MAT 101 – Beginning Algebra
Mathematics
Semester Summer 2015 – 10 Week
Catalog Course Description: This course includes the study of rational numbers and their applications,
operations with algebraic expressions, linear equations and applications, linear inequalities, graphs of
linear equations, operations with exponents and polynomials, and factoring.
Prerequisite(s): MAT 100, RDG 032 or Appropriate Assessment Score
Credit Hours: 3.0 Credit Hours
D2L Brightspace Login Page: https://elearn.midlandstech.edu
Instructor:
Office: Patrick Harley
Telephone: 738-7689
E-mail: pharley64@gmail.com
Campus Mailbox: 4th Floor, LET, Math Office
Personal Website: http://yeahmathwhatever.com
Departmental Assistant: Mitzi Trigg – TriggM@MidlandsTech.edu – 803-738-7689
Department Chair: Rick Bailey – BaileyR@MidlandsTech.edu – 803-738-7689
Program Coordinator: Rose Jenkins – JenkinsR@MidlandsTech.edu – 803-822-3351
Class Schedule[s]: MAT 101 B55, LET 201, M-W, 8:05-10:00
Textbook(s): Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, by George Woodbury Addison Wesley, 3rd Edition,
2012
Equipment: Scientific or graphing calculator. Note: A TI-84 or TI-84+ graphing calculator will be
required for subsequent courses.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Factor binomials and trinomials and use these techniques in solving quadratic equations.
2. Represent linear equations graphically and identify slope and intercepts.
3. Solve word problems with linear and quadratic equations (including, but not limited to mixture
and interest).
4. Solve problems by identifying what information is available and relevant to the problem.
5. Solve problems by selecting or developing appropriate procedures and relationships.
6. Solve problems by correctly applying the methods selected to the information available.
7. Solve problems by verifying the validity and appropriateness of the solution.
On Campus Course Attendance:
ABSENCE TARDY --I.
II.
Failure to be present for a scheduled meeting of the class or arriving for the class more
than ten minutes after the scheduled time for the class to begin.
Arrival to class after the instructor has called the roll and before ten minutes past the
time scheduled for the class to begin.
Absences are counted from the first day of classes.
Two absences are allowed for a class that meets twice per week.
III.
IV.
V.
Three tardies are considered as one absence. The student must meet with the
instructor at the end of the class to which he has been late to have the absence changed
to a tardy.
There are no "excused" absences; all absences are counted, regardless of the reason for
the absence.
A student missing class time by leaving early will also be counted absent.
Withdrawal: Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be
submitted to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript. Should the maximum allowable
absences be exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing
the course at the time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at
the time of withdrawal.
No Shows: If you register for a course and decide not to attend for any reason, you must complete a
drop form and process it through the student Records Office. You will not be automatically purged for
non-attendance. If you do not submit a drop form, you will be responsible for course tuition and fees. By
not officially dropping the course, you will incur a bill with the college that can only be addressed
through the College’s Finance Office. The college’s refund policy and dates are posted each semester.
Course Grading:
The course grading will consist of 5 tests, and one HW grade.. In addition, there will be a
cumulative final exam. One test may be dropped,. Thus, there will be 6 grades, equally weighted, at the conclusion
of the course. The average of these grades will determine your grade following the scale below.
Grading Scale:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0
A
B
C
D
F
Classroom Rules/Other:
Superior Work
Good Work
Average Work
Below Average Work
Unsatisfactory Work
[The general routine of the class will move in three stages: (1) Instructor
reviews some homework, (2) instructor lectures on new material, (3) students work problems.
There will be no makeup tests given for this course, unless there is a written doctor's excuse for the absence on
the day of the test, and the instructor deems the illness to be serious enough to have warranted missing the test.
Death or illness in the family is always a terrible thing, but does not qualify under the rule established here.
In the event of class disruption by a student - the MTC code considers such behavior, on the part of a student,
an Honor Violation. According to college policy, the instructor is obligated to: (1) first warn the student that they
are committing a violation, (2) ask the student to leave (calling in Campus Security if necessary). I am required, by
contract, to remove all disruptive students from the class, and will follow this policy.
MTC policy forbids use of cell phones during class time, or disruption by a student who leaves class to make
phone calls. I am required by contract to enforce this policy. If a cell phone is visible during the lecture, the student
will be asked to leave class immediately.
Course Topic Outline:
Current
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Topics Covered
Review of Real Numbers
Integers, Opposites, and Absolute Values
Operations with Integers
Fractions
Operations with Fractions
Decimals and Percents
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Basic Statistics
Exponents and Order of Operations
1.6
1.7
Introduction to Algebra
1.8
TEST #1
Linear Equations
Introduction to Linear Equations
Solving Linear Equations: A General Strategy
Problem Solving: Applications of Linear Equations
Applications Involving Percents; Ratio and Proportion
Linear Inequalities
Week 4
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
TEST #2
Graphing Linear Equations
The Rectangular Coordinate System; Equations in Two Variables
Graphing Linear Equations with Their Intercepts
Week 5
Section
Slope of a Line
Linear Functions
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Week 6
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Equations of Lines
Linear Inequalities
TEST #3
3.5
3.6
3.7
Week 7
Exponents and Polynomials
Exponents
Negative Exponents; Scientific Notation
Polynomials; Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Multiplying Polynomials
5.5
Week 8
Dividing Polynomials
TEST #4
Factoring and Quadratic Equations
An Introduction to Factoring: The Greatest Common Factor;
Factoring by Grouping
Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c
Week 9
Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c, where a 1
Factoring Special Binomials
Factoring Polynomials: A General Strategy
6.3
6.4
6.5
Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
Quadratic Functions
6.6
6.7
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
6.1
6.2
Current
Week
Week 10
Topics Covered
Applications of Quadratic Equations and Quadratic Functions
Section
6.8
TEST #5
Review
Departmental Exam
Note: Student Learning Outcome data will be collected on tests and/or other assessments during the
fall semester of even numbered years.
PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the
requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course. Any change will be announced in class before it
becomes effective.