Johnson County Community College
Course SyllabusMathematics Division Math 171: College Algebra
Section 450 (Self-Paced) Fall 2016 (CRN 80590)
Instructor Information
Primary Instructor: Phil Veer
Campus Phone: 913-469-8500, ext. 4700 Campus Office: CLB 235
Campus E-mail: mailto:[email protected]
Web Site: http://www.jccc.edu/academics/math-science/mathematics/self-paced.html
Division Office: CLB 243 (our mailboxes are here)
Division FAX: 913-469-2537 (delivery to our mailboxes is not instantaneous)
Office Hours: ATTENTION: Posted office hours are sometimes preempted due to other campus responsibilities. Times other than posted office hours are available by appointment. Appointments are strongly recommended.
Monday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Tuesday 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Thursday 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Other instructors: Mary Deas, CLB 234, ext. 4215, mailto:[email protected]
Vivian Reinhard, CLB 237, ext. 4959, mailto:[email protected]
Course Information
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in Math 116 (Intermediate Algebra), or an appropriate score on COMPASS test.
Textbook: College Algebra, 6th edition, by Blitzer, (pub. Pearson, 2014). A license for MyMathLab is required while the textbook is optional.
Supplies: A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator is
recommended. Forbidden calculators include those with computer algebra systems (e.g. TI-89, TI-92), and computers (laptops, pocket PCs, Palm Pilots, PDAs).
Kansas Regents Shared Number Courses Syllabus Statement
KRSN Course Mat 1010
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course outline or syllabus meet or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Groups project for this course as approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Description:
This course focuses on the study of functions and their graphs, techniques of solving equations, and applications. Students will analyze and graph functions, including constant, linear, quadratic, piecewise-defined, absolute value, square root, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions and non-functions; solve equations and inequalities, including polynomial equations, absolute value equations, radical equations, rational equations, exponential equations, logarithmic equations, systems of linear and non-linear equations and systems of linear inequalities; and apply functions in real-world situations.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course, the student should be able to: 1. Analyze functions and their graphs.
2. Sketch the graphs of functions, including constant, linear, piecewise-defined, absolute value, square root, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic.
3. Solve equations including polynomial, exponential and logarithmic equations. 4. Solve systems of equations and systems of linear inequalities.
5. Create mathematical models to solve application problems and make predictions. Content Outline and Competencies: http://catalog.jccc.edu/coursedescriptions/math/#MATH_171
Caveats
To successfully complete the pre-requisite(s) for this course, a student must earn at least a “C” or better in the pre-requisite course(s) or earn an appropriate score on a placement exam. If a student is found not to have successfully fulfilled the prerequisite(s) for this course, the student will not be allowed to enroll in a self-paced course.
Important Dates
August 16, 2016: Last day to pay without being dropped.
(After this date, you must enroll and pay on the same day)
2 weeks from enrollment waiver date: Last day to drop with 100% refund.
6 weeks from enrollment waiver date: Last day to drop with no refund and without a withdrawal “W” on transcript.
December 16, 2016: Last day to complete course without an incomplete.
(Caution: Incompletes can affect financial aid.)
6 months from enrollment waiver date: Last day to drop with a withdrawal “W” on transcript or request a Pass/Fail grade option.
9 months from enrollment waiver date: Length of time to complete a self-paced math course.
(Extensions require extenuating circumstances, substantial completion of the course, and the approval of the Dean.)
There is no attendance in a self-paced course. Students will be required to set up a reasonable testing schedule with the instructor. Students are encouraged not to procrastinate and begin the course
immediately. By completing the first 2 unit exams within 10 weeks after the enrollment date, you and your instructor can then re-evaluate if self-paced (independent study) is right for you. Your success is important.
Course Requirements
Thirty-two homework assignments are required to be done in MyMathLab. All homework
problems can be taken an unlimited number of times. Homework from the textbook is optional but it is important to note that the homework in MyMathLab may not be enough to master the material. Practice is important. To get started, you need to point your browser to http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/ Click on the "register" button under Students. Here you will put in your access code and your course id.
The Course ID for MYMATHLAB is veer31031 and the Course Name is Self-Paced
College Algebra Fall 2016.
Don't forget to write down your login name and password so you will be able to continue to log in as you proceed through the course.Five unit exams and a comprehensive final exam are required.
Most calculators are allowed on exams. Pocket computers, PDAs, computer algebra systems, TI-92s, TI-89s, books, and notes are not allowed. Some formulas are provided from chapter 8. Other formulas should be memorized.
