MATH 140 M - Fall 2012
College Algebra
Instructor: Brian Estervig
Office: Carver 447
E-mail: estervig@iastate.edu
Webpage: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~estervig/
Class: MWF 3:10-4:00 in Carver 0002
Office Hours: M 1:10-2:00
WF 10-11:50
R 12:10-2:00
Textbook: Algebra and Trigonometry by Sullivan, 9th edition.
Note: The bookstore sells a MyLabsPlus access code along with the text. This access code will be
required to access the online homework for the course.
Course Webpage: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~estervig/Math140_S11
Check this page frequently. This is where announcements, homework assignments, and other important information will be posted. I will also post your grades on Blackboard.
Course Outline: We will study the following sections from the book: 1.2 (Quadratic equations),
2.1-2.3 (Graphs), 3.1-3.5 (Functions), 4.5 (Quadratic Inequalities), 5.1-5.5 (Polynomials and Rational
Functions), and 6.1-6.5 (Exponential and Logarithmic functions).
Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments due every Thursday at 12:59pm (except for
exam weeks). No late work will be accepted. At the end of the semester the two lowest homework
scores will be dropped (i.e. not count towards your grade).
The homework assignments will be administered through the online program MyLabsPlus. To access
this, go to http://iastate.mylabsplus.com and sign in with username as your ISU email address
and password the last 4 digits of your university ID.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz every Friday in class. No makeup quizzes will be given except for
university approved absences (and only then if I am notified prior to the absence). If you know you
will have to miss more than one quiz let me know as soon as possible. At the end of the semester the
two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
Exams: There will be two exams in this course, a midterm exam and a departmental final exam. The
midterm is currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 10th in class. Plan ahead to be at the
midterm! No make-up exam will be given without prior notification unless there was a legitimate
emergency.
Assigning Course Grades: The scores from Homework, Quizzes and Exams will be given the
following weights to determine your final grade:
Homework
In-class work
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
25%
10%
20%
20 %
25 %
1
Extra Credit: There will be an extra credit project worth one quiz grade. Details will be posted on
the course webpage later in the semester.
Where can I get Math Help?: There are many resources available to help you with the material
in this course.
• Come to an office hour - If you can’t make it to a posted office hour e-mail me for an
appointment.
• SMI help room - There is a help room specifically for students in Math 140, 141, and 142
located in Carver 0032. It is staffed by experienced graduate student instructors M-F from
1-5pm.
• Math Help Room - This is in Carver 385. It is open M-F 9-4. You can go anytime they are
open without an appointment.
• Hire a Tutor - The Academic Success Center has tutors available to hire.
• Did I mention come to an office hour?
Correspondence: The easiest way to get a hold of me is by e-mail (estervig@iastate.edu). Please
feel free to e-mail anytime. It will help me keep things straight if you write ”Math 140” in the subject
line.
Attendance I will not take attendance in this class. However, low attendance rates correlate very
strongly with low grades, so attendance is highly encouraged. If you miss a class, you are responsible
for obtaining notes and for finding out about any announcements that were made. In-class work will
be posted on the course website for your reference but will not be accepted late.
Calculators: Calculators will not be allowed for the exams and quizzes and all exam questions will
be written with that in mind. Calculators can be used on the homework, but it is a good idea to
practice going without one.
Disability Accommodations Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me
at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR)
form from the Student Disability Resource (SDR) office (phone 515-294-7220). SDR is located on the
main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.
Department Research Survey: The Mathematics and Statistics departments are jointly conducting a three year study about student perceptions in Mathematics. Early in the semester you will be
contacted to participate in this survey. It is optional, but you are strongly encouraged to participate.
The information gained from this study will be used to make decisions about Mathematics and Statistics courses here are ISU.
Note: Prizes will be raffled off for participation. (If you sign on to the survey and opt-out you will
still be entered in the drawing).
Changes to Syllabus: There may be minor changes to course policies during the semester. If there
are any changes they will be announced in class and on the course website.
2