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Introduction to Algebra / Math 100B
Course Policies and Guidelines
Professor:
Phone:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Brother Daniel Baird
Campus 496-2938
bairdd@byui.edu
McKay LIBRARY 282 (located on the 2nd floor; northeast corner)
9:00-10:00am, 3:00-4:00 MWF (or by appointment)
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Math 100A or mastery of arithmetic
skills. No previous algebra is required to take this course.
Remember that a B must be achieved in this class to move on to the
next math class.
Required Text:
Bittinger, Introductory Algebra, Eighth Edition (Blue cover)
(DO NOT write in texts if you plan on returning them for $$$)
Calculators:
Scientific calculators may be used on homework and tests (No graphing
calculators on tests).
Course Objectives:
The goal of this class is to help introduce you to algebra and assist you in developing
1) Confidence
2) Test-taking abilities and fearlessness
3) Study skills
4) A set of well developed and mastered tools that you can take to the next math class
and other classes
5) Love for math! (well maybe too ambitious)—how about settling for a good experience
with math.
Course Description:
 We begin with a review of basic mathematics skills including working with fractions,
decimals, percents, exponents, and the order of operations. (R chapter)
 We learn about signed numbers (positive and negative numbers) and how to add,
subtract, multiply and divide them. (Chapter 1)
 We learn about variables and how to solve equations that have a variable in them
using the addition and multiplication principles. (Chapter 2)
 We learn how to solve inequalities using the same principles. (Chapter 2)
 Graphs and Data Analysis (Chapter 3)
 We learn the laws of exponents. (Chapter 4)
 We learn scientific notation. (Chapter 4)
 Polynomials: what they are and how to add, subtract, multiply and divide them.
(Chapter 4)
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 We learn five methods of factoring polynomials. (Chapter 5)
Course Grade:
Students’ grades are determined upon the following basis:
Tests
45%
Homework
30%
Attendance
10%
Class/Quiz work
5%
Tutoring
10%
…and upon the following scale:
93-100= A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76
70-72
66-69
60-65
50-59
<50
=C
= C= D+
=D
= D=F
Tests:
All tests are to be taken in the testing center. You will need to have your STUDENT I.D.
The testing center strictly enforces the dress and grooming standards. Each test will
consist of approximately 20 to 25 multiple choice problems. Four to Eight of the test
questions will be taken from previous tests (with the obvious exception to the first test).
At the end of this syllabus is a study guide for each test. Use it. It is one of the
Liahonas of the course.
It is your responsibility to find out the hours that the testing center is open each day, and
when the last test is given out. These hours vary on weekends, during special events,
devotionals, and holidays. It is also your responsibility to determine how much time you
will need to take each test, and allow yourself enough time to complete the test before the
testing center closes.
After taking the test, you will be given a printout showing you how you did on that test.
It is important to save all of these printouts until the end of the semester when you receive
your final grade.
I prefer to give tests on one day. However, I realize that it may benefit you to arrange the
test according to your schedules. Therefore there are 2-3 day periods of time in which
you may take the tests. There are no exceptions, and because of the period of time, there
is no need for late tests. REALIZE that in college when you miss a test, you fail it.
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Honesty and Integrity: Highest standards of honesty and integrity are required in the
class. It is important to be respectful, and courteous to each other. WE are to do our own
work, not refer to notes or crib sheets on tests, etc. Please note that it is cheating to seek
our answers or unfair advantages before tests. It is also cheating to reveal or relinquish
any information about a test to someone who has not yet taken the exam. Violation of
these policies will result in immediate failure of the class and possible expulsion from
Ricks College.
Test Retakes:
If you receive below a 75% on any test, you will be REQUIRED to retake the test. IF
YOU DO NOT YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS. Anyone may retake any test regardless
of the score. Therefore if you get an 80% you may retake the test. I encourage everyone
to retake tests and I reward your grade for doing so. Retaking tests is essential to
learning. When you retake a test you will receive the higher of the two scores. You will
only receive these extra points if you precisely follow these steps:
1) Take your original test receipt to THE MATH LAB and go over the problems you
got wrong with the tutor working. The next test you take will have the same types of
problems, just different numbers. Find out from the tutor what problems you missed,
what they looked like, and what sections they came from.
2) The second thing you must do is spend one hour studying for the retake test with your
tutor. You are to go over your visual chart with them, the review sections, and the
types of problems you missed on the test that you discovered.
3) Re-take the test
4) When you have re-taken the test you are to bring the retake to your tutor, have them
sign it and indicate the amount of time you spent with them on it.
