PRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MAT-1040-LD12 Intermediate Algebra Synonym No. 01636
Fall 2008
INSTRUCTOR:
Peggy Beck, Professor,
Department of Mathematics
OFFICE: Marlboro
Hall M3049
PHONE
NUMBER: (301)
322-0458 Math Dept (301)
322-0421
EMAIL
ADDRESS: pbeck@pgcc.edu (Include your course
(MAT 1040) and course synonym (01705) in the subject line.)
WEB
PAGE: http://academic.pgcc.edu/~pbeck/
OFFICE
HOURS: TTh
TTh
TTh 1:20-2:00 in my
office M3049
and by appointment –
email to make arrangements
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: Continues development and applications of
algebraic, graphing, calculator, and problem-solving skills, with emphasis on
linear and non-linear expressions, functions, equations and inequalities. (“Non-linear” includes absolute value,
polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic.) Other topics
include real and complex numbers, exponents and radicals. Does not satisfy general education
mathematics requirement.
Prerequisites:
Math placement score, DVM 007 completed, or equivalent, AND Reading placement
score, DVR 006 completed or concurrent, or equivalent. First-time college students must have PAS 101.
Student must have graphing calculator. 4 CEU
Please
Note: This course is equivalent to intermediate high
school algebra. Its main purpose is to
help students who have only completed elementary algebra, and those who have
not achieved a satisfactory score on the Accuplacer, to prepare for all PGCC
college-level math courses. MAT 104 does not satisfy the PGCC
mathematics requirement for graduation and does
not transfer to most four-year institutions. All
students must earn a grade of C or higher in MAT 104 before continuing with
their college-level math courses.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon
successful completion of this course, a student will be able to use symbolic,
numerical, and visual skills to find and verify solutions of algebra problems
and algebra applications (of intermediate-level difficulty) in the following
areas:
Solve
one-variable linear, quadratic, absolute value, rational, and radical equations
symbolically and graphically.
Solve
simple and compound linear inequalities symbolically, numerically, and
graphically, writing solutions in algebraic, interval, and number-line
notation.
Graph linear
inequalities in two variables on the coordinate system.
Solve systems
of linear equations and linear inequalities in
two variables.
Recognize,
evaluate, and graph linear, quadratic, cubic, absolute value, rational,
radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions with
and without a graphing calculator.
Demonstrate the
basics of functions and function notation.
Factor the sum
and difference of cubes, expressions with negative exponents, expressions with
fractional exponents, and higher order polynomials in quadratic form.
Simplify and
perform arithmetic on radical expressions, complex numbers, expressions with
negative and fractional exponents, rational expressions, expressions with
complex fractions.
Analyze and
solve appropriate applications including curve
fitting with graphing calculators.
Techniques of algebraic
problem solving shall be used throughout the course.
TEXTBOOK:
Sullivan, Struve, and Mazzarella. Elementary
& Intermediate Algebra.
OTHER
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
Computer Technology: MyMathLab
(CourseCompass) software. Access
provided by new book purchase, or may be purchased online. http://www.coursecompass.com/
Calculator: Every student is required to have a
graphing calculator available for class work, homework, lab, and
examinations. While any graphing calculator
may be used, a TI-83, TI-83 PLUS, or TI-84 Plus is highly recommended. (TI-89 and TI-92 are not recommended.)
Instruction on the use of this type of calculator will be provided during class
and meetings. Students who need help
learning to use other types of graphing calculators will normally need to seek
that help outside of normal class or lab meeting times.
GRADING CRITERIA:
There will
be four regular exams, which will be
taken in the
Make-up
exams will be given during the period Wednesday December 3 through Monday
December 8 only. Only one
make-up exam may be taken. If you miss an exam for any reason, that must be the
one you take in the make-up period.
If you take all exams as scheduled, you
may, if you choose, retake one during the make-up period.
Every week
there will be computer assignments
on the sections covered, due each Monday. The assignment may be submitted as many times as you
wish, before the due date ends (
Every week
there will be quizzes on the
sections covered, due each Monday. See the schedule for details. The
CourseCompass quizzes may be taken only two times, before the due date
ends (
The Final Exam is comprehensive, covering
all material in the course, and will be given in the classroom
Grade ComputatioN:
Exams 4 @ 100 points 400
A 90 - 100%
CourseCompass Assignments (average) 100 B 80
- 89.9%
CourseCompass Quizzes (average) 100 C 70
- 79.9%
Final Exam 200 D 60
– 69.9%
Total possible points 800 F 0
– 59.9%
***Grades
are assigned based on the grading policy stated in this syllabus and not
the Blackboard gradebook.
