Fundamentals of Algebra
MATH 1100.032/029, Spring 2003
Course Information:
Instructor:
Terri St.Clair
Office:
GAB 441
E-Mail:
terri@unt.edu
Phone:
I have no phone in my office. Please stop by or e-mail me.
DO NOT CALL THE MATH DEPARTMENT OFFICE TO REACH ME.
Office Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.,
Or By Appointment
Required Text:
College Algebra, 3rd edition, Stewart, Redlin and Watson; ISBN# 0-534-37352-6
Course Meeting Times:
Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., LANG 12
Final Exam:
Tuesday, May 6, 2003; 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Location To Be Announced
Course Description:
1100.
College Algebra.
3 hours.
Quadratic equations; systems involving quadratics; variation; ratio and proportion;
progressions; the binomial theorem; inequalities; complex numbers; theory of equations; determinants; partial fractions;
exponentials and logarithms. Prerequisite(s): two years of high school algebra and one year of geometry, and consent of
department. A grade of C or better in MATH 1100 is required when MATH 1100 is a prerequisite for other mathematics
courses.
Prerequisites:
A grade of “C” or better in MATH 1010, or a valid “Permit for Math Enrollment” form.
See prerequisite verification procedure attached to this handout. Note that test
scores on the math department placement test are valid for one year from the test
date. Deadline date for showing proof of prerequisite is Friday, January 24, 2003. If
you do not demonstrate that you have satisfied the necessary prerequisite to be
enrolled in this class, you may be administratively dropped from this course.
Supplies Needed:
A scientific or graphing calculator is required for this course. The following is the
calculator policy for the final exam. I will follow the same policy for each of the three
in class exams given.
On the final exam, you will be allowed to use any calculator that does not have a Computer Algebra System (CAS).
Under this policy, most calculators will be allowed. Examples of some commonly used calculators that will be
allowed include: TI-82, TI-83, TI-85, and the TI-86, as well as virtually all non-graphing scientific calculators.
Examples of calculators that are not allowed: TI-89, TI-92, HP-48 or any others that are capable of symbolic
algebra. Contact the Course Coordinator if you have any questions.
Course Assistance:
Course Web Page:
http://www.math.unt.edu/~trs004
Math Lab:
http://www.math.unt.edu/mathlab
Electronic Math Lab:
http://www.math.unt.edu/mathlab/emathlab
Tutorial Video Series: MATH 1100 has a free tutorial video series available for overnight
checkout through the mathematics office (GAB 440).
checkout out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Videos are limited and
Additionally, WEB tutorials are
available through http://www.unt.edu/ACS/math.html (under the ALGEBRA heading,
select S.O.S. Math).
Notices:

Students are responsible for meeting all University deadlines (registration, fee
payment, prerequisite verification, drop deadlines, etc.). See schedule of classes and
Undergraduate Catalog for policies and dates.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act I state the following:
It is the responsibility of students with certified disabilities to provide the instructor
with
appropriate
documentation
from
the
Dean
of
Students
Office.
I request that you have that documentation to me by the twelfth class day of the
semester, January 27, 2003.
Grading Policy:
Formal Grading scale:
90% and above…… ………………………………...……………………….A
[80% - 90%)………….………………………………………………………..B
[70% - 80%)………….………………………………………………………..C
[60% - 70%)………….………………………………………………………..D
[0% - 60%)…………….………………………………………………………..F
Point Distribution:
Final Exam…………………………………………………………………..25%
Exam 1………………………………………………………….……………20%
Exam 2………………………………………………….……………………20%
Exam 3………………………………………………….……………………20%
In-Class Quizzes……………………………………….…………………15%
There will be no extra credit of any kind given under any circumstances.
NOTE:
The grade of “I” is designed for students who are unable to complete work in a course but
who are currently passing the course. The guidelines are clearly spelled out in the Student
Handbook. Before you ask, you had better have read the requirements.
Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is mandatory. You will be allowed a maximum of 5 Unauthorized Absences
(See Student Guidebook on details of Authorized Absences).
I reserve the right to have you
administratively withdrawn from the course for non-attendance if you miss more than 5 class
meetings. Please note that you may be dropped with a grade of WF for non-attendance beginning
February 24, 2003, therefore it is advised that you speak with me before that date if this policy may
affect you.
Exam Policies:
Make-Up Exam Policy:
EACH EXAM MUST BE TAKEN AT THE DESIGNATED TIME. An exam may be taken prior to the
scheduled date provided that the student provides a written (this includes e-mail) request at
least one week in advance of the date chosen to take the exam. In the event of a schedule
conflict with a University function, dental/physician’s appointment, wedding, formal, etc…, the
student must take the exam early.
If an exam is missed, the student must contact me within 24 hours of the scheduled exam
time. This can be done by either e-mail or in person. Do NOT try contacting me by phone
through the Math Department Office. Failure to contact me within 24 hours will result in a
zero for that exam grade. WITHOUT A VALID, VERIFIABLE EXCUSE, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE
SCORE ON A MAKE-UP EXAM WILL BE A 70. Hospitalization of the student, death of a close
relative, and orders of a doctor would be considered valid excuses. Most other things (car
trouble, sleeping through the exam, needing more time to prepare, etc…) would NOT.

