James Jones, Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics & Sciences Division, Richland Community College
Section 03 meets from 5:30 pm to 7:20 pm on Monday and Wednesday evenings in room S137.
James Jones, Professor of Mathematics.
Phone: 875-7211, ext 490
Office: C223
Email: james@richland.edu
Web: http://people.richland.edu/james/
These are the times I'm scheduled to be in my office. If these times are not convenient for you, please see me to make an appointment for some other time. If I'm not in my office during these times, you will probably find me in room S137 helping students.
College Algebra, A Graphing Approach, 5th ed. Larson, Hostetler, Edwards. Copyright 2008, Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0-618-85188-7 (Required)
The prerequisite is successful completion of Math 098, Intermediate Algebra or sufficient score on a placement exam.
MATH 116 - College Algebra
Hours: 4 lecture - 0 lab - 4 credit
Mathematics 116, College Algebra, is a concentrated study of the topics traditionally found in College Algebra. The topics include a quick and intense review of the topics from Intermediate Algebra, including algebraic expressions, polynomials, equations, problem solving, complex numbers, and graphing. Major topics include functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, matrices, polynomial equations, inequalities, introduction to analytic geometry, conic sections, systems of equations, mathematical induction, and the binomial expansion theorem. A graphing calculator is required.
Applicable toward graduation where program structure permits.
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:
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 116, College Algebra, does NOT satisfy the Illinois Articulation Initiative Definition of a General Education Mathematics Course.
The following statement is a joint statement of the Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges (IMACC) and the Illinois Section of the Mathematics Association of America (ISMAA).
While College Algebra and Precalculus courses are taught at post-secondary institutions where needed, these courses should not fulfill general education or quantitative literacy requirements. The content and instructional pedagogy applied in these courses should continue to be reviewed with the goal of preparing students to be successful in calculus and other courses that depend on a similar level of knowledge, rigor and maturity. Adjustments to these courses should attempt to build upon appropriate changes in the K - 12 curriculum that are a part of state-wide efforts to advance achievement for all students and, in particular, to smooth the transition from school to college.
Departments are advised not to attempt to design and teach college algebra and pre-calculus courses with the dual purpose as preparation for calculus and meeting goals for quantitative literacy and general education requirements. Expectations for mastery of the objectives considered essential preparation for subsequent calculus courses must take priority and time constraints, together with cognitive demands on the student group to be served, suggest such dual purpose courses are not likely to be successful.
While learning the algebra is certainly one of the goals of this course, it is not the only objective. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to ...
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to ...
A detailed topical outline of the content covered in this course is at the end of this syllabus.
Lecture, discussion, problem solving, and group work will be used. Students are expected to read the material before coming to class and should come to class with a prepared list of questions.
Could include any of the following: problem solving exams, objective exams, oral presentations, group projects, individual projects, classroom participation, classroom activities, quizzes, and homework.
Letter grades will be assigned to final adjusted scores as follows:
Consideration may be given to such qualities as attendance, class participation, attentiveness, attitude in class, and cooperation to produce the maximum learning situation for everyone.
The instructor will give you a grade sheet so that you can record your scores and keep track of your progress in the course. If you are concerned about your grades, see the instructor.
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date they are due. The instructor may be gracious and allow you to turn them in later that day without counting them late, but do not count on his graciousness. Late assignments lose 20% of their value per class period. The instructor reserves the right to apply this rule to missed exams as well as regular assignments.
Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Mathematics is a cumulative subject and each day builds on the previous day's material. 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, are required to be administratively dropped from the class at midterm. If a student stops attending after midterm, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw to avoid an "F". Do not stop attending and assume that you will be withdrawn from the class by the instructor.
Although dropping students for non-attendance at midterm is required, students whose attendance is occasional or sporadic may be dropped from the class at any point during the semester at the instructor's discretion. The safest way to make sure you're not dropped for non-attendance is to continue to attend classes.
The student is responsible for all assignments, changes in assignments, or other verbal information given in the class, whether in attendance or not.
