SOUTHWEST COLLEGE
Department of Mathematics
COURSE SYLLABUS
Revised 11-11-08
MATH 0312: Intermediate Algebra
Fall, 2010 / 50240 / Saturday 8:00-12:00 PM / Stafford, Room W110
INSTRUCTOR:
CONFERENCE TIMES:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
MYMATHLAB COURSE ID:
Stephen Thompson
By appointment
404-808-6102 /
Sthompson.ee04@gtalumni.org
Thompson67197
Textbook:
Intermediate Algebra, 10th Edition. Margaret Lial, John Hornsby, & Terry McGinnis.
Pearson / Addison Wesley: Boston, 2008.
Catalog Description:
Topics include factoring techniques, radicals, algebraic fractions, complex numbers, graphing linear
equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, an introduction to functions, and
graphing quadratic functions. Emphasis is placed on the algebraic techniques needed in order to
successfully complete Math 1314 College Algebra. A departmental final examination must be passed
with a score of 60% or higher in order to pass the course.
Prerequisites:
Math 0308 or MATH 0108: Pass with "C" or better
Or
Suitable placement test score.
Credit: 3 hours credit (3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab).
Course Intent & Audience:
This course is intended for students who require state mandated remediation. It is the final course in the
developmental mathematics sequence, and its purpose is to prepare students for College Algebra.
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Testing policy:
There will be three (3) test and a final exam. All tests will be given during the first half of class unless
stated otherwise
Make-up policy:
There will be no make up exams. Your lowest test grade will be replaced by your final exam grade.
Grading policy:
Your final course grade is based on the following standard HCC scale.
FINAL AVERAGE
FINAL COURSE GRADE
90 ≤ Average ≤ 100%
A
80 ≤ Average < 90%
B
70 ≤ Average < 80%
C
60 ≤ Average < 70%
D
Average < 60% or
Final Exam Grade < 60
F
A grade of “IP” (In Progress) will not be given. If your final grade is a “D”, then you may be eligible to
take the bridge course MATH 0112 instead of repeating the class. To determine eligibility, please
contact the math department. A grade of “F” is given if the final average is below 60 or the final exam
grade is below 60.
Test 1 – 20%
Test 2 – 20%
Test 3 – 20%
HW – 10%
Final – 30%
Final Examination:
The final examination is departmental and consists of 33 multiple-choice problems. The problems cover
all the material required in the course. If you score lower than 60% on the final exam, you automatically
are given a course grade of F, as noted under the grading policy. If your score on the final exam is 60%
or higher, then your grades are averaged using the formula specified under grading policy. You MUST
pass the final exam in order to pass the course.
Homework and Quiz policy:
All homework and quizzes must be completed online using MYMATHLAB. The MyMathLab
grade will be the equivalent of one test grade. The MyMathLab Course ID to be used for registration
purposes is thompson67197, and the school zip code is 77477. To register for MyMathLab and to
access the homework, go to www.coursecompass.com.
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Calculators:
Calculators are not allowed on test unless stated by the instructor.
Attendance policy:
Attendance is checked during every class. The instructor may drop you for excessive absences.
Tardiness policy:
If you come in late, it is the student’s responsibility to verify the instructor has marked
him/her present.
Withdrawal policy:
If you decide to drop the class, then IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP before the final
drop date. If your name is on the roll at the end of the term, you WILL receive a grade. Neither
you nor your instructor will be able to perform the drop after the final drop date. Please refer to the
following notice before dropping the class.
NOTICE: Students who take a course three or more times will face significant tuition or
fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. In addition, state law
allows students a maximum of 6 course withdrawals during their entire college career. Students
with more than 6 drops will be required to pay additional fees. Prior to course withdrawal, you
must confer with your professor or counselor about your study habits, homework, test-taking
skills, attendance, course participation, and tutoring or other assistance that is available.
Student conduct:
Students should not engage in disruptive activities while in the classroom. Any conduct that is deemed
detrimental to the academic atmosphere, such as cell phone use or consistently talking during
instructional delivery, will not be tolerated. Any student found guilty of such conduct will be asked to
leave the classroom until further notice.
