2017 Summer1 Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.011
Course: Mathematics 0702.011.
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.
Time: MTWRF 10:10 - 11:45 am.
Place: Wachman Hall Classroom 009.
Instructor: Jessica Babcock.
Instructor Office: Wachman 1032.
Instructor Email: jbbabcock@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-7523.
Course Web Page: https://blackboard.temple.edu
Office Hours: TWR 9:00-10:00a.
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, the laws of exponents and scientific notation, 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: Tests 1 and 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-, 67-69 D+, 63-66 D, 60-62 D-, 0-59 F.
Exam Dates: Test 1 - Friday, May 26; Test 2 - Wednesday, June 14; Comprehensive Final Exam - Monday, June 26.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory and promptness to class is expected. Five or more unexcused absences will affect your grade. You will be penalized one grade notch (e.g. from B to B-) for your fifth absence and one grade notch for each increment of 3 classes or a portion thereof that you miss from that point forward. Failure to attend class during quiz dates will also affect your Quiz Average. Some absences are excused such as illness or a death in your 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 instructor on a case-by-case basis.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given regularly on dates are set by the instructor. 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 lowest quiz score will be dropped if there are up to 8 quizzes and your lowest two will be dropped if there are more.
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 two days of the exam date.
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 may be used for any quiz or test.
Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Monday, June 26, the last day of class. 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 and stowed away during assessments and lessons.
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 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, 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 papers 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.
Important Dates: Monday, May 15: First day of class. Friday, May 19: Last day to drop a course. Monday, May 29: Memorial Day - No classes. Monday, June 5: Last day to withdraw from the course. Monday, June 26: Last day of class.
Participation: Students are expected to actively participate in this course both inside and out of the classroom. This includes completing all assignments, partaking in group activities and discussions in class, completing problems at the board, and watching videos and reading text outside of class. Active participation in this course will count toward your quiz grade, meaning lack of participation will negatively affect your quiz grade.
Blackboard: All assignments will be posted in the Weekly Folders page of Blackboard. Students are expected to check this folder DAILY in order to be aware of all expectations of the course. All worksheets used in class will also be available on Blackboard. Any student who misses a class and, therefore, the distribution of a worksheet, is expected to print the worksheet on their own and come to the next class meeting prepared to continue with the worksheet with the rest of the class.
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.