Fall 2014
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Cuyamaca College
Course Syllabus for Intermediate Algebra (3 units)
Math 103 - Section 1441
(Note to instructor: Also see the 103_Topic_Coverage document)
Day
Time
Location
Class
Tuesday
6:00pm – 7:50pm
H – 134
Lecture
Thursday
6:00pm – 6:50pm
7:00pm – 7:50pm
H – 134
H – 119
Lecture
Lab
Instructor:
Annalinda Arroyo
E-mail:
annalinda.arroyo @ gcccd.edu
Office Hours: I am available before and after class in the STEM Center if you have questions
I can be available at other times and locations so do not be shy, just ask
Prerequisite:
Credit in MATH 090 or equivalent
Course Materials:
 Web-Enhanced Course - You will be doing your homework, lab assignments, and exam reviews online;
therefore, you will be REQUIRED to purchase the Access Code for MyMathLab from online at
mymathlab.com ($91.30 for the life-time of the edition, non-refundable) or from the Cuyamaca Bookstore
(prices on campus may vary depending on the option you go with: $110.65, $114.30, or $178.55).
o Course ID needed to enroll: arroyo33513. See last page for details.
o You must be enrolled in MyMathLab by Aug 29th or you will be dropped from the course.
 Textbook – Beginning and Intermediate Algebra by Bittinger and Ellenbogen,
Custom Edition for Grossmont and Cuyamaca College
 Calculator – A Scientific Calculator is REQUIRED (graphing calculators ok).
No other calculating device will be allowed during exams!
Course Description: The second of a two-course sequence in algebra. This course completes some topics from the
first course, such as factoring and operations on rational and radical expressions, and includes the addition of new
topics such as exponential and logarithmic expressions and equations, and conic sections. The concept of functions
is developed including composition and inverses. Quadratic functions are covered in depth. Computational
techniques developed in beginning algebra are prerequisite skills for this course. This course is appropriate for
students with knowledge of beginning algebra or who have had at least two years of high school algebra but have not
used it for several years. Maximum of 5 units can be earned for taking MATH 103 and 110.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1) Simplify or reorganize expressions
2) Solve equations
3) Solve systems of two or three equations.
4) Solve application problems
5) Simplify or reorganize functions by operations
6) Inspect and analyze a graph
7) Graph a quadratic function and identify its defining elements.
8) Find the domain and range of functions
Academic Accommodations: Academic accommodations are available for students with disabilities.
Please notify the instructor and contact DSPS (Disabled Students Programs & Services) early in the semester so
appropriate accommodations can be arranged in time to help. If you suspect you have a learning disability or need
services for any other type of disability, contact the Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) Office, A-113, at
the Student Services One-Stop Center or call (619) 660-4239.
**The instructor reserves the right to change and/or update this syllabus at any time as deemed appropriate**
Fall 2014
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Classroom Conduct:
 You are expected to be courteous to each other and to the instructor. You will be asked to leave the class
for display of behavior the instructor deems as disruptive to the learning environment.


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You are expected to work actively with your peers, sharing, taking and giving, listening and explaining,
questioning and answering. You are responsible for being prepared for participation in class discussions and
group work. Make a goal to assist your peers in getting an understanding of mathematics.
As a common courtesy, please turn off and put away your pager, cell phone, iPods and/or any other
electronic devices while class is in session.
You are expected to take notes, be attentive, participate in classroom activities, and (again) not disrupt the
rest of the class. There is no excuse for excessive talking. Dismissal from the class may result if your
behavior continues to be disruptive after being warned. If you answer a phone or text during class, you will
be asked to leave and not return until the following class.
Academic Honesty: All work that you complete in this class should be your own. The use of unauthorized materials,
communication with other students during an exam, attempting to benefit from the work of another student, allowing
a student to copy your work, and similar behaviors defeating the intent of an assignment/exam/quiz is unacceptable.
Dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism (using someone else's writings, materials, images, and work as your own) can
result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam,
paper, project, or assignment (all of which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions,
suspension or expulsion from a class, program or the college. For further clarification and information on these
issues, please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Method of Instruction: The primary means of instruction are lecture, question and answering, discussion,
cooperative group work, and computer facilitated instruction.
Grade Breakdown: This class may be taken for Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) or for a letter grade, but you must
petition for the Pass/No Pass option (see class schedule for deadline). Otherwise, you will automatically be assigned
a letter grade as follows:
“A” means excellent
90% to 100%
Exams
=
60%
“B” means very good
80% to 89.9%
Computer Tests, and Quizzes
=
10%
“C” means good
70% to 79.9%
Online Homework and Lab
=
10%
60% to 69.9%
Comprehensive Final Exam
=
20%
Total
=
100%
“D” means less than
satisfactory
“F” means way less than
satisfactory
<60%
Exams & Final: There will be four in-class exams each worth 105-points. As you would expect, no collaboration is
permitted on the exams or the final, and there are no bathroom breaks. If you miss an exam you will automatically
receive a zero, there are no make-up exams. However, at the end of the semester I will drop your lowest exam
score based on your attendance. Read the attendance section of the syllabus for exam dropping terms and
conditions. This means if you have good attendance your exam grade will be based on your top three exams.
The final is comprehensive, mandatory, and worth 105-points.
You cannot get credit in this class without taking the final.
Thursday, December 11th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Online Homework: “No pain, no gain!” Working problems is essential if you are to master the material! You will be
doing your homework online from the website: www.mymathlab.com. No late homework will be accepted and
there are no make-up assignments! The due dates are shown on the website. You can do your homework on
**The instructor reserves the right to change and/or update this syllabus at any time as deemed appropriate**
Fall 2014
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campus or on your home computer (Note: If you wish to work at home, be sure you have all of the
necessary “plug-ins” on your home computer. For help with tech issues, see the last page). Deadlines will only be
changed if deemed necessary.
Each section of homework must be done with a minimum score of 80%! Each section below 80% is considered
“incomplete” and will drop your corresponding exam score by 2-points. If no homework is completed before the
exam, the accumulated incompletes could drop your exam score by up to 3-letter grades. So do homework!
It is recommended that you do the problems within a section the day that section is covered in class. This will
guarantee you get the problems done in a timely manner while the material is still fresh in your mind, and will prepare
you for the discussion of those problems in the next class meeting. It is vital that you work these problems and
submit them. The results are automatically sent to the instructor so there is no need to get a print out or turn in
anything in person. For additional practice, you can do problems from the textbook, online review, or study plan. This
is a 3-unit course, which means it is reasonable to spend a minimum of 6-hours per week doing homework,
studying your textbook, studying your notes, taking the practice computer test, and asking questions to ensure
passing.
Lab: Our class meets in the computer lab once a week. The Lab is class time devoted to your homework with my
help. I do take attendance and I expect you to complete at least one section of homework from the day’s lecture
before you are allowed to leave. (If you have finished that day’s computer homework, I do not mind if you leave early
after you check-in with me first. Otherwise, I will mark you absent.)
Group Work and Quizzes: Students are expected to solve problems and work together on special assignments. I
will also give unannounced quizzes covering homework problems – sometimes at the beginning of class and
sometimes at the end.
Attendance: Attendance is taken twice per class meeting!
 If you have no more than 7-hours of absences, I will drop your lowest exam score.
 Over 7-hours of absences, if your attendance appears to be irresponsible, I will drop you.
 Depending on when you are dropped or drop yourself (before or after November 7th), your grade will
automatically be assigned as a “W” or “F” regardless of your grade at the time.
o Check the course calendar for deadlines.
 It is your (the student’s) job to be sure you are not being marked absent or tardy by mistake!

