2017 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.007

Course: Mathematics 0702.007.

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.

Time: TTR 08:00 - 09:40 am.

Place: Wachman Hall 207.

Instructor: Sherwood Polter.

Instructor Office: Room 1034 Wachman Hall.

Instructor Email: sherwood.polter@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: (215) 204-7840 Math Dept.

Office Hours: TTR 07:30-8:00 am.

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: Integrated Arithmetic and Basic Algebra, 5th Edition, by Bill E. Jordan and William P. Palow and a supplement, Intermediate Algebra, 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, graphing linear equations and finding equations of lines, solving systems of linear equations by graphing, 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 of one term. The techniques learned for solving equations will be applied to solving problems involving distance, money, investment, and mixtures.

Course Grading: Course Grading: Tests 1 and 2 (15% each), Midterm Exam (25%), Quizzes (15%), Final Exam (30%). Homework (0%). There is absolutely no extra credit available that can be counted.

Exam Dates: All TTR sections: Test 1 - Tuesday, February 14; Midterm Exam - Thursday, March 9; Test 2 - Tuesday, April 11; Cumulative Final - Thursday, May 4, 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 TTR sections: Nine unexcused absences will result in an automatic failure (F) for the course. Six unexcused absences your grade will automatically be lowered (Example: B to B-). Seven unexcused absences your grade will be automatically lowered to next level (Example: B to C). Official attendance starts on Tuesday January 31.

Quizzes: A quiz will be given almost every week except during those weeks in which a test is scheduled. No make-up quizzes will be given. Missed quizzes will receive a score of zero and are to be counted among the dropped scores. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.

Make-up Policy: The weekly quizzes cannot be made up! If an emergency arises and you cannot attend an exam, contact your instructor as soon as possible to make an appointment for a make-up exam. Documentation of the emergency is required and any make-up exam must be taken within one week of the exam date. A new different harder exam is created for make-up. So, you don't want to miss it the first time it is given! Make-up exam is administered at the Math Department (6th Fl. Wachman Hall) and must be started no later than 2p.

Tutoring: Free one-on-one tutoring is available throughout the semester at the CLASS, located at 1810 Liacouras Walk, 2nd Floor. See www.temple.edu/class for more information.

Calculator Policy: No calculators or electronic devices including smart watches for any quiz or test. Students will be required to place electronic items at the aisle of each row of tables. Do not forget to take your device when you leave the classroom! We are not responsible for lost or stolen devices!.

Common Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, May 4, 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. Any make-up exam will be different and harder.

Use of Electronic Devices: All cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned OFF and stowed away during class sessions.

Exam Security Policy: Under no circumstances is the use of personal electronic devices such as phones, computers, or smart watches allowed during exams. All such items will be placed with student name identified on electronic device and placed at the lecture podium for duration of the exam. Students can collect their electronic device upon turning in exam to instructor. 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 circumstances, will students be allowed to bring in any kind of paper for use during the 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. Their shall be no talking during exams. Any bathroom break should occur prior to starting any exam and not during the exam.

Making Appointment: Email at tuf81886@temple.edu if you need to schedule a one-on-one appointment. Generally the best time is 7:30a to 8:00a T/TR before class.

Accommodations: 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.

Academic Freedom: 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.

Drop/Add/Incomplede Grade: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar for exact dates. During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester, 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.

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 first two weeks of the fall or spring semester, 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.