COURSE SYLLABUS
Bismarck State College
Current Semester:
Fall 2013
Course:
MATH 103 College Algebra
Credit Hours:
4
Instructor:
Mr. Joshua Tormaschy
701-290-8061
joshua.tormaschy.1@sendit.nodak.edu
Available for questions from 8am to 8:20am, the last 10 minutes of
each period, and 3:10pm to 3:30pm each school day.
Textbook:
Bittinger, Beecher, Ellenbogen, and Penna, College Algebra
Graphs and Models, Pearson, 2013.
ISBN 0-321-78395-6
Course Objectives: 1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of relations and
functions as evidenced by classroom activities and objective tests
2. Students will be able to work with equations and inequalities as
evidenced by classroom activities and objective tests
3. Students will be able to work with complex numbers as
evidenced by classroom activities and objective tests
4. Students will be able to work with rational and polynomial
expressions as evidenced by classroom activities and objective
tests
5. Students will be successful in working with exponential and
logarithmic functions as evidenced by classroom activities and
objective tests
6. Students will be able to solve systems of linear equations as
evidenced by classroom activities and objective tests
7. Students will create and use matrices to solve systems of
equations as evidenced by classroom activities and objective tests
8. Students will be able to develop and apply different types of
sequences and understand Sigma notation.
Unit Objectives:
Equations and Graph: Discuss the coordinate plane, graphs of
lines, solving basic equations, quadratic equations, inequalities,
and absolute values
Functions: Discuss function notation, application, modeling,
transforming, and inverses
Polynomials and Rational Function: Discuss models, graphs, and
division of polynomial functions, and complex numbers
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: Discuss the aspects of
exponential and logarithmic functions through laws and models
System of Equations and Inequalities: Discuss various ways to
solve systems in an algebraic aspect
Matrices and Determinants: Discuss ways to apply matrices to
systems and models
Sequences and Series: Discuss arithmetic and geometric
sequences, summations, binomial theorem, and mathematical
induction
Course Description: Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra, Math 102 OR
qualifying ACT score. Solutions of linear and quadratic equations
and inequalities, graphing functions and relations, polynomial and
rational functions, systems of equations and inequalities,
exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers,
sequences and series.
Outcomes:
-To analyze a problem, model the problem mathematically, solve
the problem, and interpret the solution.
-To apply reflective decision-making
-To use technology in the problem-solving process
Assessment Methods: Assessments of students’ performance will include:
1. Daily homework (assigned and occasionally graded)
2. Participation in discussions
3. Brief quizzes generally two per chapter
4. Chapter tests of the material within that chapter
5. Final Test
Grading Policy:
Points from all of these are added together to make up the final
grade. There are no weighted points.
Grading Scale:
90% and above
A
80% - 89%
B
70% - 79%
C
60% - 69%
D
59% and below
F
These cuts may be lowered for all students under some
circumstances.
Disability Statement: If you have a disability that may limit your ability to fully
participate in this class, please contact the Student Accessibility Office (SAO) at 2242575. Personnel from the SAO will work with you and your instructor to arrange for
reasonable accommodations after you have completed the registration process and it has
been determined that you qualify.
Military/Veteran Statement: If you are currently or have served in the military, please
contact the Veterans Services Office at 224-2575 regarding services/benefits to which
you may be entitled.
Drop/Withdrawal Deadline: Term dates can be found on Campus Connection in the
class details. Drop and withdraw dates for each term can be found at
http://www.bismarckstate.edu/current/records/calendarsdeadlines/ under AddDrop/Withdraw and Grade Deadlines.
Student Policy Handbook Link: Student rights and responsibilities are documented
including the student conduct policy, student academic honor code, etc.
http://www.bismarckstate.edu/uploads/resources/1120/bsc-handbook.pdf
Attendance Policy: Students are not required to attend every class, but there will be no
makeup graded assignments and the student is responible for understanding the material
in the missed section. If missed for an excused reason, the student will be exempted from
the work. Quizzes and Tests will only be allowed to be made up when the student has
given the instructor prior knowledge of missing class; otherwise, the instructor will take
the understand the student was skipping class resulting in a zero for the assignment.
Course Outline: Day 1 : Cover Syllabus and brief review of Review Chapter.
Days 2 to 11 : Chapter 1 – Graphs, Functions, and Models
Quiz 1.3 – Day 5
Quiz 1.6 – Day 9
Test 1 – Day 11
Days 12 to 21 : Chapter 2 – More on Functions
Quiz 2.3 – Day 15
Quiz 2.6 – Day 19
Test 2 – Day 21
Days 22 to 30 : Chapter 3 – Quadratic Functions and Equation; Inequalities
Quiz 3.3 – Day 25
Quiz 3.5 – Day 28
Test 3 – Day 30
Days 31 to 40 : Chapter 4 – Polynomial Functions and Rations Functions
Quiz 4.3 – Day 34
Quiz 4.6 – Day 38
Test 4 – Day 40
Days 41 to 50 : Chapter 5 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Quiz 5.3 – Day 44
Quiz 5.6 – Day 48
Test 5 – Day 50
Days 51 to 62 : Chapter 6 – Systems of Equations and Matrices
Quiz 6.4 – Day 55
Quiz 6.8 – Day 60
Test – Day 62
Days 63 to 74 : Chapter 8 – Sequences, Series, and Combinatorics
Quiz 8.4 – Day 67
Quiz 8.8 – Day 72
Test 8 – Day 74
Additional Information: -In accordance with the Student Academic Honor Code, I will
adhere to a zero tolerance policy regarding instances of cheating,
plagiarism, and collusion. Students who have violated the Student
Academic Honor Code are subject to disciplinary actions that
include failing a course item, failing the course, and potentially
being expelled from school.
-There will be no opportunity for extra credit in this course.
-Student time will be considered after lecture time. During this
time, students will be required to stay in the room, unless given
permission, but will have the privelge of using IPods, computers,
etc.