Online Syllabus

DIVISION OF ARTS AND SCIENCESMATH 138: COLLEGE ALGEBRA

(5 Credit Hours)Effective: October 2012

TRIMESTER: winter 2012

Instructor: PaedDr. Peter Vankúš, PhD. Office: BSBA roomE-mail: peter.vankus@gmail.com

REQUIRED RESOURCES

Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen. (2008). College Algebra with trigonometry (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill .

Whitaker, A. (2010). Research and APA style guide, 2nd ed. Bratislava, Slovakia: City University of Seattle. Available online at http://www.vsm.sk/en/student/academic-support/ or for purchase in the CU Slovakia library.

Access to the Internet is required.All written assignments must be in Microsoft-Word-compatible formats.

See the library’s APA Style Guide tutorial for a list of resources that can help you use APA style.

Copyright 2001-2010 by City University of SeattleAll rights reserved

MATH 138COLLEGE ALGEBRA

COURSE DESCRIPTION MATH138 is an examination of definitions and concepts of College Algebra including a review of fundamental algebra concepts. Topics also include graphing, linear and quadratic equations, linear inequalities, and linear programming. Every concept includes practical everyday applications, which focus on reducing math anxiety. This course satisfies the general math requirement and is essential as preparation for mathematics, statistics, and accounting courses.

COURSE RESOURCESRequired and recommended resources to complete coursework and assignments are listed on the My.CityU portal at Library>Resources by Course.

CITYU LEARNING GOALS This course supports the following City University learning goals:

City University of Seattle graduates exhibit professional competency and a sense of professional identity.

City University of Seattle graduates are critical thinkers. City University of Seattle graduates are lifelong learners.

PROGRAM CONTEXTThis course fulfills college algebra requirement for your degree.

COURSE OUTCOMES Upon the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify algebraic properties and rules;2.Solve linear and quadratic equations for unknowns;3.Graph linear and quadratic equations;4.Evaluate polynomial functions;5.Evaluate exponents and radicals;6.Solve linear systems of inequalities with two variables;7.Solve linear programming problems.

CORE CONCEPTS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS To achieve the goals of this course, you will need to master the following core concepts:

1. Real numbers;2. Exponents;3. Radicals;4. Polynomials;5. Rational expressions and variations;6. Coordinate system and graphing;7. Linear equations and inequalities;8. Quadratic equations;9. Systems of equations and inequalities;10. Linear programming.

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RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCESAs a City University of Seattle student, you have access to library resources regardless of where and how you are taking this class. To access the resources that are necessary to complete your coursework and assignments, visit the library menu in the My.CityU portal at http://my.cityu.edu.  A good place to begin your research is through the program or course resource sections that provide links to relevant journals, books, and Web sites.  Search the library's online catalog to locate books and videos, and place requests to have items mailed to you (services vary by location).  Search the online databases for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles. Articles that are not available full text in the library's collection can be requested from other libraries and delivered to you electronically. For additional help, submit your question via the Ask a Librarian e-mail service available through the portal or call 800.526.4269 (U.S. or Canada) or 425.709.3444.

PRINT RESOURCESAmdahl, K., & Loats, J. (1995). Algebra unplugged. Broomfield, CO: Clearwater.Blitzer, R. (2004). Student solution manual for college algebra. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Prentice Hall.Clawson, C. C. (1991). Conquering math phobia: A painless primer. New York: Wiley.Hult, C. A., & Huckin, T. N. (2004). The brief new century handbook (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn &

Bacon/Longman.Kitchens, A. N. (1995). Defeating math anxiety. Chicago: Irwin.Orr, B. (1992). Harpercollins college outline: College algebra. New York: HarperCollins. Smith, R. M. (1998). Mastering mathematics: How to be a great math student. (3rd ed.) Pacific Grove,

CA: Brooks Cole.Tobias, S. (1995). Overcoming math anxiety. New York: Norton.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCESThe following Internet resources may be of use to you in this course. Please be aware that Web addresses may change from time to time. Consult your instructor if you have questions about electronic resources.

