HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Mathematics
Course: College Algebra I (3 credits) 10738*006*03
MWF 9:10-10:00
LKH 0257
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an intensive college algebra course, with applications to the natural
sciences, stressing especially climate change and global warming. It begins with a review of algebraic
manipulations, and then introduces linear, quadratic, polynomial, and exponential equations and functions
and their graphs.
This course requires the following:
 Daily online homework: This homework is available through MathXL, for which you
need to purchase a student access code. (See below for instructions.)
 Active participation in a learning community on climate change: You must attend
extra events (such as lectures and seminars) related to climate change which will be held
at Howard University this semester.
 Two group projects on climate change: These will be related to the course material that
you are learning in class.
 Several (10 or fewer) short (1-2 page) readings about climate change: These will help
you understand the necessary background for your projects.
 IF YOU ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DO ANY OF THE ABOVE, YOU
MUST TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SECTION OF COLLEGE ALGEBRA.
REQUIRED TEXT: Howard Algebra I, 006, Sullivan, Prentice Hall (May be purchased at the bookstore;
new copies come with the student access code. Otherwise, you must buy one online for $42.) In addition,
there will be several short readings outside the text
COURSE GOALS:
1. (Mathematical) To enable the student to solve linear, quadratic, polynomial and exponential
equations and use those functions to describe, graphically and quantitatively, appropriate applied
problems.
2. (Interdisciplinary) To engage students in interdisciplinary ways of thinking critically about
research. Students will
a. generate research questions by analyzing a problem from more than one disciplinary
perspective
b. infer what researchers from two or more disciplines would need to know to solve a
problem.
c. integrate into their projects research approaches from two or more disciplines, etc.
3. To empower students, through information literacy, to become self-directed life-long learners.
Students will
a. determine the nature and extent of the information needed,
b. access needed information effectively and efficiently,
c. evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate information into their
knowledge base and value system,
d. use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose,
e. understand many of the issues (e.g., economic, legal, and social) surrounding the use of
information and access and use information ethically and legally.
4. To educate students to conduct, report, and present research. Students will
a. formulate appropriate research questions or hypotheses,
b. synthesize and evaluate the related literature,
c. interpret primary sources, data, or artifacts from the perspectives of the discipline(s),
d. compose a research project that fulfills some of the purposes and conventions of
scholarly activity,
e. prepare a presentation that demonstrates satisfactory oral, written, quantitative, and visual
communication skills.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (mathematical): On completion of the course, students should be able to
 Solve linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
 Solve some simple polynomial exponential equations
 Describe a variety of applied problems, including geometry, velocity, mixing, finances, work, and
variation problems
 Apply the principles of modeling to describe several climate change problems
 Graph and understand the graphs of linear, quadratic, polynomial and exponential functions
PREREQUISITE: A satisfactory grade in Basic Math II or a satisfactory score in the mathematics
placement exam.
Instructor: Dr. McGowan
Office: ASB-B, 205
Extension: 6-6837
Office Hours: MWF 10:10-11:00 and by appointment
E-mail: jmcgowan@howard.edu
Homework and quizzes will be expected on a
daily basis.
Exam I (Chapter R)
February 1, 2010
Exam II (Chapters 1&2)
March 5, 2010
Exam III (Chapters 3&4)
April 12, 2010
Schedule of quizzes and exams:
FINAL EXAM
TUESDAY, April 27, 2010, 4:00-6:00 PM
You are encouraged to work in groups. You can sometimes offer one another more understanding and insight
into your problems than a teacher is able to do. To encourage group study, we have two group projects. I do
not accept late homework.
Do not expect to sleep, eat, or visit with classmates during class time. Class time will be work time. Turn off
all cell phones and beepers during class.
Academic Code of Student Conduct (please see the “Academic Code of Conduct” in the Howard
University handbook or Directory of Classes): No copying, unauthorized use of calculators, books, or other
materials, or changing of answers or other academic dishonesty will be tolerated.
