San Jose City College
Introductory Algebra Green Sheet
Title of Course:
Math 11A Introductory Algebra
Section Numbers:
107 (64565)
Days/Times:
MW 9:15 11:40 AM
Location of class:
B 102
Instructor’s Name: Ms. Graciela Cochran
Instructor’s Office: GE 206R
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays 11: 43 to 12:13, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:10 to 10:40
Phone:
(408) 298-2181 ext. 3886
Email Address:
graciela.cochran@sjcc.edu
Class Webpage:
http://jaguar.sjcc.edu/gcochran
Mailbox Location:
Please do not drop homework in my mailbox.
Prerequisite: Three units of Math 310 with CR or placement based on Math Assessment. Students are
expected to continue with Intermediate Algebra, Math 13, or Geometry, Math 14.
Course Contents
This is a five-unit course in introductory algebra. Topics covered include operations with algebraic expressions,
polynomials and rational expressions, factoring polynomials, linear equations, solutions of quadratic equations
by factoring, solutions of linear systems by graphing, elimination, substitution, and algebraic methods for
solving word problems. Students who have received credit for Math 11R, 11S, or 12 will not receive credit for
this course. A grade of C or better meets graduation requirements for AS degree. [1, 2, 3.1 – 3.6, 4 (excluding
4.5), 5(including Appendix 2 Synthetic Division. This should be covered right after section 5.8, 6 and 7.].
Materials:
1. Required Textbook: Elementary & Intermediate Algebra, fourth edition, by Tussy and Gustafson, Student
ISBN: 978-0-495-38961-3
2. Calculator: none required, but you may use one for homework and all tests. However, if you want to use a
calculator, you must have your own; there will be no borrowing of calculators during a quiz/test. A simple
scientific calculator is sufficient for this course; however, if you plan to continue on to advanced mathematics
courses, you might want to purchase a TI 83 plus or TI 84. You can rent one from the business office as well for
$25.
3. Blue pen, red pen, pencil, eraser, graph paper, straight edge/ruler, highlighters.
4. Green SCANTRON, form no. 882-E
Class conduct:
Because we all deserve and have the right to a safe, peaceful, conducive to learning environment, I follow the
guidelines outlined in the SJCC Student Code of conduct. I encourage you to read it. For more information,
please follow the link http://www.sjcc.edu/catalog2009/Chapter%209_2008-09_final.pdf
Some students have difficulty concentrating and deserve--and need--a minimum distraction environment to
learn. We all need to be sensitive to their needs. To accommodate them I have a few requests, which include not
leaving the classroom before class is over and refraining from leaving your seat unless it’s an emergency. If you
have a medical condition that requires you take frequent trips to the bathroom, please notify DSPS so you can
take test and quizzes there as I can’t accommodate this need in my classroom.
Also I ask you to turn off and put away pagers, cell-phones, PDAs, Wireless Internet Connections, iPods, iPads,
or any other electronic devise. To improve your learning experience I request your full attention, therefore, I ask
you remove headphones, hoods, hats, and sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician), and please don’t
check/send text messages.
To maintain a clean and comfortable environment we request you don’t bring food into the classroom. Keep in
mind that some people get sick with certain food smells in a closed room. It’s possible a student is pregnant and
with morning sickness and certain smells can trigger considerable discomfort. Bottled water or a closed cup
with a beverage is ok.
In all cases I have in mind your comfort, safety, and promotion of an environment that is conducive to learning.
Remember: San Jose City College is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is permitted only in the public sidewalks
around the perimeter of the campus and on the public streets nearby.
Attendance:
Because I believe you need to be in class to have a good learning experience-listen to the lecture, ask questions,
do group work, talk to the in-class tutors amongst other reasons-- attendance to my class is mandatory. If you
are sick or have any emergency, please let me know so I can help you make arrangements to get the material
you missed. But if you have more than two unexcused absences I might have to drop you. I want to give people
in wait lists a chance to join my class. In this economy, many people are going for college education and due to
budgeting, there are fewer classes available. So your seat in class is very valuable and want you to use it wisely.
My classes always begin promptly, so I ask that you be on time. All quizzes and tests will be given at the
beginning of class.
Grade:
Determined as shown below. There will be several quizzes—some might be unannounced, two midterm exams,
a Cultural Awareness project (some instructors), and Comprehensive Final Exam.
Your grade, calculated to the nearest integer, will be calculated as follows:
Quizzes* and Cultural Awareness Project **:
20%
Midterm 1***:
20%
Midterm 2***:
20%
Homework/class work:
10%
Final exam:
30%
That is: to calculate your grade you can follow these steps:
Semester score = 0.20 x average quiz score +
0.20 x Midterm 1 score +
0.20 x Midterm 2 score +
0.10 x HW/CW score +
0.30 x Final exam score
Then your course grade is determined as follows:
90% and over
80 to 89%
A
B
70 to 79 %
C
60 to 69%
D
0 to 59%
F
* If you are absent for a quiz, your grade for it is zero, but since I know you might have emergencies, I will
drop your lowest quiz score.