Academic dishonesty:
All students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of all tests and assignments.
Cheating involves deception for the purpose of violating testing rules. Students who improperly assist
other students are just as guilty as students who receive assistance. A student guilty of a first offense
will receive a grade of “F” on the quiz or test involved. For a second offense, the student will receive a
grade of “F” for the course. The use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders,
is prohibited in all locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who
need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Services
Office for information.
Resources and supplemental instruction:
Any student enrolled in Math 0312 at HCC has access to the math tutoring labs which are staffed with
student assistants who can aid students with math problems and offer help with MyMathLab. In
addition, free online tutoring is provided. For more information and for tutoring hours and locations, go
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to the math department web page at http://swc2.hccs.edu/math/, and select the tutoring link. One other
resource is the student solutions manual that may be obtained from the bookstore.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support
Services Office at this college at the beginning of the semester. To make an appointment, please
call 713-718-7910. Professors are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by
the Disability Support Office.
Course Schedule:
Chapters and Sections
Approximate Time
Chapter 2 Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Applications
2.5 Linear Inequalities in One Variable
8/28
Chapter 3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
8/28-9/11
Graphs, Linear Equations, and Functions
The Rectangular Coordinate System
The Slope of a Line
Linear Equations in Two Variables
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables (Omit compound inequalities.)
Introduction to Functions
Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations
Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables
9/11
Chapter 5 Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions
5.4 Multiplying Polynomials
5.5 Dividing Polynomials
9/18
Chapter 6 Factoring
10/9-10/16
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Greatest Common Factors; Factoring by Grouping
Factoring Trinomials
Special Factoring
A General Approach to Factoring
Solving Equations by Factoring
Chapter 7 Rational Expressions and Functions
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
10/23-10/30
Rational Expressions and Functions; Multiplying and Dividing
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
Complex Fractions
Equations with Rational Expressions and Graphs
Applications of Rational Expressions
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Chapter 8 Roots, Radicals, and Root Functions
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.7
11/13-11/20
Radical Expressions and Graphs (Omit graphs of radical expressions.)
Rational Exponents (Include a review of exponents.)
Simplifying Radical Expressions
Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
Multiplying & Dividing Radical Expressions (Omit rationalizing cube & 4th roots.)
Complex Numbers
Chapter 9 Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Functions
12/4
9.1 The Square Root Property and Completing the Square
9.2 The Quadratic Formula
Test Schedule:
Test
Chapters Covered on Test
Date
Test #1
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5
October 2nd
Test #2
Chapters 6 & 7
November 6th
Test #3
Chapters 8 & 9
December 11th
Final Exam
Chapters 2 – 9
December 18th
Important Dates:
Drop Deadline: November 18th @ 4:30pm.
Final Review Session: December 11th
THE SECTIONS LISTED ABOVE UNDER COURSE SCHEDULE MUST BE COVERED.
The content of the following sections include material that is embedded in other sections of the
course or that was covered in the previous math course or that will be studied in the next course MATH
1314. Based on this, the instructor may discuss the sections listed below if time permits:
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.7
5.1
Linear Equations in One Variable
Formulas
Applications of Linear Equations
Absolute Value Equations
Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation
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7.6 Variation
9.6 More about Parabolas (omit horizontal parabolas and applications)
11.5 Second-Degree Inequalities (Example 1 only; omit systems of inequalities)
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to perform the following mathematical skills:
1. multiply and divide polynomials.
2. factor polynomials.
3. add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.
4. simplify complex fractions.
5. solve equations involving rational expressions.
6. graph linear equations & linear inequalities in two variables.
7. find the slope of a line & its equation.
8. simplify rational exponents and radicals.
9. add, subtract, multiply, and divide expressions involving radicals.
10. add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers.
11. solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, using the quadratic
formula, and using the square root property.
12. solve systems of linear equations in two variables.
13. solve word problems.
14. recognize functional notation and evaluate functions.
15. graph quadratic functions.
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