If you are tardy or leave lecture early, it will be counted as half an absence.

The computer lab is an important part of the course and missing any part of it counts as an absence.
Tips for Success: To each there own, but here are a few ideas that have helped me and other students.
o Stay positive (when pushed, push back).
o Read the section to be covered before the class meeting.
o Take responsibility for your own learning. It is your life – improve it!
o Every time – Come on time and stay the entire time.
o Make friends and do your homework together in groups
o Ask questions!!! Lots of questions!!! Ask questions to me, to classmates, to tutors, to yourself (it is not crazy,
it works), and together we can get you answers.
o The Mathematical Chain Reaction –
o Hard work > Experience > Confidence > Fulfillment/Enjoyment
o When you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, and remember to start small (one step at a time). If
you are not sure where to start or how to proceed, remember to ask!
Tutoring: To further your success, reinforce concepts, and achieve the stated course objectives, I refer you to the
Supervised Tutoring services available through the STEM Achievement Center on the first floor of the H bldg. Upon
request for tutorial services, you will be automatically enrolled in a course: completely free, no units, no grades,
just help (M-Th 9am-4pm and F 9am-noon).
**The instructor reserves the right to change and/or update this syllabus at any time as deemed appropriate**
Fall 2014
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Getting Started with MyMathLab
MyMathLab is an interactive website you can:
1. Self-test to improve your math skills
2. Practice exercises to help with specific textbook sections
3. View a video for further understanding
4. Step-by-step tutorials
5. Study Plans tells you what areas you have mastered and where you need further help
6. Read corresponding portions of the textbook online
What do you need to get started?
1. A student access code
o You will purchase this either online with a credit card/PayPal account or at the campus bookstore
2. The Course ID for this course
o Course ID & name: arroyo33513, Math 103 - 1441 (Fall 2014)
3. A valid e-mail address
What steps do I take next?
1. In order to register, you need to go to www.mymathlab.com and click Student in the Register area.
2. Enter the Course ID provided by your instructor and click Continue
3. Choose one of the following routes:
a. Already have an account – enter your username and password, and click Sign In
b. Do not have an account – click Create, complete the Create an Account page, and click Create an
Account
4. Next:
a. Already have an access code – click Access Code, enter your access code and click Finish
b. Do not have an access code – click $91.30 USD, complete the payment information page, click
Review, review the entered info and click Make Payment
c. Waiting for financial aid – click Get temporary access without payment for 17 days, a window will
pop up click Yes, and go from there
o
Note: To stay in your course, use an access code, credit card, or PayPal before the temporary access
ends. If you don’t pay within 17 days, you will lose access to your instructor’s online course and may miss
deadlines or important notices from your instructor. Once you pay for full access, you are reconnected to
coursework already completed.
5. Finally click Go to Your Course to access your online course(s), click Math 103 – 1441 (Fall 2014), and
get to work
6. To submit your homework assignments, you must click on the Save button each time you are finished
with an exercise set. There is no need to print it out or turn in a hard copy. The results automatically get
sent after clicking on the “Save” button.
* If you have questions or need assistance go online to http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com/ or call tech support
at: 1-800-677-6337, anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
**The instructor reserves the right to change and/or update this syllabus at any time as deemed appropriate**
Fall 2014
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The grid below is a sample from a past instructor; however, the bullets indicate a few changes to
consider making to fit more with the 103_Topic_Coverage document.
 Skip 11.2 (or do it lightly)
 Add 11.5
 Skip 7.5
 Add 13.6
 Add 14.1
**The instructor reserves the right to change and/or update this syllabus at any time as deemed appropriate**