MATH 1010-2: Intermediate Algebra
Spring 2011
Instructor: Yuchen Zhang (yzhang@math.utah.edu)
Meeting Time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:50-12:40 am in HEB 2004
Office Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 10:30-11:30 am in JWB 221 or by appointment
Course Webpage: http://www.math.utah.edu/˜yzhang/teaching/1010/1010.html
Textbook: Intermediate Algebra, by R.Larson (fifth edition). Our aim is to cover Chapters
1-9 in the textbook. We don’t need the textbook in the lecture, since I will print
everything needed. But it’s good for you to have one for the homework or when you
do the review by yourself.
Prerequisite: An ACT score of 18-22, an SAT score of 430-530, or a passing grade in Math
950.
Homework: Homework problems are assigned for each section. Homework will not be
collected, but it is strongly recommended that students do these problems. The list of
homework will be posted on the course webpage.
Quizzes: There will be a 10-minute closed book quiz covering the material that we have
done every Friday. The problems will be taken directly from the homework corresponding to the previous four lectures. No make-up quizzes will be given, but the
lowest two quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Midterms: Students will have 2 closed book midterms (50 minutes each). The dates will
be put on the course webpage soon. Absence from an exam will be excused only if the
student can provide verifiable and convincing evidence that he/she has a significant
illness or serious family crisis that will prevent him/her from attending. Except under
extremely unusual circumstances, the student must inform the instructor in advance
of the missed test. The student is expected to promptly make arrangements with the
instructor to make up the test.
Final Exam: The comprehensive and departmental final exam will be held on Monday,
May 2nd, 3:30-5:30 pm. NO make-up will be given.
Grading Policy: Your grade will be based on:
Quizzes
40%
Midterms
30%(15% each)
Final exam 30%
Calculators: This course is designed so that the use of calculators is not necessary. No
calculators will be allowed on quizzed and exams.
Classroom Etiquette: We have a large amount of material to cover and a relatively short
time to do it. Thus every minute of time in class is important. We will begin each
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lecture at 11:50 sharp and it is expected that you be in your seat ready to take notes
when class starts. Class will end at 12:40. Leaving early can significantly disrupt
the class, so please don’t do it. Please don’t begin packing up to leave before class
ends, please don’t engage in conversation during class, please turn your cellphones and
laptops off, and please remove earphones and headsets during class.
ADA Statement: The Americans with Disability Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic learning and
psychiatric disabilities. The student needs to have such a disability approved by the
Disability Service Office (162 UNION, 581-5020) in order to have the accommodations
provided. The instructor need to be informed about such a disability and approved
accommodations at the beginning of the semester.
Withdrawals: Students may withdraw from the class without consulting anyone until
March 4th 2010 (Friday). If a student withdraws before January 19th 2010 (Wednesday) there will not be any tuition penalty.
Tutoring: The Rushing Math Center offers free drop-in tutoring, a computer lab, and
study areas for undergraduates. The Rushing Student Center is adjacent to the LCB
and JWB. The hours for the Fall semester are: 8:00 am-8:00 pm Monday through
Thursday and 8:00 am-6:00 pm on Friday. The tutoring center will open the second
week of classes.
Supplement Instruction: The Supplemental Instruction Program, called SI for short, is
offered in this course to provide organized study sessions. These sessions are free and
open to all students in the course and are led by an undergraduate who has done well
in this subject area. Your SI leader will be attending classes, reading the material,
and doing any relevant assignments to be prepared for the SI sessions. The purpose
of SI is to see that each of you has the opportunity to do as well as you would like to
in this course. In SI sessions, we will review, organize, and clarify the material from
lectures; teach you ways to develop effective study skills for this course; and help you
prepare for exams. The details of SI will come soon.
Keys to Success: 1010 is an important course because it is a prerequisite for nearly all
other classes offered by the math department. Here are some tips to succeed:
1. Attend class and take notes. Engaging yourself in the classroom is an important
part of learning the material we cover.
2. Complete all homework problems in a timely fashion. 1010 moves as a brisk
pace. It is easy to fall behind if you do not keep up with the homework problems
corresponding to each lecture. Remember that mastering the homework problems
virtually guarantees success on the weekly quizzes (which comprise over one-third
of your grade).
3. Struggling? Get help sooner rather than later. There are many resources available
to you (such as office hours, Supplemental Instruction, and the tutoring center).
You should take advantage of them, especially if you find yourself struggling.
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