Santa Rosa Junior College
Syllabus for FALL 2014
Course name and number: Math151/Elementary Algebra
Section code: 2057
Class Meeting Days/Times: MW 3:00pm-5:30pm
Class Location: Shuhaw 1711
Instructor: Dr. Ying Lin
Instructor’s webpage: http://www.santarosa.edu/~ylin
Office: Shuhaw 1702
Email: ylin@santarosa.edu
Phone/Voicemail: 707-521-6912
Office hours: see the calendar on the instructor’s webpage
Key dates for the traditional 18-week semester:
- Classes begin August 18
- Add period is August 18 – August 24
- Drop/Refund and Audit deadline is August 31
- Last day to add with the instructor’s signature is September 7
- Last day to withdraw without “W” is September 7
- Last day to withdraw with a “W” is November 16
Final exam date: Monday, December 15, 1:00-3:45pm
Course Description:
This course is a beginning algebra course, including equations and inequalities in one variable, integer
exponents, polynomials, equations and inequalities in two variables, rational expressions, radicals and
rational exponents, quadratic equations, and the graphs of parabolas. Not open to those who have taken
MATH 150B with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Objectives:
1. Solve advanced linear equations and inequalities in one variable and related applications.
2. Evaluate and solve formulas.
3. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables, including the slope-intercept method, and find
the equation of a line.
4. Define a polynomial and perform the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and
factoring of polynomials.
5. Apply the laws of exponents to algebraic expressions.
6. Solve systems of equations and inequalities in two variables and related applications.
7. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on radical expressions and
simplify.
8. Solve radical equations and related applications.
9. Manipulate expressions involving rational exponents.
10. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on rational expressions, and
simplify rational expressions and complex fractions.
11. Solve rational equations and related applications.
12. Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and the quadratic formula.
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Prerequisite:
C or better in CSKLS 372, or placement from the Math Placement Test at SRJC.
Textbook:
Elementary Algebra for College Students, 9th Edition, by
Angel/Runde. Pearson, 2015.
Library Call Number: QA152.3 .M353
(A loose-leaf version is available at the bookstore. Before you
purchase the textbook, please read the following paragraph for
more information carefully.)
MyMathLab Access is required for completing the homework problems online. It is recommended that
you purchase the looseleaf version of the textbook packaged with MyMathLab access code at the
bookstore. The looseleaf version bundled with MyMathLab access code is listed as “ELEMENTARY
ALG.F/COLL..(LOOSE)-W/ACCESS”.
Although MyMathLab provides access to an online version of the textbook, if the internet goes out, you
may be asked to turn in your homework on paper. In addition, my previous students have found it much
easier to read from the hardcopy of the textbook instead of reading from the computer screen. Therefore, I
highly recommend you obtain a copy of the textbook. The looseleaf version also allows you to only carry
the portion of the relevant portion of the textbook in a 3-ring binder. During the semester, you may be
required to bring your textbook to use in class.
Once you have acquired an access code, go to www.mymathlab.com, click on “Students/Register.” Click
Next. The Course ID is lin87189. The course information will appear. There is a free trial period of
approximately 2 weeks. Select “Buy Now” if you are buying with a credit card. Select “Access Code” if
you have purchased the bundle at the bookstore. The course “Math 151: Elementary Algebra (LIN) -- Fall
2014” should appear in your list of courses. If this is your first time using the website, you should enter
the course and click the "MyMathLab Installation Wizard" to make sure your browser has the necessary
plug-in to visit the course website. The access code for MyMathLab is valid for a year from the date you
purchased it.
Class Attendance:
Absences, arriving to class late and leaving class early are counterproductive to learning. If you need to
leave class early, notify the instructor before class starts, sit close to the exit and leave without disturbing
the instructor or other students. You are responsible for obtaining any notes, announcements, etc. If you
are absent, arrive late to class or leave early during more than 10 percent of the classes, you may be
withdrawn from the course. Missing the first two classes may also result in you being withdrawn from the
course to allow other students to enroll. Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from the
course if they stop attending.
Email:
Email is checked twice a day during business hours only. Please include your course number and class
time in the subject of your email. Please type your email using complete sentences in a respectful manner
to ensure a timely response.
