MATH 021
College Algebra I
Spring 2013
Instructor Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Office Phone:
E-Mail:
E-Mail Policy:
Matthew Mizuhara
010 McAllister Building
+1 814 863 9675
msm344@psu.edu
Put "MATH 021" in the subject line
You can expect a response within 24 hours
Class Times:
MWF 9:05am - 9:55am in 323 HHD East
Office Hours:
010 McAllister Building
-Monday 2:30pm - 3:30pm
-Tuesday 11:15am - 12:15pm
Additional communal office hours will be held in 7 Sparks.
Web Pages:
www.coursecompass.com
-Your portal to MyMathLab
-Contains homework and the e-Text
www.cms.psu.edu
-Your portal to ANGEL
-Contains grades and course announcements
www.math.psu.edu/ug/courses/math021
-Department website for MATH 021
-Contains the general syllabus, lecture notes, and sample exams
www.personal.psu.edu/msm344/blogs/psu
-My personal website
-Contains instructor syllabus and course information
Required Text:
Must buy Access Code for Intermediate Algebra by Trigsted.
This is available online or at the bookstore. This gives
you access to your eText and all homework assignments. Use the
course ID hair61341.
Course Description:
Quadratic equations; equations in quadratic form; word problems,
graphing; algebraic fractions; negative and rational exponents;
radicals.
Calculators:
A graphing calculator may be useful as a study and learning tool,
however it is not necessary. Further, no calculators are allowed on
quizzes, midterms, or on the final exam.
Examinations:
There are three 75-minute midterms throughout the semester.
They will take place from 6:30pm - 7:45pm on
-Tuesday, February 12
-Wednesday, March 13
-Wednesday, April 10.
No books, notes, references, or calculators are to be used on the
exams. Work is not a valid excuse, so ask off from your employers
now. Bring your University ID to all examinations.
Conflicts:
If you have a valid excuse, such as another class or scheduled
activity, you may take the conflict examination, which is held
5:05pm - 6:20 pm on the same day as the exam. You must sign up
with me at least 1 week prior to the exam.
Makeup Exams:
Makeup exams are given approximately a week after the regular
exams. You must be able to verify a valid reason to take any of
these exams without penalty. Personal business such as travel,
employment, weddings, graduations, or attendance at public
events such as concerts, sporting events, and Greek Rush
events are not valid excuses. Forgetting the date, time or room
of an exam is not a valid excuse.
Final Examination:
The final exam will be given during the week of April 29-May 3,
2013. More information will follow as the registrar determines the
final period schedule.
Grades:
Each midterm is worth 100 points, homework/quizzes are worth
150, and the final is worth 150 points. Rough layouts of grade
cutoffs are available on the department website, however a
guaranteed grade-line cutoff will be provided before the late-drop
deadline. Note that there is no extra credit in this course.
Homework/Quiz Policy:
Homework is done exclusively on MyMathLab. Your cumulative
total is weighted to 50 points. Quizzes will be given at (or near)
the end of each chapter. They will be announced at least one week
in advance. The lowest quiz score will be dropped and the
remaining quizzes will be weighted to 100 points.
Attendance:
It is highly encouraged to attend all lectures. There is no formal
attendance policy, however if attendance becomes a problem, then
I will randomly take attendance in class. If enacted, each random
attendance will count as homework. If you miss a quiz as a result
of a valid excuse, then contact me immediately to discuss makeup
work.
Questions:
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns
throughout the semester, whether during office hours or through email. If there are any issues that you feel you cannot resolve
with me, contact the course coordinator, Dr. Steven Hair
(hair@math.psu.edu).