Course Syllabus - Fort Scott Community College

A. Course InformationCourse SyllabusFall 2011COURSE TITLE: Intermediate AlgebraCOURSE NUMBER: MAT1073CREDIT HOURS: 3INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Elie RiachiOFFICE LOCATION: Academic Building, A-150/153OFFICE HOURS: As posted.OFFICE PHONE: (620) 223-2700 x325ALTERNATE PHONE: (620) 223-2700 x341 (Instruction Office)E-MAIL ADDRESS: elier@fortscott.eduDISCUSSION BOARD: NABLACKBOARD ADDRESS: NACLASS HOURS: Refer to published FSCC class schedulePREREQUISITES: C or above in Elementary Algebra or appropriate COMPASS score.TEXTBOOK: Hawkes Learning Systems Intermediate Algebra – ISBN: 0-918091-40-3REQUIRED TOOLS OR SUPPLIES:Computer with the following specifications:400 MHz or faster processorWindows 98SE or later64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)150 MB hard drive space256 color display (800 x 600, 16-bit color recommended)Internet Explorer 6.0 or laterCD-ROM driveOptional Textbook: (see bookstore for details)COURSE DESCRIPTION: Covers algebra at the intermediate level. Will prepare the student for MAT 1083College Algebra. Factoring polynomials, rational expressions, graphing linear equations, intro to functions,systems of equations, rational exponents, radicals and complex numbers.Page 1 of 9

B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:Lectures, discussions, problem solving demonstrations, computer simulations, homework assignments and tests.C. COURSE COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES:The following standard outcomes are expected:1. To help the student develop skills which will enable him or her to solve problems and communicateeffectively using the language and techniques of algebra.2. To acquaint the student with some of the general concepts and principles of mathematics that willserve as a basis for further studies in mathematics.3. To help the student build confidence in his or her ability to solve problems in mathematics.4. To encourage the student to develop and use a sound mathematical vocabulary.D. COURSE TOPICS/UNITS:1. Straight Lines and Functions (Chapter 2)A. Cartesian Coordinate System and Straight LinesB. Slope-intercept FormC. Point-Slope FormD. Introduction to FunctionsE. Graphing Linear Inequalities2. Systems of Linear Equations (Chapter 3)A. Systems of Linear Equations (Two Variables)B. Applications3. Polynomials (Chapter 4)A. Addition and Subtraction of PolynomialsB. Multiplication of PolynomialsC. Division with PolynomialsD. Introduction to FactoringE. Special Factoring TechniquesF. Polynomial Equations and Applications4. Rational Expressions (Chapter 5)A. Multiplication and Division of Rational ExpressionsB. Addition and Subtraction of Rational ExpressionsC. Complex FractionsD. Equations and Inequalities with Rational ExpressionsE. Applications5. Roots, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (Chapter 6)A. Roots and RadicalsB. Rational ExponentsC. Arithmetic with RadicalsD. Functions with RadicalsE. Introduction to Complex NumbersF. Multiplication and Division with Complex Numbers6. Quadratic Equations and Inequalities (Chapter 7)A. The Quadratic FormulaE. UNIT COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES:At the completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to:Page 2 of 9

