MATH 60: Elementary Algebra
Instructor:
Tom Greenwood
Office:
MS 102
Office Hours:
M 1:30 – 2:30, TW 1:30 – 3, TH 2 – 3 or by appointment.
Phone:
395-4229
E-Mail:
tgreenwo@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Website:
http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/tgreenwood
Prerequisites:
A grade of “C” or better in Math 50 or equivalent placement
Textbook:
Elementary and Intermediate Algebra by Bittinger, Ellenbogen, and Johnson
– 6th edition
Course Content:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Grading:
Homework
Quizzes
Exams
Final Exam
Total
Introduction to Algebraic Expression (1.5 weeks)
Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving (2.5 weeks)
Introduction to Graphing (2.5 weeks)
Polynomials (2.5 weeks)
Polynomials and Factoring (3 weeks)
Rational Expressions and Equations (3 weeks)
10%
20%
50%
20%
100%
Grades will closely follow this trend.
Percent
Grade
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
Below 60
F
The overall grade is based on a percentage, not on points.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned on My Math Lab at mymathlab.com
You will need an access code which can obtained in one of two
ways:
 Buying the textbook with the My Math Lab code
 Buy the access code through mymathlab.com
If you purchase the access code online, you need not purchase
the book because there is an electronic copy of the textbook on
the My Math Lab website. You will need the course ID for this
class
The course ID is greenwood46644
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given during the middle of the chapter. Quizzes
are always announced in advance.
Exams:
Exams will be based on every chapter.
Final Exam:
This is a cumulative final. The final will be on Monday, May 12
from 10 to 11:50 am.
Important Dates:
Last day to drop without a “W” is February 3, 2014
Last day to drop with a “W” is March 28, 2014
Attendance:
If you miss more than 8 classes (two weeks), you will
automatically be dropped from the class. I need not warn you
when you are close to this point. It is ultimately the student’s
responsibility to drop the class. Students cannot leave class early
unless they have the professor’s permission prior to the start of
class.
Cheating:
There will be a zero tolerance policy on cheating. A first offense
will receive a zero on that assignment/quiz/exam and possible
mention on their permanent record. A second offense will receive
more drastic measures with a possibility of being removed from
the course. Calculators are subject to being reviewed by the
professor before, during, and after an examination. This is due to
previous encounters in past semesters.
Classroom Etiquette:
It is expected that you devote your full attention to the class.
Some examples of bad etiquette are (but not limited to):
 Text messaging
 Reading newspapers, magazine, or other material not
related to the class
 Talking
 Sleeping
 Studying for another class
Talking:
There is absolutely no talking aloud while the professor is
conducting lecture. This is a distraction to not just the professor,
but fellow students as well. Please have consideration for the
students around you. Failure to do so will result in being asked to
leave the class.
Sleeping:
Sleeping is not permitted in class. If you cannot stay awake in
class……go home and get some rest.
Cell Phones:
Cell phones need to be either turned off for the duration of class.
It is unacceptable to answer the phone either in class or to leave
class to take a phone call. Cell phones cannot be used as
calculator during quizzes or exams.
Texting:
Texting in class is prohibited. This is the equivalent to talking in
class. If this becomes a problem, you will be asked to leave the
class.
Electronic Devices:
Electronic devices (i.e. Bluetooth, Blackberry, iPod, etc.) should
be turned off and put away before the beginning of class. Any
electronic device being used in class can also result in you being
asked to leave the class.
Calculators:
Scientific calculators are allowed. Graphing calculators cannot be
used.
Makeups:
Quizzes cannot be made up. Exams can be made up only in
extreme circumstances. Missing an exam does not give you the
automatic right to make it up!! Notification of the absence must be
given prior to the time of the exam. Documentation must be
provided in case of sickness. If a makeup is granted, a maximum
of one makeup is allowed for the semester.
Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need
accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact
Supportive Services on the first floor of the counseling building,
395-4334, as soon as possible to better ensure such
accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.
FERPA:
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a
federal law that prohibits the instructor from sharing student
information (grades, class progress, etc..) with anybody except the
student. This means that I cannot share your information with
family members (parents, siblings, spouses, etc…).
Tutoring:
Drop in tutoring is available in the Math Learning Center (Second
floor of the Student Services Building). Tutoring by appointment is
also available on the top floor of Student Services building.
Notes:
To be successful in Math 60, you must make sure to put in the
work necessary to be successful. Every hour that you spend in
class, you need to spend about two hours outside of class.
Staying on top of your homework and the material (and attending
office hours) will help in making sure you are successful in this
class.
Math 60 Course Outcomes
1. Simplify algebraic expressions using the correct order of operations.
2. Solve formulas and linear equations for a specified variable.
3. Solve application problems by defining a variable, setting up and solving an
equation and interpreting the result.
4. Perform algebraic operations on polynomials: factor, add, subtract, multiply, and
divide by a monomial.
5. Given a linear equation, graph the line, identify, and interpret x and y intercepts
and slope.
6. Write and graph linear equations given a) two points and b) one point and a
slope.
7. Solve a system of two linear equations and interpret the solution graphically and
algebraically.