Revised 8-17-08

SOUTHWEST COLLEGE

Department of Mathematics

COURSE SYLLABUS

MATH 0312:  Intermediate Algebra

Fall 2008 / TuTh 9:30 – 10:45 AM / Alief B122  

Textbook:     

Intermediate Algebra, 10^th Edition.  Margaret Lial, John Hornsby, & Terry McGinnis.

Pearson / Addison Wesley: Boston, 2008.

Catalog Description:   

Topics include factoring techniques, radicals, algebraic fractions, complex numbers, graphing linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, an introduction to functions, and graphing quadratic functions.  Emphasis is placed on the algebraic techniques needed in order to successfully complete Math 1314 College Algebra. A departmental final examination must be passed with a score of 60% or higher in order to pass the course. 

Prerequisites:       Math 0308 or MATH 0108:  Pass with "C" or better

                                                      Or

                              Suitable placement test score.

Credit:  3 hours credit (3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab).

Course Intent & Audience:   

This course is intended for students who require state mandated remediation.  It is the final course in the developmental mathematics sequence, and its purpose is to prepare students for College Algebra. 

Testing policy:

There are 3 major exams and departmental final exams.

Make-up policy:

There is no make-up for any missed test.  For this reason, I do not include your lowest test grade in the computation of your final grade.  Please see grading policy.

Grading policy:

Your final course grade is based on the following standard HCCS scale. 

A grade of “IP” (In Progress) will not be given.  A grade of “F” is given if the final average is below 60 or the final exam grade is below 60.

[ (Best 3 grades of Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, and Homework) + Quiz Ave + Finals + Finals ] / 6

Final Examination: 

The final examination is departmental and consists of 33 multiple-choice problems. The problems cover all the material required in the course.  If you score lower than 60% on the final exam, you automatically are given a course grade of F, as noted under the grading policy. If your score on the final exam is 60% or higher, then your grades are averaged using the formula specified under grading policy.  You MUST pass the final exam in order to pass the course.

Homework and Quiz policy:

All homework and quizzes must be completed online using MYMATHLAB.  The MYMATHLAB

grade will be the equivalent of one test grade. 

Calculators:

You may use a calculator at your own risk.

Attendance policy: 

Attendance is checked during every class.  When you have accumulated 12.5 % or 6 hours of

absences, the instructor is obligated by law to drop you from the class.

Tardiness policy:

If you come after ten (10) minutes into the class, you are considered absent.

Withdrawal policy:

If you wish to drop the class, then it is your responsibility to do that before the final drop date.  If your name is on the roll at the end of the term, you WILL receive a grade. Neither you nor your instructor will be able to perform the drop after the final drop date.  Please refer to the following notice before dropping the class.

            NOTICE:  Students who take a course three or more times will face significant tuition or

fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. In addition, state law

allows students a maximum of 6 course withdrawals during their entire college career.  Students with more than 6 drops will be required to pay additional fees.   Prior to course withdrawal, you must confer with your professor or counselor about your study habits, homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and tutoring or other assistance that is available.

Student conduct:

Students should not engage in disruptive activities while in the classroom.  Any conduct that is deemed detrimental to the academic atmosphere, such as cell phone use or consistently talking during instructional delivery, will not be tolerated. Any student found guilty of such conduct will be asked to leave the classroom until further notice.

Academic dishonesty:

All students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of all tests and assignments.  Penalties for academic dishonesty (cheating on a test, collusion on an assignment, etc.) include, but are not limited to, a reduced grade, a “0” on that test or assignment, a “W” in the course, or an “F” in the course.  The use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in all locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs.  Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Services Office for information.

Resources and supplemental instruction:

Any student enrolled in Math 0312 at HCC has access to the tutoring labs where one-on-one help is available.  The math tutoring labs are staffed with student assistants who can aid students with math problems and offer help with MYMATHLAB.  Please check with your instructor for the hours of the tutoring labs.  In addition, free online tutoring is provided.  For more information about tutoring, go to the math department web page and select the tutoring link.  Another helpful resource is the student solutions manual that may be obtained from the bookstore.

Students with Disabilities: 

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Office at this college at the beginning of the semester. To make an appointment, please call 713-718-7910.  Professors are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Office.

Course Schedule:

    Chapters and Sections                                                                                              Approximate Time

Chapter 2   Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Applications                                             

            2.5  Linear Inequalities in One Variable            

Chapter 3   Graphs, Linear Equations, and Functions                                                                                               

3.1    The Rectangular Coordinate System                                  

3.2    The Slope of a Line                                                          

3.3    Linear Equations in Two Variables                        

3.4    Linear Inequalities in Two Variables (Omit compound inequalities.)                        

3.5    Introduction to Functions  

Chapter 4  Systems of Linear Equations                                                                               

4.1    Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables

Chapter 5   Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions                                                             

5.4    Multiplying Polynomials                                                                 

5.5    Dividing Polynomials                                                         

Chapter 6   Factoring                                                                                                              

6.1    Greatest Common Factors; Factoring by Grouping

6.2    Factoring Trinomials                                                         

6.3    Special Factoring                                                              

6.4    A General Approach to Factoring                         

6.5    Solving Equations by Factoring                                                     

Chapter 7   Rational Expressions and Functions                                                                                      

7.1    Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing                                             

7.2    Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions                    

7.3    Complex Fractions                                                           

7.4    Equations with Rational Expressions and Graphs

7.5    Applications of Rational Expressions         

Chapter 8   Roots, Radicals, and Root Functions                                                                   

8.1    Radical Expressions and Graphs    (Omit graphs of radical expressions.)                            

8.2    Rational Exponents (Include a review of exponents.)                                                          

8.3    Simplifying Radical Expressions                                         

8.4    Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions                                 

8.5    Multiplying & Dividing Radical Expressions (Omit rationalizing cube & 4^th roots.)   

8.7   Complex Numbers           

Chapter 9   Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Functions                                                                 

9.1    The Square Root Property and Completing the Square                  

9.2    The Quadratic Formula                                                                 

Test Schedule:

Important Dates:

    Last Day to Drop:  Nov 6

    Final Review Session:  TBA

THE SECTIONS LISTED ABOVE UNDER COURSE SCHEDULE MUST BE COVERED. 

     The content of the following sections include material that is embedded in other sections of the course or that was covered in the previous math course or that will be studied in the next course MATH 1314.  Based on this, the instructor may discuss the sections listed below if time permits:

2.1   Linear Equations in One Variable                                     

2.2   Formulas                                                                                     

2.3   Applications of Linear Equations

2.7   Absolute Value Equations

5.1   Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation

7.6   Variation

9.6   More about Parabolas (omit horizontal parabolas and applications)

11.5 Second-Degree Inequalities (Example 1 only; omit systems of inequalities)

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to perform the following mathematical skills:

            1.   multiply and divide polynomials.

            2.   factor polynomials.

            3.   add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.

            4.   simplify complex fractions.

            5.   solve equations involving rational expressions.

            6.   graph linear equations & linear inequalities in two variables.

            7.   find the slope of a line & its equation.

            8.   simplify rational exponents and radicals.

            9.   add, subtract, multiply, and divide expressions involving radicals.

          10.   add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers.

          11.   solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, using the quadratic formula, and using the square root property.

          12.   solve systems of linear equations in two variables.

          13.   solve word problems.

14.       recognize functional notation and evaluate functions.

15.       graph quadratic functions.