COURSE SYLLABUS
MA 113
College Algebra
Fall 2021
MA113.06 Lecture (3-0-3)
MA113.07 Lecture (3-0-3)
TR 8:00-9:15 AM
TR 9:30-10:45 AM
Kimberly Rentz
Best Hall 115K
T. Furth 115
T. Furth 115
rentzk@trine.edu
260.665.4256
Office Hours: MTWRF 12:00-2:00 PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics include: rational algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, non-linear systems, partial
fractions, binomial expansion, synthetic division, discriminants, exponents, radicals, logarithms.
PREREQUISITES:
Adequate SAT/ACT Mathematics score or approval from mathematics department chair.
REQUIRED TEXT:
MyMathLab Access Card: Blitzer, College Algebra, 8th edition 2018, Pearson: ISBN 9780137423361
REFERENCES:
There are a variety of college algebra texts available in the library. And don’t
forget to use the Word Wide Web as a source of help.
OTHER MATERIALS:
Calculator – TI 84 equivalent
moodle.trine.edu
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Simplify rational algebraic expressions,
2. Graph and solve quadratic equations,
3. Graph and solve non-linear functions,
4. Decompose rational expressions into partial fractions,
5. Perform binomial expansions,
6. Use synthetic division,
7. Evaluate discriminants,
8. Apply rules governing the use of exponents,
9. Simplify radical expressions, and
10. Apply rules governing the use of logarithms.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend class. Advance notice of an absence should be provided whenever
possible. Makeup exams and acceptance of late assignments will be considered without penalty
only for documented medical reasons, emergency circumstances, or University-sponsored
activities. Unexcused absences on the date of a scheduled exam or quiz will result in a grade of
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zero for that exam or quiz. If a student feels he or she has unusual circumstances precluding this
rule, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the professor before the due date to make the
appropriate arrangements. If something disastrous happens on the way to class, call as soon as
possible. When asking for special treatment, remember it is my responsibility to be fair to the entire
class.
Zoom will be provided if the student is placed in quarantine by the University. The instructor must
receive an email from the health center on campus prior to class in order for Zoom to be provided
for the class session.
GRADING/EVALUATION:
Practice Problems
Quizzes
3 In Class Exams @ 15% each
Comprehensive Final
20%
15%
45%
20%
Letter Grades:
A
100 – 90%
B+
89 – 87%
B
86 – 80%
C+
79 – 77%
C
76 – 70%
D+
69 – 67%
D
66 – 60%
F
< 60%
The evaluation process described above is subject to change by the instructor.
Any changes would be announced in class.
Practice Problems in MyMathLab: Homework assignments shall be completed in the MyMathLab
portal found in Moodle. Students will have unlimited attempts at each problem with no deductions for
incorrect answers. No points shall be given for “giving up”. Problems not completed by the due date
are assessed a 20% penalty each day they are late. Problems completed more than 5 days after the due
date will receive no credit. If MyMathLab is giving an error, email a screen-shot of the problem to me.
OTHER POLICIES:
Classroom Conduct: It is expected that all students will be present in each lesson, courteous of others’
ideas, refrain from using foul language, and otherwise conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Notify the instructor in advance of absence for in or out-of-class activities. Use of any form of tobacco,
alcohol, or other drugs in the classroom is considered inappropriate. Cell phones and other devices
should be turned off. If you need to answer your phone during class, please leave the room; readmittance may or may not be permitted. Activity that diminishes the professional quality of the classroom may result in evaluation adjustment.
Academic Misconduct: The University prohibits all forms of academic misconduct. Academic
misconduct refers to dishonesty in examinations (cheating), presenting the ideas or the writing of
someone else as one’s own (plagiarism) or knowingly furnishing false information to the University
by forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records, or identification. Academic
dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following examples: permitting another student to
plagiarize or cheat from one’s own work, submitting an academic exercise (written work, printing,
design, computer program) that has been prepared totally or in part by another, acquiring improper
knowledge of the contents of an exam, using unauthorized material during an exam, submitting the
same paper in two different courses without knowledge and consent of professors, or submitting a
forged grade change slip or computer tampering. The faculty member has the authority to grant a
failing grade in cases of academic misconduct as well as referring the case to Student Life.
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Plagiarism: You are expected to submit your own work and to identify any portion of work that has
been borrowed from others in any form. An ignorant act of plagiarism on final versions and minor
projects, such as attributing or citing inadequately, will be considered a failure to master an essential
course skill and will result in a zero for that assignment. A deliberate act of plagiarism, such as having
someone else do your work, or submitting someone else’s work as your own (e.g., from the Internet,
fraternity file, etc., including homework and in-class exercises), will at least result in an F for that
assignment or exam.
Electronic Devices: Use of electronic devices including smart watches and cell phone is prohibited
during exams or quizzes unless directly allowed by the instructor. Please refrain from using any
electronic devices aside from permitted calculators or tables for note taking during class.
COURSE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE:
The following course outline is tentative and subject to change.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fundamental Concepts of Algebra 1 (Chapter P)
Equations and Inequalities (Chapter 1)
Functions and Graphs (Chapter 2)
Polynomial and Rational Functions (Chapter 3)
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (Chapter 4)
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