1. Solve applications. *2. Solve linear inequalities and absolute value inequalities. *3. Understand and apply properties of exponents. *4. Understand scientific notation.9. Solve linear inequalities in one variable showing solution on a number line and in intervalnotation. *10. Solve linear absolute value equations and inequalities in one variable. *11. Graph linear inequalities. *12. Determine an equation of a line given two points, perpendicular to a given line, through a specificpoint, parallel to a given line through a specific point. *13. Distinguish between functions and non-functions using the vertical line test. *14. Identify the domain and range of a function given its graph. *15. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables. *16. Develop and solve mathematical models including variation, mixture, motion, work andgeometrical applications. *17. Factor quadratic, quadratic forms, special forms and grouping. *18. Solve literal equations including those that require factoring. *19. Solve equations by factoring and quadratic formula. *20. Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on rational expressions. *21. Simplify complex fractions. *22. Solve equations containing rational expressions. *23. Apply the laws of exponents to simplify expressions containing rational exponents. *24. Apply the laws of radicals to perform addition, subtraction, and multiplication. *25. Rationalize denominators containing radicals. *26. Simplify radicals containing negative radicands. *27. Perform operations with complex numbers. *28. Evaluate functions using function notation. *29. Solve quadratic equation using the quadratic formula.* Designates core outcomes and competencies for Intermediate Algebra from the Kansas CoreOutcome Project (2001, 2004, 2005).F. GRADING PLAN:Grading will be based on percentage system. All components within a category will have the sameweight. A Student’s grade will have the following categories and weight for each category:o Five unit tests and a comprehensive final test. These are in class pencil and paper tests. 75%o Homework assignments/in-class homework-based quizzes/in-class lecture-based quizzes 25%The lowest test score shall be dropped.A final percentage grade for the course is computed by adding the products of averages of earnedpercentages from each assessment category and its weight. The earned letter grade for the course will bethe letter which corresponds to the range which the computed percentage belongs to according to thefollowing scale: A: 100% - 90%; B: 89% - 80%; C: 79% - 69%; D: 68% - 50%; F: below 50%.In order to receive full credit for tests/assignments, the test/assignment must be completed by the datedesignated by the instructor.The students may check on their progress in the course by personally meeting with the instructor afterclass and during office hours.High test scores may increase the weight of the tests category and result in a higher letter grade for thecourse. The student is advised to do well on all tests to improve his or her grade in the course.Page 3 of 9

A student could earn up to two percentage points, as bonus which is added to final grade forparticipation. These points will be tracked based on having perfect attendance and good classroomconduct. If you are not in class, then you are missing the opportunity to participate.Assignments must be turned in on time. Grade for late assignments will be reduced by a graduatedpenalty a maximum of twenty percentage points as setup in the Hawkes’ Learning System gradebook.All paperwork (test, quiz, scratch paper and index card) used during a test or a quiz must be turned intothe instructor at the end of the test or quiz and becomes the property of the instructor.Homework:The student will do the homework assignment on the computer. The student will only need to score 80% on theassignment and will receive 100%. The student will have the chance to redo problems similar to the onesmissed so that the student can complete the assignment. The assignment maybe repeated as many times as youwish within the given time frame of the course (with penalty applied to late work as set by instructor). Thestudent must have a computer. The student must also have access to the Internet to submit the certification.The student is able to do the assignment on the computer regardless whether or not the computer is connected tothe Internet and save the certification to a flash drive and then transfer to computer with an Internet connectionto submit the certificates for a grade.The student’s grade will be reduced 5% for each day the assignment is submitted late. The late penalty shall notexceed 20% no matter how late the assignment is. Assignments will not be accepted past the course end date asset by the instructor.In-class lecture-based quizzes:Pay attention during the lecture. There may be short quizzes given at any time during the lecture. Thesequizzes will be based on the contents covered in the lecture for that day. The student’s own notes andhomework problems may be used as an aid during these quizzes.MAKE-UP:The instructor may consider giving a student a make-up for no more than one test or one quiz, duringthis course, provided that:o The student talked to the instructor about missing the quiz or test at least 30 minutes prior tothe scheduled time of the assessment for which the make-up is being requested (or as soon aspossible in the case of extenuating circumstances such as a car wreck. If you have a cell phonethis would be an appropriate time to use it!) And;o An emergency or an extenuating circumstance prevents the student from taking the test or quizas scheduled. And;o The student provides the instructor with a valid proof of the emergency/ extenuatingcircumstance which prevented the student from taking the test/quiz as scheduled.The make-up shall assess the student over the same range of contents as the original assessment but notnecessarily the same questions/problems.No outside material shall be used on a make-up other than the student’s calculator, writing and erasingimplements and material provided by the instructor (INDEX CARDS MAY NOT BE ALLOWED ONMAKE UPS, CHECK WITH THE INSTRUCTOR IN ADVANCE).Partial credit and bonus points may not be available on a make up testPage 4 of 9

