SOUTHWEST COLLEGE –STAFFORD CAMPUS
Department of Mathematics
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA Course Syllabus
Math 0312, CRN #64397
MON, WED
9:30AM – 11:30AM Room: SW Learn Hub Rm 317
Fall 2013
INSTRUCTOR
OFFICE HOUR
CONTACT PHONE #
EMAIL ADDRESS
Ernest Nwachukwu
MON, WED 8:00AM – 9:00AM
(713) 718 7770
Ernest.Nwachukwu@hccs.edu
My MathLab ID
Nwachukwu64467
Attendance policy:
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. If some special situation arises, which calls
for your missing classes, then please keep me informed. If I am not notified and your absences
exceed 12.5% of the number of classes, you will be administratively withdrawn immediately.
Tardiness (lateness to class) policy:
Every student is expected to be in class on time. If a student is late on the examination day, the
student will not be given extra time.
Withdrawal policy:
Any student who is contemplating withdrawing from the class is encouraged to do so on or
before the final day for withdrawal as specified in the class schedule. If a student withdraws
after the final day for withdrawal from the class, the student will get either an “IP” or an “F”
which ever that is applicable.
Exam Policy:
Cheating is not allowed in the examination. If a student is caught cheating in an examination, the student
will lose all the marks for that examination. College policies on cheating will be enforced. These are clearly
outlined in the HCCS Student Handbook.
Make-up policy:
There will be no make-up of any test. An exception to this can be allowed if there is a case of medical
emergency and with a valid proof. There will be no make-up of the final examination.
Grading policy:
Each of the first three examinations is worth 20%; home work is 20%and the final examination is worth
40% of the final course grade. The final course grade (call it FCG) will be calculated using the formula:FCG = Average of the best five grades (final counting double).
Letter grade will be assigned to the FCG.
HCCS Course Outline — Intermediate Algebra
Math 0312
Page 2
(Revised: January 5, 2005)
Grade legend: 90% - 100% - A, 80% - 89% - B, 70% - 79% - C, 60% - 69% - D, below 60% - F.
Final Examination :
The final examination is departmental and consists of 33 multiple-choice problems. The
problems cover only the material required in this course.
BEGINNING OF SEMESTER ADVISEMENT
Students are advised about the pre-requisites for the above class and how they are related to
their major and the next class to take in mathematics.
“Students who repeat a course for a third time or more may soon face significant
tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.
Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities for tutoring or other
assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving
passing grades."
END OF SEMESTER ADVISEMENT
Students are advised on the future courses in mathematics and how they are related to their
majors. All questions were answered.
Catalog Description:
Topics include factoring techniques, radicals, algebraic fractions, complex numbers, graphing
linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, and an introduction
to functions. Emphasis is placed on algebraic techniques, in order to successfully complete Math
1314 College Algebra.
A departmental final examination must be passed with a score of 60% or more in order to pass
this course.
Prerequisites:
ASSET:
ASSET:
Elementary Algebra Raw Score: 14–25
Scaled Score: 45 – 55
Intermediate Algebra Raw Score: 0–15,
Scaled Score: 23–45
Math 0308: Pass with "C" or better
Credit: 3 hours credit (3 Lecture), and 1 hr Lab
Course Intent: This is the final course in the developmental mathematics sequence and its
purpose is to prepare students for College Algebra.
Audience: This course is for students who require state mandated remediation.
HCCS Course Outline — Intermediate Algebra
Math 0312
Page 3
(Revised: January 5, 2005)
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Solve algebraic equations and
inequalities involving rational
expressions, radicals, quadratics, or
linear expressions.
Course Objectives
1.1 Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials
1.2 Factor polynomials
1.3 Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational
expressions
1.4 Simplify complex fractions
1.5 Solving equations involving rational
expressions
1.6 Simplify equations involving rational
exponents and simplify radicals
1.7 Add, subtract, multiply, divide expressions
involving radicals and solve radical equations
1.8 Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex
numbers
1.9 Solve quadratic equations by factoring,
completing the square, use of the quadratic
formula and the square root property
1.10 Solve systems of linear equations in two
variables
2. Examine and interpret the linear and
quadratic graphs of equations and
inequalities.
2.1 Graph linear equations & linear inequalities in
two variables
2.2 Find the slope of a line & write its equation
2.3 Graph quadratic functions and inequalities
3. Solve application problems.
3.1 Solve word problems
4. Use and interpret function notation in
both algebraic and graphical contexts.
