2026 Spring College Algebra Syllabus - Mathematics 1021.009

College Algebra

4

In person

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30pm–3:10pm

Wachman 207

Wachman 515

MW 3–4pm in Wachman 1036 or by appointment

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. 

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

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

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

This course covers: Introduction to functions; Solving systems of equations; Multiplying, dividing and factoring polynomials; Rational expressions and equations; Radical expressions, equations and functions; Quadratic functions and equations; Polynomial and rational functions; Polynomial and rational inequalities

Review Quiz - Thursday, January 15. Weekly Quizzes - dates and material set by instructor. 

• Test 1 - Thursday, February 12.
• Test 2 - Thursday, March 19.
• Test 3 - Tuesday April 14.
• Final - Wednesday, April 29, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm.

BE AWARE THAT THE FINAL IS SCHEDULED AT A SPECIAL TIME OUTSIDE OF THE FINAL EXAM MATRIX.

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.

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.

There is a Canvas course for this class. Please check it often for announcements and assignments. There is also a General Math 1021 Canvas page.

There is a Review Quiz on pre-algebra scheduled on Thursday, January 15. This quiz contains material you should have had before. If you have difficulty with this review material, it indicates that you do not have enough background to continue in Math 1021 and you may want to take Math 0702. During the first few days of the semester, the Math Department can help you switch from Math 1021 to 0702. If you wish to do this, please contact Dr. Boris Datskovsky at bdats@temple.edu.

A short in -class quiz will be given every week starting the second week of class (and excluding exam weeks). Each quiz will consist of 4-5 problems based on the homework problems assigned that week. There will be no makeup quizzes. Instead, the lowest 2 scores (1 if 8 or fewer quizzes given) will be dropped. 

The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. BE AWARE THAT THE FINAL IS SCHEDULED AT A SPECIAL TIME OUTSIDE OF THE FINAL EXAM MATRIX. DO NOT MISS IT. If a student misses the final exam, they will NOT be allowed to take a makeup exam unless there is a documented emergency. If you miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in, your grade for the course will be F.

Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Each exercise represents a typical type of problem that you are expected to solve. If a certain type of problem gives you difficulty, you should get help from your instructor or at the tutoring center and try more exercises of that type until you understand the concept. These listed problems are the problems assigned from the textbook. They are to be completed and work uploaded to Canvas. You should work on homework as the sections are completed in class. This is the content of the course for which you are responsible. You can find the list of the sections that will be covered and the corresponding homework problems on this course's Canvas page.

Problems will also be assigned and scored using MyLab Math. 24 of these assignments will be given throughout the term. The lowest 3 scores will be dropped.

Quizzes: There will be no makeup quizzes. Instead, the lowest 2 scores (1 if 8 or fewer quizzes given) will be dropped. 

Tests: Students are expected to take exams as scheduled.  A student will only be granted a make-up exam at most once per semester and only if the exam is missed as a result of a documented emergency.  If you miss an exam, you must contact your instructor AND the Math 1021 Course Coordinator, Professor Kelli Shepard-El (kelli.shepardel@temple.edu) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and no later than 48 hours after the missed exam. This communication must include a verifiable note, signed by the treating doctor and including a statement that it was medically necessary for you to miss the exam. This note must be obtained prior to or on the date of the exam. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in forfeiting the make up. Non-medical emergencies also require dated documentation and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please note that submitting any false documentation is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct with respect to “Forgery” and will result in a Code of Conduct Violation Charge.

Reviews for the tests and the final will be posted on your canvas course one week prior to each test week. Please be aware that this review material may not be all-inclusive. Any problem similar to a sample problem or a homework problem may appear on the tests and the final. You are responsible for all of the type of examples from the homework assignments, even if they are not done in class.

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.

Free tutoring is available from the Math TA and CA Consulting Center. Please refer to this course's Canvas page for hours and location.

NO CALCULATORS or CHEAT SHEETS may be used for any quiz or test. The use of calculators or any outside resource (including websites, apps, notes, etc.) are strictly prohibited for any test. Students who are found to have used outside assistance during an assessment are in violation of the University's Code of Conduct and will be assigned a grade of 0 on the assessment and reported to the Office of Student Conduct with a Charge of Academic Dishonesty

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.

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. 

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

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.