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to make an appointment to take the make-up.The make-up must be taken within two days from the missed day.In the case of a prolonged illness with a doctor’s note or a student athlete excused by the Dean ofStudents, the student must take the make-up as soon as possible.All make-ups must be taken during the instructor’s office hours and will be proctored by the instructor.If the student fails to take the make-up as arranged, a zero will be awarded for the original assessmentand no other make-up shall be given.The final test must be taken as scheduled and cannot be made up.G. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is required and will be recorded. Statistics show that students,who miss class frequently, are also likely to fail the course. A student will be counted absent for each timethe student is not present for the whole class period. A whole class period begins with roll call and endswhen the instructor dismisses the whole class.Being late:By being late the student misses important information which may also impede the student’s learning ofconsequent contents of the subject matter. It is also a distraction for the whole class and impacts it negativelywhen the student walks in late into the classroom. The instructor shall not waste class time to catch up latestudents on what they missed. A student missing role call will be counted absent.(Exceptions may be allowed for officially documented extenuating circumstances as deemed applicable by theinstructor.)If the student wishes to withdraw from the course, it is recommended that the student discusses his or heroptions with the instructor before the last day to withdraw from the course (traditionally, this day hasbeen the last weekday before the first day of finals.) It is the student’s responsibility to contact thecounseling office weeks before the end of the semester to find out the date of the last day to withdrawfrom the course.H. COURSE COMPONENT SPECIFICS:Purchase the software required by your instructor. Please note that once you open the package, the materials areNOT refundable.TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE AT HOME:1. Place CD #1 in the CD-ROM drive. (CD#1 is the only CD needed for the installation.)2. The installation will begin automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions.3. You will be prompted for a Course ID.-If you have internet access, select “Yes, the HLS Course ID is:” and enter FortScottIMA-If you do not have internet access, select “No, I will not be accessing an online grade book from this computer”.TO GET YOUR ACCESS CODE:1. Go to www.hawkeslearning.com and click on “get your access code” or click on the “I need an access code..." link from thesoftware.2. Fill out the form (including your 15-digit license number on the yellow sticker on the CD sleeve). Click on the submit buttonand your personalized Access Code will appear on the screen. You will also receive an e-mail with the Access Code as anattachment called “access.cod” which you should save to a floppy disk or another device.TO ENTER THE SOFTWARE AND SAVE YOUR ACCESS CODE:1. Double-click on the purple diamond icon on the Desktop (or go to Start, Programs, Hawkes Learning Systems).2. Enter your Access Code when prompted. You may type it, paste it, or load it from disk (if you saved it) by clicking the “F1-Load From Disk” option and browsing to the path where you saved it. If you type or paste your Access Code, you will beprompted to save it. We recommend you save your Access Code to a floppy disk or another option to avoid typing it eachtime you enter the software.Page 5 of 9

TO ENROLL IN YOUR INSTRUCTOR’S GRADE BOOK:1. If you have internet access and have entered your HLS Course ID (which is FortScottIMA), you will be asked to enroll inyour instructor’s grade book. Choose your instructor’s name and the correct section.2. If you do not have internet access, you will need to enroll in your instructor’s grade book by going to any computer that hasan internet connection and go to www.hawkeslearning.com/FortScottIMA. After entering your Access Code, you will beprompted to choose our instructor’s name and the correct section.TO CERTIFY (DO YOUR ASSIGNMENT IN THE SOFTWARE):1. The Certify option is where you will complete your assignment.2. After certifying, you will be given a certification code (this verifies that you completed your assignment). It is recommendedthat you print and/or save your certification code.3. a. If you have internet access, you should receive a message that says your certificate has been submitted in yourinstructor’s gradebook. You are now done with that assignment! If you do not receive this message, follow the directionsunder “b.”.b. If you do not have internet access, you will need to manually submit your certification code on the internet to get creditfor your assignment in your instructor’s gradebook. To do this,- go to www.hawkeslearning.com/fortscottima and log in using your Access Code- click the Register Certificate(s) link- select the Lesson Name from the drop down list. Load from disk or type in your certification code and click OK. Yourcertification code is now submitted!- you need to perform these steps after you Certify to get credit for each of your assignments* Be sure you register your Certification Code ON or BEFORE the due date to get credit for the assignment.Student Directions for taking a Practice WebTest:1. Log into the Hawkes Learning Systems courseware using your access code.2. Click the button titled WebTest found on the bottom right-hand corner of the Table of Contents screen.3. Click on the Take Test button on the left hand side of the screen4. Select the Practice Test option and click OK.5. Choose the number of questions and click on No Time Limit.6. Choose the sections covered for the appropriate test by holding down the CTRL key.7. Take the test.8. When finished with the test, click End Test to submit your test results.9. You will be notified of your score immediately.10. Review your test (you can click on MISSED PROBLEMS ONLY at the bottom).11. Click on Data button on the left to see which sections you need more practice.12. When taking a practice test, you may only review the test immediately after taking it.13. Repeat as many times as you wish.Assignments due dates are accessed by clicking the progress report button in the Hawke’scomputer program.Unit tests will be announced at least one week in advance.I. SERVICE LEARNING:Live tutoring is also available at www.kslc.org. You will need to obtain a library card which is availableat the FSCC library.J. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT:It is my goal to ensure that while you are in my classroom, you are in a safe, non-hostile and freeof distractions environment that is conducive to learning:When the Instructor is talking, you are not;Raise your hand for your turn to talk;Be polite and be a friend;Be safe.Each student in this classroom shall exhibit mutual respect towards others in this classroom.Page 6 of 9

