Fall 2009 Course Syllabus
Course: 0702.003.
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.
Time: MWF 4:00 PM - 5:10 PM.
Place: Barton Hall (BB 107).
Instructor: Amin, Nikhil.
Instructor Office: 544 Wachmann Hall.
Instructor Email: nik.amin@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: (215) 204 7588.
Course Web Page: https://blackboard.temple.edu
Office Hours: MWF 1.30PM - 2.30 PM, or by appointment.
Prerequisites: Math 701, Elementary Algebra, or mathematics placement.
Textbook: Integrated Arithmetic and Basic Algebra, 4th edition, by Bill E. Jordan and William P. Palow.
Course Goals: The goal of this course is to cover the core topics of algebra as a preparation for precalculus mathematics.
Topics Covered: Beyond a review of some basic concepts of algebra, this course covers these topics: solving linear equations and inequalities, solving equations with absolute value, graphing linear equations and finding equations of lines, solving systems of linear equations, the laws of exponents, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials, and solving polynomial equations, operations with rational expressions, finding roots, operations with radicals, and rationalizing denominators with one term. The techniques learned for solving equations will be applied to solving problems involving motion, percent, mixtures, money, and geometry.
Course Grading: Half of the grade for the course will be determined by scores on 5 tests and homework and the other half by scores on the Midterm and Final Exams. The 5 tests and homework will be equally weighted, the midterm exam will be worth 20% and the final 30% of the final grade.
Exam Dates: Test 1 (Wednesday, 9/16), Test 2 (Friday, 10/9), Test 3 (Wednesday, 10/28), Test 4 (Wednesday, 11/11), Test 5 (Wednesday, 12/2); Midterm Exam (Friday, 10/16); Final Exam (To Be Announced).
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. Please refer to the Student Guidelines for details. Unexcused absences will affect your final grade according to the schedule given in the Student Guidelines. Ten unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course.
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.
Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:
- The first day of classes is Monday, August 31.
- Labor Day is Monday, September 7.
- The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, September 14.
- Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26.
- The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, November 2.
- The last day of classes is Wednesday, December 9.
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.
The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.