Syllabus
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Division of Science and Mathematics
Course: MATH 0103 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA CRN: 12280
Fall, 2013
Meets: TR 12:00-1:15 SC312
Instructor: William Hammack
Phone: 479-986-4009 or 800-995-6922 ext: 4009
Email: whammack@nwacc.edu (please use your NWACC account when emailing me)
Office Hours and Location: MW 12-3, TR 1:30-3, and F 12-5 in SC 331
Departmental Contacts: 479-986-6900, Mathematics, Physics, & Engineering Department
REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:
-Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 5th Edition by Lial, Hornsby, and McGinnis; Pearson/Addison, Inc.: 2012.
Other Required Materials: Graphing Calculator (TI-82/83/84 or similar, TI-89/92/Inspire or similar will not be
allowed to be used during exams). Being part of a study group, while not required, is highly recommended.
Catalogue Description: This developmental algebra course covers exponents and radicals, systems of linear equations
and inequalities, radical and quadratic, and rational equations and compound inequalities in one variable, line graphs
and parabolas, function concepts including domain and range, and interwoven problem solving. Graphing calculator
use. Upon successful completion, a student may take MATH 1204 (or MATH 1205), College Algebra, or MATH
1103, Survey of College Mathematic.
Prerequisite: Beginning Algebra (MATH 0053 or MATH 0054) with a grade of C or better, or appropriate placement scores (see
math placement chart in the NWACC catalog).
Exit Criteria: A student needs a final grade of A, B or C to proceed to College Algebra or Survey of College Mathematics.
Credit/Contact/Load Hours: 3 credit hours count toward student’s g. p. a., none counting toward any degree requirements.
Target Audience and Transfer: This course is intended for college students who have had considerable algebra instruction,
and for those students needing a review of high school algebra concepts to strengthen skills in preparation for college algebra
study. Intermediate Algebra is a non-transfer course.
Developmental Education Program: Through placement and advisement, developmental education courses may be required
prior to taking college-level courses at NWACC. The program goal is to enable learners to acquire competencies needed for
success in mainstream college courses and to attain career and life goals. Developmental Education Performance Reports
indicate that students who are successful at Intermediate Algebra succeed in College Algebra at a rate comparable to students
placed directly into that course.
Study groups: Nearly all students benefit by being part of a study group. I strongly recommend that you do
organize study groups.
FERPA NWACC is committed to your right to privacy as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act. This means that I can only communicate grades with you in person or on My NWACC Connection
(http://my.nwacc.edu).
Veteran Resources: Veteran Resources serves as resource to veterans at NWACC. We help veteran students initiate
their GI Bill, register for classes at NWACC and provide support on other veteran related issues. For appointment
call 479-619-2273 or 479-619-2276 or email at dportill@nwacc.edu. We are located in the Student Center 114G.
Bad Weather Policy: Cancellation of classes will be posted on NWACC’s web-site (http://www.nwacc.edu) and
released to local T.V. and radio. Day classes are announced by 6:00 am, and evening classes by 3:00 pm. You may
also call the Student Information Line (479-619-4377) to find out. At times, excessive snow days or other
unexpected events may result in class cancellations. Be advised that these missed classes are not “vacation days”;
all students will be expected to continue with the assignments as specified on the syllabus. In the event that an exam
is scheduled on a day that classes are cancelled, the exam will occur during the next regular class period after the
school reopens. In addition, check your blackboard accounts/NWACC emails for possible additional instructions.
Goals for student thinking - Encourage intellectual risk-taking, mental math, organization of data, modeling and problem
solving to help prepare the Intermediate Algebra student as a productive worker and citizen.
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Disability Services: Any student with a disability or medical concern which may impact access to or progress in this
course is encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC works with students and faculty
collaboratively to coordinate reasonable academic accommodations for students. Once registration with the DRC is
complete, an electronic copy of the Accommodation Letter will be sent by email to both the student and to me. After
that message is sent, a student must follow up with me privately to discuss the Letter. For students who are able to
visit our Bentonville campus, the DRC is located in Room 114 on the first floor of the Student Center. For more
information, please see an introductory video at tiny.cc/NWACCDRCintro (address is case sensitive). For an
appointment or to speak to DR Staff, email (preferred) disability@nwacc.edu or call (479) 986-4076.
NOTE - You must give me at a week’s notice for test/exam accommodations.
Student Learning Outcomes CORE:
A student successfully completing Intermediate Algebra, MATH 0103, will demonstrate these primary course competencies:
1) Write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form given two points on the line.
2) Graph any linear equation, including horizontal and vertical.
3) Solve a consistent system of two equations in two variables.
4) Solve a quadratic equation with irrational solutions and reducible radical.
