MAT 1033:  Intermediate Algebra

Fall 2006

 

INSTRUCTOR:                   Sidra Van De Car

 

E-MAIL:                                ivandecar@atlas.valenciacc.edu

 

PHONE:                                407-582-2032

 

OFFICE:                                6-227

 

STUDENT                             MW        7:00P – 8:30P

ENGAGEMENT                    TR           3:00P – 4:00P and 5:30P – 7:30P

HOURS:                                F              3:00P – 4:00P via e-mail

 

COURSE INFO:                   This course (CRN:  14272) meets on MW from 1:00P – 2:50P in Mod 11 Room 106.

 

DESCRIPTION:                  MAT 1033C   3 credit hours, 4 contact hours.  Intermediate Algebra presents algebraic skills which are prerequisite for MAC 1105.  Topics include linear equations and inequalities in two variables and their graphs, systems of linear equations and inequalities, introduction to functions, factoring, algebraic fractions, rational equations, radicals and rational exponents, complex numbers, quadratic equations, scientific notation, applications of the above topics and the communication of mathematics. Applications emphasizing connections with other disciplines and the real world will be included.  This course does not satisfy the Gordon Rule in mathematics but can be used to fulfill the general education requirement of the A.S. degree.  A minimum grade of “C” is required to us this as a prerequisite for later mathematics courses. (special fee)

 

PREREQUISITES:              MAT 0020C with a grade of “C” or better or MAT 0024C with a grade of “C” or better.  Or an appropriate score on an entry placement test.

 

TEXT:                                    Intermediate Algebra with Applications & Visualization, 2nd Edition, ă 2005, by Rockswold & Krieger.

                                               

REQUIRED

MATERIALS:                      Graphing Calculator (TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-83 Silver recommended).  Students are NOT permitted to use a calculator that performs symbolic manipulations (such as the TI-89 or TI-92) in this course. 

 

CALCULATOR:                  The TI-83 will be the modeled demonstrated in class.  If a student chooses to use a calculator other than the TI-83, he will be responsible for learning how to use his calculator.  The student is not permitted to store information or unapproved programs in his calculator.  The instructor reserves the right to inspect and/or reset the memory of each student’s calculator.  Any student found with inappropriate information stored in the calculator will be subject to action described by the instructor’s policy on academic honesty (see below).

 

ATTENDANCE:                   Attendance will be taken at every class meeting.  If a student should need to miss class, he should contact the instructor as soon as possible.  It is the student's responsibility to find out what material and assignments were missed due to an absence.

 

EXAMS:                                There will be 5 exams. Each exam is worth 13% of the final course grade.  There will be no make-up exams during the semester unless the absence is excused by college policy (e.g., religious holidays or college sponsored events requiring a student's attendance).  The instructor has the right to ask for documentation to determine whether an absence is excused.  If an exam is missed for another legitimate reason (to be determined by the instructor) then the final will be counted twice, as the missed test and the final exam.

 

                                                Most exams will consist of 2 parts.  For this format, calculators will not be permitted on the first part of the exam and will be permitted on the second part.

 

ATLAS:                                 Students should familiarize themselves with their individual ATLAS accounts.  Throughout the semester, the instructor may send e-mail pertaining to the course through the ATLAS system.  The student is responsible for checking his ATLAS e-mail account regularly.

 

HOMEWORK:                     Homework will be assigned at each class meeting.  The student is expected to attempt every problem before coming to class.  Homework will be collected for a grade three times during the semester (unannounced) and account for 5% of your course grade.  If you are absent from class or fail to bring your homework to class a day that it is collected, you will receive a zero for the assignment.  No late homework will be accepted. 

 

LABS:                                   Various lab activities will be given throughout the semester.  The labs will count as 10% of your final course grade. Attendance is mandatory and will be part of the grade.  Leaving lab early or arriving late will be counted as an absence.  Labs must be done in pencil only, only originals can be accepted (no photo copies due to copyright protection).  Labs are graded on neatness, completeness and accuracy.  The lowest lab score will be dropped.

 

 

FINAL EXAM:                     The final exam is comprehensive and mandatory.  A grade of WF will be assigned to any student who fails to take the final exam.

 

FINAL EXAM DATE:         Wednesday, December 6, 2006          1:00P – 2:50P in Mod 11 Room 106.

 

WITHDRAWAL

DEADLINE:                          The College has initiated withdrawal procedures and timelines in response to legislation/rules adopted by the state legislature and State Board of Community Colleges.  The deadline to withdrawal from this course is in the current catalog, and is also available online at http://valenciacc.edu.  After that date (Friday, November 3, 2006), if you withdraw or are withdrawn from the course, you will be assigned either a “WP” (withdrawn passing) or a “WF” (withdrawn failing).  Additional information is available in the College Catalog (http://valenciacc.edu/catalog/04-05/default.htm on pages 62 - 65).

 

GRADING:                           5 Exams                                                                                                  65%

                                                Homework                                                                                             5%

                                                Labs                                                                                                       10%

                                                Final Examination                                                                                 20%

 

                                               

Percentage

Grade Earned

90 – 100

A

80 – 89

B

70 –79

C

60 – 69

D

0 –59 

F

 

CELL PHONES:                  Students are required to turn off all cell phones and pagers before the beginning of class. If a cell phone or pager vibrates or is audible, the student may be asked to turn it off or leave for the remainder of the class. If there is an emergency situation warranting the use of a cell phone or pager during class time, the student must notify the professor in writing prior to the beginning of class. During a testing situation, if a cell phone or pager vibrates or is audible, the student’s quiz, test, or examination will be collected and the student will be asked to leave without an option for completion.

 

ACADEMIC

HONESTY:                           All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.  Sanctions available to the professor should a violation occur are described in the Valencia Student Handbook or online at http://valencia.cc.fl.us/policies/PDF/10-16.pdf.

 

STUDENT CODE

OF CLASSROOM

CONDUCT:                          Valencia is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning, but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct.  By enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct.  The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the professor.  Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the professor to leave the class.  Violation of any Valencia policies/procedures or classroom rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College.  Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from the class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions.  Valencia’s Student Code of Classroom Conduct (Policy 10-18) can be found in the current Student handbook, or online at http://valencia.cc.fl.us/policies/PDF/10-18.pdf.  Additional information is available in the College Catalog (http://valenciacc.edu/catalog/04-05/default.htm on page 65 - 66).

 

CLAST

COMPETENCIES:              The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) measures the following:  reading skills, essay skill, English language skills, and mathematics skills.  To the extent possible, you will be encouraged to develop these skills as part of your work in this course. Additional information is available in the College Catalog (http://valenciacc.edu/catalog/04-05/default.htm on pages 78-80).  

 

VALENCIA CORE

COMPETENCIES:              Valencia faculty have defined four interrelating competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community.  These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog.  In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further your mastery of those core competencies. Additional information is available in the College Catalog (http://valenciacc.edu/catalog/04-05/default.htm on page 14).  

 

STUDENTS WITH

DISABILITIES:                   Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class.  The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.  The East Campus Office is located in Building 5, Room 216.

 

ADDENDA:                    This syllabus is subject to change and any changes will be submitted to the student in writing.  Material generated by the instructor (including lectures and printed material) is protected under the intellectual copyright laws of the United States.  No reproduction of such materials may be made without the explicit permission of the instructor (including audio or video taping of the lectures).