Mat 085 Beginning Algebra
II Back to My Homepage
Greg Langkamp
Seattle Central Community College
Course Syllabus Spring 2005
Instructor: Greg Langkamp Phone: 587-3810 email: glangkamp@sccd.ctc.edu
Office: 5115 Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri.: 12:15-1:15 (or just set up an appointment)
Prerequisites: Mat 084 with a minimum of a 2.0, or pass the placement exam. Anyone not meeting these prerequisites will not be allowed to stay enrolled.
Note about placement: If you met the prerequisite for this course by passing a placement test, be aware that the accuracy of such tests is fairly low. It may be the case that you were placed correctly, but its possible that you were placed too high or too low. If you suspect that you are in the wrong course, please come and see me ASAP, and I’ll try to help you get into the right course.
Required Materials:
a) Blitzer, Robert. Introductory Algebra For College Students , 4th Ed., 2002, Prentice Hall.
b) Scientific calculator or graphing calculator. Your calculator should include a key with EE or EXP to display very large and mall numbers, a key with yx or xy to compute powers, and a key for square roots. Some calculators are not allowed on quizzes or tests because they are too powerful - check with me.
If you are about to purchase a calculator, keep in mind that you will need a TI-82, TI-83, or TI-84 graphing calculator for MAT098. It's best to buy a TI-83 or TI-84. If you can get by this quarter with a simple scientific calculator, you can rent a TI-83 in MAT098 for $20.
c) Pencil, eraser, lined paper, graph paper, and a 6” clear ruler (preferably with cm. and in. markings). All graded work must be done in pencil. If your work is done in ink it will not be graded!!
Course Contents: The following is an approximate guide, subject to some revision:
| Week |
Main Topics |
Book Sections |
| 1 |
Exponents and Polynomials |
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 |
| 2 |
Exponents and Polynomials |
6.5, 6.7, 7.1 |
| 3 |
Factoring, Test 1, More Factoring |
7.2, 7.3 |
| 4 |
Factoring Polynomials, 084 review |
7.4, 7.5, 7.6 |
| 5 |
Factoring, Roots and Radicals |
9.1, 9.2, 9.5 |
| 6 |
Roots and Radicals, Test 2 |
9.3, 9.5, 10.1 |
| 7 |
Quadratic Equations |
10.1, 10.3 |
| 8 |
Quadratic Equations |
10.5 |
| 9 |
Test 3, Rational Expressions |
8.1, 8.2 |
| 10 |
Rational Expressions |
8.3, 8.4, 8.5 |
| 11 |
Review and Final |
|
Student work : You should expect to spend on average 2 hours per day for this course outside of class; this time will consist of reading your textbook, reading your class notes, doing problems from the textbook and worksheets, and studying for quizzes and tests.
On the first day opf each week I will hand out an asssignmnet shet for that
week. Keep all problems and assignments in order so that you can quickly consult
them during class or at a later date. Some homework will be collected
. Each Wednesday I will tell you which problems to hand in Friday.
These hand-in homework problems will be taken from the ones that you have
worked on all week. There will be procedures and guidelines for writing
up your homework, which will be spelled out in the first week.
Homework that is late or that does not meet the write-up guidelines
will not be accepted.
Not all of the homework that you do will be graded, but most homework problems
have answers in the back of the text. Your efforts on the homework will
pay off with better results on quizzes and tests. (In fact, I often
use a few homework questions as test questions.)
Group work: Modern educational theory suggests that students who actively engage in group discussions and problem solving sessions learn more than counterparts who do it alone. My observations from over 12 years of teaching agree with this. Therefore, I have structured this course so that there will be many activities during (and sometimes outside of) class in which you will have the opportunity/requirement to work in groups. You will need to make some effort to be flexible and accommodating to work out times when you can get together with your group. I also suggest that you find a study partner (or two) to work on regular textbook and worksheet assignments. Exchange phone numbers and emails!!
Class Etiquette: You will be working with other students during
many of the class hours. Cordial and polite behavior is expected. Under
no circumstances is abusive or derogatory language or behavior acceptable.
When others are speaking, be quiet and respectful. Turn off all electronic
devices before entering class (violators will be penalized 2 points
each time their cell-phone, video game, boom box, etc. disturbs the class)
Posted Solutions: I will post solutions for most quizzes, tests,
and worksheets on my bulletin board, located around the corner from my office
(room 5115).
Tutoring Help: You will find fabulous assistance at the MATH TUTORING LAB (Room 5119, offers "drop in" help, open daily) Also check out COLLEGE WIDE TUTORING (2nd floor above latte stand, by appointment) Both are free!!
Other Resources: The SCCC library should have a text book and
student solution manual on reserve. See the front desk. The SCCC
math faculty also has a website with sample syllabi, course information, and
cool math links http://www.sccd.ctc.edu/~ccmath/
Also of interest may be the following 2 websites that offer math
help: www.quickmath.com and
www.hotmath.com
Grades (points subject to change):
| Homework (8-10, drop lowest) |
10 points each |
| class problems/worksheets |
3-5 points each |
| Quizzes (4-6, drop lowest) |
20 points each |
| Group Project |
30 points |
| Tests (3) |
100 points each |
| Cumulative final exam (1) |
150 points |
Grades will be computed as follows: Grade = 0.073 x percentage correct – 2.96
(This makes 95% correct = 4.0 , 89% = 3.5, 75% = 2.5, 61% = 1.5.)
Example: In the middle of the quarter, a student has quiz scores of 16, 18 , and 12; a test score of 85, and Graded Class Problems of 4 and 5. After dropping the lowest quiz score, the total is 128 out of a possible 150. The percentage correct is (128/150) x 100% = 85.3%. The quarter grade is : grade = 0.073(85.3)–2.96 = 3.3
Policy on missing quizzes, tests, etc:
· In general, by signing up for this course you are expected to attend every day and be present for quizzes, tests, and class problems. If you plan to be absent and notify me in advance, I will try to help you plan ahead so you may study on your own. This is not a promise – it depends on the reasonableness of your request and the timing involved in consideration of the rest of the class.
· Quizzes and tests are announced in advance. If you cannot attend class on the day of a quiz, don't worry, you get to drop your lowest quiz score. BUT … If you cannot attend class on the day of a test because of illness YOU MUST GIVE ME A CALL BEFORE THE TEST (587-3810). I will try to arrange a make-up test, providing that you a) bring in a doctor's notice and b) you return to class in a reasonable amount of time after being absent. Failure to call beforehand will result in a grade of 0 for the test (special circumstances may be considered).
· Do not call me for assignments if you miss class. (With over 90 students each quarter this gets to be too much to handle). Call a member of the class--- they can also let you know about other important things that you might have missed.
· Class Problems and Worksheets (worth 3-5 points each) cannot be made up under any circumstance.
Special Accommodations: Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class.
Mat 085 FINAL EXAM (please don't ask to take it earlier or later)
Test Time: Wednesday June 15, 10:30am–12:30pm