MATH 1070-007 College Algebra for Social Sciences and Business
FALL 2011 SYLLABUS
Class Sessions:
Instructor:
Tolya’s Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Web Page
Math Dept. Office
Math 1070 Course
Captain
Dept Associate Chair
T/R 5:00 – 6:15 PM in North Classroom Building 1325
Tolya Puhalskii
CU-Denver Bldg., Rm. 613 (6th floor CU Building – 1250 14th Street)
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Other times are available by appointment - call or e-mail first!
anatolii.puhalskii@ucdenver.edu Note: e-mail is frequently the best way to
reach me.
The syllabus, homework assignments, and grades are posted on Blackboard at:
http://blackboard.cuonline.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
CU-Denver Bldg., 6th Floor (1250 14th Street)
phone: 303-556-8442 (main line)
Lance Lana: Office CU-Bldg., Rm. 634
Phone: 303-556-2618; email: Lance.Lana@ucdenver.edu
Lynn Bennethum: Office CU-Bldg., Rm. 638
Phone: 303-556-4810; email: Lynn.Bennethum@ucdenver.edu
Description: Topics in algebra designed for students who intend to take business calculus. Functions,
graphs, scatter plots, curve-fitting, solving systems of equations, polynomial and rational functions, and
selected other topics. Graphics calculator required. No co-credit with MATH 1110 or MATH 1130.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra or equivalent.
Required Materials:
Text: College Algebra, Ratti and McWaters, 2nd Edition, 2011. (Not absolutely required. See below.)
Software: MyMathLab
A copy of the text is not absolutely required since an eBook comes with the purchase of the MyMathLab
software.The total cost for the software and eBook is approximately $75.00. You can purchase the
software and the eBook by going to www.coursecompass.com. Under REGISTER, click STUDENT.
Unless you are retaking this course, you will want to “Enroll in a New Course”. You will need the COURSE
ID which is puhalskii66715, your university email address (which you check regularly), and either a
student access code or a valid credit card. If you purchase a hard copy of the text then we recommend
that you purchase it new bundled with the student access code that gives you access to the MyMathLab
software. Note that a used text will not usually come with an unused access code. Each access code can
only be used once!!! If you purchase a used text then you will probably still need to purchase the
software and eBook online. If you don’t mind using the eBook instead of a hard copy of the text then the
MyMathLab software is all you need!
Graphics Calculator: You will also need a graphing calculator for this course. This calculator will be
utilized in class, on the homework assignments, and on portions of the exams. The recommended
calculator for the course is one of the TI-83 or TI-84 calculators. Other calculators may be sufficient but
please ask if you have a different calculator that you would like to use.
How you will be evaluated:
Written Homework Assignments: Homework problems will be given over each section covered and
collected each week. Approximately 12 assignments will be graded and will be worth a total of 100
points after the lowest two homework grades are dropped at the end of the semester. Please follow
these guidelines when turning in homework assignments:
1. Assignments are to be done on green engineering paper. Engineering paper can be purchased at
the bookstore.
2. Assignments should be done in pencil.
3. Show all work neatly since messy papers may not be graded.
4. Include graphs where appropriate. Your graphs should always have important information (axes,
scale, intercepts, and important points) identified.
5. Staple your papers together.
6. Make sure that you do the assigned problems. No credit can be given for work on an incorrect
problem.
7. Please circle or box your answers.
You are able to work together in doing homework assignments; however, copying another student’s work
will not be tolerated. If this occurs, all students involved will receive zero credit on the assignment.
Application Project: One project will be assigned during the semester that will be an extension to the
homework assignments. This project will require the use of a graphing utility. The project will count for
25 points.
MyMathLab Homework: Online homework will be assigned over each section covered. You will use
MyMathLab to do the online homework. It is recommended that you do the online homework for each
section before doing the written homework and before taking the online quiz for the section. You get
immediate feedback while doing the online homework since the problems are graded as you do them.
You can also get help on a problem if necessary and you have multiple attempts to get each problem
correct. If you want to improve your score on a particular assignment you can return and try individual
problems again, up until the due date of the assignment. Note: You must pass the MyMathLabBasic Skills
Quiz with a score of 80% or better to unlock the MyMathLab online homework.
MyMathLab Quizzes: There will also be online quizzes over each chapter. If you want to improve your
score on a particular quiz you can return and try that quiz again, up until its due date. Your best score
will count so you can only improve your score on a quiz by attempting it more than once. Note: You
must pass the MyMathLab Basic Skills Quiz with a score of 80% or better to unlock the other MyMathLab
quizzes.
Exams: Three exams, worth 100 points each, will be given plus a comprehensive final exam, counting
200 points. The dates and times of the exams are:
Test #1 – Thursday September 22nd.
Test #2 – Thursday October 20th.
Test #3 – Thursday November 17th.
Final Exam – Saturday December 10th (9:00 AM - Noon)
Exam Grade Replacement: Each student who meets both of the following criteria during an exam period
will earn the right to improve prior exam scores with their score from the final exam over the same
material if their score on the final exam is better.
1. No more than one absence during an exam period or no more than 3 absences over the course of
the semester.
2. At least 80% on the MyMathLab quizzes for the exam period.
Points Summary: You will be accumulating a possible 800 points during the semester.
Written Homework
Application Project
MyMathLab Homework
MyMathLab Quizzes
In-class Exams
Final Exam
Total
100 points
25 points
75 points
100 points
300 points
200 points
800 points
Grading Scale: Your final grade will be determined by the percentage of these points you have actually
received
A 92.0 – 100%
B+ 88.0 – 89.9%
C+ 78.0 – 79.9%
D 60.0 – 69.9%
F below 60.0%
A- 90.0 – 91.9%
B 82.0 – 87.9%
C 70.0 – 77.9%
B- 80.0 – 81.9%
Late Work and Exam Makeup Policy:
Makeup Tests: I expect you to take all of the tests. If some emergency arises that causes you to miss a
test, we will deal with it in such a way that you are not penalized. We will discuss the details if this
happens. If at all possible, you must make arrangements with me beforehand, and I will ask for details
regarding the emergency. If you miss a test without making prior arrangements, you will in all likelihood
receive a zero. No makeup will be offered after the test has been passed back to the class.
Final Exam: The final exam will be Saturday December 10th (9:00 AM - Noon). The final exam is
cumulative and will include topics from throughout the semester. Attendance at the final exam is
mandatory. The exam will be held in a room different from where the class meets. You must take the
