COURSE:
MATH 140—College Algebra (3 credits)
Section meets MF from 2:10PM to 3:00PM in Marston 0207.
INSTRUCTOR:
Email:
Web page:
OFFICE
OFFICE HOURS:
Zach Voller
zvoller@iastate.edu
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~zvoller/math140fall10/fall10math140.htm
Carver 468
TBA this week, or by appointment. (thinking after class, but will be
determined based on mine and your schedules)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Prereq: Satisfactory performance on placement exam, 2 years of high school
algebra; 1 year of high school geometry. Coordinate geometry, quadratic and polynomial equations,
functions, graphing, linear, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, inverse
functions, linear and quadratic inequalities, series and sequences. This course is run as a lecture-discussion. Lectures are Monday and Friday; discussion is in small classes either Tuesday Wednesday or
Thursday.
REQUIRED TEXT: Algebra and Trigonometry (8h edition) by Sullivan. Copyright 2008 by Pearson
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
PLAGIARISM/CHEATING POLICY: If plagiarism or cheating occurs, you will be assigned a zero for
that test or assignment, and you risk being withdrawn from the course. The tests and the final exam are
proctored; they are closed-book; notes or formula cards are not permitted. Copying someone else’s work is
cheating.
HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, AND EXAM POLICIES: Calculators are NOT allowed on the exams.
Even though I encourage using a calculators to check arithmetic on homework, you must show your work
to get full credit. If you write down an answer and don’t show your work, you will receive no credit for
that problem. There will be no make-ups on the quizzes unless the absence is excused (If you are sick
enough to miss class then you are sick enough to go the doctor and thus a note will be required). There will
be no assignments handed in late. If you miss a quiz, you get a zero on that quiz. If you do not hand in an
assignment at the end of class the day it is due, you get a zero on that assignment. Make-up exams will be
given only in rare occasions. If an unavoidable circumstance arises, please notify me before the exam to
have your excuse approved by me. I may require some form of documentation of the excuse.
All unit tests will be timed and supervised. On unit tests you will work individually without referring to
books, notes, or formula cards. You will not be able to rework questions you miss for extra points on the
unit test. It is important that you do your best work when you take the test; always double-check answers
when time permits. At the end of the semester you will be required to take a comprehensive final
examination. Questions on this departmental exam should be similar to those you have already seen on the
unit tests. Like the unit tests, you will work individually without referring to books, notes, or formula cards
and you will not be able to rework questions you miss for extra credit.
HOMEWORK: The key to success in this course is doing your homework. Homework from the text will
be assigned and discussed in class as time permits, and may be collected. You will have an opportunity to
ask questions about these assignments in class. You are responsible for your success in this course. Keep up
with the assignments; topics in mathematics often build upon what you have already studied. Falling
behind can have a devastating effect on your grades. If you have difficulty with a homework assignment
you should get help promptly and then try the problems again. It is important that you take the initiative!
Problems have been selected to reinforce mastery of a particular skill and represent the minimum number
of exercises you should work. You are encouraged to work additional problems. For every hour in the
classroom, you should spend at least 2 hours working outside of class. The time spent on homework should
pay off since you can expect questions on the unit tests to be very similar to the homework problems. Keep
all your papers organized for easy review since the tests will be based on these assignments. You are
responsible for your success in this course.
OTHER EXPECTATIONS: I will expect you to know how to do all of the homework. Keeping up with
the homework is very important. I will also expect good attendance. You are expected to participate in all
classes. You may be administratively dropped if you miss more than 6 class sessions. An absence is
excused only if it is the result of an approved school-related activity, or a documented illness. Make-up
tests and quizzes will not be given. Only an emergency should cause you to miss class or walk in late. If
you are absent, it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work. Attendance and class participation will
determine any grades that I feel are borderline at the end of the semester. Coming to class is vitally
important for getting the information you need to know. Finally, I expect you to respect your classmates
while in the classroom by not being distractive.
EVALUATION: Your grade will be based on three unit exams, a comprehensive final exam, and daily
work. Quizzes and/or Homework (determined by your recitation TA) will be averaged to determine the
daily work grade.
GRADING: Grades in this course will be determined by the percentage of total points possible as listed
below. Percentages for letter grades are given below.
Homework/Quizzes
30% of final grade
Three Unit Exams
15% each of final grade
Final Exam
25% of final grade
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Total
100%
GRADING SCALE:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
92 – 100%
90 – 91%
87 – 89%
82 – 86%
80 – 81%
77 – 79%
72 – 76%
70 – 71%
67 – 69%
62 – 66%
60 – 61%
0 – 59%
SPECIAL NEEDS:
If a condition necessitates special test conditions, assistance with note-taking, or other accommodations,
contact the Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). .
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COURSE:
If personal circumstances or low grades necessitate withdrawal from this course, it is your responsibility to
contact Student Services and complete the proper forms. It is your responsibility to monitor your grades
and decide if withdrawal is in your best interest. Be aware that dropping a course may affect your financial
aid or insurance status. Talk to your advisor and instructor before dropping any course. Realize that a W on
your transcript does not affect your grade point average, but numerous withdrawals on your transcript can
create a negative impression.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION:
Tutoring and computer aided instruction are available. Further information is forthcoming