Spring 2015 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0701.702
Course: Mathematics 0701.702.
Course Title: Elementary Algebra.
Time: This is a hybrid online course. There will be a total of eight on-campus meetings, all on Thursdays, for assessments and reviews of assessments. Specifics will be posted on the Blackboard course site.
Place: See Blackboard course site.
Instructor: Srinivasan, Ranganatha.
Instructor Office: 510 Wachman Hall.
Instructor Email: ranganatha.srinivasan@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: (215) 204-8440.
Course Web Page: https://blackboard.temple.edu
Office Hours: by appointment.
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: Tests 1 - 3: The higher two test scores will each be worth 20% and the lowest score 15% of the final grade; Quizzes (15%); Final Exam (30%).
Exam Dates: Test 1 - Thursday, February 5; Test 2 - Thursday, March 12; Test 3 - Thursday, April 9; Cumulative Final - Thursday, April 30, 3:30 - 5:30 pm.
Attendance Policy: See Blackboard course site.
Quizzes: See Blackboard course site.
Make-up Policy: See Blackboard course site.
Tutoring: Free one-on-one tutoring is available throughout the semester at the MSRC located at 1810 Liacouras Walk, 2nd Floor. See www.temple.edu/msrc for more information.
Calculator Policy: No calculators may be used for any quiz or test.
Common Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, April 30. Do not miss it. If a student misses the final exam, he or she will not be allowed to take a make-up exam unless there is a documented emergency.
Use of Electronic Devices: All cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF during class sessions.
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.