Syllabus for Math 109
College Algebra for Math & Science
Days and times the course meets: Monday and Wednesday from 5 - 7 PM
in room ICB 2708
Introduction:
This course is intended for students who need a thorough understanding of functions for future
course work (specifically Calculus), or are fulfilling 4 credit hours in Mathematics as partial
fulfillment for completion of the A.A. degree or the A.S. degree.
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: MATH 099 with a grade C or higher, or equivalent, or assessment.
The main concept of this course is the notion of a function. Polynomial, radical, rational,
exponential, logarithmic and parametrically defined functions are studied from a symbolic, as
well as graphical, perspective. The course is intended to prepare college students for studying
Calculus. Additional topics include: Linear systems of equations, matrix algebra, series and
sequences, and analytic geometry. Graphing utilities are used extensively as learning tools.
Note: a graphing calculator is required for this course (instruction will be based on a TI 89).
Instructor Information:
Name:
Greg Buikema
Phone number:
Normal West 888-6877
Home (309) 662-0645
E-mail address:
Greg.Buikema@heartland.edu
Office Location:
Out side classroom
Before and after class
Student Communication:
To access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland student e-mail, you will need to log into
myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
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Textbook:
Precalculus: Building Concepts and Connections, Revathi Narasimhan; Houghton Mifflin, 2009.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course counts towards completion of the A.A. degree or the A.S. degree.
Supplies:
You will need a ruler and a TI-89 graphing calculator.
A three-ring binder would be helpful since you will have numerous handouts to organize.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply various techniques to solve different types of equations and inequalities,
including absolute value, radical, fractional, exponential and quadratic equations
and inequalities.
Define what a function is and graph certain functions in the Cartesian coordinate
system using the ideas of symmetry, translations, reflection and stretching.
Understand the relationship between a function and its inverse.
Sketch the graphs and explore the special attributes of these function types:
a.
Polynomial functions
b.
Rational functions
c.
Radical functions
d.
Exponential functions
e.
Logarithmic functions
Use graphing technology appropriately to achieve goals.
Course Outline:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Equations and Inequalities
Functions and Their Graphs
Polynomial Functions
Rational Functions
Radical Functions
Exponential Functions
Logarithmic Functions
Instructional Methods
Instructional methods will include lectures, discussions, and group work that will emphasize
applying problem solving strategies to discover and reinforce concepts.
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Course Policies:
Required Writing and Reading:
Students are expected to read the material in the textbook for each section studied. Required
writings will be part of most assignments and exams as students explain how they found the
solution, describe their solution graphically, and interpret their answer in the context of the problem.
Method of Evaluation (Exams, Grading System):
There will be four exam and one final. Exams are 70% of the grade and they are weighted
equally. The final exam is 20% of the grade. Participation is 5% of the grade Assignments are
5% of the grade.
No exams will be dropped. The grading scale will be as follows:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
A
B
C
D
F
Make-up of exams:
If you are unable to take an exam at the scheduled time and have a valid, verifiable excuse, you
must contact me BEFORE the exam, not after, or no make-up privilege will be allowed. If you
have a valid, verifiable reason and have contacted me before the exam, I will put an exam in the
testing center for you. If at all possible, you should take the exam before the next class period.
If circumstances prevent you from doing this, you need to contact me as soon as possible by
phone or e-mail to make other arrangements. Recall that no exams are dropped so if you do
not take an exam your score for that exam is a zero.
Attendance:
Regular class attendance is an important part of educational success and is expected of all
students. Students who miss class are responsible for the material covered that day, including
obtaining the homework assignments and lecture notes. Attendance will not be a calculated part
of your grade, but you are responsible for all announcements made 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. More information about evaluations will be provided in
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class at the appropriate time.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page 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.
Disability Statement:
Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Any student who has a documented
disability and wishes to discuss academic accommodations should contact the Director of
Disability Support Services, Anita Moore, at 268-8249 or anita.moore@heartland.edu.
Incompletes:
Please refer to the 2008-2010 Catalog and Student Handbook, page 184.
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Student Conduct:
Please refer to 2008-2010 Catalog and Student Handbook, pages 178 and 181.
Support Services:
Please refer to the 2008-2010 Catalog and Student Handbook, pages 184-186 and 189-190.
Heartland Library: http://www.heartland.edu/library (309) 268-8292.
Academic Support: Normal Center (309) 268-8291; Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777;
Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
Tutoring Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/tutor.html
(309) 268-8231
Testing Center:
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/testing.html (309) 268-8231
Computer Lab:
http://www.heartland.edu/asc/computerlab.html (309) 268-8284
Syllabus disclaimer:
This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.
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Day-to-Day Tentative Schedule
Aug 17 Sections 1.1
Aug 19 Sections 1.2-1.3
Aug 24 Sections 1.4-1.5
Aug 26 Sections 1.5-1.6
Aug 31 1.7 +Review
Sept 2
Test 1
Sept 9 Sections 2.1
Sept 14 Sections 2.2-2.3
Sept 16 Sections 2.4-2.5
Sept 21 Sections 2.5-2.6
Sept 23 2.7-2.8
Sept 28 Review
Sept 30
Test 2
Oct 5
Sections 3.1-3.2
Oct 7
Sections 3.3-3.4
Oct 12 Sections 3.5
Oct 14 3.6
Oct 19 3.7
Oct 21 Review
Oct 26
Test 3
Oct 28 Sections 4.1 – 4.2
Nov 2
Sections 4.3-4.4
Nov 4
Section 4.5
Nov 9
Section 4.6
Nov 11 Review
Nov 16
Test 4
Nov 18 Section 9.1
Nov 30 Section 9.2
Dec 2
Review
Dec 7
Final Exam
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