Heartland Community College
Math / Science Division
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra for Business and Social Sciences
Course Prefix and Number: 096
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor’s Name: Cynthia Pulley
Office: ICB 2421
Phone: 268 – 8665 (office)
Email: cindy.pulley@heartland.edu
Webpage: http://employee.heartland.edu/cpulley/
Office Hours: TR 9:00 – 9:30 and 12:00 – 12:30; M 12:00 – 1:00; W 11:00 – 1:00
Student Communication
To access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to log into
myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu
Important Dates:
Aug. 16
Aug. 27
Sept. 6
Nov. 3
Nov. 24 – 26
Dec. 4 – 10
Classes Begin
Final Day to Drop with Refund
Labor Day (College Closed)
Final Day to Withdraw
Thanksgiving Break
Final Exams
Textbook:
Mathematics in Action: An Introduction to Algebraic, Graphical, and Numerical
Problem Solving, The Consortium for Foundation Mathematics: Pearson/AddisonWesley (2008).
Practice and tutorial help for this text can be found online at: www.interactmath.com
Required Supplies:
A calculator with graphing capability. A TI-83+ is suggested.
Graphing Paper
A set of 4 or more colored pencils – ie. Red, green, blue, yellow
Straight edge or ruler
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: MATH 087 with a grade C or higher, or assessment. Topics include linear
functions, functions, systems of equations and modeling problems. Problem solving will
be stressed throughout the course. A graphing calculator is required for this course.
Instruction will be based on a TI-83+.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course does not fulfill the general education mathematics requirement(s) for either
the A.A. degree or the A.S. degree. Students should check with an academic advisor for
information about this course’s transferability to other institutions.
Course Outline:
1. Functions
2. Linear Models
3. Systems of Equations
4. Nonlinear Models (Quadratic and Exponential)
Learning Outcomes
Understand the meaning of a function and function notation.
Find and understand the domain and range of a function.
Find and understand intercepts and their meaning in a context.
Solve linear equations and explain the meaning of the solution in context.
Create a scatter plot from data.
Find and understand the domain, range and intercepts of a linear function.
Find the slope of a linear function and explain its meaning in a context.
Graph a linear function by hand.
Find a linear model from numerical data using algebra, from numerical data using
regression, and from a graph.
Identify the solutions of a system of equations using a graph and numerical methods.
Explain the meaning of a solution to a system of equations in a context.
Recognize dependent and inconsistent systems of equations.
Solve a system of equations using the substitution and elimination methods.
Graph a system of linear inequalities.
Recognize a quadratic function from its graph, equation or a table of values.
Identify the vertex of a parabola and explain its meaning in a context.
Graph quadratic functions.
Find and use a quadratic model when appropriate.
Find and understand the domain, range, and intercepts of a quadratic function.
Solve a quadratic equation by factoring and quadratic formula.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Student grades are based on successful completion of homework, quizzes, tests and other
assignments. Your grade is based upon cumulative total points. There is no weighting of grades
for quizzes or exams, but these will be worth more points than your assignments. Exams may
include comprehensive material and you will have a comprehensive final. Typically, you will
have 4 – 6 exams throughout the semester and quizzes on a weekly basis. Your final exam will
be worth approximately 20% of your final grade in this course.
Grade Scale:
100 - 90% A
89 – 80% B
79 – 70% C
69 – 60% D
59 -0% F
Late work policy:
If you believe that you should be allowed to turn in a late assessment due to absence or
otherwise, you will be required to get the permission of all other students currently enrolled in
your section of this course. You must make your case to your peers who have turned in their
work on time as to why you should be allowed to turn in your work late.
Attendance Policy:
You are expected to attend class. Further, you are responsible for all material distributed in
class, announcements made in class, and content covered in class. Six days of absence prior to
midterm will result in being withdrawn from the course regardless of your current grade for the
semester; nine days of absence prior to the final withdraw date will result in being withdrawn
from the course regardless of your current grade for the semester.
Student Responsibilities
Before coming to class:
 Read assigned sections of the text.
 Complete any assigned homework from the previous class period.
 Make sure any appointments are not scheduled during class time.
During class:
 Come to class prepared with paper, pencil, text, calculator and completed homework
assignments.
 Ask questions regarding problems that gave you difficulty in solving.
 Actively listen and participate in class discussions and presentations of solutions.
 Take notes, not just what is written on the board, but any verbal explanations or
clarifications given by the instructor or other students.
 Cell phones are tucked away and not visible.
After class:
 Reread notes and highlight what does not make sense or what you still do not understand
so that you can ask clarifying questions during office hours or at the beginning of the next
class.
 Do all of the assigned homework problems for the section discussed in class.
 Seek tutoring or instructor help when needed.
 Redo any missed problems on the homework, quizzes or tests.
 Keep track of my progress (grade) by recording all my scores from homework and
assessments.
 Study on a regular basis during the week in a place that allows you to give your complete
attention to your work.
Absent:
 E-mail or call instructor prior to absence asking for assignments.
 Make arrangements to turn in assignments or make up assessments.
 Obtain class notes from someone in class.
Student Evaluations
In the last 3 – 4 weeks of class, all students are expected to complete a course evaluation
form online, at www.studentevals.com/heartland.
Student Conduct, Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, Incompletes
Please refer to the Student Services section in the Heartland Community College
Catalog for specific policies concerning discipline, academic integrity, plagiarism and
incompletes.
Heartland Library Information http://www.heartland.edu/library
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus,
provides Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal
databases, videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are
available to assist in locating information.
Tutoring Center:
Testing Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/tutor.html
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/testing.html
(309) 268-8231
(309) 268-8231
Academic Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations,
please contact Anita Moore at 268-8249 or anita.moore@heartland.edu.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class
Meetings on the HCC Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to
learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to
check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.
Syllabus Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in
class.
Tentative Day to Day schedule:
Date
T 8-18
R
T 8-25
R
T 9-1
R
T 9-8
R
T 9-15
R
T 9-22
R
T 9-29
R
T 10-6
R
T 10-13
R
Section covered
Act 1.2, 1.4
Act 1.6, 1.8
Act 1.9, 1.10
Act 1.11, 1.12
Exam 1
Act 2.1, 2.2
Act 2.3, 2.4
Act 2.5, 2.7
Act 2.9, 2.11
Act 2.12, 2.13
Act 2.17
Exam 2
Act 3.1, 3.2
Act 3.3, 3.4
Act 3.5, 3.6
Act 3.7, 3.8
Date
T 10-20
R
T 10-27
R
T 11-3
R
T 11-10
R
T 11-17
R
T 11-24
R
T 12-1
R
T 12-8
R
M 12-14
Section covered
Act 3.9, 3.10
Act 3.11, 3.12
Act 3.13, 3.14
Exam 3
Act 4.1, 4.2
Act 4.3, 4.4
Act 4.5, 4.6
Act 4.7, 4.8
Exam 4
Thanksgiving
Review
Final Exams Week
Final Grades Due in IRIS by
Midnight