Course Syllabus: Math 99 Intermediate Algebra

Whatcom Community College – Winter 2015 – Item # 5601 – Section B – 5 Credits

Instructor: Nathan Hall Email: nhall@whatcom.ctc.edu

Office: LDC 234 Office Hours: 10:30-11:20 M-F

Web: http://mathyourmind.wordpress.com Class Info: LDC 126; M-F; 9:30am-10:20pm

Course Description: Study of graphs, functions, inequalities, radicals, and complex numbers. Introduction to exponential and logarithmic functions. Also a brief introduction to right triangle trigonometry and its applications. Prerequisite: Math 98 (Elementary Algebra II) with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.

Required Course Materials

Text: Algebra: A Combined Course, McKeague, xyztextbooks, 2013.

Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for this course; I suggest either a TI-83 or TI-84. This is definitely a good investment if you plan on taking more math classes; a limited number are available for checkout from the library. You may not use calculator “alternatives” on tests (cell phones, etc).

Notebook: Organize your work using a binder, take notes daily, and bring a pencil for all tests.

Course outcomes: Students will be able to… 1. Simplify rational expressions and solve rational equations. 2. Determine the domain and range of a function represented either graphically, numerically or symbolically. 3. Evaluate functions and their sums, differences, products, quotients, and compositions. 4. Analyze the effects of parameter changes on the graphs of functions. 5. Graph and solve simple exponential and logarithmic equations. 6. Solve systems of equations with up to 3 variables (includes linear and non-linear systems using graphing, substitution, elimination, and calculator methods). 7. Apply the basic trigonometric relationships to right triangles.

General Policies and Procedures

Internet Usage and Email: This is a “digitally enhanced course”, which means you will need access to a computer with a reliable internet connection for some graded portions of the class. We will use WAMAP (more info below) for regular quizzes online, and this will also be a place for you to discuss content from class, access some materials from lecture, as well as help keep track of your current grade.

Email is my preferred method of communication, and you can expect me to reply to your emails within 24 hours during the work week, although usually I check my messages every few hours. As a responsible student, you should check your email on a daily basis.

Attendance and Participation: Daily attendance is crucial to mastering the material and to understand what will be required of you for exams. Excessive tardiness will result in point deductions at the instructor’s discretion. Please ask questions when you need help understanding a topic; the whole class will benefit from these discussions! Students are responsible for any announcements made in class concerning scheduling, change in exam dates, etc.

Emergency Closure: If the school closes due to an emergency, or class is cancelled, necessary course information will be conveyed via email.

Special Needs: Any student with a disability requiring auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations should contact the Disability Support Services office in the Entry and Advising Center (LDC 116) at 383-3080 or 255-7182 (VP) to make an appointment. If your accommodations involve taking exams in the testing center, please confirm this with your instructor.

Academic Honor Code: Academic honesty and integrity are taken seriously at WCC. Any and all forms of cheating or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action. This can range from earning a score of zero on an assignment or exam, to probation, suspension, or expulsion after review by the college administration.

Classroom Conduct: Everyone is expected to act in a responsible, professional manner at all times while in the classroom. To achieve this, here are some guidelines you should follow: -silence and put away all electronic devices other than a calculator -do not arrive late to class or leave early without discussing with me beforehand, it is disruptive -refrain from excessive talking during lecture or exhibiting disrespectful comments or behavior

Specific Course Requirements and Policies

Homework: Homework will be assigned for each section, and should be completed daily to prepare adequately for quizzes and tests. Homework will not be collected as part of your grade.

Quizzes: We will have quizzes periodically on WAMAP to help you assess your progress with the course material, and prepare for tests. Instructions on accessing can be found below. These quizzes will typically be available a few days before they are actually due. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Tests: Tests will be given for roughly each chapter covered. (refer to calendar)

Final: The comprehensive final exam will be given in two parts, on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th. This MUST be taken on the dates scheduled. You will be allowed one 3x5” note card (both sides) on each day.

Note: You may not share calculators during any assessments. There will be no make-up tests or quizzes. An absence on a test day will result in a grade of zero. In case of valid family or medical emergency that you are able to document, you must contact me prior to an exam to make alternative arrangements.

