College Algebra (MATH111) Fall Term 2014 MW 5:15-6:55, z207

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1 Professor: Office: College Algebra (MATH111) Fall Term 2014 MW 5:15-6:55, z207 Patrick M. Kelly 402 Old Main Phone: Office Mondays: 1:00 3:00 Hours: Wednesdays: 1:00 3:00 Fridays: 1:00 3:00 Meeting times by appointment may be arranged as well. Other Information: This course is registered on Blackboard, an academic software package set up on one of Mercyhurst s servers. You may access information about the course via Blackboard at any time from any computer. Please check that the address listed for you on Blackboard (most likely your Mercyhurst account) is the account that you use regularly; please change it on Blackboard if this is not the case. Text: Calculator: Intermediate Algebra for College Students (sixth edition), by Bernard Kolman and Arnold Shapiro, BVT Publishing, ISBN This book is available in hardcover, loose-leaf or e-book form. A calculator is not required for this course, but some students may find the assistance of one to be useful when learning some of the concepts. Please note, though, that if you choose to use a calculator to facilitate your learning, you need to be sure that the calculator does not become a crutch. That is, you need to make sure you understand the concepts independently of the calculator, and that you can perform the skills learned in the course without having to rely on the calculator. Be aware that during most of the quizzes and exams, calculators will not be permitted. If a calculator will be permitted for a quiz or exam, this will be announced well in advance of the exam so that you may plan accordingly. **If no announcement is made about a calculator for an upcoming quiz or exam, this will mean that the default rule will be in effect: no calculators.** Course Content: This is a course in algebra, similar to high school courses in algebra except that the pace will be faster. We will begin with some review of real-number concepts, and proceed into linear equations in one variable, mathematical modeling, polynomials, rational expressions, functions, lines, exponents, second-degree equations, seconddegree inequalities, roots of polynomials, and (time permitting) linear programming.

2 Course Learning Goal and Objective: At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to: Use mathematical reasoning by solving algebraic equations and inequalities, by creating correct algebraic models and solving the models ( word problems ). Elaboration and specification of this goal is provided below: 1. Identify, distinguish, perform arithmetic operations on, and find solutions to equations using the integer, rational, real and complex number systems. 2. Translate the written problem and create algebraic models to solve real-life problems. 3. Solve systems of linear equations. Statement of Support for the Mercy Mission This course supports the Mercy Mission by creating students who are intellectually creative. This is achieved through fostering critical habits of the mind, which support the aspirations for excellence manifested within the academic community. In particular, the student will achieve this by being able to communicate and defend position/conclusions by setting up correct algebraic models and solving the model. Statement of Core Curriculum Fulfillment MATH111 is a course in the Scientific, Quantitative, & Critical Reasoning category of the Core Curriculum of Mercyhurst University. Evidence of this course s alignment with the proper Core student learning outcomes is provided as the last page of this syllabus. Grading: Your final course grade will be compiled from several factors. Five homework assignments, eight quizzes, three in-class exams, and the cumulative final exam will be considered for the course grade calculation. The point distribution amongst these factors will be as follows: Five Hand-in Homework assignments, 10 points each = 50 points Eight Quizzes, 20 points each = 160 points Exam #1, 100 points Exam #2, 100 points Exam #3, 100 points Final Exam, 140 points Total: 650 points Course grades will be determined using the following scale: A points ( %) B points ( %) B points ( %) C points ( %) C points ( %) D points ( %) D points ( %) F points (0-59.4%)

3 Homework: Quizzes: Services: Homework in a mathematics class is a must! Selected problems from each section lectured on in class will be assigned as suggested exercises. I will not be checking or grading these problems; they are your responsibility to do and understand (I am available for even the most trivial of questions though....). Five Hand-in Homework assignments will be given throughout the term as well, each worth 10 points toward your final course score. Quizzes will be used as an assessment of your understanding of the material and your progress in the course. Quizzes will be held eight times during the term, as (mostly) slated on the course schedule on the last page of this syllabus. Making up a missed quiz is highly improbable, and is only considered when notice is given prior (when possible) to the missed quiz, there is a valid reason for missing the quiz, and the quiz is made up before to the next class session. Learning Differences In keeping with college policy, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations must call Learning Differences at to arrange a confidential appointment with the Disability Services Director during the first week of classes. Tutoring Dr. Griffiths and some of our mathematics majors run free tutoring sessions for several different mathematics courses, including College Algebra. These ongoing sessions adhere to the following schedule: Day Time Room Sunday 6:00-8:00 Zurn 213 Monday 7:00-9:00 Zurn 213 Tuesday 6:00-8:00 Zurn 213 Thursday 6:00-8:00 Zurn 213 No appointment is necessary; just walk on in! Below is a link to their website: You are strongly encouraged to utilize this tutoring service if you find yourself in need of some extra assistance. Cell Phones: Before each class session begins, please try to remember to turn your phones off so as not to cause a disruption during class (and do realize that even the sound of a vibrating phone can be disruptive). Furthermore, cell phones are not permitted at all during exam situations (quizzes and tests).

