SYLLABUS
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College
Mathematics Office: SetB 2.454
Phone: 956-882-6636
Fax: 956-882-6637
MATH 0421
INTRODUCTORY ALGEBRA
Spring 2009
I.
Mission Statement of the College-Level Developmental Program for Mathematics:
The mission of the college-level developmental program for mathematics has been to assist students remediate
their mathematical deficiencies. The Department of Mathematics strives to provide students with the means to
achieve competency so that upon completion of their developmental course(s) they develop at minimum the
necessary skills to perform well in their next college-level course or mathematics-dependent courses, to fulfill their
mathematical requirements as stipulated by the Texas Success Initiative (e.g., THEA), and to succeed in
completing certificate and/or degree programs.
II. Course Description:
This course is a beginning course in algebra designed for the student with a minimal background in mathematics.
Topics include operations with real numbers; algebraic techniques and applications; an introduction to set theory;
solution of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; rules for exponents and polynomials, factoring
operations and applications; and rational expressions and applications.
III. Prerequisites:
You must have successfully completed Math 0320 or Math 0120 with a grade of “C”, or better, or the equivalent
as determined by the mathematics assessment test.
IV. Course Structure:
This course requires that you attend class five hours per week: two hours in the classroom (S104) and three hours
in the computer lab. All course material can be accessed through MyUTBTSC Blackboard at
http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com. The purpose of this course is to help students learn through lectures and master
the material through work performed at the computer lab. In the lab sessions, you will complete online exercises
for a grade using the computer program MathXL. Tutors will be available to assist you to make academic progress
and provide you with support and encouragement. The computer lab is located at the second floor of the library.
Attendance is required for both the classroom lecture and at the computer lab at the time designated in the
schedule.
V.
Course Grading and Requirements:
Homework assignments can be completed from any computer at any time. You may choose to complete your
HW at home or at any computer lab located on campus. Each assignment can be repeated several times, the highest
grade will be recorded. All HW must be completed prior to taking the test. The day of the test will be posted on the
weekly calendar. After the test date, a grade of zero will be given for any missed HW assignments.
Lab Assignments must be completed only at the computer lab L239 during your scheduled lab time and only on
the date designated on the weekly calendar. If you are absent, a grade of zero will be assigned. No missed lab
assignments can be made up. However, the lowest two lab grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.
All tests will be taken online and will be given on the date indicated in the weekly calendar. Any changes to the
schedule will be indicated via MyUTBTSC Blackboard. Tests can only be taken once. Any missed test will be
given a grade of zero.
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The final examination will be administered online on the date indicated in the course schedule and UTB/TSC
website. The final examination will be a comprehensive test over all of the material covered the entire semester.
Your grade will be determined by the following formula:
Course grade = 35% (major tests average) + 20 %( online computer lab assignments) + 15 %( online computer
Homework assignments) + 10% (classroom attendance) + 20 %( final exam grade)
Your letter grade for this course will be assigned according to the following scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90 – 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
60 - 69
below 60
If you receive a grade of D or F, you are required to repeat the course.
VI. Textbook and Materials:
The recommended textbook is Developmental Mathematics Volume 2, UTB/TSC Edition by Elayn Martin-Gay.
Students are required to purchase an access code for MathXL. This code is packaged with the new textbook or
can be purchased alone with a major credit card at online or at the bookstore.
A four-function calculator is recommended. A graphing calculator will not be allowed for tests.
You are responsible for your own writing materials such as pencil and paper (including graph paper). You are
encouraged to maintain your notes, homework, and examinations organized in a portfolio.
VII. Computer Lab L239
In order to register for the online course content, you must have a valid email address and an access code. The
access code comes with the purchase of a new textbook or can be purchased separately either online or at the
bookstore. With this registration number you can access the online course material from MathXL through
MyUTBTSC Blackboard.
VIII. Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course should attain mastery of the following concepts:
a) Real numbers and introduction to Algebra
b) Equations, Inequalities, and problem solving
c) Graphing Equations and Inequalities
d) Factoring and Applications
e) Rational Expressions and Applications
IX. Electronic Equipment:
You are not allowed to operate any type of electronic equipment in class such as cellular phones and beepers.
Cellular phones will not be used for calculating purposes especially during examinations.