5) Model linear, rational, Pythagorean, and quadratic problems using algebraic process.
6) ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS:
A student successfully completing Intermediate Algebra, MATH 0103, will also:
a) Solve a linear inequality in one variable (including compound) and graph the solution on a real number line. State
the solution set in interval notation.
b) Recognize functionality, and find a function’s domain (via its graph or formula) and range (via its graph).
c) Evaluate and graph functions.
d) Graph a system of linear inequalities in two variables.
e) Solve rational equations.
f) Perform operations on radical expressions.
g) Solve any quadratic equation, including those with complex number solutions, via a variety of methods.
h) Be able to use a TI-82/83/84 to do the following:
i) evaluate expressions involving grouping symbols (parentheses, fraction bars, absolute value, and radicals);
ii) graph these basic functions: linear, quadratic, square root, absolute value; with calculator operations to
include:
(1) enter functions into Y= (using parentheses appropriately for correct order of operations)
(2) view its t-table (via 2nd -TABLE),
(3) find intersection points of two lines/curves (via 2nd - CALC, 5:intersect,…),
iii) Students will also work with these graphing calculator graphing operations:
(1) adjust the viewing window (via WINDOW),
(2) find y-intercept (via 2nd – CALC, 1:VALUE, X=0),
(3) find x-intercepts (via 2nd - CALC, 2:zero/root, …),
(4) find maximum/minimum values on parabolas (via 2nd - CALC, 3:minimum/4:maximum,…),
(5) set the table format to ASK or AUTO (via TBLSET)
Cell Phones, PDAs, etc.
Please turn off your cell phone, pager, PDA, IPOD, and other electronic devices before class (or leave them at
home). If you absolutely must have your phone on due to possible childcare or a work-related emergencies, set them
on vibrate mode, and do not begin talking until after you are out of the room. (Note- The hallways in SC echo,
conversations held there will not be private.) No cell phone, IPOD or other electronic devices are allowed to be used
in class or during tests, they are not to be used as a calculator. You absolutely may not accept/make calls/check
messages during any quiz /test/exam.
Study groups: You’ll find being part of a study group to beneficial, do consider forming one.
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Calculators/Academic Dishonesty For equality purposes, your instructor reserves the right to clear your calculator
of unapproved formulas and programs before each exam. No calculator with a CAS (Computer Algebra System)
such as TI-89, TI-92, TI-Voyage or comparable utility is allowed in this class. The attempted use of a prohibited
calculator or program is academic dishonesty and will result in a score of 0 with no possibility of the score being
dropped or replaced. This also applies to all other forms of academic dishonesty including but not limited to: using
formula sheets or notes, leaving the room and returning during an exam, copying from someone else’s paper
Grading: Your grade in this course will be based strictly on the following:
Departmental Pretest
10 points
Three Regular Exams
300 points
Final Exam
150 points
460 points total
There will be no bonus points, no extra credit. The grading scale is (no rounding or curving):
A = 414 pts and up; B = 368-413 pts; C = 322-367 pts; D = 276-321 pts; F = 0-275 pts.
FP grades: Grades of FP-(failure to participate) will be issued to those students failing to participate in class
activities and failing to officially withdraw from their course(s). Students will be assigned a grade of "FP" if they do
not complete at least 50% of the assigned coursework. Students must demonstrate participation by submitting
assignments, completing quizzes and assignments, and accessing course functions. Failure to participate in all
courses attempted by a student is considered an unofficial withdrawal and the student may be required to repay all or
a portion of the financial aid received for the semester. Federal regulations mandate that the Financial Aid Office
determine the percentage of the semester the student completed. This calculation will establish the amount of
financial aid funds that must be returned to the Department of Education.
Departmental Pretest: You will need to take the departmental pretest in the Testing Center during the first week of
class. You will receive an information sheet on the test during the first class meeting. If are unable to attend the first
day, contact me for a copy of the information sheet.
Make-up Policy/Retakes: You may take a replacement exam on any exam (except for the final). To replace an exam,
you must first go over the original work after it has been returned and try to rework any questions you missed on a
separate sheet of paper. You will then come talk with me and we will go over the work and your corrections together
during my regularly scheduled office hours. After we go over the exam together and you feel you are ready, we will
schedule a time for you to take a replacement exam. REPLACEMENT EXAMS ARE HARDER. I will keep the
higher score. All make-up work must be completed by December 14th by 5:00 pm. If you miss an exam, come see
me and we will set up a time for you to take one of the replacement versions. There will be no retakes of the final
exam. If you miss the final exam for a verifiable emergency, you need to notify me a.s.a.p. If you miss an exam and
do not do a make-up, your final exam grade shall be used for the grade on that exam. In order to ensure that you
have time to fully think about any mistakes, you must wait at least 24 hours between the time an exam is returned to
you and when you come to my office to discuss it as well as another 24 hours between the time we go over an exam
and you take a retake for that exam.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken every day. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to catch up on the
material you missed by getting the handouts, completing the assignments, and getting an update from a classmate. If
you miss a class, you will be expected to have the assignments completed for the next class period. It is your
responsibility to make sure you sign the attendance sheet each day.