HOW TO LOG IN TO BLACKBOARD:
Blackboard is a web-based program that
serves as the college's online classroom. To log in to your Blackboard course:
Go to
the PGCC Blackboard web site, http://pgcconline.blackboard.com.
NOTE: There is no "www" in the Blackboard
address.
If you
do not have a myPGCC account, go
to http://my.pgcc.edu
to create a myPGCC account and
receive the username and password you need to log in to Blackboard.
If you
already have a myPGCC account but
created it prior to summer 2005, go to http://my.pgcc.edu to
reset your myPGCC password. You must
change your password.
Once
you have your myPGCC account
information, go to http://pgcconline.blackboard.com.
If your login is successful, you will see the Blackboard "Welcome"
screen. Click on the course name to enter your Blackboard course.
Immediately
change your Blackboard email address. When
information is downloaded into Blackboard from the college's database, your
email address does not automatically download. The email address first posted in Blackboard
is a generic address given to everyone. To ensure that your instructor can
contact you by email, it is VERY important to change your email address as soon
as you log in to Blackboard for the first time. Here are the steps for changing
your Blackboard email address:
Click
on Tools, then Personal Information.
Click
on Edit Personal Information.
Change
your email address to the email address you check most often.
Click
the Submit button in the lower right
corner to save the changes you have made.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations
are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office (B-124) or call
(301) 322-0838 (voice) or (301) 322-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for
services and accommodations. Students
with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their
instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their
Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher
learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of knowledge, the college
community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility
for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic
achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the
principle of honest representation in the work that is produced by students
seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic
Integrity is in the 2007-2008 Student Handbook and posted on the college's
website.
CLASSROOM
POLICIES: If you must enter late or leave early, be
considerate of your classmates and do so quietly. All electronic devises must
be turned off or muted.
No food or drink is allowed
in the computer classrooms! The
only exception to this is water bottles with the lid kept on.
Visitors
and children are not allowed in the classroom. A prospective student who wishes to sit
in on the class may do so if arrangements are made in advance.
IMPORTANT
DATES:
|
No
classes – College closed – Labor Day |
Saturday-Monday,
Aug 30-Sept 1 |
|
Last
day to apply for fall graduation |
Monday,
September 15 |
|
Last
day to change from “credit to audit” or “audit to credit” |
Friday,
September 26 |
|
No
classes – College Enrichment Day |
Tuesday,
October 28 |
|
Last
day to withdraw from full semester classes |
Friday,
November 21 |
|
No
classes – Start of Thanksgiving Break |
Wednesday,
November 26 |
|
No
classes – College closed – Thanksgiving Break |
Thursday-Sunday,
November 27-30 |
|
Advance
registration for Intersession and spring 2009 |
Monday-Friday,
December 1-5 |
|
Begin
open registration for Intersession and spring 2009 |
Monday,
December 8 |
|
College
Closed – Winter Break |
Saturday-Sunday,
Dec 20-Jan 4 |
DELAYED
COLLEGE OPENINGS:
When
the College announces a delayed opening, all classes with at least 45 minutes
of class time remaining at the time of the opening will be held. For example, in the event of a
CAMPUS RESOURCES AND SERVICES:
|
Open Computer Lab |
Bladen Hall Room 104 |
301-322-0999 |
M-Th.: Sat.: |
|
Open Computer Lab |
Rooms 101 and 201 |
301-322-0999 |
Mon. – Fri.: Sat., Sun. : Closed |
|
|
Marlboro Hall Room 3104 |
301-583-5257
or 5272 |
Hours posted after the
first day of class Sun.: Closed |
|
Distance Learning |
Accokeek Hall Room 313 |
301-322-0463 M-F:
|
Mon.-Thurs.:
Fri.:
|
|
Tutoring and |
Bladen Hall Room 107 |
301-322-0748 |
M-Th: F: |
|
www.pgcc.edu/students/tutoring_writing_grammar |
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|
Testing Center |
Bladen Hall Room 100 |
301-322-0147 |
Mon-Thurs.: Fri.: Sat.: |
|
On the first Friday of every month,
the Center closes at No additional students
will be admitted for testing 30 minutes prior to the posted closing time. http://academic.pgcc.edu/sas/sas-academic.shtml |
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