RANGER COLLEGE Math 1314 College Algebra - ONLINE ONLINE Instructor: Kimberly Calton Office Location: Early Campus Office Hours: Otherwise by appointment only Cell Phone: 512-914-8883 E-Mail: kcalton@rangercollege.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of the elementary functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, logarithmic, sequences. Graphing, solving equations, solving inequalities, and applications of these functions. Solving systems of equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to conic sections. COURSE CREDIT: 3 semester hours 3 lecture hours per week TEXT: College Algebra, 5th Edition, by Blitzer. ISBN: 10-0321559835; ISBN: 13-9780321559838 OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS: Computer to access Blackboard Learn, Microsoft Word, Graphing Calculator (TI-83 or -84 strongly recommended), Graph Paper. PREREQUISITES: Passing the math portion of the THEA test and two years of high school algebra or completion of the developmental math sequence as described in the Ranger College Developmental Education Plan. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Livescribe lectures online, problem-solving, interactive web pages, blackboard learn, videos covering material STUDENT ABSENCE POLICY: The only official absence is an authorized College activity. All work and/or assignments missed must be discussed with the instructor ahead of the due date. COURSE / CLASSROOM POLICIES Regular and punctual attendance in all classes is considered essential for optimum academic success. There is no set amount of times you should check into this class, however you should check the announcements, course mail and discussion board on a regular basis. If the student has the equivalence of three weeks of no attendance (i.e. no work turned in)... the instructor may drop the student from the course with a grade of F (Ranger College General Catalog) as long as the instructor has attempted to contact the student at least two times. Any student who posts obscene or inappropriate material on blackboard learn will be considered disruptive to the class and can/will be dismissed from the class. If it becomes excessive, the student may be dismissed from the course. Any student misconduct will be reported to the Dean of Student Services (See Student Handbook). Any student found with unauthorized notes (cheat sheets, electronic devices, etc.) during an exam or copying from another student s work will be subject to disciplinary action. ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with the Ranger College Counselor (Vicki Laurson). It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately after the semester begins.
Non-Discrimination Statement: Admission, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are nondiscriminatory in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin. ASSESSMENT: (Grading Procedures) Students missing lectures are responsible for getting notes from classmates or through blackboard learn. The course grade will be computed as follows: Written Assignments 750 points 27% Quizzes 550 points 20% Discussion Board 150 points 5% Four major tests (no make-up given) 800 points 29% Pre/Post Test (50 points each) 100 points 4% Final (comprehensive) 400 points 15% Total 2750 points 100% Examinations: Four major tests and a comprehensive final exam will be given. No make-up exams will be given. The Pre/Post Tests will be given online. Ten points of extra credit will be available on each of the 4 major tests. Students must make arrangements to physically come to one of the Ranger campuses or another authorized testing center to take TEST 2 AND THE FINAL. A valid ID must be show when taking your exam. All other tests will be taken in the comfort of your home and will be online. Written Assignments: Students will be expected to do mathematics. All written assignments are due at the BEGINNING OF CLASS. Written assignments are for the student s benefit. The more effort you put into working the written assignments & understanding the material, the better your grade will be on the test. The written assignments will have 10 questions. You must SHOW YOUR WORK in order to get full credit for each problem. Each written assignment must be done using Microsoft Equation Editor. Assignments not done using the equation editor will not be accepted. All written assignments are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm for full credit. Quizzes: Each week that there is not a test, you will have a 10 question multiple choice and true/false quiz over that week s material. You must have the quiz finished by 11:59 pm on Sunday to receive full credit. Each quiz will be worth 50 points. Late Policy on Written Assignments and Quizzes: 10% of the assignment will be deducted per day the assignment is turned in past the due date, unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Discussion Board: Each week discussion questions will be posted for the class to comment on. You must post an initial post by Wednesday at 11:59 pm and at least TWO response posts by Sunday at 11:59 pm. Each week s postings are worth at total of 10 points. Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit available in this class other than the ten points of bonus on each test. CHEATING ON ANY ASSIGNMENT OR TEST RESULTS IN A ZERO! Letter grades will be assigned as follows: 90 100% A 80 89% B 70 79% C