Notes will NOT be permitted for use on Exams or the Final Exam.

Only authorized calculators, as described above, will be allowed on exams.

I expect to give the exams on the dates shown in the attached course schedule. However,
this is a Tentative Syllabus. I will announce the exact date of each exam during class.

The Final Exam will be comprehensive in the sense that problems may come from any of the
sections that will be covered during the semester.

I reserve the right to test/quiz you on problems that are generalizations of material covered in
the class and/or in the book. In short, the problems may not look exactly like the ones in the
book.

Everything that I say in class is fair game for exam material. Everything on every handout is
fair game for exam material. You will be responsible for everything unless I advise you to the
contrary.

Students should be extremely careful to keep their eyes on their own work. In particular,
cheating is a most serious offense – I will not hesitate to press for the expulsion of any
student caught cheating in class.
Quiz Policies:

There will be NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Quizzes will be given every Thursday, unless an exam is scheduled for that week.

If you arrive after a quiz has been administered and collected, then you are out of luck. It will
not matter how close you were to being on time – I will not accept the work for credit.

There will be at least 11 quizzes given during this course. I will count the top 10 scores for
15% of your grade.

The weekly quizzes will cover material from the homework assigned. Note that homework
itself will not be collected. However, it is advised that you write up your homework neatly
because you will be allowed to use it during your quizzes.

Each quiz will be worth a total of 10 points and will consist of two questions from the assigned
homework as well as one question that has not been previously assigned.

You are expected to keep up with the homework assignments so that you will be well
prepared each week for the quizzes.
Student Responsibilities:

I expect each of you to read this syllabus carefully. I will hold you accountable to the policy
expectations in this document.

You should exchange email addresses/phone numbers with several members of this course
so that you have multiple sources of information available to you in case of emergency.

I expect each of you to read the chapters carefully, including the examples done in the book.
You will also be expected to do the problems that I assign as homework.

You are personally responsible for obtaining any and all handouts. If you are not in class
when handouts are given, it is your responsibility to obtain copies.

I will hold you to the student code of conduct as described in the Student Handbook
regardless of whether you have read it or not (so you should read it for yourselves).

You should begin working NOW. Frequent practice is crucial to the successful completion of a
mathematics course. Cramming at the last minute will certainly lead to failure.

WARNING: If You are in academic trouble, or are in danger of losing your financial support, if
you are hoping to graduate at the end of this semester, or if your parent or guardian will kill
you if you don’t earn a certain grade in this course… start working today. I will refuse to listen
to any pleas at the end of the semester. You will receive precisely the grade that you earn.

One of the major goals in this class is for you, the student, to begin the process of developing
the ability to logically and systematically approach the resolution of problems. In particular, I
will expect you to be able to think, not merely recite that which you have memorized.

The following is taken directly from the list of “Ten Student Academic Rights and
Responsibilities”, appearing on the official University of North Texas web page
(www.unt.edu/facsenate/strights.htm):
Students may not disrupt class or any other university process by any means whatsoever (including
sideline conversations, comments, arguments, noise of any kind or other activity which would hinder
access to or utilization of academic information.)

The following is a list of activities that I expect students to avoid. To those of you for whom
this is obvious, I apologize. My desire is not to treat you like children. However, I will demand
mature and courteous behavior and will not tolerate behavior that is rude or otherwise
disruptive, in any way, to the dissemination and/or exchange of information.
1) Leaving Class Early. Students are expected to remain for the entire class period. I pledge
to make every effort to end class on time. If you anticipate having to leave early for some
reason, then I expect you to speak to me beforehand.
2) Book Shuffling, Paper Shuffling, Bookbag Zipping Before Lecture Is Finished. This is
annoying and will not be tolerated.
3) Reading Materials Not Pertaining Directly To This Specific Course. If you want to read or
study other classes, do it on your own time – not in this class.
Academic Dishonesty
No cheating will be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating will be subject to all consequences as
stated
in
the
University
Catalog.
You
can
find
this
information
online
at
http://www.unt.edu/catalog2000-01/upolicies.html . The consequences are usually an F for
the entire course and a letter sent to the appropriate Dean. I expect no cheating in this
course. Working with your classmates on homework is NOT considered cheating, but copying
answers from any source (classmates, tutors, Math Lab employees, solution guides, etc…) IS
CONSIDERED CHEATING. Of course, giving or receiving any unauthorized aid on exams would
also be considered cheating.
Drop Policy
If the student is unable to complete this course, it is his/her responsibility to formally
withdraw from the course.
The student may do so through the Registrar’s Office after
obtaining the necessary signatures. Consents for withdrawal may be obtained in the Math
Department Office, GAB 435. The last day to drop a class with an automatic “W” is Friday,
February 21, 2003. The last day to drop a class with a “W” or “WF” is Tuesday, March 25,
2003. “WF” is averaged into your GPA as an “F”.
NOTE:
This syllabus is subject to change, as the instructor deems necessary. Any changes will be
announced during regular class time. It is the responsibility of the student to learn of these
changes.