2025 Spring Course Syllabus - Mathematics 0702.008

Course Title:

Intermediate Algebra.

Course Credits:

4

Course Mode:

In person

Course Days and Time:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:10 pm

Course Room:

Wachman Hall 406

Instructor Office:

Wachman Hall 523

Instructor Phone:

Contact via email only — aditya.sarma.phukon@temple.edu

Office Hours:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:20 pm to 5:20 pm. (subject to change)

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. 

 

  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. 
  4. Standalone eText, a monthly subscription with a 4 month minimum. 
  5. Standalone looseleaf option: ISBN-13: 9780134555928 

 

Lecture Notes: Students are also required to get the lecture notes. You can purchase the complete lecture notes (in looseleaf form) from the bookstore for $6.25 or you can use the PDF version which is made available to you for free on the Math 702 Course Information canvas site and on your course web page.

Course grading scheme:

Tests 1-3 (Each worth 17% of your final grade), Quizzes (15%), Exponents Quiz (5%), Written Assignments (4%), Final Exam (25%). 

 

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:

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 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, solving word problems, 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. The techniques learned for solving equations will be applied to solving application problems involving projectile motion and more.

Exam dates:

Test 1 - Thursday, February 6
Test 2 - Thursday, March 13
Test 3 - Tuesday, April 15
Cumulative Final - Wednesday, April 30, 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. In addition, nine unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course.

Technology Specifications for this Course:
No calculators may be used for any quiz or test.
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 healthcare professional, hospital, or police, for example) must be provided. If you miss an exam, you must contact your instructor AND the Math 0702 Course Coordinator, Dr. Pinches Dirnfeld (pinches.dirnfeld@temple.edu), by email right away, ideally before the exam. Requests for makeups will not be honored if they come more than 48 hours after the time of the exam.

Written Homework Assignments:

Regular written assignments of problems from the textbook will be given by your instructor. This is the content of the course for which you are responsible. The exercises for these assignments will be sourced from the problems listed in enlarged, bold type on the Assignment List. You will be making two submissions of written work for each assignment and can earn up to 5 points credit. For more information, please consult the homework section of the Student Guidelines.

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 one or two quiz scores will be dropped.

Common Final Exam:

The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 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.

Exponents 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 Thursday Mar. 13.

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.

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.

Year
Semester
Course
Section
Course Extra
Title
Exam Make-up Policy
Description

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 healthcare professional, hospital, or police, for example) must be provided. If you miss an exam, you must contact your instructor AND the Math 0702 Course Coordinator, Dr. Pinches Dirnfeld (pinches.dirnfeld@temple.edu), by email right away, ideally before the exam. Requests for makeups will not be honored if they come more than 48 hours after the time of the exam.

Title
Written Homework Assignments
Description

Regular written assignments of problems from the textbook will be given by your instructor. This is the content of the course for which you are responsible. The exercises for these assignments will be sourced from the problems listed in enlarged, bold type on the Assignment List. You will be making two submissions of written work for each assignment and can earn up to 5 points credit. For more information, please consult the homework section of the Student Guidelines.

Title
Quizzes
Description

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 one or two quiz scores will be dropped.

Title
Common Final Exam
Description

The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 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.

Title
Exponents Quiz
Description

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 Thursday Mar. 13.

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.

Title
Peer-Assisted Study Sessions
Description

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.

Course title

Intermediate Algebra.

Course credits

4

Course mode

In person

Course Days and Time

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:10 pm

Course room

Wachman Hall 406

Your office

Wachman Hall 523

Your phone number

Contact via email only — aditya.sarma.phukon@temple.edu

Your office hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:20 pm to 5:20 pm. (subject to change)

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. 

 

  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. 
  4. Standalone eText, a monthly subscription with a 4 month minimum. 
  5. Standalone looseleaf option: ISBN-13: 9780134555928 

 

Lecture Notes: Students are also required to get the lecture notes. You can purchase the complete lecture notes (in looseleaf form) from the bookstore for $6.25 or you can use the PDF version which is made available to you for free on the Math 702 Course Information canvas site and on your course web page.

Course grading scheme

Tests 1-3 (Each worth 17% of your final grade), Quizzes (15%), Exponents Quiz (5%), Written Assignments (4%), Final Exam (25%). 

 

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

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 goals

The goal of this course is to cover the core topics of algebra as a preparation for precalculus mathematics.

Description of topics covered

This course covers these topics: solving linear equations and inequalities, compound inequalities, and absolute value equations, solving word problems, 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. The techniques learned for solving equations will be applied to solving application problems involving projectile motion and more.

Exam dates

Test 1 - Thursday, February 6
Test 2 - Thursday, March 13
Test 3 - Tuesday, April 15
Cumulative Final - Wednesday, April 30, 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. In addition, nine unexcused absences will result in a failure for the course.

Technology Specifications for this Course
No calculators may be used for any quiz or test.