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ADA Compliance Statement:
If you need disability related accommodations for this class, such as a note taker, test taking services,
special furniture, use of service animal, etc., please provide the Authorization for Academic
Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to me as soon as
possible. You may also speak with me privately during office hours about your accommodations. If you
have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly. DRD is
located in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and Petaluma Village on the Petaluma Campus.
Grading Policies
Grades
Homework
100 points
Final Grades
630-700 points
In-class Work
20 points
560-629 points
B
Quizzes
80 points
490-559 points
C
Midterm and Final Exams
500 points
420-489 points
D
Total
700 points
< 420 points
F
A
Incompletes:
The grade of "I" (incomplete) may be requested only with a valid, verifiable excuse and only if the student
has successfully completed all but a small portion of the required coursework with a passing grade (at
least 70% of the coursework must be complete). A student requesting an incomplete must do so by 24
hours after the final exam. An incomplete may be given only at the discretion of the instructor.
Homework will be done mostly using MyMathLab. You will be expected to complete an assignment after
each section is covered. In addition, there may be other work assigned that will need to be completed on
paper and turned in separately. You must write down all the problems and solutions and bring them to
class every day in case you are asked to put something on the board and also for review purposes before
exams.
In-class Work: in each class, students will be asked to put their work on the whiteboard. Throughout the
semester, each student is expected to present 10 problems in order to earn the full credit.
Quizzes: weekly in-class quizzes will be given to test understanding of the homework assignments.
Quizzes may be completed individually or as a group. If you have done your homework, the quizzes
(closed book) will be easy, otherwise they will be difficult.
Exams: four midterm exams and a final exam will be given in class on the dates noted in the syllabus.
These are closed book, closed note exams. Exams cannot be made up! The final exam will be a
comprehensive exam. It must be taken on the last day of class. So make your vacation plans accordingly.
If you miss a midterm exam, your comprehensive final exam score can replace the score of up to one
missed exam.


Example 1: you have scored 80 in all of your tests and 90 in your final. Then you total test/final
scores will be 80+80+80+90+90=420 out of 500 points.
Example 2: you have scored 80 in all of your tests and 70 in your final. Then you total test/final
scores will be 80+80+80+80+70=390 out of 500 points.
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If you receive less than 60% in the Final Exam, your final letter grade will be lowered by one full letter
grade (e.g. from C to a D).
Cheating:
If a student is caught cheating (see the attached Student Code of Conduct), the student will receive a zero
for the assignment, quiz or test in violation.
Student Withdrawal “W” Grades
Students may withdraw from class without instructor permission and without incurring any grade penalty
until the W deadline. This grade may be requested by the student only during the first two-thirds of any
session and may be given by the instructor on or before the official census reporting date to students who
have ceased attending class before that date. Students who stop attending class after this date may receive
a grade of “F.”
Final Grades:
Students may check final grades at the online student portal approximately one week after the final exam.
For privacy and security reasons, instructors may not post, give grades over the telephone or through email. If you need an official grade report in mail, please submit a self-addressed envelope with sufficient
postage. During the semester, you accumulated grade points will be available through the MyMathLab
grade book. The last day to report any missing grades is indicated in the schedule. No more changes will
be made to the grade book after this date.
Study Groups:
You are encouraged to form study groups outside the classroom. If you would like to join a study group,
please let me know. Time sheets will be distributed to record all meetings of the study groups and
collected before each test. At the end of the semester, extra credit may be awarded to groups that have
been meeting at least once every week.
Help:
 Your questions are welcomed both in and out of class. If you cannot resolve your questions in
class, I strongly recommend you coming to see me during office hours.
 My previous experience has shown that participating in study groups can greatly benefit all
students at the Elementary Algebra level, no matter whether you are an “A” student or someone
who always struggles with Math.
 Assistance can be found in the Mathematics Computer Lab, the MESA center, and the Tutorial
Center in the Library.
 The Math Department office has a list of private tutors. This list can also be found on the Math
Department web site at www.santarosa.edu/mathematics .
Caveat:
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and will notify students of those changes
in class.