A Catalogue of Mathematics Resources on WWW and the Internethttp://mthwww.uwc.edu/wwwmahes/files/math01.htm

City University of Seattlehttp://my.cityu.edu

Overview of Course Grading

The grade you receive for the course will be derived using City University of Seattle/Vysoká škola manažmentu’s decimal grading system, based on the following:

Assignments Percentage of Final Grade

Active Participation 20%Quizzes and Homework Assignment 30%Midterm Exam 25%Final Exam 25%

TOTAL 100%

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Specifics of Course Assignments

Active Participation

Class participation expands your knowledge and ability to implement strategies learned in the course.  Thus, you are expected to participate fully in each class. This includes preparing for each class session (reading and/or homework), demonstrating familiarity with the reading assignments, asking questions from previous class material, contributing new ideas, and/or challenging points from the reading or lecture. Most importantly, the course will have a variety of in-class activities, such as class discussions, small-group work, case studies, exercises, peer feedback, and/or simulations, and you are expected to play an active and constructive role in each.

Students in this course are also expected to demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, in part through regular attendance and participation, but also through the following: prompt arrival to class, respect to fellow students, a positive attitude, and following VŠM policies on appropriate classroom behavior and no cell phone use.

You cannot earn participation points or receive credit for in-class activities when you are absent. Participation points cannot be made up. 

Grading Criteria for Active ParticipationContributions to class activities (relevance, depth, quantity) 50%Demonstration of timely preparation and familiarity with

course concepts30%

Demonstrated respect to instructor and fellow students 20%

TOTAL 100%

Quizzes and Homework Assignments

You will have quizzes in the course to reinforce the course materials. The quizzes will test your ability to utilize mathematical terminology as well as the identification and application of proper mathematical tools for a given problem. All quizzes will be based on homework assignments. You may also use a calculator during the testing period.

Grading Criteria for QuizzessClear demonstration of ability to employ concepts, methods,

and techniques20%

Logical and sequential development of results 30%Successful problem completion 50%

TOTAL 100%

Exams

You should be prepared to answer a variety of types of questions pertinent to the concepts covered in or suggested by the course materials. Types of questions include true/false, multiple choice, short answer questions, and graphical or mathematical problems. Show all your calculations because even if you have the wrong final answer, you can earn partial credit for using the appropriate methods. If a calculator is

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necessary during the examinations, you must have your own calculator. Mobile phones may not be used as calculators.

The midterm exam will cover the first five weeks of the course. The final exam will cover the entire term. Your instructor will provide additional information about the content and style of examinations in this course.

Grading Criteria for Problems on ExaminationsClear demonstration of ability to employ concepts, methods,

and techniques20%

Logical and sequential development of results 30%Appropriate depth of analysis 20%Appropriate organization and format 10%Successful problem completion 20%

TOTAL 100%

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Course Policies

Late Assignments

Per Division of Arts and Sciences policy, undergraduate students are required to submit all assignments by the due dates stated in the syllabus. A late assignment is one that is submitted after the due date and time or after any extension has expired.

If circumstances prevent a student from meeting the due date, the student is obliged to contact the instructor and request an extension at least 48 hours prior to the date the assignment is due. Emergency situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Being busy, pressured with outside work, or having competing academic commitments are not valid reasons to grant extensions.

A student who receives an extension in advance of the due date and abides by the agreement with the instructor is not subject to late penalties.

Without prior arrangement with the instructor, students who submit assignments late will receive a 15 percent deduction in grade each day or part of the day that the assignment is late. For example, if the assignment is submitted two days late, 30 percent of the grade will be deducted.

Coursework received after one week (seven days) will not be graded and will receive a zero grade.