final in the room assigned to your section. Having the final rescheduled is extremely rare and is not
permitted for reasons such as a plane ticket that was purchased earlier, attendance at weddings or
accommodation of your work schedule.
Late Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned on Thursdays and it will be due the following
Thursday. If assignments are turned in after their due date there is a huge penalty. Unless you make
prior arrangements, expect a 50% reduction in grade for any item turned in late. No assignments will be
accepted after the assignment has been returned to the class along with solutions.
Late Application Project: Unless you make prior arrangements, expect a 50% reduction in grade if your
project is turned in late. No projects will be accepted after they have been graded and returned to the
class.
Late Online Homework and online quizzes: If you do not do an online homework assignment or take an
online quiz by its due date you will receive a zero on that assignment. There will be no exceptions.
Technical difficulties are always possible when working with computers so plan ahead and get your online
homework and quizzes done early!
Frequently Asked Question: How much time should I be spending on my Math 1070 each
week?
A “full-time job” is considered to be 40 hours per week and a “full-time student” is considered to have a
schedule of 15 hours per week. If you subtract 15 hours of class time from the 40 hours, that leaves 25
hours of studying per week. 3/15 = 1/5 of 25 hours is 5 hours of studying Math 1070, outside of class
time per week.
Warning: If your last math class was several years ago or if your prerequisite math skills are weak then
you are not well prepared and you will need to spend considerably more time on this class in order to be
successful!
Attendance: Regular attendance and participation are important to your success in any college course
but particularly in mathematics. Attendance will be taken daily. You are expected to attend class
faithfully and to take responsibility for your own learning.
Cheating: Examples of cheating include (but are not limited to): using unauthorized references (e.g.
another individual, cell phone, notes, texts...) during an exam or online quiz, using a calculator on an
exam or online quiz where a calculator is not allowed, altering a graded exam and coming back to
request more points, turning in duplicate homework assignments, and plagiarism. The penalty for
cheating will depend on the evidence and the intent of the student.
At a minimum, the penalty for deliberate cheating on an exam will be a zero on the exam. A letter will
also be sent to the department Chair and the CLAS associate Dean and it is likely that depending on the
circumstances, cheating of this kind may result in a course grade of F as well as possible expulsion from
the university. It isn't worth it, so don't do it.
I encourage students to work together on homework. However, it is expected that you turn in your own
work expressed in your own words. Never copy someone else’s work and do not allow someone else to
copy your work. If there are duplications of portions of homework where it is obvious that copying has
occurred, then all parties will receive a zero on the assignment.
Student Code of Conduct: As members of the University community, students are expected to uphold
university standards, which include abiding by state civil and criminal laws and all University policies and
standards of conduct. These standards are outlined in the student code of conduct which can be found
at:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/standards/Documents/UC Denver Code of Conduct [Compatibility
Mode].pdf
Incomplete Grades: Incomplete grades (I) are not granted for low academic performance. To be
eligible for an Incomplete grade, students must (1) successfully complete at least 75 percent of the
course, (2) have special circumstances (verification may be required) that preclude the student from
attending class and completing graded assignments, and (3) make arrangements to complete missing
assignments with the original instructor using a CLAS Course Completion agreement.
Where to Get Additional Help: There are Teaching Assistants available to answer your questions in
the MERC lab in the North Classroom Building (NC) room 4015. This is an excellent resource! Check with
the lab to see their schedule. Try to form a study group to study and learn with; it really works for some
people! Realize that there are many ways of learning and a study group may be helpful for
you. Listening to a lecture and asking questions may work for someone else. The Learning Resource
Center (see below) may be able to assist you in setting up a study group. And don’t forget about me!
Please, don’t be afraid to ask me questions. Don’t think, “I must be the only one who doesn’t
understand.” Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after class. You are always welcome to drop
in and see me during my open office hours held in the MERC lab (see page 1), or you can ask questions
by email. If your email contains math symbols, just type them as you would on your calculator.
Other Resources for this course:
The Learning Resource Center is designed to promote student success, retention, and graduation in the
academic setting. Services which are available to UC Denver students include tutoring, and study groups,
study strategies seminars, peer advocacy, a test file and minority resource library.
Tutoring Services – North Classroom Building (NC) Room 2004
(303) 556-2802
The Academic Success and Advising Center serves as the first point of contact and provides academic
advising for students who are pre-business, pre-engineering, or who have not declared a major yet. In
addition the center provides general information and resource referral to all students.
North Classroom Building (NC) Room 2024
(303) 352-3520
Disability Accommodations The University of Colorado Denver is committed to providing reasonable
accommodation and access to programs and services to students with disabilities. To be eligible for
accommodations, students must be registered with the UC Denver Office of Disability Resources and
Services (DRS) – North Classroom 2514; 303-556-3450, 303-556-4766 (TTY). The DRS staff has
experience to assist faculty in determining reasonable accommodations, and to coordinate these
accommodations. If a student is given accommodations, they must be followed. If a student chooses
not to accept the accommodations set forth by the DRS, they MUST complete all assignments and do all
course work in the same manner as all other students. No exceptions or alternate forms of evaluation
can be used except those mandated by the DRS. Faculty cannot arbitrarily decide to give a student extra
time, extra assistance or other forms of aid unless it is formally mandated by the DRS.
The Career Center offers a full array of services that prepare students for career success, such as resume
help, internship and career counseling and they have a large career library. Tivoli Student Union Room
267 Phone: 303-556-2250
The University of Colorado Denver provides many other services, resources and association memberships
to support and enhance your education. For a complete list of these resources see:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/Pages/index.aspx
Fall 2011 CLAS Academic Policies
The following policies pertain to all degree students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
(CLAS).