** Cultural Awareness project, it will count as much as a quiz. It is known we learn better if we know
ourselves, our background strengths, what is important for us. For this reason, you will do research on a
mathematician that has the same ethnic/cultural background as you: place and date of birth (you need to be able
to locate the place on a map, maybe tell us about that country), his/her family background and how it relates to
you, life accomplishments, and contributions to mathematics. You will create a poster that can be posted in
class, maybe a photo and some relevant information on it and you will be allowed brag in class! Due anytime
before the first midterm.
*** If you are absent for a midterm, you will get the grade you get for the final for that midterm. If you are
absent for both midterms, one midterm gets the grade of the final and the other gets a zero.
Reward for Good Attendance and Study Habits:
Some students study a lot, do their homework, and attend class regularly, but take longer in understanding
concepts than others. It’s possible a student did not do well in his/her tests and quizzes, but at the end of the
semester the concepts “click” and the material is understood. For these responsible learners, if they have 90%
attendance AND 70% on homework or higher, and if they pass the final with a 70%, they will pass the class
with a C.
Homework:
I believe in order to learn math more easily, organization and persistence are key factors. Yes, some students
have an easy time and can learn in any environment, but for most this is not the case. To help you learn in a
continuous manner, I will collect homework on a weekly basis.
Homework will be collected once per week on the first class meeting of the week. Late homework will be
accepted for half credit, no later than a week later. If you are absent on the day you must turn in your
homework, you must turn it in the next class you attend. See Course calendar (pink sheet) for more details.
Homework
If we use Webassign: info will be given in class
If we do homework on paper:
Presentation for full credit:
On right, top corner:
Last name, first name
Math 11A, section number (105, 109, or 110), FA 10,
“week of” and assignment (this comes from my pink sheet)
Copy problems in blue ink, solve in pencil, skip a line between problems, start each lesson in a new sheet of
paper. Staple all lessons for the week together. Each lesson is worth two points. You will grade your own
homework and give yourself the grade you believe you deserve. 2 points for attempting all problems, 1 point for
attempting more than half, 0 for attempting half or less of the problems. For example, the first week of
homework total points is 10. Two per lesson plus two for SLOs.
Class Work: It is work assigned in class, mainly group work. It will be part of the homework/class work grade.
Class work is turned in before the end of class and cannot be made up.
Quizzes, midterms, final exam:
There will be several quizzes—some might be unannounced, two mid term exams, and a Comprehensive Final
Exam. There are no make-ups, to make since we know emergencies happen, as I explained above, you can miss
one midterm and get the score of the final on it. A ¼ piece of binder paper hand written on one side only (for
midterms and final only) is allowed, calculators will be allowed unless otherwise announced.
Dropping:
January 30 (Monday)
SPRING SEMESTER BEGINS
February 10 (Friday)
LAST DAY TO DROP Spring session classes for a refund of eligible fees
February 12 (Sunday-11
pm )
LAST DAY TO ADD via MYWEB using Add codes for Spring semester classes
February 13 (Monday)
Census Day
February 17-20
Holiday: Presidents Day, campus closed.
February 24 (Friday) )
LAST DAY TO DROP Spring session classes without receiving a “W” on record
LAST DAY TO APPLY for a refund of enrollment fees if classes were dropped on or before February
10, 2012
LAST DAY TO SUBMIT Credit/No Credit forms to the Office of Admissions and Records
March 2 (Friday)
Graduation/Certificate Petitions for Spring/Summer 2012 due in the Office of Admissions and
Records
March 23 (Friday)
Professional Development Day, no classes held
April 2- 5
Spring Break, no classes held
April 6 (Friday)
Cesar Chavez Day, no classes held
April 7-8
No classes held
April 26 (Thursday)
LAST DAY TO DROP a Spring Semester classes and receive a “W” on record
Please check the school calendar for any changes. In every case a student is responsible for dropping
him/herself. You should not assume that you are automatically dropped from the class for non-attendance.
Students on the final grade roster who have not dropped, and who do not show up for the final exam,
automatically receive an F in the course. Please notify me if you are going to drop the class.
Plagiarism - Academic Honesty Policy:
We take plagiarism seriously. It includes looking at someone else’s exam, helping another student during an
exam, talking to anyone else during an exam, or using an external source of information for which you were not
given permission. Plagiarism may result in a zero for the exam, an F for the class, or in being dropped from the
class, and will be reported to the Dean of Students. In encourage you to read SJCC guidelines and consequences
of plagiarism. http://www.sjcc.edu/catalog/Chapter%209_2009-2010_final.pdf
Academic Honesty Policy: Academic Honesty is expected for all students at SJCC. Academic Honesty violations
will have serious consequences and may result in a student being suspended or expelled from this college. For
more information see the 2009 – 2010 College Catalog -page 206.
