2022 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.004

Course: Mathematics 0702.004.

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.

Credits: 4.

How this course will be taught: Classroom In-Person Instructional Method.

Time: MWF 9:20 - 10:30 am.

Place: Wachman Hall 207.

Instructor: Ranjini Muhunthan.

Instructor Office: 1034 Wachman Hall.

Instructor Email: ranjini.muhunthan@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: ranjini.muhunthan@temple.edu.

Course Web Page: canvas.temple.edu

Office Hours: MWF 12:00-1:00.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Introductory Algebra is expected. Placement is based on the Placement Test score or a grade of C- or better in Math 0701 to Math 1021.

Course Materials: TEXTBOOK: College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra, A Blended Course, by Beecher, Penna, Johnson, and Bittinger; Students have the following options for purchasing access to the text (Access to MyMathLab is required): 1) MyMathLab with eText 18-week Access. ISBN: 9780135234532. 2) MyMathLab with eText 24 Month Access. ISBN: 9780135909096. With either of the options above there is a Print Upgrade Offer available. 3) Package: College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, Binder Ready Edition, with MyLab Math - 18-week Access Card Package, Beecher & Penna & Johnson. IBSN: 9780136175858.

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, solving systems of two linear equations in two variables, the properties and definitions of exponents, operations with polynomials, factoring polynomials and solving polynomial equations, and operations with rational expressions. The techniques learned for solving equations will be applied to solving application problems involving projectile motion and more.

Course Grading: Tests 1-3 (The higher two test scores will each be worth 18% and the lowest score 15% of the final grade), Quizzes (10%), Introductory Algebra Quiz (2%), Exponents Quiz (4%), Video Notebook Worksheets (3%), MyMathLab Assignments (3%), Written Assignments (3%), Final Exam (24%). 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-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.

Exam Dates: Test 1 - Wednesday, September 14; Test 2 - Wednesday, October 12; Test 3 - Wednesday, November 16; Cumulative Final - Thursday, December 8, 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.

Attendance and Your Health: To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to your instructors' requirements. However, if you feel unwell or if you are under quarantine or in isolation because you have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities. Students have the responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they are able to do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

Quizzes: A quiz will be given every week except during those weeks in which a test is scheduled. If a quiz is missed for a valid reason, it may be made up as long as the originally scheduled quiz has not yet been graded and returned. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Special Quizzes: Introductory Algebra Review and Quiz: A brief review of Introductory Algebra, based on content from the textbook sections, §R.3, §R.5, and §R.6, will be conducted the first day of class. Your comprehension of this material will be evaluated by an online quiz in MyLab Math that must be completed by Wednesday, August 31st. Anyone lacking competence as demonstrated by a low score on this quiz will be required to complete a remedial assignment online in MyLab Math. Exponential Quiz: The properties and definitions of exponents will be taught after completing Unit 2. A quiz on this material alone will be given in class on Friday, October 21.

Written Homework Assignments: Video Notebook Assignments: The video notebook offers fill-in-the-blank worksheets to accompany the section videos. Key vocabulary and definitions, theorems, and procedures are also included. Students will fill in a worksheet while watching each video and submit their work for credit. Homework Assignments: Regular written assignments of problems from the textbook will be given by your instructor. The exercises for these assignments will be sourced from the problems posted on the Assignment List. This is the content of the course for which you are responsible.

MyMathLab Assignments: A subset of the homework problems from the Assignment List will be assigned and scored using MyMathLab. About 20 - 25 MyMathLab assignments will be given throughout the term. If you are able to successfully complete 90% of the work assigned, you will receive a score of 100 for this part of the course. Extra credit can be earned by any amount of work completed above the level of 90% and loss of credit, due to incomplete or incorrect work, is concurrently mitigated by this formula.

Exam Make-up Policy: Permission to take a make-up exam may be granted if it is missed as the result of a DOCUMENTED EMERGENCY, like an illness or accident. The documents confirming the emergency (from a hospital or police) must be provided. If you miss an exam, you must contact your instructor AND the Math 0702 Course Coordinator, Scott Stringfellow, by email right away, ideally before the exam (the email address of Professor Stringfellow is: sstringf@temple.edu). Requests for makeups will not be honored if they come more than 48 hours after the time of the exam.

Exam Security Policy: The use of personal electronic devices such as phones, computers, or smart watches are not permitted 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 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. This is consistent with the Temple University Academic Honor Code (see https://secretary.temple.edu/sites/secretary/files/policies/03.70.12.pdf ) that states: "Every member of the university community is responsible for upholding the highest standards of honesty at all times. Students, as members of the community, are responsible for adhering to the principles of academic honesty and integrity".

CANVAS: This is a registered CANVAS course. Please check CANVAS daily for important announcements.

Academic Support: The Student Success Center (SSC) and the Math TA and CA Consulting Center (MCC) both provide excellent support services for this course throughout the semester. Information regarding the services these centers provide will be posted on the course Canvas page. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these services! In addition, this semester the SSC will be hosting PASS study sessions. These sessions will start in approximately week 3 and more information will be posted to CANVAS at that time.

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions: The Student Success Center (SSC) at Temple offers Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and STEM tutoring for this course. During weekly PASS sessions, you can work with a trained peer leader and your fellow classmates to practice and explore course content together. During STEM tutoring sessions, a tutor will work with you one-on-one to review and understand the concepts in this course. Both programs are free and open to all students enrolled in this course. More information about PASS and STEM tutoring, as well as other services offered by the SSC, is available at studentsuccess.temple.edu, by emailing sscdesk@temple.edu, or by calling 215-204-0702.

Calculator Policy: No calculators may be used for any quiz or test.

Common Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 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.

Disability Statement: Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) in Howard Gittis Student Center South, Rm 420 (drs@temple.edu; 215-204-1280) to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

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 (opens in new tab/window).

Add/Drop Policy: Students will be charged for a course unless dropped by the Drop/Add deadline date. Check the University calendar (opens in new tab/window) 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).

Incomplete Policy: 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).

Student Support Services: The following academic support services are available to students (all links open in a new tab/window):
    The Math Consulting Center
    Student Success Center
    University Libraries
    Undergraduate Research Support
    Career Center
    Tuttleman Counseling Services
    Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.