Course Syllabus

Math 098 - Intermediate Algebra
Spring 1998 Semester Section 02: 10:00 - 10:50 am; MTRF - S137 Instructor: James Jones Phone: 217 875-7211, ext 490	Office: C223 in the Occupational & Technical Career Programs West (OTCPW) office suite (formerly known as the Industrial Technology & Mathematics Division) that is nowhere near the west end of the building, but is situated at the north end of the second floor as you come up the stairs by the LRC. Email: james@richland.edu Web: http://people.richland.edu/james/

Text:: Intermediate Algebra: A Graphing Approach. Elaine Hubbard, Ronald Robinson. Copyright 1995, D. C. Heath and Company. (required); Student Solutions Guide for Intermediate Algebra: A Graphing Approach. Helen Medley. Copyright 1995, D.C. Heath and Company. (optional)
Student Audience: Most students going on to advanced courses in Mathematics and those wishing to study technical programs will take this course. This is Richland's entrance course for Mathematics.
Prerequisite: The prerequisite for Math 098, Intermediate Algebra, is 1) a grade of "C" or better in Mathematics 091 or successful completion of a placement test, 2) a grade of "C" or better in Mathematics 095 or successful completion of a high school geometry course, and 3) eligibility for English 101. All three prerequisites must be met.
Type of Instruction: The course incorporates lecture, discussion, problem solving, group work, and student questions. Students are strongly encouraged to come to class with a list of questions and to ask these questions.
Course Description: Mathematics 098, Intermediate Algebra, includes instruction in algebraic topics common to the standard college Intermediate Algebra course. General objectives in the course are to: identify, develop, and solve problems related to real world situations; identify and use various problem solving strategies; interpret tabular and graphical data to solve physical problems; manipulate mathematical sentences numerically, symbolically, and graphically; compute with radicals, exponents, and complex numbers; use technology appropriately in problem solving and in exploring and developing mathematical concepts; use the process of mathematical discovery (conjecture, testing, refinement, more testing, and final statement of results).; - Applicable toward graduation where program structure permits.; - Certificate or Degree: All Certificates, A.A.S., A.L.S.; - Group requirement: Preparatory to Other Studies; - Area of Concentration: Preparatory to Other Studies
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): The mathematics component of general education focuses on quantitative reasoning to provide a base for developing a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply simple mathematical methods to the solution of real-world problems. A quantitatively literate college graduate should be able to:

interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them;
represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally;
use arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, and statistical methods to solve problems;
estimate and check answers to mathematical problems in order to determine reasonableness, identify alternatives, and select optimal results; and
recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models.

Courses accepted in fulfilling the general education mathematics requirement emphasize the development of the student's capability to do mathematical reasoning and problem solving in settings the college graduate may encounter in the future. General education mathematics courses should not lead simply to an appreciation of the place of mathematics in society, nor should they be merely mechanical or computational in character.; To accomplish this purpose, students should have at least one course at the lower-division level that emphasizes the foundations of quantitative literacy and, preferably, a second course that solidifies and deepens this foundation to enable the student to internalize these habits of thought.; Math 098, Intermediate Algebra, does NOT satisfy the Illinois Articulation Initiative Definition of a General Education Mathematics Course.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion, the student will demonstrate proficiency and understanding in the following topics: Review of real number operations and properties; First degree equations and inequalities; absolute value equations and inequalities; Elementary operations with polynomials and factoring; Operations with algebraic fractions and solving fractional equations; Integer and Rational exponents; Simplification of radicals; Operations with complex numbers; Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and whole number powers of I; Second degree equations and inequalities; Graphing lines, other graphs, distance formula and circles; Functions - definition, linear functions, other functions; Systems of linear equations and inequalities (using elimination and substitution); Quadratic equations and inequalities; Exponential and Logarithmic expressions and equations.
Graphing Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for this course. The Texas Instruments TI-83 is the recommended calculator, and will be the model used by the instructor. The TI-82 calculator is also acceptable. Other graphing calculators may or may not perform the necessary functions, but there will be no support from the instructor for calculators besides the TI-82 and TI-83.; The College Bookstore has a limited number of TI-82 calculators available for rent. If you are going to purchase a calculator and plan on taking additional math courses at Richland, the TI-83 is preferred to the TI-82.; The student is to bring the graphing calculator to all class meetings. The graphing calculator will be an integral part of the learning process. The student will be given homework and examinations which will require its use.
Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. If you have excessive absences, you cannot develop to your fullest potential in the course. Students who, because of excessive absences, cannot complete the course successfully, will be administratively dropped from the class.; The student is responsible for all assignments, changes in assignments, or other verbal information given in the class, whether you are in attendance or not.; If a student must miss class, a call or email message to the instructor is to be made. If an exam is to be missed, a phone call is to be made and a written notice given. If the instructor is not contacted, the grade will be zero. If a student misses an exam, and gives written notice, the percent score of the final exam will be used in its place. The student should be careful in exercising this policy, as it is very rare when a student gets a noticeably higher grade on the final exam. This substitution of the final exam percent will be done once, and only once. Any other examination missed will receive a grade of 0. If a student does not give written notice of missing the exam, the option of using the final exam score as a substitute grade will not be done, and the exam grade will be zero.
Grading Policy: There will be several one hour examinations and a comprehensive final examination. Announced and unannounced quizzes may be given. Various homework exercises may be used in grading. Note: Homework is essential to the study of mathematics. Letter grades will be assigned to final adjusted scores as follows: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=0-59%.; Consideration will be given to such qualities as attendance, class participation, attentiveness, attitude in class, and cooperation to produce the maximum learning situation for everyone.; Any student who stops attending without dropping will receive a grade of F.; A notebook should be kept which contains every problem worked in class as well as any comments that are appropriate. In general, it should contain everything written on the chalkboard. Be sure to bring your notebook if you come to the instructor or a tutor for help.
Additional Help: Office hours will be announced. The student is encouraged to get additional help when the material is not comprehended. Mathematics is a cumulative subject; therefore, getting behind is a difficult situation for the student.; For additional help, the Study Assistance Center, located in room S116, is a free service offered by the College to all RCC students.; The entire course has been videotaped by the author and is available in the Learning Resources Center. Using the list that shows the correspondence between the lesson numbers on the video lessons and the section numbers in the text is very useful.; Be sure to get help before it is too late!
Additional Supplies: The student should have a red pen, ruler, graph paper, stapler, and paper punch. The student is expected to bring calculators and supplies as needed to class. There will be a stapler and paper punch available in the classroom.