4 (Tentative) Course Schedule: Day Section Material Wednesday, 8/27 Intro to the course; 1.2; 1.3 Arithmetic Operations: Fractions; Algebraic Expressions Monday, 9/1 1.6; 2.1 Absolute Value and Inequalities; Linear Equations in One Variable Wednesday, 9/3 Quiz #1 2.4 Linear Inequalities Monday, 9/8 4.1; 4.2; 4.3 Polynomials; Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials; Multiplication of Polynomials Wednesday, 9/10 Quiz #2 4.4; 4.5 Factoring; Special Factors Monday, 9/ Division of Polynomials Wednesday, 9/17 Exam #1 Material covered from Chapters 1-4 Monday, 9/22 5.1; 5.2 Simplifying Rational Expressions; Multiplication and Division of Rational Expressions Wednesday, 9/24 5.3; 5.4 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Expressions; Complex fractions Monday, 9/29 Quiz #3 5.5 Equations and Inequalities with Fractions Wednesday, 10/1 6.1; 6.2 Rectangular Coordinate Systems; Functions and Function Notation Monday, 10/6 6.3 Graphs of Functions Wednesday, 10/8 Midterm Break no class! Monday, 10/13 Quiz #4 7.1; 7.2 Slope of the Straight Line; Equations of the Straight Line Wednesday, 10/15 7.3; 8.1 Further Properties of the Straight Line; Positive Integer Exponents Monday, 10/20 Exam #2 Material covered from Chapters 5, 6 and 7 Wednesday, 10/22 8.2; 8.3 Integer Exponents; Rational Exponents Monday, 10/27 8.4; 8.5 Evaluating and Simplifying Radicals; Operations with Radicals Wed., 10/29 Quiz #5 8.6 Complex Numbers Monday, 11/3 9.1 Solving Quadratic Equations Wednesday, 11/5 9.2; 9.3 The Quadratic Formula; Roots of a Quadratic Equation: The Discriminant Monday, 11/10 Exam #3 Material covered from Chapters 7-9 Wednesday, 11/ Second-Degree Inequalities Monday, 11/ ; 10.2 Synthetic Division; The Remainder and Factor Theorems Wednesday, 11/19 Quiz #6 10.2; 10.3 The Remainder and Factor Theorems; Factors and Roots Monday, 11/24 Wednesday, 11/26 Thanksgiving Break no classes! Monday, 12/1 13.1; 13.2 Systems of Equations; Solving by Elimination Wednesday, 12/3 Quiz # Systems of Linear Equations in Three Unknowns Monday, 12/8 Reading Day no classes 6:00 Final Everything!

5 MATH 111 College Algebra, Fall 2014 Patrick M. Kelly Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Systems math.mercyhurst.edu/~pkelly This course has been approved for the Mercyhurst University Core and fulfills a requirement in Core Area V. The following explicates the Core Learning Outcomes that are associated with this course and how they will be assessed as part of the Core requirements. Core Learning Outcomes and Assessment Strategies The table below highlights the Student Learning Outcomes associated with every course in Core Area V - Scientific, Quantitative, and Critical Reasoning. Primary Learning Outcome Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning Learning Objective Use mathematical concepts to make logically sound decisions, judgments, and/or predictions; effectively use scientific inquiry and reasoning to solve problems and analyze and interpret data. Associated Assessment Quantitative conceptual evaluation, issued online to all student enrolled in an relevant course Supporting Learning Outcome Supporting Learning Outcome Critical Thinking Creative Thinking All Core Student Learning Outcomes are assessed on a rotating basis of at least once every three years. All assessment documents and information including the scoring rubrics can be found on the Mercyhurst portal and website. Please direct questions to the course professor or to the Core Assessment Coordinator coreassessment@mercyhurst.edu. Course Learning Goals and Objectives The following course objectives detail how the specific content of this course will support the above Core Outcomes. Use mathematical reasoning by solving algebraic equations and inequalities, by creating correct algebraic models and solving the models ( word problems ).