Spring 2011 Course Syllabus

Course: Mathematics 702.000.
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.
Time: Example: MWF 9:20 - 10:30 AM.
Place: Example: 103 Barton Hall (BB 103).
Instructor: Stringfellow, Scott A.
Instructor Office: Example: 446 Wachman Hall.
Instructor Email:
Instructor Phone: Example: (215) 204-8994.
Course Web Page: https://blackboard.temple.edu
Office Hours: MWF 11:45-1:00.
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 consecutive integers, distance, money, investment, and mixtures.
Course Grading: Tests 1 and 2 (15% each), Midterm Exam (20%), Quizzes (10%), Homework (10%), Final Exam (30%).
Exam Dates: Test 1 (Friday, 2/11), Midterm Exam (Wednesday, 3/16), Test 2 (Monday, 4/11), Final Exam (Thursday, 5/5, 3:30 - 5:30 PM).
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. Thirteen unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course.
Assignments and Quizzes: All homework assignments will be recorded and scored online using MyMathLab. Your lowest 4 scores for the semester will be dropped. Quizzes will be given as scheduled by your instructor.
Final Notes: 1. The use of calculators will not be permitted on any of the tests or exams in this course. 2. No assignment or quiz can be turned in past the day or time it is due. Therefore, no assignment or quiz can be made up. Tests can be made up within 5 days of the date of the test, however, you must notify your instructor no later than the date of the test and a valid, documented excuse must accompany the request for a make-up test. 3. Class participation is highly desirable.

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 Tuesday, January 18.
• The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, January 31.
• Spring recess is the week of Sunday, March 6.
• The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, March 28.
• The last day of classes is Monday, May 2.

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.