Summer1 2014 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0701.013
Course: Mathematics 0701.013.
Course Title: Elementary Algebra.
Time: MTWRF 12:55 - 2:30.
Place: BB 101.
Instructor: Wald, Doreen.
Instructor Office: Wachman 550.
Instructor Email: doreen.wald@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-6923.
Office Hours: MTWRF 9:35-10:35.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of PRE-ALGEBRA material is expected. Placement is based on the Placement Test score.
Textbook: Integrated Arithmetic and Basic Algebra, 5th Edition, by Bill E. Jordan and William P. Palow.
Course Goals: The goal of this course is to give students a firm foundation in the topics of elementary algebra as a basis for subsequent courses in mathematics and other disciplines. Included in this goal is the development and strengthening of ones skill in interpreting and solving application problems.
Topics Covered: Elementary Algebra begins with a presentation of some foundational topics of Algebra: variables, exponents, order of operations, perimeter, area, and volume of geometric figures, equivalence between mathematical and verbal expressions, and operations with integers. Further topics include solving linear equations and inequalities, understanding slope, graphing linear equations in two variables, finding the equation of a line, applying the laws of exponents, performing operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials, and solving polynomial equations. The skill of solving equations will be extended to formulating and solving equations of applied problems.
Course Grading: Test 1 & Test 2 (30% for the better score, 20% for the worse); Quizzes (20%); Final Exam (30%). Numeric-To-Letter-Grade Scale: 93-100 A, 90-92 A-, 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80-82 B-, 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.
Exam Dates: Exam Dates: Test 1 (Wednesday, 6/4), Test 2 (Thursday, 6/19), Final Exam (Monday, June 30).Under any circumstance, students will not be allowed to reschedule any exam because of travel plans.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. More than 5 unexcused absences (more than 3 for your section, Jessica) will result in FAILURE for the course. Some absences are excused such as illness or death in family, given that documentation (with a contact phone number) is provided. If there is another reason for absence, the situation will be evaluated by the professor on a case-by-case basis. Note: Some students have travel plans around the end of every semester. If you are in this category of students, please plan ahead. Under any circumstance, students will not be allowed to reschedule any exam because of travel plans.
Quizzes: A quiz will be given up to two times a week based on homework. Notification will be given. The lowest quiz score for the term will be dropped.
Calculator Policy: The use of calculators will not be permitted on any of the tests or quizzes in this course.
Make-up Policy: No assignment or quiz can be turned in past the day or time it is due. Therefore, no quiz or assignment can be made up. Tests can be made up two 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 your request. No make ups will be given once the graded tests are returned.
Use of Electronic Devices: All cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF during class sessions. Texting is prohibited during class. If a cell phone is answered during a test, it will result in an automatic failure of the test.
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, May 19.
- The last day to drop/add (tuition refund available) is Monday, June 2.
- The last day to withdraw (no refund) is Monday, June 16.
- The last day of classes is Monday, June 30.
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.