Course Syllabus
Dakota State University, College of Arts and Sciences
Course Prefix, Number, Title & Credit Hours: MATH 102 Section D01, COLLEGE ALGEBRA, 3 credit hours
Academic Term, Year: Spring 2012
Course Meeting Time and Location: 8:00-9:15 Tuesdays and Thursdays, Science Center room 113, final exam 8:00 – 10:00 May 1st
Instructors Contact Information:
Dr. Richard Avery
Office: Science Center 146F
Telephone: 256-5188
E-mail: rich.avery@dsu.edu
Office Contact - Email: I will be checking email several times every business day and at least once every weekend. If you send me an email, expect a response to your email within 24 hours during the week and within 48 hours during the weekend (most of the time you will get a response much quicker than the 24 hour weekday / 48 hour weekend guidelines). Please send course email to me through Desire2Learn email. Scheduled office hours (held in the Science Center 146F):
Monday: 9:00-11:50
Tuesday: 9:15-11:00
Wednesday: 9:00-11:50
Thursday: 9:15-11:00
Course Description: Equations and inequalities; polynomial functions and graphs; exponents, radicals, binomial theorem, zeros of polynomials; systems of equations; exponential, logarithmic, and inverse functions, applications and graphs. Other topics selected from sequences, series, and complex numbers. (2011-2012 DSU Catalog)
Additional Course Description: College Algebra, the study of functions and the properties and applications of functions.
Course Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: MATH 101 (with a grade of C or better) or appropriate math placement.
Technology Skills: Desire2Learn will be used to deliver course documents as well as serving as a communication tool between students and instructor. MyMathLab will be used for homework, quizzes and exams. It is the students responsibility to contact and work with the instructor if they are having any issues using either of these tools.
Description of Instructional and Course Delivery Methods: Students learn mathematics by doing mathematics. Lessons and assignments are developed to engage students and facilitate learning. (ACTIVE LEARNING)
Course Requirements:
Required Textbook(s) and Other Materials: Beecher, Penna, and Bittinger, College Algebra (3rd Edition), (Pearson, Addison-Wesley). Students are required to purchase a MyMathLab access code (can be bundled with a new textbook, if you choose to buy a book be sure it is bundled with a MyMathLab access code). Students do not need to purchase a hard copy of the book, an electronic copy of the sections of the book for this course is contained in the MyMathLab course site as well as many supplemental resources. You can purchase an Access Code at the DSU bookstore or online at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com (the advantage of purchasing online is that in the unlikely event you drop or withdraw from the course there is an avenue to get a refund as explained under the Student section of Getting Started at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com). Note, if you have already used MyMathLab and you remember your login name and password, go to How to Register which is under Students at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com (lower left hand side of the screen) and follow the link to Enroll in Another course.
Course ID: avery60568 is the MyMathLab course id for this section (course ID is different for each section of college algebra).
Getting Started with MyMathLab: Go to the Pearson MyLab/Mastering website (powers MyMathLab) at www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com and under the students section (bottom left portion of the screen) you will see instructions for: How to Register, How to buy Access, Getting Started as well as Take a Tour. Instructions for setting up a MyLab/Mastering account and gaining access to the MyMathLab site for this course will be given during the first class period, see the instructor if you have any problems getting onto the MyMathLab site for this course.
Graphing Calculator: A graphing calculator is required to complete some of the exercises in this course. Calculators that contain a computer algebra system are not allowed on exams. The following list of calculators are not allowed on exams:
· Casio CFX-9970G (including, for example, CFX-9970GE)
· Casio Algebra fx 2.0
· Hewlett-Packard HP-38G
· Hewlett-Packard HP-40G
· Hewlett-Packard HP-48G
· Hewlett-Packard HP-49G
· Texas Instruments TI-89
· Texas Instruments TI-92 (including, for example, TI-92 Plus)
· Texas Instruments TI-Nspire
· Any calculator that has a Computer Algebra System
Calculators on the Internet are not allowed during exams! If in doubt concerning your handheld calculator just ask the instructor.
University Deadlines:
Add/Drop Deadline (Census Day): January 20th is the last day to add this course or drop this course and receive 100% refund
Withdraw Deadline: April 2nd is the last day to withdraw from this course and receive a grade of “W”
DSU Student Information and Help Links:
Student Handbook: http://www.dsu.edu/student-handbook/ (click on student handbook)
DSU Catalogs: http://www.departments.dsu.edu/registrar/catalogs.aspx
DSU Student Resources Center: http://support.dsu.edu/
MyMathLab Support:
MyMathLab Online Support: http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com/ (click on the Ask a Question Tab)
MyMathLab Phone Support: 1-800-677-6337
Pearson Tutor Center: The Pearson Tutor Center is staffed by college level instructors to provide additional support for students using MyMathLab at no additional cost. Students can call, fax or email questions to the tutors. Go to http://www.pearsontutorservices.com/student_information.html to register for this free service provided by Pearson Education then follow the instructions on this site (Pearson Tutor Center) to send up to three questions per day to the Pearson online tutors.