4.1 Recognize functional notation & evaluate
functions
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback
is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be
asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to
instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your
professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the
survey as part of the Houston Community
College Student System online near the end of the term.
Prerequisites
Must be placed into MATH 0312 (or higher) or completion of MATH 0308.
HCCS Course Outline — Intermediate Algebra
Math 0312
Page 4
(Revised: January 5, 2005)
Textbook:
Intermediate Algebra
by Margaret L. Lial, John Hornsby, & Terry
McGinnis; 11th Ed.
Publisher: Addison Wesley, 2011
ISBN-13: 9780321715418
Course Outline:
The lecture schedule contained in this outline is suggested for your usage. Instructors are free to
modify the schedule to meet their needs. However, all the sections listed below must be covered.
It is suggested that the even numbered problems be used as examples in class and allow the
students to practice the odd numbered problems for homework.
CONTENT
Section Number
Topics
Chapter 2 Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Applications
Topics to be covered include: linear inequalities in one variable.
(Approximate Time)
(2 hours)
2.5 Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Chapter 3 Graphs, Linear Equations, and Functions
(8 hours)
Topics to be covered include: graphing lines in the coordinate plane, the slope of a line,
equations of a line, linear inequalities and their graphs, relations and functions.
3.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System
3.2 The Slope of a Line
3.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables
3.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables (Omit compound inequalities.)
3.5 Introduction to Functions
Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations
(2 hours)
Topics to be covered include: solving systems by graphing, elimination, and substitution
methods. This unit only considers systems of linear equations in two variables.
4.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
Chapter 5 Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions
Topics to be covered include: multiplying and dividing polynomials.
5.4 Multiplying Polynomials
5.5 Dividing Polynomials
Recommend Examination 1: Covers Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5
(4 hours)
(1.5 hours)
HCCS Course Outline — Intermediate Algebra
Math 0312
Page 5
(Revised: January 5, 2005)
Chapter 6 Factoring
(6 hours)
Topics to be covered include: factoring out the GCF, factoring by grouping, special factoring,
and a general approach to factoring. The unit concludes with solving equations by factoring.
6.1 Greatest Common Factors; Factoring by Grouping
6.2 Factoring Trinomials
6.3 Special Factoring
6.4 A General Approach to Factoring
6.5 Solving Equations by Factoring
Solving Equations by Factoring
Chapter 7 Rational Expressions and Functions
(8 hours)
Topics to be covered include: rational expressions and functions; multiplying, dividing, adding
and subtracting rational expressions; complex fractions. The unit concludes with equations
involving rational expressions and applications of rational expressions.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
Complex Fractions
Equations with Rational Expressions and Graphs
Applications of Rational Expressions
Recommend Examination 2: Covers Chapters 6 and 7
(1.5 hours)
Chapter 8 Roots, Radicals, and Root Functions
(8 hours)
Topics to be covered include: Radical expressions and exponents; simplifying radical
expressions; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing radical expressions. This unit
concludes with complex numbers.
8.1 Radical Expressions and Graphs (Omit graphs of radical expressions.)
8.2 Rational Exponents (Include a review of the laws of exponents.)
8.3 Simplifying Radical Expressions
8.4 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
8.5 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions
8.7 Complex Numbers
Chapter 9 Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Functions
(3 hours)
Topics to be covered include: solving quadratic equations by the square root property, completing
the square, and the quadratic formula.
9.1 The Square Root Property and Completing the Square
9.2 The Quadratic Formula
______________________________________________________________________________
HCCS Course Outline — Intermediate Algebra
Math 0312
Recommend Examination 3: Covers Chapters 8 and 9
Page 6
(Revised: January 5, 2005)
(1.5 hours)
Resource Materials:
Any student enrolled in Math 0308 at HCC has access to the Learning Resource Center
(LRC) where they may get additional help in understanding the theory or improving
their skills. The LRC is staffed with mathematics faculty and student assistants, and
offers tutorial help, videotapes and computer-assisted drills. Also available is a student
solutions manual that may be obtained from the bookstore.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Students needing accommodations due to a documented disability should contact the
ADA counselor for their college as soon as possible. Identify all documented disabled
students and insure them that your class will be structured to comply with their
disabilities. It is recommended that you put a clause in your course syllabus that
addresses the disabled student.