Onondaga Community College
MAT 088 - 005: BEGINNING ALGEBRA
Fall 2015 Mon, Wed: 12:30 until 1:45 and Fri: 12:30 until 1:20pm
Room F 266
Instructor: Thy An Bui
Office: M 210A
Office Phone: 498-2694
Email: buith@sunyocc.edu
Webpage: http://myhome.sunyocc.edu/~buith/
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9am to 10am; 1:50pm to 2:20pm
Also Friday: 1:20pm to 2:20pm
Textbook:
(OPTIONAL) Beginning Algebra (3rd custom edition for OCC), taken from Introductory Algebra,
11th edition by M. Bittinger, Pearson/Addison Wesley Publishing
(REQUIRE) MyMathLab Access Code to do homework assignments online
Course Topics:
Topics include real number systems, algebraic operations, linear equations, coordinate
systems, powers and roots, polynomials, factoring and solving quadratic equations.
The skills and application component will provide students with an opportunity to practice newly
acquired skills and use these skills to solve practical problems.
Pre-requisite: MAT 079 or equivalent
Attendance Policy:
If you are absent from the class, you will be responsible for all material covered in class that day.
If you miss 2 consecutive weeks of classes, I will drop you from the class (UF for not attending).
The “UF” grade will carry no quality points and will not be computed into the
student’s grade-point-average, nor will the credit counts toward overall load (i.e. fulltime).
A grade of UF may affect a student’s current or future financial aid and/or veteran’s
eligibility. Students should consult the Financial Aid and/or Veteran’s Affairs Offices
to learn both short and long term consequences.
Help on campus:
If you need help with this course, please email me or stop by the Learning Center in the Gordon
Student Center, Room G202. Tutoring hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4
p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Phone (315) 498-2103 or email
learningcenter@sunyocc.edu
Accommodations for Students with disabilities:
The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) at Onondaga Community College is available to assist
students who have a documented disability or who suspect they may have one. If you require an
accommodation for this class please contact the office in the Gordon Student Center, Room G130 or
at 315-498-2834. They will give you an accommodation form with copies to be shared with your
professors.
GRADING:
This is a pass/fail course. You must earn a minimum of 60% on the final exam to receive a passing
grade (S: satisfactory). In addition to that requirement, a more specific grade will be assigned
according to the following:
Homework: 12.5%, Quizzes/Classwork: 12.5%, Tests 50%, Final 25%.
SA: 90-100% SB: 80-89% SC: 70-79% U: average below 70% (unsatisfactory, fail)
Tests (50%):
- We will have 5 tests throughout the semester.
- If school closes on the day of the test, you will have to take your test the next class.
- No retake
Homework, Classwork, and Quizzes (25%):
- Homework will be on MyMathLab. Go to Blackboard and Click on MyMathLab
- There will be either classwork assignments for students to work in group or quizzes at the end of the
class (no make-up but I will drop two lowest scores).
Final Exam (25%):
- There will be a comprehensive Final Exam at the end of the semester and you need to earn
at least 60% to pass the class. 9
AFTER-SEMESTER WORKSHOP
An After-Semester Workshop is available for students who have worked hard all semester, attended
class on a regular basis, but do not pass the course. Instructor recommendation is necessary for any
student wishing to enroll in the workshop. Certain skills must be demonstrated on the final exam to
be eligible. A grade of SB will be assigned to those students that successfully complete the
workshop. Additionally, the workshop is available for those students who passed the course, but
want to improve their skills prior to taking the next level math class.
MAT 088
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After completing this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
A. Chapter 1
Locate points on a number line.
Simplify expressions containing absolute values.
Identify the opposite and reciprocal of a real number.
Add two or more real numbers.
Subtract real numbers by adding the opposite.
Multiply two or more real numbers.
Divide real numbers.
Simplify expressions involving positive and negative numbers as well
as grouping symbols by using the rules of order of operations.
Use the distributive property.
B. Chapter 2
1.
Simplify first degree expressions in one variable.
2.
Solve a linear equation in one variable by using:
*******a.
Addition Principle only.
*******b.
Multiplication Principle only.
*******c.
Both Principles without ( ).
*******d.
Both Principles with ( ).
3.
Solve word problems by using a linear equation in one variable.
4.
Solve inequalities and graph the solution by using:
*******a.
Addition Principle only.
*******b.
Multiplication Principal only.
*******c.
Both Principles without ( ).
*******d.
Both Principles with ( ).
*1.
2.
*3.
*4.
*5.
C. Chapter 4
Using the definition of integer exponents to evaluate expressions with exponents.
Evaluate: ar as
Evaluate: (ar)s
Evaluate: (ab)r
ar
Evaluate: a s
r
a
 
