2025 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 1021.015

Course Title:

College Algebra

Course Credits:

4

Course Mode:

In person

Course Days and Time:

MW 530 - 710 PM

Course Room:

Wachman 015

Instructor Office:

Wachman 618

Instructor Phone:

N/A

Office Hours:

By Appointment

Course Materials:

Textbook: Beecher/Penna/Bittinger - College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course  Students have the following options for purchasing access to the text:

MyMathLab with a loose-leaf print text:

  • 9780136175797    College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, Loose-Leaf Edition Plus MyLab Math with Pearson eText -- 24 Month Access Card Package         Judith A. Beecher
  • 9780136175858    College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, Loose-Leaf Edition Plus MyLab Math with Pearson eText -- 18 Week Access Card Package         Judith A. Beecher 

 

MyMathLab without print (*but with an option to purchase a print loose-leaf at a discount):

  • 9780135909096    MyLab Math with Pearson eText Access Code (24 Months) for College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course        Judith A. Beecher
  • 9780135234532    MyLab Math with Pearson eText Access Code (18 Weeks) for College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course       Judith A. Beecher

 Please refer to the options to determine which of these is best for you.

Course grading scheme:

Course Grading: Review Quiz: 1%; Weekly Quizzes: 12%; MML: 3%; Written HW 3% Tests 1, 2 and 3: 17% each; Cumulative Final: 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-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.

Course prerequisites:

Prerequisites: Math Placement or a C or better in Math 0702, 1015, or transfer credit for any of these courses.

Course goals:

College Algebra is a course designed to teach the fundamentals of algebra that are essential for future mathematics courses.

Topics covered:

Topics Covered: This course covers:

-Rational expressions, equations and functions.

-Radical expressions, equations and functions.

-Quadratic Functions and equations.

-Polynomial and rational functions.

Exam dates:

TBD

Attendance policy:

Attendance is mandatory. Students who miss more than 2 classes, without a valid excuse will have their grades lowered by one notch (e.g., from B to B-). Those who miss more than 6 classes will have their grades lowered by two notches. Three tardies are equivalent to one absence; Promptness is required. Failure to attend class during quiz dates will also affect your Quiz Average. Some absences are excused, given that documentation (with a contact phone number) is provided.

Technology Specifications for this Course:
Provide technology specifications and clarify what technology students will need, if any.
Enter note 1 heading here:

You can add any additional information about your course here, such as Canvas or other learning management systems,  etc. 

Enter optional note 2 heading here:

You may remove this item if you don't need it. You can also create more optional notes below and use the anchor on the left to drag it into correct position in your syllabus.

Attendance and Your Health:

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person  classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

Expectations for Class Conduct :

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

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).

AI Policy:

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

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.

Year
Semester
Course
Section
Course Extra
Title
Enter note 1 heading here
Description

You can add any additional information about your course here, such as Canvas or other learning management systems,  etc. 

Title
Enter optional note 2 heading here
Description

You may remove this item if you don't need it. You can also create more optional notes below and use the anchor on the left to drag it into correct position in your syllabus.

Title
Attendance and Your Health
Description

To achieve course learning goals, students must attend and participate in classes, according to the course requirements. However, if you have tested positive for or are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, you should not come to campus or attend in-person  classes or activities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as you are able to do so, and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.

Title
Expectations for Class Conduct
Description

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. 

Title
Disability Statement
Description

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.

Title
Academic Freedom
Description

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).

Title
Add/Drop Policy
Description

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).

Title
AI Policy
Description

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this class unless specifically announced for a particular assignment; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University's Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a grade of zero on the assignment; a second offense will be reported to the Student Conduct Board.

Title
Incomplete Policy
Description

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).

Title
Student Support Services
Description

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.

Course title

College Algebra

Course credits

4

Course mode

In person

Course Days and Time

MW 530 - 710 PM

Course room

Wachman 015

Your office

Wachman 618

Your phone number

N/A

Your office hours

By Appointment

Course materials

Textbook: Beecher/Penna/Bittinger - College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course  Students have the following options for purchasing access to the text:

MyMathLab with a loose-leaf print text:

  • 9780136175797    College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, Loose-Leaf Edition Plus MyLab Math with Pearson eText -- 24 Month Access Card Package         Judith A. Beecher
  • 9780136175858    College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course, Loose-Leaf Edition Plus MyLab Math with Pearson eText -- 18 Week Access Card Package         Judith A. Beecher 

 

MyMathLab without print (*but with an option to purchase a print loose-leaf at a discount):

  • 9780135909096    MyLab Math with Pearson eText Access Code (24 Months) for College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course        Judith A. Beecher
  • 9780135234532    MyLab Math with Pearson eText Access Code (18 Weeks) for College Algebra with Intermediate Algebra: A Blended Course       Judith A. Beecher

 Please refer to the options to determine which of these is best for you.

Course grading scheme

Course Grading: Review Quiz: 1%; Weekly Quizzes: 12%; MML: 3%; Written HW 3% Tests 1, 2 and 3: 17% each; Cumulative Final: 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-, 65-69 D+, 55-64 D, 50-54 D-, 0-49 F.

Course prerequisites

Prerequisites: Math Placement or a C or better in Math 0702, 1015, or transfer credit for any of these courses.

Course goals

College Algebra is a course designed to teach the fundamentals of algebra that are essential for future mathematics courses.

Description of topics covered

Topics Covered: This course covers:

-Rational expressions, equations and functions.

-Radical expressions, equations and functions.

-Quadratic Functions and equations.

-Polynomial and rational functions.

Exam dates

TBD

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. Students who miss more than 2 classes, without a valid excuse will have their grades lowered by one notch (e.g., from B to B-). Those who miss more than 6 classes will have their grades lowered by two notches. Three tardies are equivalent to one absence; Promptness is required. Failure to attend class during quiz dates will also affect your Quiz Average. Some absences are excused, given that documentation (with a contact phone number) is provided.

Technology Specifications for this Course
Provide technology specifications and clarify what technology students will need, if any.