Ocean County College
Professor's Syllabus
Professor's Name: Mr. Michael Pezzimenti
Course Title and Number: MATH 012 – Intro to Algebra II
Catalog Description: A continuation of MATH 011. Topics include factoring a polynomial, solving quadratic and cubic equations, rational
expressions, equations of straight lines, radical expressions and the application of algebraic techniques to problem solving. This course may also be
offered on a home study basis. This course cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Semester: Spring, 2011
Office Location: Russell 109
Phone Number: (732) 255-0400 X2304
E-Mail Address: mpezzimenti@ocean.edu or michael_pezzimenti@occ.mailcruiser.com
Office Hours: M,Th 1:20-2:30, T, Fr 9:30-10:45
Other Meeting Times: To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled office hours, please contact your
instructor directly or contact the Department of Mathematics (Phone: (732) 255-0368/ Email ___________).
Required Text and other Materials: Understanding Elementary Algebra, Second Edition, Feneis, Grone, Henderson, Schick-Lenk, Rickert, and
Scott.
Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives (from the Official Course Description): Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
a.
Factor polynomial expressions.
b.
Solve quadratic equations by factoring.
c.
Solve rational equations.
d.
Solve radical equations.
e.
Determine equations of lines given specific information.
f.
Solve application problems using quadratic equations.
g.
Solve quadratic equations by square-root method.
h.
Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.
i.
Solve quadratic equations by the quadratic formula.
General Education Goals Addressed in the Course (from the Official Course Description):
Independent Thinking and Problem Solving
Course Standards
Exams: We will have 4 or 5 exams. All will be weighted the same. No make-up exams will be provided for unexcused absences. A doctor’s note is
required for medical absences. Make-up exams will be more difficult than the exam taken in class.
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned from the textbook. These will not be collected but selected problems will be included in the
exams. In addition, there are required online homework exercises that represent a significant fraction of your grade.
Official Withdrawal: A withdrawal from the class requires the completion of an OCC Drop/Add Form before the official withdrawal deadline (4/4/11).
Attendance Policy: If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to make up the missed work. Homework assignments will be posted on Ocean
Cruiser. 3 absences before the withdrawal deadline may result in an automatic withdrawal. Arriving late and/or leaving early without permission will
be considered ½ of an absence. After 3 absences, each subsequent absence will result in a 1 point deduction from your final average.
Grading scale: (i.e., A = 90 - 100)
The letter grades used in this class and their approximate numerical equivalents are listed below.
A
Excellent (>90)
B+
Very Good (86-89)
B
Good
(80-85)
C+
Above Average (76-79)
C
Average (70-75)
F
Failure (<70)
Course Outline:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Methods of factoring: Greatest Common Factor, Difference of Two Squares, Trinomials, Grouping, Generalized Factoring
Solving Quadratic and Cubic Equations by Factoring and Applications
Reducing Rational Expressions
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of Rational Expressions
Complex Fractions
Solving Rational Equations and Applications
Simplifying Radical Expressions
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of Radical Expressions, Solving Radical Equations and Applications
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
Slope of a Straight Line
Equations of Straight Lines
Graphing using Slope and y-intercept
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Solving Quadratic Equations by: Factoring, Square-Root Property, Completing the Square, Quadratic Formula
Statement of Plagiarism: Cheating will not be tolerated. If caught, disciplinary action will be taken as defined by College Policy #5180.
Students should refer to the student handbook and review Policy #5180. Consider defining plagiarism.
Statement about Civility: Disruptive Behavior will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action. Some particular points of concern are:
 No eating is allowed in class
 No cell phones or music headphones
 Getting up and leaving class
[See www.ocean.edu/civility.htm]
Evaluation of student: Your final grade will be computed as follows:
Exam average – 80%
Homework – 20%
Campus Resources and Services: Tutoring is available [a] in the Writing Center for writing assignments in all subject areas, not just
English courses, and [b] in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. Tutoring information for all other subjects can be found on the Tutoring
page on the college website. In addition, Study Strategy Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under
“Academics.” More information on college services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under “T”
for Tutoring or under “S” for Study Strategy Seminars).
Statement of Accommodation: If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities or other kinds of
disabilities, please feel free to come and discuss this with me or a staff member in the Center for Academic Excellence.
Disclaimer: Individual faculty members may make reasonable changes to this course outline exclusive of course requirements, course
calendar, and grading procedures.
All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course or in any course is private. Students’ written
work, assignments, and test results may be used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course content, support materials, and
communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other forms of communication) may be used for quality assurance
purposes by authorized college administrators.
Important Notes
Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC (firstname_lastname@occ.mailcruiser.com)
Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.