Springfield Technical Community College
School of Mathematics, Sciences & Engineering Transfer
Department:
Course Title:
Course Number:
Semester:
Credits:
Prerequisites:
Mathematics
Algebra 1
ALGB-087
Textbook:
Textbook is available online on the course website. There is no need
to purchase one.
Required:
3 Non-Graduation Credits
Completion of ARTH 073 or ARTH 078 with C- or better,
or Placement Level ALGB 081
MyMathLab Student Access Kit may be purchased online with a
credit card or at the cashier counter at the STCC Bookstore
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Office Hours:
E-Mail:
Course Website:
www.mymathlab.com
COURSE DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
This is a web-assisted course. The teaching methodology employed in this course utilizes a lecture approach,
encouraging student participation, and interactive computer learning and assignments. All homework and quizzes
are done online in a campus computer lab, or at home. Examinations will be given on campus in the lab on the
announced dates. Students may not take exams online at home.
COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This is a pre-college level lecture course in elementary algebra. Topics include the real number system, operations
with real numbers, and simplification of algebraic expressions, solving equations and inequalities, applications and
problem solving. Topics also include graphs of linear equations, exponents and scientific notation, operations with
polynomials, factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations by factoring, and applications and problem solving.
This is a developmental course. Credit for this course will not be counted toward fulfilling graduation
requirements at STCC.
1
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required. A student who misses 2 quizzes or one exam may be withdrawn from the course. A
student absent from class bears full responsibility for all subject and procedural information discussed in class,
including any changes in exam dates and assignments.
TESTING AND GRADING
Homework and quizzes are competed on the computer through MyMathLab, a web resource provided by the
publisher of our textbook. As this is an online resource, students may perform homework assignments at home, in
the assigned computer lab, the Student Success Center or the Adult Learning Center, both in Building 27. Students
must complete the homework for each section in a chapter before they may take a quiz on that chapter . Quizzes
may be taken in or outside of class, following completion of homework assignments. Quizzes may be taken up to 3
times, and online grade book will use the highest score in computing the overall average.
There will be four examinations, some covering multiple chapters. These are taken on campus in the lab, and
students are responsible for showing up on the assigned exam date. Test dates will be posted with the
announcements on the course home page. For those with an excused absence, make-up exams must be
completed within one week of the assigned date. Students will receive zeros for quizzes or exams which they
do not take.
The final grade will be based 30% on the quiz average, and 50% on the examination average, and 20% on
homework. Students must achieve a minimum overall average of 70% in this course in order to pass and
progress to the next level. Math course.
If at any time during the semester, there is any evidence of academic dishonesty or collusion by students on an exam
or quiz, the Dean of Students and other relevant college authorities will be notified, and students involved may be
dismissed from the course with an automatic grade of F.
INDIVIDUAL HELP
I will meet with students during scheduled office hours. To insure availability, please make an appointment. The
Tutor Center in the Math Department (through Room 425) is open from 8:00AM to 3:00PM Monday through
Friday. Students may drop in at any time to work with student tutors. Professional tutors are available in the
Student Success Center by appointment. There is also an online tutorial service available through MyMathLab.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
There are online tutorials available at the website, which provide lecture presentations and animations on most units
in the text. The website also combines diagnostic testing with individualized study plans and unlimited practice.
This may be used in class, at home or in the Student Success Center once students have registered at the course
website. Students must use headsets when accessing the tutorials on campus.
SPECIAL NEEDS
In compliance with Springfield Technical Community College's policy and equal access laws, disability-related
accommodations or services are available. Students who desire such services are to meet with the professor in a
timely manner, preferably the first week of class, to discuss their disability-related needs. Students will not receive
services until they register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Proper registration will enable the ODS to
verify the disability and determine reasonable academic accommodations. ODS is located in Building 27 on the 2nd
Floor and can be reached at 755-4785.
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STCC POLICY ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Behavior, which disrupts the establishment or maintenance of the learning environment, may result in the student
causing the behavior to be excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The student may be subject to further
punitive action by the Dean of Students.
Late arrival to class, early departure, listening to music, and talking on the on the phone in class constitute
disruptive behavior. Students who wish to leave early should request permission. Cell phones, pagers,
portable music players, headphones and other communications devices are not allowed in class.
ALGB-087 – Algebra 1
COURSE OBJECTIVES
All quizzes are based on the objectives for that chapter.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression
Objectives:
1.
Evaluate variable expressions.
2.
Translate phrases to algebraic expressions.
3.
Solve problems involving order.
4.
Find the absolute value of a number.
5.
Evaluate expressions involving addition of signed numbers.
6.
Find the opposite of a number
7.