Professional Writing

Assignments require error-free writing that uses standard English conventions and logical flow of organization to address topics clearly, completely, and concisely. CityU requires the use of APA style.

University Policies

You are responsible for understanding and adhering to all of City University of Seattle’s academic policies. The most current versions of these policies can be found in the University Catalog that is linked from the CityU Web site.

Scholastic Honesty

City University of Seattle expects each student to do his/her own work. The University has "zero tolerance" for cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on assignments and papers, using "notes" during exams, submitting someone else's work as one's own, submitting work previously submitted for another course, or facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others. Scholastic Honesty policy applies also to online discussions that represent a part of assignments in online courses. Every reference material used in discussion contributions must be cited according to the current Research & APA Style Guide. The penalties are severe! A first offense results in a zero grade for the course; a second offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for one or more quarters; a third offense can result in expulsion from the University. The Policy and Procedures may be found at http://www.vsm.sk/en/students/scholastic-honesty/policies-and-procedures/.

In addition to providing your work to the instructor for grading, you must also submit an electronic copy for the City University of Seattle archives (unless the work is specifically exempted by the instructor). You will not receive a grade for particular work until and unless you submit this electronic copy. The procedure for submitting work to the archives is to upload it via the website

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http://www.vsm.sk/en/students/on-line-center/uploader/uploader.html . Files should include the cover page of the work with the student name, instructor name, course name and number, and date. File names should indicate the type of assignment, such as “researchpaper.doc”, “casestudy.doc” or “ thesis.doc” (student name should not be a part of the file name because the system adds it). All files received into the archives are submitted to www.TurnItIn.com for plagiarism checking.

Attendance

Students taking courses in any format at the University are expected to be diligent in their studies and to attend class regularly.

Regular class attendance is important in achieving learning outcomes in the course and may be a valid consideration in determining the final grade. For online classes, a student has attended if s/he has posted or submitted an assignment. A complete copy of this policy can be found in the University Catalog in the section titled Attendance Policy for Mixed Mode, Online and Correspondence Courses.

Support Services

Disability Resources

If you are a student with a disability and you require an accommodation, please contact the Disability Resource Office or your associate dean as soon as possible. For additional information, please see the section in the University Catalog titled Students with Special Needs under Student Rights & Responsibilities.

Library Services

In order to help you succeed in this course, you have access to library services and resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CityU librarians can help you formulate search strategies and locate materials that are relevant to your coursework. For help, contact a CityU librarian through the Ask a Librarian service. To find library resources, click on the Library link in the My.CityU portal.The Slovakia library homepage is at http ://library/cutn.sk/ . For additional help, visit the Slovakia library or submit your question in the Contact Us section of the Slovakia library’s web site.

Smarthinking

As a CityU student, you have access to 10 free hours of online tutoring offered through Smarthinking, including writing support, from certified tutors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact CityU’s Student Support Center at info@cityu.edu to request your user name and password.

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COURSE SCHEDULE

SESSION TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS READINGS

1Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra; Algebra and Real NumbersExponents

Ch. R.1-R.2

2Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra continued;RadicalsPolynomials: Basic operationsHomework test 1

Ch. R.3-R.4

3Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra continued;Factoring Polynomials Rational Expressions: Basic Operations

Ch. R.5-R.6

4Linear Equations and Their ApplicationsSystems of Linear Equations in Two Variables Solving a System by GraphingHomework test 2

Ch. 1.1-1.2, 10.1

5Quadratic Equations and ApplicationsReview sessionMIDTERM EXAM

Ch. 1.5

6Distance in the PlaneEquation of a lineLinear Equations and models

Ch. 2

7Linear Inequalities Systems of Linear Inequalities in Two VariablesQuadratic InequalitiesHomework test 3

Ch. 1.2, 10.7

8 Linear ProgrammingProject assignment

Ch. 10.8

9 Permutations and CombinationsHomework test 4

Ch. 11.4

10Review session

FINAL EXAM

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