MATH 1310 - College Algebra
Fall 2009
**** The information in this document applies to all sections of Math 1310. The policies are specific to Math 1310. The policies in
the document “Department Policies for Math 13xx” also apply to all sections of Math 1310****
Text
Online – at http://online.math.uh.edu/Math1310/. You may purchase a bound printed copy at the Copy Center, or
order one online through the link in the text, but a printed copy is not required.
Prerequisite
The prerequisite for this course is to have met one or more of the following requirements:
1. A combined SAT score of 900 on the math and verbal sections of the test. (not including the writing section)
2. An SAT mathematics subscore of 530 or more.
3. An ACT composite score of 21 or more.
4. A score of 250 or more on the THEA Math test.
5. Completed MATH 1300 at UH-Central or UH-Downtown and received a grade of “S”.
6. Obtained a score of 65 or better on the Math Department Math Placement into Math 1310 Exam.
Students with credit in MATH 1330 or MATH 1431 will not be allowed to enroll and receive credit in MATH 1310.
Prerequisite
Check
Topics
Covered
If you do not make a 70% on Test 1 there is a high probability that you will fail this course, that you are in the
wrong course, that you should drop and enroll in Math 1300.
1. An Introduction to Graphs and Lines
2. Solving Equations and Inequalities
3. An Introduction to Functions
4. Polynomial and Rational Functions
5. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
See the “Course Objectives” link on your instructor’s website for more information.
Assignments
A student in this class is expected to complete the following assignments:
1. Course Policy Quiz – online on your CASA account – you must make 100% on the course policy quiz in
order to have access to the other online assignments in the course, including Test 1. The answers to the quiz
may be found in the ‘Department Policies for Math 13xx” document on your instructor’s website.
2 5 Regular Exams
3 Final Exam
4 Online Quizzes – one per week starting the second week of classes.
5 Homework - 24 assignments covering most sections of the text, due in class according to the Assigned
Homework schedule on your instructors website.
6 Poppers – in-class quizzes given daily starting the 3rd week of classes.
Exams
There will be five exams, along with a mandatory final exam. The complete schedule is on your instructor’s web
page. See the “Test-Taking Information” link on the Course Information page for more details and the material
covered on each test. Test 1 will be given online, on the CASA website. All remaining tests including the Final will
be held in the Testing Center (CASA) in 221A Garrison Gymnasium. You will have several days upon which you
can schedule a test. You must make a reservation to take a test prior to the first testing day. You should print
out the web page showing your reservation time for your records and proof of your reservation.
Calculators
Calculators will not be allowed on any exam. Keep this in mind as you do your homework. On homework, use a
calculator only when specifically instructed to do so, or when the numbers are so tedious that it is clearly
unreasonable to compute the answer by hand.
Grading
Regular Exams:
50% (10% each)
Final Exam:
15%
Weekly Online CASA Quizzes:
15%
Daily Classroom Quizzes (Poppers):10%
Turn-In Homework:
10%
Total:
100%
Final Exam
Exemptions – If a student has a cumulative average of 80 or higher as calculated by the official department Grade
Calculator at the close of test 5, that student may choose the be exempt from the final exam. A student must claim
the exemption in his or her CASA account by the time specified on their instructor’s website. If the exemption is
taken, the student’s final grade will be the grade determined from the Grade Calculator according to the grading
scale below (no rounding up).
Students who are not exempt from the final, or choose not to take the exemption to possibly improve their grade
MUST take the final. The final exam is comprehensive. It will be administered in the CASA Testing Center during
the regularly scheduled final exam period. If you take the final, you must make at least 60% on the final
(including the extra credit from the practice final) to be ELIGIBLE to pass this course.
A student who makes a 70 or higher on the final exam (before the extra credit from the practice final) will
pass the course with at least a D-.
Forms
Homework and poppers will be turned in on bubbling forms that students purchase at the Copy Center.
The forms are specific to each section of the course, if you change sections you will need to purchase the forms for
your new section of the course. Students will need the popper form packet and the homework form packet for this
course.
Grading Scale
If you call your average “x” and you made 60% or better on the final (including extra credit) your grade is:
A
93 < x < 100
B80 < x < 83
D+
67 < x < 70
A90 < x < 93
C+
77 < x < 80
D
63 < x < 67
B+
87 < x < 90
C
73 < x < 77
D50 < x < 63
B
83 < x < 87
C70 < x < 73
F
0 < x < 50
Course Policies You can find the Course Policies on your instructor’s website. You are responsible for knowing these policies. Read
them carefully, and make sure you understand all of them. Pay particular attention to the Quiz policy, Test policy
and Final Exam policy. You may be asked popper questions over these policies.
Modifications
I reserve the right to make modifications to the syllabus during the semester as necessary. If any modifications
become necessary, I will announce them in class, post them on my website, and/or email them to you. Students are
responsible for any announcements, no matter which medium is used to announce them. Be sure to keep the email
address on CourseWare and myUH current and set your spam filters to accept my email.