oom. Rooms that are designated tornado shelters should have a sign posted on theoutside indicating their designation as a tornado shelter.ii. Fire: follow the evacuation procedures in “a”. Feel your way to find the safest route tothe nearest exit. Assemble in the parking with your instructor for a headcount. DO NOTGO Back into the building.b. Lockdown: Stay in the classroom away from the field of view of windows. The classroom dooris to be locked.c. Location of first aid kit: Faculty lounge.d. Universal Precaution Kit: Faculty lounge.e. Always follow the orders from official first responders.Information regarding Textcaster for alerts can be found at www.fortscott.eduEmergency contact phone numbers seem to change regularly. For updated numbers, please checkwww.fortscott.edu under About tab also under the Staff tab.Campus security: Emergency only – Phone: 1-620-224-7207Emergency 911Maintenance: Emergency only – Phone: 620-223-2700 ext. 471N. MISCELLANEOUS:The instructor will hold class as scheduled to present the contents of the course to the student in an instructionaland professional manner. It is the student’s responsibility to learn the material being presented in this courseby:Attending class regularly and on time;Paying attention to the lecture and asking the instructor questions during class and during instructor’s postedoffice hours to clarify the concepts which the student might be having difficulties understanding;Spending adequate time learning the material presented to you by reading the reference material required forthis course and doing your homework and submitting it by the due date (it is recommended that the studentspends 2 hours per week, on average, studying and doing homework for each 1 hour of class time.)Behave in a professional manner and make use of your college years to acquire knowledge and culture to helpyou achieve your career goals in life after college. Make your stay pleasant and respect others as you wouldexpect them to respect you. Study hard and be proud of your achievements.Be a friend and be safe.O. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:Assignment due dates will be announced in class.A test may be expected every 3 to 4 weeks if not sooner. Test dates will be announced in class at least a weekin advance. One good reason to never miss class!Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. The material included is meant toprovide an outline of the course and rules that the instructor will adhere to in evaluating the student. However,this syllabus is not intended to be a binding legal contract.Page 8 of 9

Sign this page, detach from syllabus, and return to instructor.COURSE TITLE: Intermediate AlgebraFall 2011COURSE NUMBER: MAT1073CREDIT HOURS: 3INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Elie RiachiOFFICE LOCATION: Academic Building, A-150/153OFFICE HOURS: As posted.OFFICE PHONE: (620) 223-2700 x325E-MAIL ADDRESS: elier@fortscott.eduAffidavit:My signature below indicates that I have read and understand this syllabus, and it has been madeavailable either in hard copy or in an electronic format through the website and/or Blackboard.[Instructor may add specific statements related to his/her course.]______________________________________Student Signature_______________Date______________________________________Print Name______________________________________Print e-mail address*_________________________________Cell phone number**Students must provide the Registrar’s Office with updated contact information.Page 9 of 9