MATH

0312
COURSE
SYLLABUS
COURSE :
Name: Intermediate Algebra
Description: A coverage of graphing, equations, and rational expressions.
Goal: To build a solid foundation for the mastery of college algebra. See page 3 for SLOs.

INSTRUCTOR :
Name: Michael Sawyer

Email:
TEXT :
michael.sawyer@hccs.edu
Intermediate Algebra, 11th Edition. Margaret Lial, John Hornsby, & Terry McGinnis

COURSE ID FOR MYMATHLAB:

POLICY
Sawyer46571
ON ATTENDANCE :
Attendance is crucial in a course of this nature and is mandated by the state. Absences in excess of 12.5%
of the total number of class periods may result in an administrative withdrawal from all classes. Tardiness
should be kept to a minimum.

POLICY
ON
INCOMPLETES :
A grade of "I" may be given if:
1) a documented and qualifying emergency causes a student to miss the final exam, and
2) all other class work has been completed with at least a 70% average.

POLICY
ON
DROPS :
Any student wishing to drop the class must do so before the deadline stated in the Class Schedule. Lack of
attendance will usually result in a poor letter grade and not a W.
Note: 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.

POLICY
ON
GRADING :
Four exams will be given, the lowest of which will be ignored. The final exam will be both comprehensive
and departmental. You must pass the final in order to pass the course. The internet-based homework
from MyMathLab is mandatory. Be sure to read the MyMathLab information sheet. The following
percentages will apply:
Three exams ( 15% each)----45%
MyMathLab homework-----15%
Final Exam----40%
The course grade will usually be determined by:
90-100----A
80-89----B
70-79----C
60-69----D 0-59-----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.

POLICY
ON
MAKE-UPS :
No make-up exams will be given for any reason.

POLICY
ON
CHEATING :
All students are required to exercise academic honesty in completion of all tests and assignments. Cheating on exams
will result in a grade of F and a transcript note and may result in total dismissal from the college. 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. The use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is
prohibited in all locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Note that talking or cell phone use or
otherwise communicating during exams will be construed as cheating. Students with disabilities who need to use a
recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Services Office for information.

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS:
There are videos, math computer labs, tutoring centers, special arrangements for students with disabilities, and review sessions. Houston
Community College offers FREE online tutoring in a variety of subjects, including mathematics, English and writing. To take advantage of
these Online Tutoring Services, go to www.hccs.askonline.net. Your questions will be answered by a qualified HCC tutor or faculty member
within 24 hours (usually under 6 hours). Please take advantage of all the services at HCC.
NOTE: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to
arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office. If you have any questions, please contact the disability counselor at your college or Donna
Price at 713-718-5165.
MATH
Lesson Number
0312
COURSE
Date
Material Covered
1
Pre-test
2.1-2.3
2.5, 2.7
3.1-3.3
3.4-3.6
REVIEW
2
4
5
6
7
8
9/17
EXAM ONE
9
4.1
5.1, 5.3
5.4-5.5
6.1-6.2
6.3-6.5
REVIEW
10
11
12
13
14
15
10/15
EXAM TWO
16
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
REVIEW
17
18
19
20
21
22
11/12
EXAM THREE
23
8.1-8.2
8.3-8.4
8.5-8.7
9.1-9.2
9.6
9.7
REVIEW
24
25
26
27
28
29
12/3
EXAM FOUR
30
31
OUTLINE
REVIEW
12/10
1:00-3:00
FINAL
EXAM
Intermediate Algebra (Math 0112/0312)
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
FINAL GRADE OF FX
Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either
be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of “FX” at the end of the
semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of “FX”, compared to an earned grade of
“F” which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation is seen as nonattending.
Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and
may have to pay back their aid. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly the same as a grade of “F” in terms of GPA,
probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress
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.