If a student must miss class, a call to the instructor (RCC's phone system has an answering system) should be made or an email message sent. When a test is going to be missed, the student should contact the instructor ahead of time if at all possible. Under certain circumstances, arrangements can be made to take the test before the scheduled time. If circumstances arise where arrangements cannot be made ahead of time, the instructor should be notified and a brief explanation of why given by either voice or email. This notification must occur before the next class period begins. At the instructor's discretion, the score on the final exam may be substituted for the missed exam.
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. I strongly urge you to get a three-ring binder to keep your papers in.
A Texas Instruments TI-82, TI-83, or TI-84 graphing calculator is required in this course. Other graphing calculators, such as the TI-85 or TI-86 may be used, but the student is expected to know how to use them. If you use another brand of calculator (Casio, Sharp, HP, etc), make sure you can 1) find zeros, maximums, minimums, and intersections, 2) make tables of values, 3) perform operations with matrices, and 4) perform regression statistics with your calculator.
Calculators may be used to do homework. Calculators may be used on exams and/or quizzes in class unless otherwise announced.
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 paper punch and stapler available in the classroom.
The student is encouraged to seek additional help when the material is not comprehended. Mathematics is a cumulative subject; therefore, getting behind is a very difficult situation for the student. There are several places where you can seek additional help in your classes.
I try to make myself as available to the students as I can. My office hours are listed at the beginning of this syllabus, but those are just the times I'm scheduled to be in my office. Grab me and ask me questions if you see me in the hallway. Ask questions before or after class. If I'm in my office and it's not my scheduled office hours, go ahead and stop in.
The instructor should be considered the authoritative source for material related to this class. If a tutor or other student says something that disagrees with the instructor, believe the instructor.
Probably the best thing you can do for outside help is to form a study group with other students in your class. Work with those students and hold them accountable. You will understand things much better if you explain it to someone else and study groups will also keep you focused, involved, and current in the course.
There are DVDs for this course on reserve in the Learning Resources Center. These are beneficial if you miss a class and want to pick up the material or if you just want to hear another perspective on things. These are video tapes supplied by the publisher, they are not videotapes of the instructor. These must be watched in the library, they may not be checked out.
The Student Learning Center is located in rooms S116, S117, and S118. There is mathematics tutoring available in room S116. The Student Learning Center and the tutoring is a service that Richland Community College offers you free of charge.
There are accommodations available for students who need extended time on tests, note takers, readers, adaptive computer equipment, braille, enlarged print, accessible seating, sign language interpreters, books on tape, taped classroom lectures, writers, or tutoring. If you need one of these services, then you should see Learning Accommodation Services in room C136. If you request an accommodation, you will be required to provide documentation that you need that accommodation.
Some of you will need additional time on tests. There is no need to go to learning accommodation services to request that. If you need additional time, just let me know and I'll allow you to continue working past the allotted time. You may need to move to another room as there may be another class coming into your room. If you're unable to finish the test by staying late, it may be possible to start the test earlier to gain additional time.
Each student is expected to be honest in his/her class work or in the submission of information to the College. Richland regards dishonesty in classroom and laboratories, on assignments and examinations, and the submission of false and misleading information to the College as a serious offense.
A student who cheats, plagiarizes, or furnishes false, misleading information to the College is subject to disciplinary action up to and including failure of a class or suspension/expulsion from the College.
Richland Community College policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital or parental status, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability (except where it is a bonafide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, military status, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.
The Mathematics and Sciences Division prohibits the use of cell phones, pagers, and other non-learning electronic communication equipment within the classroom. All equipment must be turned off to avoid disturbances to the learning environment. If a student uses these devices during an examination, quiz, or any graded activity, the instructor reserves the right to issue no credit for these assignments. The instructor needs to approve any exceptions to this policy.
| Hours | Topic |
|---|---|
| 8 | Functions and Their Graphs
|
| 7 | Intercepts, Zeros, and Solutions
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| 11 | Polynomial and Rational Functions
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| 6 | Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
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| 11 | Linear Systems & Matrices
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| 8 | Sequences, Series, and Probability
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| 7 | Conic Sections and Parametric Equations
|