Show your work on your unit and final exams. Incorrect answers cannot receive partial credit
without your accompanying work. Some questions may request a specific process, and no partial credit will be awarded without that particular process.
Unit and final exams are taken in the JCCC Testing Center (SC 334), or in another approved location. When using the Testing Center, a photo ID and JCCC ID number are required. Typically, only one exam is available at any time. Usually within 48 hours, your grade will be posted online and your next exam will be available. Weekends and holidays will have a longer response time.
The unit exams may be retaken, but not the final exam. You may take these exams three times each. If you score below 70% on your first or second attempt, then your next exam will be a retake. If you score above 70% or have made three attempts, then your next exam will be on the next unit. If you score above 70% and want to retake, you should contact your instructor. When an exam is taken more than once, the highest score for that exam is recorded. All retakes and homework must be completed before the final exam. The final exam is the last requirement for the class and may be taken only once.
Evaluation
Your course grade will be determined by your exam scores, as follows:
TYPE OF WORK Number Points each Total points
Homework 32 100 Unit Exams 5 100 500 Final Exam 1 100 100 TOTAL 700 Grade Percentage A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F 0% - 59%
All JCCC Math students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct
http://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership‐governance/policies/students/student‐code‐of‐conduct/student‐code‐conduct.html, and the Mathematics Division Policies. Grade penalties may be assessed for incidents of academic dishonesty. Further action may be taken based on the severity of the incident.
Motivation
The biggest hurdle in a self-paced math class is having the self-discipline to study on your own. Set goals for each chapter, and try to stick to them. Set aside regular times each week to work on your math, and don't let them get bumped by other activities. Read the textbook, study the examples, and work the homework problems in MyMathLab until you have mastered them. Seek help when you find the going difficult. If you feel the urge to put your work off for a week, beware! Procrastination can easily become a habit.
Assistance
Your instructor can help you by email or telephone, or you may want to set up an appointment to visit in person (necessary to view your previously taken tests).
The Math Resource Center, or MRC (CLB 212), is available for extra assistance, including free tutoring, group help sessions, videotapes, solutions manuals, and computer software.
Videotapes available for this course include:
o Graphing Calculator videotapes produced at JCCC, and available for viewing only in the MRC. Ask for the Introduction, Graphing, or Programming tape, for the 82, TI-83, TI-85, or TI-86 calculator. The TI-83 Introduction and Graphing tapes are also available from the JCCC library for a 3-day checkout.
Printed study guides available for this course include:
o The Study and Solutions Guide, which contains solutions of the odd exercises. It can be purchased in the college bookstore.
o The Complete Solutions Guide, which contains solutions of all of the exercises. It is available for use in the Math Resource Center.
Electronic assistance available for this course includes:
o The e-book along with a multitude of multi-media helps are available in MyMathLab. In addition, don't hesitate to click the "Ask your Instructor" link when you get stuck.
o Unit Exam reviews and grades for all exams are available on the self-paced College Algebra web site in Desire2Learn. Point your browser to https://online.jccc.edu and log on using your JCCC email ID and password.
Other assistance available includes:
o JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you can contact Access Services at (913) 469-3521 or [email protected]. Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.
o Solutions videos for the exam reviews are available in MML.
Section Topic
1.2 Linear Equations and Rational Equations 1.3 Models and Applications
1.4 Complex Numbers
1.5 Quadratic Equations 1.6 Other Types of Equations
1.7 Linear Inequalities and Absolute Value Inequalities
Section Topic
2.1 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs 2.2 More on functions and Their Graphs 2.3 Linear Functions and Slope
2.4 More on Slope
2.5 Transformations of Functions
2.6 Combinations of Functions; Composite Functions 2.7 Inverse Functions
2.8 Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles
EXAM 2
3.1 Quadratic Functions
3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs
3.3 Dividing Polynomials; Remainder and Factor Theorems 3.4 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
3.5 Rational Functions and Their Graphs 3.6 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
EXAM 3
4.1 Exponential Functions 4.2 Logarithmic Functions 4.3 Properties of Logarithms
4.4 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
4.5 Exponential Growth and Decay; Modeling Data
EXAM 4
5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables 5.4 Systems of Nonlinear Equations in Two Variables 5.5 Systems of Inequalities
6.1 Matrix solutions to Linear Systems
6.2 Inconsistent and Dependent Systems and Their Applications 6.3 Matrix Operations and Their Applications
6.4 Multiplicative Inverses of Matrices and Matrix Equations
EXAM 5