Course Goals: Regental General Education Goal #5: Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.
Student Learning Outcome 1: Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems.
Assessment: Students will:
a. Use polynomial, logarithmic and exponential functions to model real world problems on quizzes and exams.
b. Use the graph of a function to optimize the function and in the case of quadratics, students will relate the extreme value to the vertex of the quadratic on quizzes and exams.
c. Use loan and annuity formulas and demonstrate the ability to modify these formulas to fit specialized needs on quizzes and exams.
d. Apply the five step Polya Problem Solving Process to solve real world problems with an emphasis on problems that involve solving equations, solving systems of equations, optimizing functions or solving inequalities as the strategy on quizzes and exams.
Student Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts.
Assessment: Students will:
a. Demonstrate knowledge of elementary mathematical definitions, functional notation, operations with functions and inverse functions on quizzes and exams.
b. Relate functions with their graphs and identify properties of functions from their graphs on quizzes and exams.
c. Demonstrate the ability to graph basic functions and functions which are translations, scalings and reflections of basic functions on quizzes and exams.
d. Graphically identify solutions to equations, systems of equations and inequalities on quizzes and exams.
Student Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate the correct use of quantifiable measurements of real world situations.
Assessment: Students will:
a. Use the English and metric measurement systems and convert between the two systems. Conversions will be interpreted as functions on quizzes and exams.
b. Demonstrate measurement concepts in real world problems and demonstrate (by attaching units) that equations are dimensionally homogeneous on quizzes and exams.
c. Students will use technology as an appropriate tool on quizzes and exams.
Evaluation Procedures: Course grade will be based on the following percentages:
MyMathLab HW 15%
Participation 20%
Sample Exams 15%
Chapter Exams 30%
Final Exam 20%
Total 100 %
A prerequisite of 60% is placed on each homework assignment to be able to start the next homework assignment, that is, in order to be able to start HW 1.2 you must have already scored at least 60% on HW 1.1. A prerequisite of 60% is placed on the last sections homework in each chapter to be able to take that chapters sample exam. You can take the sample exams as many times as you would like and your highest score is used in the evaluation procedure (your five sample exams are recorded under quizzes in MyMathLab and the Participation Credit is also recorded in the quiz category of the MyMathLab gradebook). After an hour exam (so not the final exam) has been taken, students can retake the exam once per week until the next exam has been given in class (so for example, once exam 2 is given in class students cannot retake exam 1). Your best score will be used in the evaluation procedure if you retake an exam. At the end of the semester 1% is added to your truncated percent average (so for example if your percent average is 79.2% then it truncates to 79% then add 1% to bring it to 80%) then the following grade scale is applied:
A 90%-100%
B 80%-89%
C 70%-79%
D 60%-69%
F < 60%
Students near a cutoff may receive the higher grade at the discretion of the instructor.
Classroom Policies:
Class Attendance-Participation Policy: Students are expected to meet the online deadlines for assessments set in MyMathLab. There will be ten participation grades recorded in the quiz category of MyMathLab that account for a total of 20% of the overall grade in the course. See the participation credit details at the end of the syllabus for the days the participation credit will be awarded as well as how to earn the participation credit.
Homework Completion Policy: Students are expected to complete assignments by the deadlines set in MyMathLab. However, students can continue to work on homework as well as the sample exams after the due date to improve their scores. The gradebook closes the day of the final (students cannot continue to work on any assessments). Students must meet the prerequisites to be able to work on homework and take sample exams, see the details under the evaluation procedure.
Chapter Exam Retake Policy: After a chapter exam has been given in class, students can retake that exam during office hours of the instructor until the next exam has been given in class. A student can schedule no more than one exam retake per week. No retakes once finals week begins. The final exam can only be taken once during the scheduled final exam time for the course.
Cheating & plagiarism Policy (academic honesty): Academic dishonesty includes giving, receiving or using unauthorized aid on any academic work. The definition of academic dishonesty and the procedure for handling it are described in detail in the current version of the student handbook. You should read and understand this material. Students are allowed to use up to five pages of handwritten or printed notes during the exams. Students are not allowed to use any communication tools during an exam (that means no email, no networking sites like facebook and no phones – turn off your cell phone). Students are not allowed to use any notes nor screen captures that are saved on their computer and students are not allowed to visit any internet sites during the exam. During exams, only the exam should be open and being viewed on the monitor. You will not receive credit (zero) if you are caught using communication tools during an exam or using unauthorized aid during an exam of any form (like visiting other internet sites or viewing MyMathLab files other than the exam being taken). Any student that is suspected of using their computer to get unauthorized help during an exam may be required to take future exams on paper (still allowed five pages of handwritten or printed notes and a calculator but nothing else, no access to a computer for anything).