NOTE: All students must take the final exam to avoid receiving a grade of F.
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STUDENT RESOURCES:
Video Lectures (DVD’s), NWACC Library, within MyMathLab, or via NWACC Bookstore, Pearson/Addison Wesley Longman.
MyMathLab, NWACC Bookstore or at http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/, Pearson, (student access code and course ID
code are both needed before using) has homework on-line with examples, guided solutions, and all videos.
InterActMath.com, (free, non-tracked), Pearson, has some homework on-line with examples and guided solutions available to
students in non-computer sections – to use it, go to http://interactmath.com/, > enter, select the text you use (see your
syllabus), and the chapter.section.exercise you desire to try.
Student Solutions Manual, NWACC Bookstore, Pearson/Addison Wesley Longman, has step by step solutions to oddnumbered exercises.
Tutors, Math Center – NWACC Math Faculty tutors – located in: the Math Center (SC 344A), north-east corner of Student
Center; work on computer-based or text homework, discuss specific homework questions, help prepare for exams, attend
help sessions on specific problem areas.
Tutors, NWACC Academic Success Center (ASC)-Tutor Centers – located in: the Math Café (SC 314), north-central Burns Hall,
WCC, and JTC; discuss specific homework questions, help prepare for exams. See Academic Success Center Web Site:
https://www.nwacc.edu/web/labs/learninglab/index.php for Schedule and details.
Addison-Wesley Math Tutor Center, live tutors available via toll-free telephone, toll-free fax, email, or the internet, accessed at:
http://www.pearsontutorservices.com/
Texas-Instruments 82 or 83 or 84 Graphing Calculator (or plus models): To rent a TI-82 for the semester: go to Cashier’s
window in SC, bring the receipt and your photo ID to the Math Dept Secretary in SC 351, permits home practice with the
graphing calculator.
Study groups: Your classmates will be your best resource, a study group can be very beneficial.
Computer Labs, Math Dept (SC 338A is a classroom, but is has some hours where you may do your online Math homework, no
printing available, SC 344A is the Math Center, but has some computers where you may do online math homework and get
help), Academic Success Center-Computer Lab (BH), free computer and internet access.
Academic Calendar (Fall, 2013):
August 19 - First Day of Classes.
August 26 - Last Day to Drop and Receive 100% Refund.
September 2 - Labor Day - College Offices Closed.
September 3 - Last Day to Drop and receive 80% Refund.
November 1 - Last Day to Withdraw with "W" on Transcript with 0% Refund.
November 27 - Service offices close at 4:30pm.
November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break Faculty & Students.
December 6 - Last Day of Classes.
December 7 - 13 - Final Exams.
December 19 - Grades available to students online.
December 20 – Service offices close at 4:30pm
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Date
8/20
8/22
8/27
8/29
9/3
9/5
9/10
9/12
9/17
9/19
9/24
9/26
10/1
10/3
10/8
10/10
10/15
10/17
10/22
10/24
10/29
10/31
11/5
11/7
11/12
11/14
11/19
11/21
11/26
11/28
12/3
12/5
12/10
Section(s)
App. B,D
7.1, 7.2
7.3, 7.4
7.5
8.1,8.2
8.3, 8.4
8.5
9.1
9.3
Review
Exam 1
10.1, 10.2
10.3, 10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
6.6,6.7
Review
Exam 2
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
Review
Exam 3
11.6
11.7
13.1
Thanksgiving
Review
Review
Final
Problems in textbook (only the odds unless otherwise indicated)
P903:1-67
P438: 1-109 P451: 1-91
P462: 5-53 P468: 3-41,59-65
P478: 1-27,35-43, 55-81
P507: 1-29, 43-51 P516: 3-35
P522: 3-41
P525: 1-25 P531:3-13,31-45
P541: 5-49
P571: 1-65
P589: 5-47
P607: 43-139 P617: 1-101
P626: 1-123,129
P632: 1-63
P640: 1-111
P 648: 1,3,7-67
P655: 1-83
P401:1-95 P410:3-43
P674: 5-65
P681: 3-49
P688: 5-59
P697: 7-81
P705:5-45, 51-57
P715: 1-45
P726: 1-47
P818: 1-37
(no class)
12:30-2:30
.
And on a final note, I’d like to suggest you become part of a study group with some of your classmates.
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