Math 140 – College Algebra
Syllabus for section OC1 & OC2 – Spring, 2011
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Website:
Textbook:
Calculator:
Jennifer Strehler
DP 2741
(847) 376-7071
strehler@oakton.edu
http://www.oakton.edu/~strehler
Dugopolski, College Algebra – 5th edition
MyLabsPlus (not MyMathLab) is required for this section.
A calculator that DOES NOT graph is REQUIRED for exams.
A graphing calculator is optional.
Office Hours
Monday
1:00 – 2:00
ONLINE
Tuesday
1:00 – 2:00
ONLINE
Wednesday
1:00 – 2:00
ONLINE
Thursday
1:00 – 2:00
ONLINE
Friday
1:00 – 2:00
ONLINE
Saturday
1:00 – 3:00 pm
in P132
Prerequisites
MAT 053 or geometry proficiency; and MAT 120 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better, or an appropriate
score on the Mathematics Assessment Test.
Course (catalog) Description
A study of the following functions and their graphs: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and special
functions; systems of equations and inequalities, sequences and series, and the binomial theorem.
Learning Objectives
It is presumed that students will spend a minimum of 7 ½ hours per week in independent study (reading the text,
doing homework, working unassigned problems) in order to meet the following objectives:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Understand the concepts of relation and function.
Understand the use of function notation.
Understand the relationship between a function and its inverse.
Graph and recognize the basic characteristics for the following functions: linear, quadratic,
polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.
E. Solve systems of linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities.
F. Apply the concepts of sequence and series.
G. Use technology for graphing and evaluating functions.
Academic Integrity
Students, Faculty and administration at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity
and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
making unauthorized changes in official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else to pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures
provide students with a fair hearing if a complaint is made. If you are found to have violated the policy, the
minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the
office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
Course Expectations
 I expect that you will log into MyLabsPlus and work regularly (at least once a week) toward the
successful completion of this course.
 I expect that your schedule will allow you to complete all assignments and take the exams /quizzes when
they are scheduled. All exams, quizzes and assignments have firm due dates and requests for
extensions will NOT be granted. The exams will be available in the testing center the week prior to the
exam due date. Quizzes and homework can be completed early.

Academic integrity. All work is expected to be your own.
 Ask for help when you need it. The tutoring center (room 2400 DP), the free publisher-provided
tutoring http://www.aw-bc.com/tutorcenter/math.html and my office hours are excellent resources for
help.
 You will not be allowed to use graphing calculators on the exams. As such, it is best to practice solving
problems in the method described in the text. For example, you will be asked to graph functions on the
exams without the use of calculators. Memorize the basic shapes of the curves, then use the methods
described in the book to flip/stretch/move the function as appropriate. You will not be allowed to use
notes on the exam – only a calculator that does not graph.
Communication
 I will send several e-mails to the entire class during the course of the semester. It is your responsibility to
ensure that the e-mail address on file with the registrar is the address to which you wish to receive
course communication.
 Please use e-mail as your primary means of communication. I will read and respond to e-mail at least
once a day during the week. The time I check my e-mail is likely to be irregular. If you send me a
message at 8:30 am & I checked my e-mail at 7:30 that morning, I may not get your message until
whenever I check e-mail the next day. It is unlikely that I will check e-mail on weekends.
 I am teaching more than one course this term. Make sure you put MAT 140 in the subject line of your
e-mail so that I know which class you are in (and that your e-mail is not spam!)
Assignments, Quizzes and Exams
All homework, quizzes and exams have firm dates. Extensions will NOT be granted.
Date Due
02/04/11
02/18/11
03/04/11
03/11/11
04/08/11
04/22/11
05/06/11
05/13/11


Chapter 2 homework and quiz
Chapter 3 homework and quiz
Chapter 4 homework and quiz
Midterm exam covering chapters 2 - 4
Chapter 5 homework and quiz
Chapter 7 homework and quiz
Chapter 8 homework and quiz
Final exam covering chapters 5, 7 & 8
Homework will be done through MyLabsPlus and is based on chapters 2 – 5, 7 & 8 of the textbook.
Homework must be completed according to the schedule above.
There will be six chapter quizzes, which will be administered through MyLabsPlus. Quizzes must be
completed according to the schedule above. In order to take a quiz, you must have completed all
homework for that chapter with a score of at least 70%. If you do not have at least a 70% on each
assignment, you will not be able to take that chapter quiz.

There will be two exams that will be administered at the testing center located on the Skokie campus of
Oakton Community College. If you need to take the exam at the Des Plaines campus, it is your
responsibility to inform me no later than one week before the beginning of the exam. If you are not
able to take the exams at one of our campuses, please contact Robin Nash at rnash@oakton.edu in
order to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible.
You will be given 3 hours to complete each exam. If you arrive within 3 hours of the close of the testing
center, you will only be allowed to work on the exam until the testing center closes and no additional time
will be given for the exam. The due dates of these exams are listed below.
Grading
Exam 1
Available 03/05/11 – 03/11/11
Exam 2
Available 05/07/11 – 05/13/11
Homework Average
Quiz Average
30%
30%
20%
20%
Course grades will be determined as follows:
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
Less than 60%
A
B
C
D
F
A grade if "I" (Incomplete) must be formally requested of the instructor by the student and may be granted only if
the student has missed no more than one test for the entire term and the student’s average is at least 70. The decision
to grant the "I" grade will be made by the instructor alone. No incomplete grades will be given without documented
evidence of serious illness or circumstances.
Other Course Information
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic
accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional
Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any
essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
Important Dates
January 18
Spring 2011 semester classes begin.
January 22 noon
Last day to submit proof of residency, business service agreements and chargebacks/joint
agreements.
February 13
Last day to withdraw from 16-week courses and have course dropped from record.
Last day to change to audit for 16-week courses.
February 20
Incomplete (I) grades from fall 2010 semester for which faculty have not submitted final
grades will become an "F" after this date.
February 21
Presidents’ Day holiday. College closed.
March 12 noon
Last day for filing graduation petitions.
March 13
Last day to withdraw with a "W" from 16-week courses; Students will receive a grade in all
courses in which they are enrolled after March 13.
March 14 – 20
Spring recess
March 28
Registration opens for Summer, 2011 semester
April 11
Registration opens for Fall, 2011 semester
May 12, 13
Evaluation days
Outline of Topics
A. Functions and their graphs
1. Operations on functions: combinations
2. Graphing techniques
3. Translations
4. Inverse functions
B. Polynomial Functions: Graphs and Zeros
1. Quadratic functions
2. Polynomial functions of higher degree
3. Remainder and Factor Theorems
4. Complex zeros of polynomial functions
5. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
6. Applications
C. Rational functions and conic sections
1. Rational functions and their graphs
2. Conic sections
a. Center at origin
b. Translations
D. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
1. Exponential functions and their graphs
2. Logarithmic functions and their graphs
3. Properties of logarithms
4. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
5. Applications
E. Systems of Equations and Inequalities
1. Linear systems
2. Nonlinear systems
3. Systems of nonlinear equations and inequalities
4. Applications
F.
Sequence and series
1. Fundamentals of sequences and series
2. Arithmetic sequences
3. Geometric sequences
4. Binomial Theorem
5. Applications