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Seattle Central Community College
Fall Quarter 2009
1299 MATH098_08 Intermediate Algebra Monday—Thursday 1:00—2:05PM Room SAM207
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Required: TEXT: Kaseberg, Intermediate Algebra: Everyday Explorations, 4th edition. Available
at the SCCC bookstore or You can
lease an online version of the text at http://www.ichapters.com/market/isbn.html?isbn=0618918809&cid=D2S
Graphing Calculator (TI-83/84) You can lease a graphing calculator during the first week of classes: go to the graphing calculator link above, print and fill out Part A of the form. Then go to the college cashier to pay the $20 fee. Bring the form and your receipt to class.
You will be
registered automatically as a student in this class. Please use your
‘first name_ last name’ as your student name. Your pass code is your student
number with no dashes. (If you have used WAMAP before, you may be
able to log into the course site with your former login & pass code.) Course Goals
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein
The
course goals provide a foundation to develop intellectual imagination. Success depends on your ability to respond to the
challenges presented by new problems and new ideas. The course goals
are to: (1)
stimulate your imagination (2) enhance your understanding of mathematics at a conceptual level (3) demonstrate and communicate your knowledge to others (4) improve your use of self-assessment methods (5) encourage you to think critically (6) develop effective study and group skills (7) apply quantitative reasoning to real world contexts (8) master the use of a graphing calculator as a tool for quantitative analysis |
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Course
Objectives
The
course objectives provide a foundation to develop mathematical knowledge and
intellectual imagination. This is accomplished through the study of
mathematics concepts at a level that will enable you to think critically,
demonstrate and communicate your knowledge to others, and apply those skills
to real world contexts.
Listed here are the skills you should be able to demonstrate upon completion of this course: 1. Linear Functions: determine the equation of a line (or line of best fit), explain rate of change and intercepts in context, graph the function, express the solution sets in appropriate notation and explain the solutions in context 2. Quadratic Functions: determine the equation of the function algebraically, solve the functions algebraically and graphically, determine and explain the solutions, intercepts, and max/min points in context 3. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions: graph exponential functions and interpret them in context, convert between exponential and logarithmic equations and explain their relationship, and solve exponential and logarithmic functions applied to real world applications 4. Mathematical Modeling: (using graphing calculator) find regression graphs based on data provided in a problem and use that model to make predictions, functions used to model real-world context should include appropriate conditions 5. Systems of Equations: solve systems of equations and explain the significance of the solutions 6. Evaluate Functions: determine domain and range, use vertical line test, interpret the graph of functions, provide conditions, use appropriate set notation 7. Radical Expressions: Simplify radical expressions, rationalize denominators, and convert to exponential form 8. Rational Equations: Simplify complex fractions and rational expressions, solve rational equations, recognize extraneous roots, explain their significance in context 9. Graphing: Determine horizontal and vertical asymptotes, explain their significance in context
Course Expectations
As
a student in this course, you are expected to attend all class sessions,
arrive on-time and prepared for the daily lesson. Being prepared means that
homework assignments are complete and you have all the necessary supplies for
full participation in the daily coursework, such as textbook, pencil,
notebook paper, graph paper, straight-edge or ruler, and graphing calculator.
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Assessment
Tests Much of the learning in this class is done through group work, therefore group tests are used to assess your understanding. This does NOT mean that you will get a group grade. Test problems are complex and require an explanation of your reasoning. The testing format provides an opportunity to discuss your solution process with group members prior to writing solution processes in your own words. A correct answer to a problem is sufficient for a passing grade (which is a 75% or a 2.0); however, if you wish to earn a higher grade, you must clearly communicate your thinking and demonstrate your solution process. The group work is designed to hone your communication skills (this is a course goal). The individual write-up is how you provide evidence of your understanding for a formal grade.
Small Group/Whole Class Activities Communication is an important aspect of this class, therefore you are responsible for providing evidence that you understand the material presented. One way to do this is to fully participate in small group and whole class activities. The small group format provides support to: (1) ease math anxiety, (2) learn to work collaboratively, (3) develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and (4) clearly communicate your solution process to convince others that your answer is correct. Also, you will be expected to summarize and communicate your group’s findings to the whole class. The small group you will be working with to do class work will be the same people in your test group; therefore it is important to contribute your thinking, questions, and insights to the collective process. As a productive group member it is your responsibility to listen carefully, provide positive feedback, ask clarifying questions rather than depend upon assumptions, and share your thinking, concerns, and critique of solution processes with one another.
Homework Completing and handing in homework on time is essential as it prepares you to be a full participant in the class activities.
Daily Assignment (Do NOT hand in): - Read through the assigned section - Work through but do not hand in the Warm-up exercises and the section examples - Try some of the odd numbered problems at the end of the section. Make sure to try out a couple from each different part of the exercise section. Do as many as are necessary to feel comfortable with the procedures. Compare your answers with those listed at the back of the book to check your understanding. If you are struggling, ask questions in class and/or get help at the tutoring center.