Assessment Weights: Your final grade will be determined by one of the following weighting systems: Option 1: Test Average: 60% Final Exam: 25% Quiz Average: 15% Option 2: Test Average: 40% Final Exam: 45% Quiz Average: 15% The option resulting in the highest grade will automatically be chosen for you. This system rewards you for performing better on the final exam than you have historically on previous tests.

Grade Scale: Your letter grade will be determined using the following scale:

93% ≤ A 83% ≤ B < 87% 73% ≤ C < 77% F < 60%

90% ≤ A- < 93% 80% ≤ B- < 83% 70% ≤ C- < 73%

87% ≤ B+ < 90% 77% ≤ C+ < 80% 60% ≤ D < 70%

Note: You must maintain at least a 70% average on tests, to possibly earn a passing grade of “C”.

Incompletes: An “incomplete” for this course is strongly discouraged. However, for some verifiable personal emergencies this option may be considered as long as you have shown sufficient progress as determined by the instructor, including at least an average of 73% on assessments. If circumstances prevent you from being able to complete this course, you should withdraw and try again later.

Important Dates:

100% Refund Deadline: Jan. 13 Presidents Day Feb. 16

MLK Jr. Day Jan. 19 Last Day to Withdraw March 3

Last Day to Drop Without “W”: Jan. 26 or Change S/U Grade:

Course Content

7.1 Simplifying Rational Expressions 7.2 Multiply and Divide Rational Expressions 7.3 Add and Subtract Rational Expressions 7.4 Equations Involving Rational Expressions 7.5 Applications 7.6 Complex Fractions 7.8 Direct and Inverse Variation 8.6 Introduction to Functions 8.7 Function Notation 8.8 Function Algebra and Composition S.1 Basic Function Graphs

S.2 Function Transformations 12.1 Exponential Functions and Applications 12.2 Inverse Functions 12.3 Logarithmic Functions and Applications 12.5 Common and Natural Logarithms 12.6 Exponential Equations & Change of Base 9.1 Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables 9.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Three Variables 9.3 Matrix Solutions to Linear Systems 9.5 Applications of Systems of Equations 13.5 Introduction to Nonlinear Systems

S.3 Trigonometry Unit

WAMAP

WAMAP is an online testing tool for educators in Washington. To use WAMAP you will need to create a

free account. Simply go to http://www.wamap.org/ and you will see a login area to the right and a link

below to register as a new student. You will need to fill out a username and password, provide your

email address, and enter in the following course ID and enrollment key:

Course ID: 9362

Enrollment Key: M99_Winter15

After registering and signing in, you should see an introductory quiz and further information about the

online classroom. Quizzes will become available a few days before they are due, and must be completed

by midnight on the due date. Feel free to ask me questions regarding the quizzes; since they are taken

outside of class they are open book, but I encourage you to attempt them without outside assistance.

Math 99: Winter Quarter 2015 Schedule (Subject to Change)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1/5 1/6 1/7

Intro/Syllabus

1/8

7.1

1/9 7.2

1/12 7.3

1/13 7.3

1/14 7.4

1/15 7.4

1/16 7.5 Quiz 1 Due

1/19

MLK Jr. Day

1/20 7.5

1/21 7.6

1/22 7.8

1/23 Review Quiz 2 Due

1/26 Exam 1

1/27 8.6

1/28 8.6

1/29 8.7

1/30 8.8

2/2 8.8

2/3 Supplement 1 Quiz 3 Due

2/4 Supplement 1

2/5 Supplement 1

2/6 Supplement 2

2/9 Supplement 2

2/10 Supplement 2

2/11 Supplement 2

2/12 Review Quiz 4 Due

2/13 Exam 2

2/16

Presidents Day

2/17

No Class

2/18 12.1

2/19 12.2

2/20 12.2

2/23 12.3

2/24 12.3

2/25 12.5

2/26 12.6

2/27 12.6

3/2 Review Quiz 5 Due

3/3 Exam 3

3/4 9.1

3/5 9.1

3/6 9.2

3/9 9.2

3/10 9.3

3/11 9.3

3/12 9.5

3/13 9.5

3/16 13.5

3/17 Supplement 3 Quiz 6 Due

3/18 Supplement 3

3/19 Supplement 3

3/20 Review Quiz 7 Due Sunday

3/23 Review

3/24 Final Part 1

3/25 Final Part 2

3/26 Grading

3/27 No Class