5) Turn in your re-take and original test printouts to me.
The final exam may only be taken once. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TESTING
CENTER CHARGES $.25 FOR THE FIRST RETAKE AND $.50 FOR EACH
ADDITIONAL RETAKE. So please bring some change.
Homework:
See syllabus for assignments. All answers are available for you. Homework is not
graded right or wrong. To get full credit you must:
1) Do every problem assigned
2)
3)
Show all your work
Check all your answers, and rework problems you get wrong (with tutor) Step
3 is a huge Liahona step.
4) Turn in on time
You are allowed to turn three assignments in up to one week late for full credit during the
semester. (See the homework coupons for late assignments). After you run out of
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coupons you only get ½ credit for late assignments. Try to avoid this as much as possible.
Homework is essential to learning math. You may do extra problems for extra credit.
However the extra credit will only apply to homework percentage points. Meaning you
can raise your grade in homework up to 100% through extra credit, but you can not use
extra homework to raise a test grade.
Attendance:
You will get credit for attending class. You get 5 points each day for attending class.
You must arrive on time, stay the whole period, and stay awake to get full credit. It is
amazing how attendance and tardiness (10% of your grade) can make a big difference on
your final grade. I am fanatical about you being in class. I teach sick. I teach tired. I
teach in pain. I expect the same of you unless there are extreme circumstances. If there
are, you must get in touch with me. If you miss class more than 7 times you will
automatically flunk the course. By the way, class time is my time---that means no doing
your homework in class. You must get it done beforehand.
Class/Quiz Work:
We will be working in groups and occasionally as individuals on problems in class. We
will be required to do some work at the board on these occasions. Full participation
means full points. These days are often unannounced and therefore attendance is crucial
to participation. QUIZ times are to help you learn, never to hurt your grade.
Tutoring:
For many of you this will be a unique requirement. As mentioned before, 10% can
amazingly affect your grade. You are required to go to the math lab TWICE a week.
You are allowed to go as often as you like—however no extra credit will be awarded for
attending more than the required # of times per week. There is also no making up missed
visits from previous weeks by attending more the next week. In the math lab you are to
work on your homework and seek help from the tutors as needed. When you enter the lab
you are to have the secretary swipe your ID card, and when you exit you must inform her
as well. This will keep track of your grade for the semester. If you are really struggling,
personal tutors can be assigned to you at the math lab to meet with you one-on-one. You
can meet with them in place of attending the lab. Just swipe with them too. Your grade
depends on it. It is expected that you work close to two hours/wk. in the math lab. We
will be grading you on the letter of as well as the spirit of the law. If you attend the math
lab for 15 min. each session and are consistently achieving high test scores, that will
suffice. However if you are only going 15 min. each session and are receiving poor test
scores, then you are not attending enough. Your tutoring grade will be docked whether
you went twice a week or not in that case.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
THE TUTORS DO SOMETHING WE CAN’T DO IN CLASS. YOU ARE NOT TO
COME TO CLASS WITH A LIST OF QUESTIONS FROM THE HOMEWORK. IT
WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER JUST ONE QUESTION FROM EVERY
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STUDENT. WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME. NO STUDENT IS TO COME TO
CLASS UNPREPARED. WE WILL ALWAYS REVIEW OUR LAST LECTURE,
AND ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT IN ORDER FOR THIS CLASS AND YOU
TO SUCCEED YOU MUST UTILIZE THE TUTORING PROGRAM 100%.
Notetaking:
Your notes will not be graded in this class. However, they will be a big part of your
success. You must take notes. I will sift through the information you need and deliver
the “golden nuggets” to you in class lecture. Your notes will then provide the most
fundamental material needed for the class. How you take notes is also important.
Remember to watch me, listen, look at the board and then write. If you miss my
explanation because your head is in your notebook, your notes will be virtually
meaningless. YOU ARE NOT TO TAKE NOTES WHILE I’M LECTURING. I will
designate notetaking time and will not erase the boards without your permission.
Spaced Review and Preview:
One way in which you can meet the math half way is by spending 10-15 minutes
previewing each day’s new material before we do it in class, and 10-15 minutes reviewing
each day’s lecture before your head hits the pillow that night. (see the included diagram).
1+1=3
Let’s champion this semester together!!
Remember some keys to unlocking your potential this semester.
Our BRAZEN SERPENTS include:
1) Homework and checking answers
2) Effective Notetaking
3) Tutoring
4) Visual Charts (sample included—to be described at a later date)
5) Attendance