Fall 2015 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0701.003
Course: Mathematics 0701.003.
Course Title: Elementary Algebra.
Time: MWF 2:40 - 3:50.
Place: Wachmann Hall 308.
Instructor: Connor, Richard.
Instructor Office: 1034 Wachmann Hall.
Instructor Email: richard.connor@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: No.
Office Hours: by appointment.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of PreAlgebra material. Placement Test scores.
Textbook: Integrated Arithmetic and Basic Algebra, 5th Edition, Jordan and 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: Tets 1-3 The higher two test scores will each be worth 20% and the lowest 15% of the final grade' Quizzes 15%; Final Exam 30%.
Exam Dates: All MWF sections and Ambler: Test 1 - Wednesday, September 16; Test 2 - Monday, October 12; Test 3 - Wednesday, November 11; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 10, 3:30 - 5:30 pm. TR sections: Test 1 - Tuesday, September 15; Test 2 - Tuesday, October 13; Test 3 - Thursday, November 12; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 10, 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Section 401 (TUCC): Test 1 - Tuesday, September 15; Test 2 - Tuesday, October 13; Test 3 - Tuesday, November 10; Cumulative Final - Tuesday, December 15, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Section 701 (Online): Test 1 - Thursday, September 17; Test 2 - Thursday, October 15; Test 3 - Thursday, November 12; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 10, 3:30 - 5:30 pm.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. Unexcused absences will affect your final grade according to the schedule given in the Student Guidelines. (MWF sections, continue this way) Thirteen unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course (MW and TR sections, continue this way) Nine unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course (TUCC, continue this way) Five 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 dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date given below.
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.