Hand-in Reading Response and Math Questions: - When you think you understand the material in the section, neatly and clearly answer each of the reading response questions listed on the course calendar, providing evidence of what you understand and can do. - With the reading response questions, include questions from the WAMAP homework that you need clarified. - Do the assigned daily problems to share with your group and the class. I am not expecting that you will answer the questions completely. What I do expect is that you have spent a bit of time to set up the problems (about 5 min. for each problem--that is only 15 minutes each night).
On-line assignment: Go to WAMAP: Online Homework Access, log in using your ‘first name_last name’ as your student name and your pass code is your student number (with NO dashes). (If you used WAMAP in previous courses you may be able to log into this class with your old login name and pass code.) Find the homework section you just studied. Open and complete the problems for the section. You can print the problems, work on them off-line (get help at the math lab, etc.), and then go back to the computer to submit your answers. If you are NOT satisfied with the grade you receive, you can ask for a new problem. Once an assignment is submitted, the grade you receive is recorded. On-line assignments can be completed ahead of time; however the final submission date is midnight before the test. After midnight, the problems can be worked on for reviewing for the test, but the grades will not change or be recorded.
Daily In-Class Assignment: When you arrive in class: - Put your reading response questions on the front table - Pick up your file folder and put away graded worked - Share your solutions to the daily in-class problems. The daily problems are chosen to represent the important concepts covered in the section. Discuss the problem assigned to your group first. Discuss everyone’s solutions, choose one to put on the board, and then discuss the other problems. Either register your agreement with other groups’ solutions, or put up your own solutions. This process should only take 15 minutes of class time.
I will (1) share college announcements, (2) discuss the reading response questions handed in at the start of class, (3) take questions about procedures from the WAMAP homework, (4) discuss the in-class problem solutions posted on the board, and (5) introduce the mathematics concepts and procedures for that evening’s homework.
Grading The proposed grade distribution is 30% for class participation and reading response questions, 20% for on-line homework WAMAP and mid-term project, and 50% for tests and final exam. · Tests are 100 pts, given at the end of each chapter. Test problems are similar to the in-class problems worked on in class. Since tests are designed for working in groups, it is important that you make every effort to attend, to arrive on-time, and be prepared. There are NO make-up tests. The lowest test grade can be replaced with the grade received on the final exam. · Final Exam is 100 pts and is a collection of problems similar to the ones presented in the daily class work that cover the material for the entire quarter. The final exam is required for all students whose QTD is below 90%. · Participation: You will receive 10 points for each day that you attend class. Attendance points are deducted if you arrive late or leave early, are not able to attend a session, and for disruptive and disrespectful behavior. The 10 attendance points cannot be made-up even for excused absences. · Reading Response Questions are worth 10 homework points. If you are absent, the response questions during that period will be accepted upon your return to class (if it is an extended absence, other arrangements should be negotiated.) · On-line WAMAP Homework is worth 10 points for each assignment. The points given on-line are re-adjusted to a ten point scale.
If you feel that the grade distribution does not adequately reflect your understanding of the mathematics in this course, then I encourage you to make an appointment to discuss it with me during office hours. This must be done sometime before the last month of the quarter.
“NC” (No Credit) grades are NOT given under any circumstances. If you want to withdraw from the course, request a “W” grade before the published deadline. “I” (Incomplete) grades are only given in strict conformity with the college catalog. Specifically, a student must be in “good standing” to request an Incomplete. For this course, “good standing” will mean, at a minimum, a current grade of at least 2.0. “I” grades can only be requested in situations and circumstances that are out of the control of the student…please read the catalog for details. I reserve all rights about when and if an “Incomplete” will be issued. It is your responsibility to request and submit the signatures and paperwork required for “W” and “I” grades by the deadlines established by the college.
Assistance
Late and Make-up Work If you are unable to attend class contact me as soon as possible to explain the situation and discuss options. It is also important to notify your group members, as they will have to function without your input (you can also ask them to take notes during the classes that you cannot attend.)
Tutorial Assistance I am available to help clarify or provide tutorial assistance. However, (since I have approximately 100 students each quarter) please discuss the problem with your group members first. Make an appointment to speak with me if your group members are unable to help you. I am also available to work with the whole group.
If you need tutoring assistance on a fairly regular basis, the math lab is in SAM106.
Individual Needs For help with dealing with math or test anxiety, please make an appointment to talk with me. We can discuss your particular issues and devise a plan to help you be successful.
Students
with Disabilities Statement
Students with documented disabilities, who need
course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special
arrangements for building evacuation should contact me within the first week of
class.
The instructor reserves the right to reasonably adjust this syllabus if deemed necessary and will make available written changes for students to add to this document. |
Course Calendar
The
Course Calendar is not fixed, but rather is a working document which
may change as we progress through the material. I will inform you of any
changes to the calendar as they arise.
Reading Response Questions are listed on the day they are due. Write out the question and your response; provide evidence of your understanding.
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