2017 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.010
Course: Mathematics 0702.010.
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.
Time: TR 08:00 - 09:40 am.
Place: Wachman Hall 016.
Instructor: Sherwood V. Polter.
Instructor Office: 1034 Wachman Hall.
Instructor Email: sherwood.polter@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: (215) 204-8994.
Course Web Page: learn.temple.edu
Office Hours: TR 07:00-8:00 am by Appointment only.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Introductory Algebra is expected. Placement is based on the Placement Test score, a grade of C- or better in Math 0701, or transfer credit for Math 0701.
Textbook: Intermediate Algebra, 7th edition, by Elayn Martin-Gay.
Course Goals: The goal of this course is to cover the core topics of algebra as a preparation for precalculus mathematics.
Topics Covered: This course covers these topics: solving linear equations and inequalities, compound inequalities, and absolute value equations and inequalities, an introduction to functions, graphing linear equations and finding equations of lines, the laws of exponents, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials and solving polynomial equations, operations with rational expressions, finding roots, and operations with radicals. The techniques learned for solving equations and inequalities will be applied to solving application problems involving distance, finance, mixtures, and more.
Course Grading: Homework Assignments and Quizzes (15%), Tests 1-3 (The higher two test scores will each be worth 20% and the lowest score 15% of the final grade), Final Exam (30%).
Exam Dates: Test 1 - Thursday, September 21; Test 2 - Tuesday, October 17; Test 3 - Thursday, November 16; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 14, 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. For a Tuesday and Thursday Class, nine unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course. This is a firm requirement.
Quizzes: A quiz will be given every week (worth 10 points each) except during those weeks in which a test is scheduled. No make up quizzes will be given. Please do not ask me for a makeup quiz even if you have a valid excuse. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped if more than 8 quizzes are administered during the term, and your lowest single quiz score will be dropped if 8 or fewer quizzes are administered. Missed quizzes will receive a score of zero and are to be counted among the dropped scores.
Homework Assignments: Do all the problems given on the Assignment List for each Unit and Topic included in the Course Packet. During selected classes you will be asked to hand in your assigned homework for check. If you do not hand in homework assignment (or absent from class) when asked you will not receive a check. Assignments cannot be handed in after class is over. You may do the optional assignments in MyMathLab. MyMathLab work will not be reviewed in class and will not count as extra credit and will not count towards a quiz grade or final grade. Any work you do in MyMathLab is purely on your own to help you with areas that are challenging to you. At the end of the semester all checks you receive for homework will count as 1 quiz grade. If you got 100% checks you will receive 10 points, 50% checks receive 5 points and so forth and count as if you took another quiz. If you do none of the homework and get 0% checks you will get 0 for the equivalent of 1 Quiz.
Make-up Policy: There is NO Make-up for weekly quizzes. Quizzes simply cannot be made up. There is absolutely no extra credit allowed for this course per Math Department requirement so please do not ask. If an emergency arises and you cannot attend any one of the three scheduled tests, contact me as soon as possible via email to make an appointment for a different test to make-up. Warning that the make-up test may be harder! Documentation of the emergency is required to be emailed and any make-up exam must be taken within one week of the exam date.
Tutoring: Free one-on-one tutoring is available throughout the semester at the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS), located at Tuttleman Learning Center, Suite 100. See www.temple.edu/class for more information. Even if you are not needing tutoring its a good Idea to go there and familiarize yourself with the services offered. If you think your are going to have difficultly in Math 702 or the slightest difficulty go get tutoring immediately. Do not wait! Also do not wait until the 11th hour to seek help! Make it a priority to introduce yourself and let them help you early on. If you wait too many people will flood the tutoring center and you will be waiting around. Early is better. Let them get to know you. Its a great place to get homework done or work on MyMathLab optional exercises.
Calculator Policy: No calculators may be used for any quiz or test. None! When practicing homework problems it is a good idea to reframe from using calculators.
Common Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 14, 3:30 - 5:30 pm. 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. Again, Make-up's may be a harder exam to take so you don't want to miss the final.
Use of Electronic Devices: All cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF or in Airplane Mode and stowed away during class sessions. All students may be asked to place all electronic devices on the aisle of each row of tables that you sit at.
Exam Security Policy: Under no circumstance is the use of a personal electronic device, such as a phone, computer, or smart watch, allowed during exams. All such items must be stowed away and out of sight for the duration of the exam. Any student found with such a device during an exam will not be allowed to complete the test, will receive a score of zero for the test, and will be reported to the Student Code of Conduct Board. In addition, under no circumstance, will students be allowed to bring in any kind of paper for use during an exam. Should a student need extra paper during a test, the proctor will provide it. Any student found using papers that they themselves brought into the exam will not be allowed to complete the test, will receive a score of zero for the test, and will be reported to the Student Code of Conduct Board.
Additional Information: This class follows the book closely. So you will need to purchase the book and have the book with you during class. Problems will be given for practice during class and reviewed.
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. Check the University calendar for exact dates.
During the Drop/Add period, students may drop a course with no record of the class appearing on their transcript. Students are not financially responsible for any courses dropped during this period. In the following weeks prior to or on the withdrawal date students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" appearing on their transcript. After the withdrawal date students may not withdraw from courses. Check the University Calendar (Opens in new tab/window) for exact dates. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)
The grade "I" (an "incomplete") is only given if students cannot complete the course work due to circumstances beyond their control. It is necessary for the student to have completed the majority of the course work with a passing average and to sign an incomplete contract which clearly states what is left for the student to do and the deadline by which the work must be completed. The incomplete contract must also include a default grade that will be used in case the "I" grade is not resolved by the agreed deadline. See the full policy by clicking here. (Opens in new tab/window)