Remember, a degree and no knowledge to back it up is meaningless and with no worth. It’s like owning a
Ferrari and not knowing how to drive it.
Final Exam Date and Location:
Last day of class in your regular classroom. If you have plans that would prohibit you from being present at the
final exam, please make an appointment to discuss it with me.
Natural Disasters/Emergencies:
If for any reason a natural disaster closes the campus, on a day when a test or quiz was scheduled, you should
assume the test/quiz would be given on the next class.
For all emergencies, accidents, or offenses call San Jose City College Police Office, 408-288-3735, located at
Student center, SC 108. From the classroom phone dial 6468.
If you feel Discouraged:
Please ask for help, there are many resources here at SJCC to help you achieve your goals. Keep in mind
everyone here wants to help you succeed and expects you will. Nobody says it will always be easy and there
will not be obstacles, but you are not alone and we are here to help you overcome them.
Some Resources Include:
1. Myself, your instructor. Ask questions in class, if you have a question probably other students have it as
well and all will benefit to hear an explanation. Or, if you would rather ask me questions privately, visit me
during my office hours. Actually, it is a good idea to visit me regularly, but definitely before a quiz or midterm,
just to make sure you are on the right track.
2. Your fellow students. On the first day of class you probably wrote your name, email, and/or phone number
on a list number together with those of other students’ with the purpose to contact each other to form study
groups or to call in case you were absent. I have distributed copies of that list, use it!
3. Your textbook: Besides explanations, exercises, and examples, the textbook comes with a Prep Video CD.
Many students have used it and have found it very helpful. On the last pages it contains a summary of formulae,
and properties.
4. Supplemental Instruction: What is Supplemental Instruction?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. SI
sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings,
develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study
skills while working together. The sessions are facilitated by “SI leaders”, students who have previously done
well in the course and who attend all class lectures, take notes, and act as model students. There will be a
brief presentation on the first day of class.
5. Tutoring Center:
 Qualified student tutors in various subjects, including Math, Science, and more.
 Individual and small group tutoring
 Tutees must complete an application form
 There is no fee and no credit for this service
408-298-2181, ext. 3312.
Location: First Floor of the Cesar Chavez Library/ learning Resource Center, Room L-105.
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 9 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 1 pm
6. DSPS: Do you still feel you are not learning what you are supposed to be learning? Are you frustrated?
There is more help. “Students who need academic adjustments must meet with Disabled Students Program and
Services staff members to complete an application form, determine educational limitations and services needed,
and complete a student educational contract.” This is confidential. Please contact:
Karen Pullen, Coordinator, Disabled Students Program
Location: Student Center, Telephone: (408) 288-3747.
7. Your own study habits:
Take clear notes, highlight definitions and important concepts, even if you don’t completely understand the
material, it’s quite normal not to understand concepts immediately. Read your notes later, re work examples
done in class, compare with the textbook explanations. Work problems on your own until you can solve them
without looking at your notes or textbook. Your studying should include reading the material ahead of class.
Remember that most students need to spend two to three hours studying for each hour spent in class.
But mainly, don’t give up, there is a solution to most academic problems, and I am here to help you and guide
you,
Sincerely,
Professor Graciela Cochran
“Successful people learned to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones”
Learning Objectives
After completing the course, the student will be able to
1. Use appropriate symbols to represent real number and variable expressions.
2. Perform operations on real numbers.
3. Describe and use the properties of real numbers (commutative, associative, distributive, …)
4. Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.
5. Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.
6. Graph linear equations in two variables by plotting points, graphing intercepts, and using slope and y-intercept.
7. Find the slopes and intercepts of linear equations in two variables, and determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular.
8. Use the slope-intercept, point-slope, and standard forms to write linear equations.
9. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables by the graphing, substitution, and addition methods.
10. Graph the solutions to linear inequalities and express the solutions using inequalities.
11. Identify the properties of exponents and perform operations on polynomials.
12. Write a number in scientific notation and multiply/divide numbers written in scientific notation.
13. Determine the greatest common factor and factor polynomials by grouping.
14. Factor binomials and polynomials of the form ax^2+ bx + c.
15. Simplify and perform operations on rational expressions.
16. Solve application (word) problems involving linear, quadratic and rational equations and inequalities.
Civility LOs
17. Define civility
18. Observe and describe civility in others
19. Choose to act in civil ways in a broad range of circumstances when he/she is inclined to act differently