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