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Student Conduct
We will conduct ourselves in a manner which reflects our awareness of common standards of decency
and the rights of others. All students are expected to know the Student Conduct Code
(http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/scs/section1.shtml) and adhere to it in this
class. Students who violate the code may be suspended from 2 classes and referred to Vice President of
Student Services for discipline.
Respect
The best way to learn is through active participation; therefore, we respect others when talking by being
on-time, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another’s viewpoint. Please
turn off all electronic devices. If you use a laptop for note taking, please sit in the front row with the
sound off. No food in class please.
Academic Integrity
All written work is to be original; plagiarism of any kind will result in a failing grade on that
assignment. Students who plagiarize or cheat may be suspended [ for one or two class meetings by the
instructor] and referred to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline sanction, in cases of
egregious violation. Please read the college policy/procedure on academic integrity at:
http://www.santarosa.edu/polman/3acadpro/3.11P.pdf
Emergency Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class
immediately, but calmly. Our class will meet on the lawn in front of Shuhaw to make sure everyone got
out of the building safely and to receive further instructions. (If the class is on a second or higher floor,
provide clear directions to the stairs). If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an
evacuation, please see me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss an evacuation
plan.
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Tentative Class Calendar for Math 151 (Fall 2014)
Homework due dates are posted with each homework in MyMathLab. Assignments from each section are
usually due by the next class. Changes to the schedule will be announced in class or by email. Additional
instructions for each homework assignment are given in MyMathLab.
Week
1
Date
Topic
Date
Topic
8/18/2014 First day, Chapter 1
8/20/2014 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
8/25/2014 2.5, 2.6, 2.8
8/27/2014 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
9/1/2014
Labor Day – No Class
9/3/2014
9/8/2014
4.1, 4.2, 4.3
9/10/2014 4.4, 4.5
2
3
3.4, Review
4
5
9/15/2014 4.6, Review
9/17/2014 Test 1 (Chapter 1 – Chapter 4)
9/22/2014 5.1, 5.3
9/24/2014 5.3, 5.4
9/29/2014 5.5, 5.6
10/1/2014 5.7, review
10/6/2014 6.1, 6.2
10/8/2014 6.3, 6.4
10/13/2014 6.5, 6.6
10/15/2014 2.7, 6.7
10/20/2014 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
10/22/2014 7.4, 7.5
10/27/2014 Test 2 (5.1 – 7.5)
10/29/2014 7.6, 8.1
11/3/2014 8.2, 8.3
11/5/2014 8.4, 8.5
11/10/2014 PDA Day – No Class
11/12/2014 9.1, 9.2
11/17/2014 9.3, 9.4
No class meeting -- Individual
11/24/2014 conference with the instructor by appt
11/19/2014 9.5, 9.6
12/1/2014 10.1, 10.2
12/3/2014 10.2, 10.3
12/8/2014 Test 3 (8.1 – 10.3)
12/10/2014 10.4, Final Review
12/15/2014 Final Exam: 1:00 – 3:45PM
12/17/2014
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
11/26/2014 9.7, Review
16
17
18
*This schedule is subject to change.
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Acknowledgment of Receipt of Syllabus for Math151 (2057)
Initial in the space provided:
I have received my syllabus and have read and understood all the enclosed materials.
Initial in the space provided:
I have recently completed the course prerequisites OR have passed the assessments for each
prerequisite(s).
YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF HAVING MET PREREQUISITES IF THE INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD
DOES NOT HAVE VERIFICATION FROM THE COLLEGE’S STUDENT ACADEMIC HISTORY. YOU WILL HAVE ONE
WEEK TO SHOW PROOF OF HAVING MET PREREQUISITES.
Initial in the space provided:
I have no objection to receiving an occasional call or email from the instructor at the number or
email address listed below.
OR
I prefer that the instructor not call or contact me anytime during the semester.
Last math course taken:
grade received: and when:
My reasons for taking this course:
Student Name:
Phone #
Student ID#:
Email address:
I would like to sign up for text messages that the instructor uses to send reminders and
announcements about the course. (Please also complete the next line)
My cell phone service provider is _____________
Student Signature:
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