Make-up Policy: There is a lot of flexibility in this course, however you can only take one chapter exam per week and any retakes or make-ups must be taken in the instructors office during office hours before finals week begins and only the exam from the previous unit (see the chapter exam retake policy above). Students can take the final exam only once during the scheduled time slot unless there are excusable conflicts or multiple exams on that day. Students can work on homework and sample exams until the last day of the semester before finals week (can work on hw after the deadline to improve your score).
ADA Statement: If you have a documented disability and/or anticipate needing accommodations (e.g., non-standard note taking, extended time on exams or a quiet space for taking exams) in this course, please contact the instructor. Also, please contact Dakota State University’s ADA coordinator, Keith Bundy (located in the Student Development Office in the Trojan Center Underground or via email at Keith.Bundy@dsu.edu or via phone (605-256-5121) as soon as possible. The DSU website containing additional information, along with the form to request accommodations, is available at http://www.dsu.edu/student-life/disability-services/index.aspx. You will need to provide documentation of your disability. The ADA coordinator must confirm the need for accommodations before officially authorizing them.
Freedom in Learning Statement: Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. It has always been the policy of Dakota State University to allow students to appeal the decisions of faculty, administrative, and staff members and the decisions of institutional committees. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
University Policy Regarding the Use of Tablets in the Classroom: The Tablet PC platform has been adopted across the DSU campus for all students and faculty, and tablet usage has been integrated into all DSU classes to enhance the learning environment. Tablet usage for course-related activities, note taking, and research is allowed and encouraged by DSU instructors. However, inappropriate and distracting use will not be tolerated in the classroom. Instructors set policy for individual classes and are responsible for informing students of class-specific expectations relative to Tablet PC usage. Failure to follow the instructor’s guidelines will hinder academic performance and may lead to disciplinary actions. Continued abuse may lead to increased tablet restrictions for the entire class.
Because tablet technology is an integral part of this course, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that his/her tablet PC is operational prior to the beginning of each class period.
The Professor reserves the right to modify this course syllabus to better meet student needs.
COURSE OUTLINE: We will cover all of the sections in the textbook from chapter one, section one to chapter five, section three. There will be an exam for chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 and a cumulative final at the end of the semester. The content from chapter five will be on the final exam, but not on any of the chapter exams. Students can work on the homework and the sample exam after the due date (until the last day of the semester before finals week) to improve their scores, but completion with at least a 60% is required to earn participation credit as noted below. The anticipated due dates are listed below - they will not be sooner, but may be later if it takes more time than planned to discuss the content and/or there are cancelled classes for whatever reason.
Chapter 1: Exam 1, tentatively scheduled for January 31st
Chapter 2: Exam 2, tentatively scheduled for February 21st
Chapter 3: Exam 3, tentatively scheduled for March 22nd
Chapter 4: Exam 4, tentatively scheduled for April 12th
Chapter 5: sections 1 through 3 will be covered on the final, but not on any of the chapter exams.
Final Exam: Cumulative final, scheduled for 8:00 – 10:00 on May 1st
Participation Grades:
Participation Grade 1 – January 20th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of January 20th, a student must have completed the homework assignment for section 1.1 with at least a score of 60% and been in class on January 17th and 19th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 1.5 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 2 – January 27th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of January 27th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 1.5 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on January 24th and 26th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 1.7 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 3 – February 3rd
To receive participation credit, by the morning of February 3rd, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 1.7 and Sample Exam 1 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on January 31st and February 2nd OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 2.2 and Sample Exam 1 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 4 – February 10th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of February 10th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 2.2 and Sample Exam 1 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on February 7th and February 9th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 2.6 and Sample Exam 1 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 5 – February 17th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of February 17th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 2.6 and Sample Exam 1 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on February 14th and February 16th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 2.6 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 6 – March 2nd
To receive participation credit, by the morning of March 2nd, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.2 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on February 28th and March 1st OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.4 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 7 – March 16th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of March 16th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.4 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on March 13th and March 15th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.7 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 8 – March 23rd
To receive participation credit, by the morning of March 2rd, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.7 and Sample Exams 1 and 2 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on March 20th and March 22nd OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 3.7and Sample Exams 1, 2 and 3 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 9 – April 6th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of April 6th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 4.4 and Sample Exams 1, 2 and 3 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on April 3rd and April 5th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 4.6 and Sample Exams 1, 2 and 3 with at least a score of 60% on each of them.
Participation Grade 10 – April 27th
To receive participation credit, by the morning of April 27th, a student must have completed the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 5.2 and Sample Exams 1, 2, 3, and 4 with at least a score of 60% on each of them and been in class on April 24th and April 26th OR must have completed all of the homework assignments for sections 1.1 through 5.3 and Sample Exams 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well as the Sample Final Exam with at least a score of 60% on each of them.