American Disabilities Act (ADA): Howard University is committed to providing an educational environment
that is accessible to all students. In accordance with this policy, students who need accommodations because of
a disability should contact Dr. Barbara Williams, Dean for Special Student Services (202-238-2420), as soon as
possible after admission to the University or at the beginning of each semester. If you need a special
accommodation required by the American Disabilities Act, please document and discuss your disability with
me during the FIRST TWO WEEKS of classes.
EVALUATION:
Best 10 in-class quizzes
Online homework average
Two group projects
3 one-hour exams (100 points each)
Final exam
Total
Grading formula:
630-700
560-629
490-559
420-489
Below 420
A
B
C
D
F
50
50
100
300
200
700
There are NO make-ups of quizzes or exams. There will be at least 12 in-class quizzes, so that each
student is permitted two excused absences. Any more absences WILL affect the student's grade. I will
assume that all absences on quiz days are excused. Even so, there are NO make-ups of quizzes. I take the
Even though you generally have 5-7 days to
complete your homework, DO NOT WAIT until the due date to begin.
You may be quizzed on the concepts in the next class period.
best 10 of the in-class quizzes. .
There are NO make-ups of exam grades. If a student misses an hourly exam for a compelling reason, I will
simply count the final grade for a higher percentage of the student's grade.
Schedule of lectures and assignments: Each day, read the section that we will cover in the next class and
do the problems highlighted with a pencil from that section. Be prepared to ask questions. You are
encouraged to make use of the online problems and tutorials available at http://www.prenhall.com/sullivan.
Do not lose your book inserts and MathXL materials. We will be using them in our class.
Instructions for online component: Please be aware that in addition to the assignments below and inclasses quizzes and exams, there is an online component for this course. Your textbook should have come
with a folder and information about MathXL, where the online component is housed. Included in this
package was your student access code. This code enables you to access this course online. The course is
Climate Change College Algebra; the id number is XL0F-H1OR-901Y-76H2. Take both of these pieces
of information and go to http://www.mathxl.com . There, you be able to register and then login to the
online component of the course. Your first homework is already online and is due January 15.
Algebra I Syllabus
Month
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
JAN
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
FEB
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
MAR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
APR
Date
11
13
15
18
20
22
25
27
29
1
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
1
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
31
2
5
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
27
Sections
Homework -- online
R.2 and R.3 Alg & Geom Rev
R.3 and R.4 Polynomials
R.5 Factoring
Martin Luther King Day
R.5 and R.6 Poly Division
R.6 and R.7 Rational Expressions
R.7 Rational Expressions
R.8 nth Roots Rational Exponents
Review
Chapter R Review: all even #s
EXAM I
1.1 Linear Equations
1.2 Quadratic Equations
1.4 Radical Equations
1.5 Solving Inequalities
1.5 & 1.6 Absolute value
Presidents' Day
1.6 & 1.7 Applications
2.1 Distance, midpoint
2.2 Graphs of Equations
2.3 Lines
2.4 Circles
2.5 Variation
Review
Chapters 1 & 2 Review
EXAM II
3.1 & 3.2 Functions and Graphs
6.1 Composite Functions
Charter Day Convocation
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
3.3 & 3.4 Properties & Library of Functions
3.6 Mathematical Models
4.1 Linear Functions
(4.2 Linear Models/Data)
4.3 Quadratic Functions
4.4 Quadratic Models
4.5 Quadratic Inequalities
5.1 Polynomial Functions
Review
Chapters 3 & 4, 5.1 and 6.1
EXAM III
Chapters 3 & 4, 5.1 and 6.1
6.3 Exponential Functions
6.7 Compound Interest
6.8 & 6.9 Building Exponential Models
Review/Senior finals
http://www.coas.howard.edu/mathematics/resources_pastfinalexams.html
Reading Period
Review Old Finals online
Final Exam
4-6 PM