student must do his or her own work on in-class quizzes and tests without assistance from any outside source not specifically authorized by me.

  1. CRITERIA FOR EXITING FROM MATH 0099

a.                       Satisfactory attendance

b.                       Satisfactory completion of all homework and in-class assignments

c.                       Classroom average of (70) or above

d.                       A minimum score of 42 on the Compass in Math

Only those students who first become eligible to exit Math 0099 by meeting criteria 1 – 3 above shall be permitted to take the MATH COMPASS test.  If a student does not pass the COMPASS on their first attempt, one retake will be allowed. A student who fails to exit because of an unsatisfactory COMPASS score must repeat and pass MATH 0099 during s subsequent semester of enrollment to be eligible to retake the COMPASS

A student who does not pass the COMPASS must receive an IP (In Progress) for the course if they are in their second or third semester of Learning Support Mathematics.  Those students who are in their final attempt that do not pass the compass will receive an F.  A student in their third semester of Learning Support Mathematics who fails to exit MATH 0099 because of an unsatisfactory COMPASS score must fulfill exit criteria again during a subsequent semester of enrollment to be eligible to exit Learning Support Mathematics.

Only those students who first become eligible by meeting criterion 1 above shall be allowed to take the MATH COMPASS test.  A student who does not pass the COMPASS will not receive a passing grade.  A student who fails to exit because of an unsatisfactory COMPASS Score must repeat and pass MATH 0098/0099 during a subsequent semester of enrollment to be eligible to retake the COMPASS. A student taking MATH 0098/0099 during his/her third semester of LS math must exit Learning Support math to remain at Gordon College without appeal.  A student desiring a fourth semester to complete LS math requirements must file a petition (during the 4th semester you may take no other courses with your LS math).  If the appeal is not granted, the student will be suspended and cannot be considered for readmission for three years.  Students who accumulate 20 or more semester hours of college credit and have not successfully completed required Learning Support courses may enroll only in Learning Support courses until all requirements have been successfully completed.

  1.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Should students find it necessary at any time to see their instructor or the Chairman of the Learning Support Program for clarification of any course related or departmental policy, to discuss their progress, or to request additional help, they should feel free to ask for an appointment.  Any student who is certified as disabled and who thus qualifies for special accommodations must provide me with appropriate evidence of such certification immediately. Any student who intends to request special accommodations for this course or for the COMPASS because of a learning disability of any kind must immediately declare his or her intention to the college ADA officer.

  1. SCHEDULE OF PROGRESS FOR LEARNING SUPPORT MATHEMATICS

A student taking Math 0099 during his/her third semester of LS math must exit Learning Support math in that semester to remain at Gordon College without appeal.  A student desiring a fourth semester to complete Learning Support math requirements must file a petition.  If granted a fourth semester, (the student must be in the exit level course, be individually evaluated and determined to have a reasonable chance of success, have reached the limit in only one Learning Support are) the student shall take no other college courses simultaneously unless the student has less than 20 semester hours of credit.  If the appeal is not granted, the student will be suspended and cannot be considered for readmission for three years.

14.  Registration information

Effective spring semester, 2009 a new learning support registration system was implemented. This system will not allow registration for courses for which you are not currently eligible (the courses prohibited by your current learning support requirements).  It will also not allow registration for the next level of learning support or for the next college credit course in that area.  After your final exam (in 0097) or the COMPASS (in 0099/0098) grades will be reported and your learning support status will be updated in BANNER.  If you were eligible to self register during early registration and have been advised, you may then adjust your schedule to include the next level of learning support or the next college credit course in that area.

During early registration, if you have 2 or 3 Learning Support requirements, your adviser will register you for at most 11 credit hours of coursework.  After grades are reported and your learning support status is updated, if you then have only one or no learning support requirements and have been advised, you will be able to complete your own schedule in BANNER.  If you still have 2 or 3 learning support requirements, you will schedule a follow-up appointment with your adviser to complete your schedule.  Advisers will be available by appointment until 5:00 on the third day of the final exam schedule.