GORDON COLLEGE
Barnesville, GA 30204.
SYLLABUS
COURSE:
MATH 1111-B: College Algebra.
SEMESTER:
Summer Semester 2011.
CREDIT:
3 semester credit hours.
PREREQUISITE:
Exemption from or completion of Learning Support Mathematics.
CLASS SCHEDULE: MTWRF : 10:15 - 12:20
(Instr. Complex, Room 208)
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Satyajit Karmakar
Office:
Instr. Complex 228
Telephone:
678-359-5833.
E-mail:
s_karmakar@gdn.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
MTWR: 9:40 - 10:10
TEXT:
Algebra and Trigonometry, 9th Edition by Michael Sullivan.
Prentice Hall.
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
a. This course will cover a variety of topics in algebra, selected from Chapters R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 11.
The topics covered include the set of real numbers, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs,
systems of equations, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions.
MATH 1111 does not fulfill the Core Curriculum Area A requirement for science majors. MATH
1111 will count in Area B for science majors. MATH 1113 (Pre-Calculus) is the course that fulfils
the Core Curriculum Area A requirement for science majors.
b. This course will emphasize student preparation and solving problems.
c. To do well in this course, you must read the assignment ahead of time and prepare questions, do
problems from the text, and prepare for tests by reviewing those problems worked in class.
Over the course of the semester, you should devote about two hours of outside work for each hour in
class.
d. You will maintain a College Algebra notebook.
e. We will cover the following sections from the text:
Chapter R: Review : Polynomials, factoring, Polynomial Division, Synthetic
Division,, Rational Expression, and nth roots.
Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities: Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations,
Complex numbers, Radical Equations, Solving inequalities.
Chapter 2: A Two-Dimensional Coordinate System and Graphs; Introduction to
functions; Lines, Circles, and variation.
Chapter 3: Functions and Their graphs.
Chapter 4: Polynomial and Rational Function: Polynomial Functions, Polynomial and
Rational Inequalities, Real zeros of a polynomial function, Complex zeros,
and
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
Chapter 5: Exponential and Logarithmic functions, Properties of Logarithms,
Exponential and Logarithmic equations.
Chapter 11: System of Equations and inequalities: Systems of Linear Equations and
non-linear equations
2. COURSE OBJECTIVES.
a. General education objectives: This course, by means of the lectures, group work,
individual problem solving, application of principles, and calculation addresses four
of the Gordon College General Education Expected Outcomes.
(1) Analytical and Critical-Thinking: The course will require you to reason and think
analytically in solving problems and making decisions.
(2) Communications: The course will require you to read and listen with
understanding, and to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and speaking.
(3) Mathematical: The course will require you to understand and apply fundamental
mathematical concepts in solving problems.
b. Specific course objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should have an
understanding and be able to apply their knowledge of
1. Solving linear, quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value equations and their
applications.
2 Solving linear, quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value inequalities and their
applications.
3. The rectangular coordinate system and graphing equations in two variables.
4. Finding equations of and graphing lines and circles and their applications.
5. Fundamental concepts of functions and their application as mathematical models.
6. The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra; finding all rational roots and approximating
irrational roots of a polynomial equation.
7. Direct and inverse variation and applications.
8 Solving systems of linear equations in two or three variables and applications.
9. The properties of exponents and logarithms.
10. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations.
3. METHOD OF EVALUATION
There will be three (3) in-class tests given during the semester. If you miss a test, a zero will be
recorded for your score. If a make-up test is required, there will be 20% penalty unless there is
a documented medical excuse or documented death in the immediate family. All test will be
taken without references of any description. Just having the correct answer to a test question will
NOT earn you credit for the problem; you must use clear mathematical reasoning and clear
mathematical writing to show me how you arrive at your solution.
There will be a comprehensive Final Examination given on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:15
a.m. Gordon College policy states the Final Examinations must be taken at the scheduled time.
Therefore, students are not permitted to take the Final Examination early. Please make your plans
accordingly.
4. The student=s final grade will be computed as follows:
Tests (25% each)
Final Exam
TOTAL
75%
25%
100%
The following tentative grading scale will be used.
89.5 or above A
79.5 to 89.49 B
69.5 to 79.49 C
59.5 to 69.49
Below 59.5
D
F
5. WORKING PROBLEMS: Most students will benefit by working many, many problems for
practice. A list of suggested problems for each section covered will be given. These are
intended to give the student practice in specific concepts that are taught in class. The problems
will not be graded. However, I strongly encourage you to work them out. I will use
approximately the first ten minutes of class to answer any questions about the homework
problems. Math is not a spectator sport! I encourage students to work together on homework.
6. CLASS PARTICIPATION. I encourage students to ask as many questions as we have time
to cover. I will ask you to work problems on the board and your participation is mandatory.
7. ATTENDANCE: Attendance at class is important. I will take attendance by passing an
Attendance
Sheet for you to sign. If your signature is not beside your name for a particular
day, you are considered absent. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the Attendance
Sheet. Students absent two consecutive days without contacting me may be withdrawn from the
course. Students are responsible for every instruction, every change in the syllabus, and all
material covered in class whether or not they are present. Students who enroll in the course late
are responsible for material covered before they enrolled.
8. ACADEMIC HONESTY. Each student must do his or her own work on tests and the final
examination without assistance from any outside source not specifically authorized by me.
9. CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Students are expected to treat the instructor and other
students with respect. Please refrain from the following during class time:
1. Talking with other students (other than during group activities).
2. Leaving class early (other than an emergency).
3. Leaving the desk to sharpen a pencil in the middle of a lecture.
4. Consistently late coming to class.
5. Pagers beeping during class.
6. Placing or receiving cellular phone calls during class.
10. OFFICE PROCEDURE: To get help from me:
1. Bring your textbook, calculator, and lesson notes.
2. Make sure you have read the lesson notes and studied the examples.
3. Be prepared to show me at least two odd-numbered problems, from the section, that you
have attempted to solve.
4. Bring your incomplete or incorrect solution to each problem.
5. Ask for help as early as possible. Not on the day of the test.
11. Tentative Course Outline:
Date
Section
Tue, June 28
1.1, 1.2
Wed, June 29
1.3, 1.4
Thu, June 30
1.5, 1.6,
Fri, July 1
Mon, July 4
Tue, July 5
Review
Independence Day Holiday
Test I, 2.1
Wed, July 6
2.2, 2.3
Thu, July 7
2.4, 2.5
Fri, July 8
3.1, 3.2
Mon, July 11
Review
Tue, July 12
Test II
Wed, July 13
4.3, 5.1
Thu, July 14
5.4, 5.5
Fri, July 15
5.6, 6.3
Mon, July 18
Review, Test III
Tue, July 19
6.4
Wed, July 20
6.5, 6.6
Thu, July 21
12.1, 12.6
Fri, July 22
Review
Mon, July 25
Final Exam