Evaluate:  b 
*6.
*7.
Use the definition of negative exponents.
*8.
Simplify expressions using exponents of 0 and 1.
*9.
Simplify expressions using a combination of all of the properties of exponents.
10.
Multiply and divide monomials.
11.
Add and subtract
*******a. monomials
*******b. polynomials
12.
Multiply
*******a. monomials
*******b. polynomials
*******c. special cases
D. Chapter 5
1. Factor the greatest common factor from a polynomial.
2. Factor trinomials
*******a. leading coeff of 1
*******b. leading coeff other than 1
*******c. with common factors
3. Factor special cases
*******a. difference of 2 squares
*******b. perfect squares
4. Solve quadratic equations by factoring.
5. Solve word problems involving quadratic equations.
E. Chapters 3 and 7
1.
Graph an ordered pair.
2.
Graph an equation of a straight line. (y=mx+b or ax+by=c)
3.
Graph x=a and y=b
4.
Solve a system of linear equations by:
*******a.
graphing
*******b.
addition (elimination) method
*******c.
substitution method
5.
Recognize when a system of linear equations consists of 2 parallel lines or 2 lines that
coincide.
6.
Solve word problems by using systems of linear equations.
F.
*******a.
*******b.
*******c.
****** d.
*******
Solve the following types of application problems. (Integrated throughout the course.)
Numerical
Geometric
Integer
Statistical
Mathematics Department Policy on Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct can be defined as any activity that compromises academic integrity at
Onondaga Community College. The Mathematics Department encourages all math faculty to maintain
an atmosphere conducive to the highest level of academic integrity, and to inform and educate
students about academic misconduct as well as the consequences of such behavior. Any academic
misconduct reported by full-time or part-time faculty, tutors or any professional staff will be
referred back to the instructor for appropriate action.
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:



Giving assistance to or receiving assistance from another student during an examination,
including in an online environment.
Looking or attempting to look at another student’s paper during an examination.
Unauthorized use of notes, textbook, computing devices, electrical devices,
or pre-programmed calculators during an examination.

Discussing any part of an examination, which has not been completed,
with any person who has already completed the exam.


Unauthorized use of a previously given examination to prepare for a present examination.
Presenting a fraudulent excuse to obtain permission to take an examination at a time different
from the scheduled examination time.
Submitting plagiarized work for an academic requirement. Plagiarism is the representation of
another’s work or ideas as one’s own and/or failure to acknowledge the source of one’s ideas.
Asking or allowing someone else to do any assignment for you, write a paper for you,
participate in an academic online discussion for you, prepare and submit and electronic
assignment on your behalf, or take an examination for you.


Academic Sanctions



First offense – penalties will range from a grade of zero (0) on the particular assignment,
exam, paper, or project in which the cheating took place (for all parties involved) to failure of
the course (for all parties involved). Make-up examinations or assignments may not be given.
Documentation of the offense will be noted with the department chair. The student should be
notified of her/his right to appeal.
Second offense – failure of the course (for all parties involved) in which the cheating took
place. Documentation of the offense will be noted with the department chair as well as the
Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student should be notified of her/his right to appeal.
Cheating on a departmental final exam – failure of the course (for all parties involved) in
which the cheating took place. Documentation of the offense will be noted with the
department chair. The student should be notified of her/his right to appeal.
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MAT 088 - 005 M W F
R5, 1.1
1.2, mml
1.3, 1.4
1.4, 1.5
1.6, 1.7
1.7, 1.8
Labor Day, No class
Review for the test
Test #1
2.1, 2.2
2.3
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
Review for chapter 2
Test #2
4.1
4.2 Quiz
4.3, 4.4
Fall Break, No Class
4.5
4.6
4.8
Review for chapter 4
Test # 3
5.1
5.2
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8 word problems
Review for chapter 5
Test #4 (chapter 5)
3.1
3.2
3.3
7.1, 7.2
Thanksgiving Recess
Thanksgiving Recess
7.3
7.4
Review for chapter 3 and 7
Test #5 (Chapter 3 and 7)
Review for final exam
Review for final exam
Review for final exam
Tentative Schedule
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
ARE ONLINE
From Blackboard, click on MyMathLab
Last day to withdraw the class
T
12/15
Tentative Date for the Final Exam