MIRACOSTA COLLEGE
MATHEMATICS 30
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
Semester--------COURSE INFORMATION (SYLLABUS)
Course/place: Mathematics 30: Elementary Algebra / Place--- /Class Number ---Class time: ----Instructor: ------Office Telephone: -----Office Hours: ------E-mail: ------Prerequisites: The prerequisite for Math 30 is a grade of “C” or better in Math 20 or a qualifying
score on the math placement test.
Course Description: Designed to prepare students for intermediate algebra, this course teaches:
simplifying algebraic expressions involving polynomials and rational terms; factoring; solving
linear equations; solving quadratic and rational equations using factoring; analyzing graphs of linear
equations; and solving applied problems.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course a student will be able to:
1. Students will be able to make use of factoring techniques to perform algebraic computations with
rational algebraic expressions, simplifying results.
2. Students will be able to translate applied problems involving geometry into computational
problems involving a variable and solve.
3. Students will be able to verify solutions to applied problems.
Text Book:
Hard copy of textbook: Introductory and Intermediate Algebra for college students by Robert
Blitzer, 4th edition.
Online text: MyMathLab access code (see last page of syllabus)
Facilitated Learning Sessions/Extra-Credit: (optional) Associated with this course is a Facilitated
Learning Session (FLS) composed of students in this class. Your Facilitated Learning Session will
be lead by a student who is outstanding in teaching ability and knowledge of this course. (Optional:
You may receive 1 extra point for attending each FLS.) Note: If you are interested to have an FLS
for your class, you have to contact Janine Washabough, jwashabough@miracosta.edu at least 4
weeks in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
FLS Time:-----
Calculator: A scientific calculator is required for this course. Please bring a calculator to class
each day. If you are going to buy a scientific calculator, a good choice is the TI-30XIIS, which costs
about $15.
Grading:
(EXAMPLE)
Homework/ Assessments
Participation
10%
65%
Cumulative
Final
25%
(RANGES)
Homework/ Assessments
Participation
0-15%
55-70%
Cumulative
Final
20-30%
Numerical course grades are rounded to the nearest whole percentage and translate to a letter grade.
A= 90%-100% B=80%-89%
C=70%-79% D=60%-69% F=0%-64%
All grades will be posted on blackboard. To access blackboard you go to
blackboard.miracosta.edu (optional)
Quiz: (optional) Quizzes represent 0-20% of the overall grade. There will be a quiz on chapter 2,
chapter 3, chapter 5, and chapter 7.
Homework: (optional) Homework represents 0-15% of the overall grade.
 Textbook assignments: Homework will be checked for completeness. Start each new section
on a new page. Clearly label the section and write the assignment at the top of the page.
Staple each assignment before turning in your assignment.
 MyMathLab assignments: Homework will be online via MyMathLab. Due dates will be
available through MyMathLab. You may not use internet or technology issues as an excuse
for incomplete assignments. There are computers in the Math Learning Center that you may
use for the online assignments if you are having issues with your home equipment or if you
do not have a computer. The Math Learning Center is located in the Library on the bottom
floor. In order to be successful in this course, you must practice math problems correctly!!!
Homework: Homework will be assigned for each section after the lecture on that section. An
opportunity for discussion will be available the next class session. Sloppy, careless, messy answers
or solutions may result in a lower grade. To receive credit for a particular homework problem, you
must show how you arrived at your answer. Late homework will not be accepted.
Participation: No portion of the grade can be attributed to attendance only. Participation is
allowable if you show that students are doing something with their time in class.
Lecture: Attending class is an important component of learning. During each class session, you’ll
have the opportunity to take some notes and be involved in discussion to help clarify and
understand the main ideas of the sections covered. Students who miss class are still responsible for
announcements or changes regarding the course outline, class activities, homework assignments,
due dates and exam dates. Please come to lecture alert and prepared to learn. Prior to class, skim
through the section and work some of the examples. After lecture, reread the text and review your
lecture notes before starting the homework set.
Make-up Exams: You must take the test on the day of scheduled test. If for any reason, you must
miss class on the day of a quiz or exam, you must make arrangements with me in advance for taking
the test at some other time. It is your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements.
Math Learning Center: The MLC is open to all math students at MiraCosta. Service
include drop-in tutoring, computerized tutorial, video tape instruction, and homework help.
Calculators and textbooks are available for use in MLC. Location: BLDG. 1200, Phone number:
(760)757-2121 x 6381.
MLC hours are M – TH: 8 am – 9 pm; Friday: 9 am – 3 pm; Saturday: Noon – 5 pm.
San Elijo location: M – TH: 9 am – 8 pm; Friday 9 am – 3 pm.
Students can use the MLC facilities at Oceanside at any time the library is open.
Add/Drop Dates: the 10% add/drop date without a “W” is -----the last day to change to pass/no pass is -----the 75% add/drop date with a “W” is ------Drops: If you decide to drop the course, use SURF to drop yourself. Don’t wait for me to drop you
automatically.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities, whether physical,
learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact DSPS (Disabled Students Programs and Services) as soon as possible to
ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their phone number is 7956658 and they are located in Building 3000 – Student Services, room 3009. This is adjacent to
parking lot 3C. If you have medical or other information you need to share with me, please make an
appointment to discuss your accommodation needs with me privately as soon as possible.
Cheating Policy and Classroom Behavior:
1- If you are caught cheating, you will receive a score of 0 on that particular work. Please read
MiraCosta College’s Academic Standards & Policies stated in the course catalog, pages 286307.
2- You are expected to attend class and to participate. If you are tardy, please come in quietly,
and tell me during the break why you are late. Otherwise, you will marked absent. If you
need to leave early, please tell me why before class starts and leave quietly. Early
departures without informing me why will also count as an absence. Since attendance is
mandatory, you may be dropped after the fourth absence.
3- All students must conduct themselves in a respectful manner towards the other
students, and towards the instructor. Disrespectful language or disruptive behavior can
result in the temporary or permanent removal of the student from
class.
4- Cell phone: As a courtesy to your classmates, please turn off your cell
phones or turn them to “Vibrating Mode” during class time.
(Optional) Please go to www.yourmathgal.com or www.mathchick.net for math videos related
to some of the subjects we cover in this course.
MyLab & Mastering Student Registration Instructions
To register for MATH 30/FALL 2014:
1. Go to pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
2. Under Register, click Student.
3. Enter your instructor’s course ID:………….., and click Continue.
4. Sign in with an existing Pearson account or create an account:
 If you have used a Pearson website (for example, MyITLab, Mastering, MyMathLab, or
MyPsychLab), enter your Pearson username and password and
click Sign in.
 If you do not have a Pearson account, click Create. Write down your new
Pearson username and password to help you remember them.
5. Select an option to access your instructor’s online course:
 Use the access code that came with your textbook or that you purchased
separately from the bookstore.
 Buy access using a credit card or PayPal, or purchase a code from your bookstore.
 If available, get 14 days of temporary access. (Look for a link near the bottom
of the page.)
6. Click Go To Your Course on the Confirmation page. Under MyLab & Mastering
New Design on the left, click MATH 30/FALL 2014 to start your work.
Retaking or continuing a course?
If you are retaking this course or enrolling in another course with the same book, be sure to use your
existing Pearson username and password. You will not need to pay again.
To sign in later:
1. Go to pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
2. Click Sign in.
3. Enter your Pearson account username and password. Click Sign in.
4. Under MyLab & Mastering New Design on the left, click MATH 30 /FALL 2014 to start your
work.
Additional Information
See Students > Get Started on the website for detailed instructions on
registering with an access code, credit card, PayPal, or temporary access.