Schedule verification: It is each student’s responsibility to verify online that his/her official
registration is correct: verify before classes begin and prior to the drop/add deadline.
Failure to verify schedule accuracyis not sufficient reason to justify a late add or drop.
E-mail: Students must activate and regularly check their official student e-mail account for
CU Denver business: http://www.ucdenver.edu/student-services/Pages/WebMail.aspx.
Those who forward email to a private account are still responsible for checking their official





student e-mail account for messages not automatically forwarded.
Waitlists:
 Students are not automatically notified if they are added to a class from a waitlist.
Students are not automatically dropped from a class if they never attended, stopped
attending, or do not make tuition payments.
 Waitlists are purged after the 1st week of classes, after which a paper Schedule
Adjustment Form (drop/add form) is required. It is the student's responsibility to get the
form (online or at the Advising Office, NC 4002), have it signed, deliver it to the Registrar
(Annex 100) or the Student Services Center (NC 1003), and verify her/his schedule
online.
Late adds (after 7 September) will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the
late add are beyond the student’s control. This will require a written petition and verifiable
documentation. Petition forms are available in NC 4002. The signature of a faculty member
on a Schedule Adjustment Form does not guarantee that a late add petition will be approved.
Late drops (after 14 November) will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the
late drop have arisen after the published drop deadline and are beyond the student’s control.
This will require a written petition and verifiable documentation. The signature of a faculty
member does not guarantee that a late drop petition will be approved.
Tuition: Students are responsible for completing arrangements with financial aid, family,
scholarships, etc. (depending on tuition plan selected) to pay their tuition prior to Census
Date (7 September). Students who drop after that date are (1) financially responsible for
tuition and fees, (2) academically responsible and will receive a "W" grade, and (3) are
ineligible for a refund of COF hours or tuition.
Graduation:
 Undergraduate students wishing to graduate in fall 2011 must complete the online Intent
to Graduate Form and meet with their academic advisor to obtain a graduation
application. This application must be submitted by Census Date (7 September). You can
obtain an application only after meeting with your advisor. There are no exceptions to
this policy.
 Graduate students wishing to graduate in fall semester 2011 must complete the online
Intent to Graduate form and have a Request for Admissions to Candidacy on file with the
CU Denver Graduate School (Lawrence Street Center) no later than 5 PM, September 7,
2011.
Important Dates and Deadlines


August 22, 2011: First day of classes.
August 28, 2011: Last day to add a class or be added to a waitlist using the UCDAccess
student portal. After this date, you must use a Schedule Adjustment Form to change, add, or
drop.

