Northwest College
Course Syllabus
Math 1314 - College Algebra
Katy
Spring 2012
Section (CRN) 79499
Room 215
3 credits; 3 Lecture
Instructor: Prof. Pete Gomez
Office hours: See section below
16 weeks (Jan 17 – May 13)
5:30 – 7 PM MW
45 Contact hours
Phone: (713) 718-584
e-mail: pete.gomez@hccs.edu
Audience: This course is designed as a review of advanced topics in algebra for
science and engineering students who plan to take the calculus sequence in
preparation for their various degree programs. It is also intended for non-technical
students who need college mathematics credits to fulfill requirements for graduation
and prerequisites for other courses. It is generally transferable as math credit for nonscience majors to other disciplines
Course description (ACGM): Study of quadratics; polynomial, rational, logarithmic and
exponential functions; systems of equations; sequences and series; and matrices and
determinants.
Course description (HCC): Topics include quadratics, polynomial, rational, logarithmic
and exponential functions, systems of equations, and matrices and determinants. A
departmental final examination will be given in this course.
Prerequisite: Math 0312 or its equivalent or an acceptable placement test score.
SLO: Student Learning Outcomes
1. Solve algebraic equations and inequalities involving linear and nonlinear
expressions.
2. Examine and interpret the graphs of circles, polynomial functions, rational
functions, basic functions, and their transformations.
3. Apply the basic knowledge of a function to simplify functions, combine functions,
and solve application problems involving linear and nonlinear functions.
4. Perform basic matrix operations.
Learning objectives:
1.1 Solve quadratic equations in one variable by the method of factoring, square
root property, completing the square and the quadratic formula.
1.2 Solve radical equations, fractional equations, and equations of quadratics form.
1.3 Solve linear inequalities and linear equations involving absolute value, state the
solution in interval notation and graph the solution.
1.4 Solve non-linear (quadratic and rational) inequalities, state the solution in
interval notation and graph the solution.
1.5 Solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
1.6 Solve systems of linear and non linear equations in two variables.
2.1 Find the distance and midpoint between two points in the Cartesian plane.
2.2 Recognize the equation of a straight line, graph the equation of a straight line,
find the slope and intercepts of a line, know the relationship between the slopes of
parallel and perpendicular lines, and be able to determine the equation of a line from
information given about the line.
2.3 Graph linear functions and quadratic functions, piece-wise defined functions,
absolute value functions, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential
functions, and logarithmic functions
2.4 Understand vertical and horizontal shifts, stretching, shrinking, and reflections of
graphs of functions.
2.5 Recognize the equation of a circle, sketch the graph of a circle, and find the
equation of a circle.
2.6 Determine the rational zeros of a polynomial.
3.1 Apply the definition of a function, determine the domain and range of a function,
evaluate expressions involving functional notation, evaluate expressions involving
function notation, simplify expressions involving the algebra of functions, graph
functions by plotting points, use the definition of inverse functions, and given a
function find its inverse.
3.2 Understand the inverse relationship between the exponential and logarithmic
functions.
4.1 Perform operations with matrices.
Course Calendar: The course calendar is provided as a separate sheet. The course
calendar is tentative and will be revised as needed throughout the term.
Textbook: College Algebra Alternate 8e, Ron Larson, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning,
2011. A solutions manual is available.
Special needs: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning,
psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
must contact the Disability Services Office at Northwest at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office.
Cheating and grade disputes: At Houston Community College, academic integrity is
expected of all its members and stakeholders. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, the willful attempt to misrepresent one’s work, cheat, plagiarize, or impede
other students’ scholastic progress. Scholastic dishonesty is treated with the utmost
seriousness by the instructor and the College. Please refer to the Student Handbook for
specific information related to professional conduct and scholastic dishonesty. Cheating
will earn a 0 on the test/exam. A 0 due to cheating will not be dropped. Remember that
cheating usually involves two people. Final grade disputes should follow the guidelines
in the student handbook.
Attendance: The student is expected to be on time at the beginning of each class
period. For complete information regarding Houston Community College’s policies on
attendance, please refer to the Student Handbook. Students who miss more than 4
classes are subject to administrative withdrawal.
3-peaters: Effective Fall 2006, HCC charges a higher tuition rate to students registering
for the third or subsequent time for certain courses. Students who enroll for most credit
and CEU classes for a third or more time will be charged an additional $50 per
semester credit hour and $3.00 per contact hour, except for courses exempted by The
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Withdrawals: It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a
course. Failure to officially withdraw may result in the student receiving an ‘F’ in the
course. A student who officially withdraws from a course before the Official Date of
Record will not receive a grade and the course will not appear on the student's
permanent record. A student withdrawing from a course after this period and prior to the
deadline designated in the HCC calendar (Apr. 21) will receive a grade of ‘W’. Students
should take care in dropping a course, since the third or future attempt to retake a
course will result in a higher rate of tuition.
Students may only drop online during the drop/add period listed in the registration
calendar. After the first week of class in a regular term, students must complete a
withdrawal form and meet with a counselor to complete the withdrawal process. After
12.5% absences (4 classes) prior to the last day to drop, a student will be dropped
unless they contact me with a reasonable explanation . Attending class after the last
date to drop (Mar 29) will result in a grade other than W in the class.
Homework: Homework will be done using WebAssign. An access code made be
purchased online. The class keye is hccs 5352 0091. Each assignment has a due
date. It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to these. The two lowest
homework grades will be dropped.
Grading policy: A, 90 - 100; B, 80 - 89; C, 70 - 79; D, 60 – 69; F, below 60.
Exams: There will be 4 tests during the semester and a comprehensive departmental
final exam. All tests must be taken. If an exam is missed, it must be made up in the
Testing Center prior to the next exam. Each make up exam is cumulative. Extra credit
will not be added to make up exam grades.
Final Exam: The final exam is cumulative and is a departmental exam.
Quizzes: Beginning Monday, January 30 and at the beginning of each class, a quiz will
be given. It will last from 10-15 minutes. The four lowest quiz grades will be dropped;
those missed in excess of four will be recorded as zeros
Extra help: Free mathematics help is available in the Math Tutoring Room (access
through the open computer lab). You also have access to the various Math Labs in the
HCC system. You are encouraged to use MyMathLab for extra help. Online tutoring is
also available at: http://www.hccs.askonline.net
Final exam: The final exam is a departmental exam consisting of 33 multiple choice
problems.
Final Course Average: Exams, 30, Final Exam 20%, WebAssign Homework 10%,
and 40%.
Office Hours: My office is Katy 213A. My office hours are:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
7:00 – 8:00 AM, 4:30 – 5:30 PM
8:30 – 9:30 AM
7 – 8 AM, 4:30 – 5:30 PM
8:30 – 9:30 AM