2018 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.013
Course: Mathematics 0702.013.
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.
Time: MWF 1:20 - 2:30 pm.
Place: Wachman Hall 306.
Instructor: Aaron F Wade.
Instructor Office: TBA.
Instructor Email: aaron.wade@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: TBA.
Course Web Page: math.temple.edu/ugrad/coordinated/0702/
Office Hours: Tue. 5:30-6:30pm & Wed. 3-4pm (or by appointment).
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. You may obtain the textbook either by purchasing it from the Temple Bookstore (for a physical copy) or directly from the publisher (for the online version).
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 projectile motion, finance, and more.
Course Grading: 3 Tests (The higher two test scores will each be worth 20% and the lowest score will be worth 15% of the final grade; totaling 55%), Quizzes (10%), MyMathLab Assignments (5%), Final Exam (30%).
Exam Dates: Test 1 - Wednesday, September 19; Test 2 - Monday, October 15; Test 3 - Wednesday, November 14; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 13, 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. Thirteen unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course.
Quizzes: A quiz may be given every week except during weeks in which a test is scheduled. No make-up quizzes will be given. 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: Regular written assignments of problems from the textbook will be given, and the exercises for these assignments will be sourced from the problems posted on the Assignment List. The Assignment List consists of the content of the course for which you are responsible.
MyMathLab Assignments: A subset of the homework problems assigned by your instructor will be assigned and scored using MyMathLab. About 20 - 25 MyMathLab assignments will be given throughout the term. If you garner a score of, at least, 90% for the MML work assigned, you will receive a score of 100% for this portion of the course. Extra credit can be earned if your MML score is higher than 90%.
Make-up Policy: Quizzes cannot be made up. Extensions are not available for MML assignments. If an emergency arises and you cannot take a test at its regularly scheduled time, contact me before the test has begun to make an appointment for a make-up test. Documentation of the emergency is required and any make-up test must be taken within one week of the test date.
Tutoring: Free one-on-one tutoring is available throughout the semester at the Student Support Center located at Tuttleman Learning Center, Suite 100. See www.temple.edu/class for more information. Free tutoring is also provided by the Math Department at the Math TA and CA Consulting Center in Room 1036 Wachman Hall, opening each day, Monday - Friday, at 10:00 am.
Calculator Policy: No calculators may be used for any quiz or test.
Common Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 13, 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Do not miss it. If you miss the final exam, you 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 class sessions.
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, I 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.
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)