X.
Support Services:
The Learning Assistance Center (N122) provides tutorial services. Their laboratory hours are from 8:00 a.m. to
7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday. The LAC provides both
individual tutoring by appointment and group tutoring (walk-in sessions). The math dept will also provide
tutoring in the Reading room Setb 2.446 located next to the math office.
XI. Intellectual Competencies:
Although the course is a mathematics course, the following intellectual competencies will be emphasized.
a)
Reading: Competency in reading is the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials. You will
have the opportunity to develop this skill through reading your mathematics textbook, computer instructions,
and/or tutorial software. Instructions for homework exercises, quizzes, and major exams call for a high level
of reading and preparation.
b)
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills include problem solving, connecting mathematical concepts to real
world applications, or other mathematical concepts, identifying and describing patterns, and extending
concepts to new situations. You will have the opportunity to develop these skills through homework exercises
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c)
d)
and classroom activities. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think critically by
answering questions that focus on conceptual knowledge rather than procedure.
Writing: Competency in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct, coherent prose adapted to purpose,
occasion, and audience. You will have the opportunity to practice these skills by answering questions that
focus on conceptual knowledge. Written assignments may include writing brief explanations on how to solve
specific problems or compare and contrast ideas.
Use of Technology: Computer literacy means the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating,
solving problems, and acquiring information. You will have the opportunity to develop these skills through
accessing computerized tutorials. Additionally, some exercises will provide you the opportunity to use
graphing calculators.
XII. Satisfactory Academic Progress (sap)
The following REVISED policy applies to new and returning UTB/TSC students registered for classes in
the 2007-2008 academic year.
UTB/TSC monitors academic progress every fall and spring semester to identify those students who are
experiencing difficulty with their courses. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is based upon two
components: GPA of 2.0 or higher and successful course completion of at least 70% of course work
attempted. Students remain in good standing with the university and Financial Aid when both criteria are
met. Students who do not maintain these required minimum standards will be placed on probation or
suspension as appropriate. The complete Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and the Undergraduate
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid policy can be found in the current Undergraduate Catalog.
For more information, please visit MyUTBTSC Blackboard http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com; click on the
Satisfactory Academic Progress link.
XIII.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities. Students who engage in scholastic
dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion
from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion,
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking
an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student, or the attempt to
commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the
University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. (Board of Regents Rules and
Regulations)
All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. Do not allow your peers to
pressure you to cheat. Your grade, academic standing and personal reputation are at stake.
XIV.
Academic Responsibilities
Students are expected to be diligent in their studies and attend class regularly and on time. Students are
responsible for all class work and assignments. On recommendation of the instructor concerned and with the
approval of the Dean, students may, at any time, be dropped from courses. This may result in a “W” or “F” on
the student’s permanent record.
XV. Emergency Academic Continuity plan
In compliance with the Emergency UTB/TSC Academic Continuity Plan, academic courses, partially or
entirely, will be made available on the MyUTBTSC Blackboard course management system. This allows
faculty members and students to continue their teaching and learning via MyUTBTSC Blackboard
http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com, in case the university shuts down as a result of a hurricane or any other
natural disaster.
The university will use MyUTBTSC Blackboard to post announcements notifying faculty members and
students of their responsibilities as a hurricane approaches our region. If the university is forced to shut down,
faculty will notify their course(s). To receive credit for a course, it is the student’s responsibility to complete
all the requirements for that course. Failure to access course materials once reasonably possible can result in a
reduction of your overall grade in the class.
To facilitate the completion of class, most or all of the communication between students and the institution, the
instructor, and fellow classmates will take place using the features in your MyUTBTSC Blackboard and UTB
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email system. Therefore, all students must use Scorpion Online to provide a current email address. Students
may update their email address by following the link titled “Validate your e-Mail Account” in MyUTBTSC
Blackboard Portal. In the event of a disaster, that disrupts normal operations, all students and faculty must
make every effort to access an internet-enabled computer as often as possible to continue the learning process.
XVI.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class
should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be
made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide documentation of
his/her disability to the Disability Services counselor. For more information, visit Disability Services in the
Lightner Center, call 956-882-7374 or e-mail steve.wilder@utb.edu.
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