August 29, 2011: LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT DROP CHARGE – THIS INCLUDES
SECTION CHANGES.
August 29, 2011: Waitlists are dropped. Any student not added to a course automatically




from the waitlist by this date MUST complete a Schedule Adjustment Form to be added.
Students are NOT automatically added to the class from the waitlist after this date and time.
If your name is not on the official student roster, you are not registered for the course.
August 30-September 7, 2011: Students are responsible for verifying an accurate fall 2011
course schedule via the UCDAccess student portal. Students are NOT notified of their waitlist
status by the University. All students must check their schedule prior to 9/7for accuracy.
August 30, 2011: First day instructor may approve request to add a student to a course with
a Schedule Adjustment Form.
September 7, 2011: Census date.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to add structured courses without a written petition for a late
add. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such. This deadline does not apply to
independent studies, internships, project hours, thesis hours, dissertation hours, and
late-starting modular courses.





9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to drop a fall 2011 course or completely withdraw from all fall
2011 courses using a Schedule Adjustment Form and still receive a tuition refund, minus
the drop fee. After this date, tuition is forfeited and a "W" will appear on the transcript.
This includes section changes. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such.
 9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to request pass/fail or no-credit option for a course.
 9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day for a graduate student to register for a Candidate for Degree.
 9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day for a Ph.D. student to petition for a reduction in hours.
 9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to apply for fall 2011 graduation. You must make an
appointment and see your academic advisor before this date to apply for graduation if
you are an undergraduate; you must complete the Intent to Graduate and Candidate for
Degree forms if you are a graduate student.
September 19-28, 2011: Faculty can use the Early Alert system.
October 31, 2011, 5 PM: Last day for non-CLAS students to drop or withdraw without a
petition and special approval from the academic dean. After this date, a dean’s signature is
required.
November 14, 2011, 5 PM: Last day for CLAS students to drop or withdraw with signatures
from the faculty and dean but without a full petition. After this date, all schedule changes
require a full petition. Petitions are available in NC 4002 for undergraduates and in the CU
Denver Graduate School offices for graduate students.
November 21-27, 2011: Fall break (no classes; campus closed). Be thankful.

December 12-17, 2011: Finals Week. No schedule changes will be granted once finals week
has started. There are NO exceptions to this policy.

December 27, 2011: Fall final grades available on UCDAccess (tentative).
Tentative Schedule Fall 2011
Week
Beginning
Sections to be covered
1
Aug 22
1.1 Linear Equations in One Variable
2
Aug 29
1.2 Applications of Linear Equations
1.4 Quadratic Equations
3
Sep 5
4
Sep 12
5
Sep 19
6
Sep 26
7
Oct 3
8
Oct 10
9
Oct 17
10
Oct 24
11
Oct 31
12
Nov 7
13
Nov 14
1.5 Solving Other Types of Equations
1.6 Linear Inequalities
2.2 Graphs and Equations
2.3 Lines
2.4 Relations and Functions
TEST 1 (Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2, 2.3)
2.5 Properties of Functions
2.6 Library of Functions
2.7 Transformations of Functions
2.8 Combining Functions; Composite Functions
2.9 Inverse Functions
3.1 Quadratic Functions
3.2 Polynomial Functions
3.3 Dividing Polynomials, the Remainder and Factor Theorems
3.4 Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function
TEST 2 (Sections 2.4-2.9, 3.1-3.3)
3.6 Rational Functions
3.7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities
4.1 Exponential Functions
4.2 The Natural Exponential Function
4.3 Logarithmic Functions
4.4 Properties of Logarithms
4.5 Logarithmic and Exponential Equations
5.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
TEST 3 (Sections 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1-4.5)
Fall Break – No Classes
Nov 21
14
Nov 28
15
Dec 5
8.1 Sequences and Series
8.2Arithmetic Sequences
8.3 Geometric Sequences
Review
Cumulative Final Exam – Saturday December 10 (9:00 am – Noon)
NOTE: I reserve the right to change the schedule throughout the course of the semester.
If changes are necessary then they will be announced in class and this syllabus will be updated online.