Evaluate expressions involving subtraction of signed numbers.
8.
Simplify numeric expressions.
9.
Evaluate expressions involving multiplication of signed numbers.
10.
Evaluate expressions involving multiplication or more than two signed numbers.
11.
Evaluate expressions involving division of signed numbers.
12.
Find the reciprocal of a number.
13.
Divide signed fractions.
14.
Remove common factors from an expression.
15.
Combine like terms.
16.
Apply distributive law to expand a product.
17.
Simplify expressions involving grouping symbols.
18.
Apply order of operations to evaluate an expression.
Chapter 2: Solving Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1.
Solve equations of the form x + a = b..
3.
Solve equations of the form a x = b.
4.
Solve equations of the form a/x = b.
5.
Solve equations of the form (a/b) x = c.
6.
Solve linear equations.
7.
Solve equations with parentheses.
8.
Solve applied problems.
9.
Solve equations involving percent.
10.
Solve applied problems involving percents.
11.
Solve literal equations and nformulas.
12.
Solve linear inequalities.
13.
Graph number line inequality.
14.
Translate verbal statement to an inequality.
Chapter 3: Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
Objectives:
1.
Locate the quadrant for a given point.
2.
Determine if a given point satisfies an equation.
3.
Find y given a x + b y = c.
4.
Find intercepts given an equation.
5.
Find intercepts given a graph.
6.
Given an equation plot its graph.
3
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13
14.
15.
16.
Determine if an equation has a vertical line graph
Determine if an equation has a horizontal line graph.
Given a horizontal or vertical line graph, determine the equation.
Find the slope of the line through 2 points.
Find the slope given the equation of the line.
Find the equation of the line given a point and the slope.
Find the equation of the line through 2 given points.
Identify parallel and perpendicular lines given the equations of 2 lines.
Determine if a point is a solution of a linear inequality.
Plot the graph of a linear inequality.
Chapter 4: Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Objectives:
1.
Determine if a point is a solution to a system of equations
2.
Determine whether paired lines are the same, parallel, or intersecting at one point.
3.
Solve a system of equations by the substitution method.
4.
Solve a system of equations by the elimination method.
5.
Solve applied problems.
Chapter 5: Exponents and Polynomials
Objectives:
1.
Evaluate exponential expressions.
2.
Evaluate x0.
3.
Simplify expressions involving negative exponents.
4.
Multiply like bases.
5.
Divide like bases.
6.
Express a number in scientific notation.
7.
Apply exponent laws to simplify an expression.
8.
Collect like terms.
9.
Add polynomials.
10.
Subtract polynomials.:
11.
Multiply monomials.
12.
Multiply binomials.
13.
Multiply the difference of two squares.
14.
Multiply perfect squares.
15.
Evaluate polynomials involving more then one variable.
16.
Collect like terms for expressions involving more than one variable.
17.
Multiply binomials for expressions involving more than one variable.
18.
Divide a monomial by a monomial.
19.
Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 1A: Introduction to Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
1.1
Integers, Rational Numbers and the Real Number Line
12
Addition of Real Numbers
1.3
Subtraction of Real Numbers
Quiz 1A
1.4
1.5
1.6
Multiplication of Real Numbers
Division of Real Numbers
Algebraic Expressions, Translations, and Exponents
4
1.7
Evaluating Algebraic Expressions and Formulas
1.8
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Quiz 1B
Chapter 2: Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities
2.1
Solving Equations: The Addition Property
2.2
Solving Equations: The Multiplication Property
2.3
Solving Equations by combining Properties
Quiz 2A
2.4
Solving Literal Equations and Formulas
2.5
Solving Equations Involving Percents
2.6
Solving Inequalities
Quiz 2B
Examination 1 (covers Chapters 1 and 2)
Chapter 3: Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
3.1
Introduction to Graphing
3.2
Slope
3.3
Linear Equations and their Graphs
Quiz 3A
3.4
More on Linear Equations and their Graphs
3.5
Linear Inequalities and their Graphs
Quiz 3B
Examination 2 (covers Chapter 3)
Chapter 4: Solving Systems of Linear Equations
4.1
Introduction to Systems of Linear Equations: Solving by Graphing
4.2
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution
4.3
Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination
Quiz 4A
Chapter 5: Exponents and Polynomials
5.1
Laws of Exponents
5.2
Exponents and Scientific Notation
5.3
Introduction to Polynomials
5.4
Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials
Quiz 5A
5.5
Multiplication of Polynomials
5.6
Special Products
5.7
Division of Polynomials
Quiz 5B
Examination 3 (Based on Chapters 4 and 5)
Final Exam (covers Chapters 1-5)
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