2022 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.701

Course: Mathematics 0702.701.

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra.

Credits: 4.

How this course will be taught: Online (Asynchronous).

Time: N/A.

Place: N/A.

Instructor: Jessica Babcock.

Instructor Office: Wachman 628.

Instructor Email: jbbabcock@temple.edu

Instructor Phone: 215-204-7523.

Course Web Page: Canvas

Office Hours: TR 10:00-11:30a; MW by appointment.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Introductory Algebra is expected. Placement is based on the Placement Test score.

Course Materials: 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 laws 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: 6% Guided Practice; 5% MyLab Math; 6% Written Homework; 4% Section Mastery Quizzes; 2% Introductory Algebra Quiz; 4% Exponents Quiz; 51% Tests 1, 2, 3 (17% each); 22% Final Exam.

Exam Dates: Test 1 - due by Friday, September 16; Test 2 - due by Friday, October 21; Exponents Quiz - due by Friday, October 28; Test 3 - due by Friday, November 18; Online Final - due by Monday, December 5. Students who do NOT complete the online final exam by 12/5 will be required to take a final exam in person on December 8, 3:30-5:30.

Attendance Policy: There are no required meetings for students to attend. Students are expected to view the assigned lecture videos and take notes on these as if in class.

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.

Concept Checks: After viewing each video, there will be a brief Concept Check quiz to confirm students have learned the necessary material from the video. Students must correctly answer all questions in the Concept Check before being permitted to continue to the next task. If students do not correctly answer all questions, they should watch the lecture video again taking careful notes before re-attempting the Concept Check.

Guided Practice: Once students have successfully demonstrated understanding of the content in the Concept Check, they will be required to complete and submit Guided Practice. These worksheets align with the sample videos in MyLab Math, and students should use their notes as well as these videos to guide their completion of these worksheets.

MyLab Math Assignments: A subset of the homework problems from the Assignment List will be assigned and scored using MyLab Math. About 20 - 25 MyLab Math 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. MyLab Math also includes a variety of tutorials, sample problems, and additional resources of which students are encouraged to take advantage to further their understanding of the material.

Written Homework: Regular written assignments of problems from the textbook will be given by your instructor, and the exercises for these assignments will be sourced from the problems posted on the Assignment List. These problems should be completed by hand and submitted as a pdf to the appropriate assignment in Canvas.

Section Mastery Quizzes: Once the content of a section has been completed, students will take a Section Mastery Quiz. This quiz will determine whether a student has sufficiently learned and understood the content of the section. Students must earn a minimum grade of 70% on a Section Mastery Quiz before being permitted to advance to the next section. If a student does not earn 70% on their first attempt, they should rewatch the videos, taking careful notes, and re-attempt guided practice and homework problems, using the resources in MyMathLab to support this, before re-attempting the Section Mastery Quiz.

Make Up Policy: There are no make ups offered for any task in this course. Assignments and assessments have suggested due dates, and it is strongly suggested students adhere to these dates so as to not fall behind in the course material. Tests, the Exponents Quiz, and the final exam have STRICT due dates, meaning those must be completed by the listed time. There will be no exceptions to test due dates without documentation.

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.

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.

Outside Resource Policy: The use of calculators or any outside resource (including websites, apps, notes, etc.) is strictly prohibited for any work in this course. The use of any such resource will immediately result in a grade of 0 for the assignment/assessment, and a second violation will result in a Charge of Academic Dishonesty filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Students will sign an Online Coursework Agreement which will clearly state the penalties for the use of any outside resources in completing coursework.

Common Final Exam: The common final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 3:30 - 5:30 pm. If you do not complete the online final exam by December 5, you will be required to take the exam in person at this time. There will be no exceptions.

Statement of Inclusion: While it may be presented in a variety of ways, the language of math is universal. From a young age, mathematical curiosity is present in humans across the globe and the beauty of its absolute truth and the infinite doors it can open are accessible to all. This classroom aims to enhance this atmosphere of embracing mathematical curiosity and the advancement of mathematical knowledge for all students, from all backgrounds. As the instructor, it is my responsibility to foster an environment where all students feel supported in their efforts to learn and understand the content, and are encouraged to offer their own ideas and suggestions to create a deeper learning experience. My intention is that the mutual respect between students and myself will allow for open communication and, when necessary, a dialog may take place regarding ways in which this classroom can be made more inclusive for all. I firmly believe each student in this class has valuable contributions to be made to our collective learning environment, and I will do my best to maintain an atmosphere in which these contributions are highly regarded by all.

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.