60 69% D Below 60% F ONLINE Grades: Your current average can be found at all times on Blackboard Learn. All written assignments and tests will be handed back within 48 hours. If you would like your assignment turned in faster, turn it in early. EXEMPLARY OBJECTIVES SUPPORTED BY THIS COURSE: The purpose of these objectives is to contribute to your intellectual and personal growth and assist you in understanding and appreciating not only your heritage, but also to prepare you for responsible citizenship and provide you the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing and highly technological world. M1. To apply arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, higher-order thinking, and statistical methods to modeling and solving real-world problems M2. To represent and evaluate basic mathematical information verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically M3. To expand mathematical reasoning skills and formal logic to develop convincing mathematical arguments M4. To use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding and to solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of the results M5. To interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them M6. To recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models M7. To develop the view that mathematics is an evolving discipline, interrelated with human culture, and understand its connections to other disciplines COLLEGE ALGEBRA COURSE OBJECTIVES: To be able to demonstrate these skills in writing: 1. Graphing relations, functions and inverses in the plane (M1, M2, M5) 2. Solving linear and quadratic equations (M2, M3, M4, M6) 3. Solving linear and non-linear inequalities (M2, M3, M4, M6) 4. Graphing quadratic and higher-degree polynomial functions; finding zeros of polynomial functions (M1, M4, M5, M6, M7) 5. Solving systems of linear equations; applying matrix algebra in solving linear systems (M1, M4) 6. Graphing and solving equations with exponential and logarithmic functions (M1, M2, M4, M5, M6, M7) 7. Graphing rational functions and conic sections (M1, M4) 8. Modeling and problem solving with sequences (M1, M7) NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus except the grading scale.
COURSE CALENDAR (15 weeks plus final) Suggested timetable (subject to change). The assignments for each lesson are listed with the date due. Lesson 1 Sections Covered during Lesson 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, P.5, 1.5, 1.6 2 1.7, 2.1, 2.2 3 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 4 2.6, 2.7 5 3.1, 3.2, P.4, 3.3 6 3.4, 3.5, P.6 7 Graphing Asymptotes: ALL 8 4.1, 4.2 9 4.3, 4.4 Date Due Assignments Due 23 Jan Initial Discussion Board 1 27 Jan Course Pre-Test, Written Assignment 1, Quiz 1 & Response Discussion Board 1 30 Jan Initial Discussion Board 2 3 Feb Written Assignment 2, Quiz 2 Board 2 6 Feb Initial Discussion Board 3 10 Feb Written Assignment 3, Quiz 3 Board 3 13 Feb Initial Discussion Board 4 Written Assignment 4 and Response Discussion Board 4, 17 Feb Exam 1: Chapters 1 & 2 20 Feb Initial Discussion Board 5 24 Feb Written Assignment 5, Quiz 4 Board 5 27 Feb Initial Discussion Board 6 3 Mar Written Assignment 6, Quiz 5 Board 6 6 Mar Initial Discussion Board 7 8 Mar Exam 2: Chapter 3 TAKEN AT RANGER 10 Mar Written Assignment 7 and Response Discussion Board 7 20 Mar Initial Discussion Board 8 24 Mar Written Assignment 8, Quiz 6 Board 8 27 Mar Initial Discussion Board 9 31 Mar 3 Apr Written Assignment 9, Quiz 7 Board 9
10 4.5 With Money 11 5.1, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 12 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 13 Review Chapter 5 & 6, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 14 8.2, 8.3, 8.6 15 8.7 Initial Discussion Board 10 Written Assignment 10 and Response Discussion Board 10, 7 Apr Exam 3: Chapter 4 10 Apr Initial Discussion Board 11 14 Apr Written Assignment 11, Quiz 8 Board 11 17 Apr Initial Discussion Board 12 21 Apr Written Assignment 12, Quiz 9 Board 12 24 Apr Initial Discussion Board 13 28 Apr Written Assignment 13, Quiz 10 Board 13 1 May Initial Discussion Board 14 5 May Written Assignment 14, Quiz 11 Board 14 8 May Initial Discussion Board 15 Written Assignment 15 12 May Response Discussion Board 15, Exam 4: Chapters 5, 6 & 8 14 May Course Post Test 14 16 FINAL AT RANGER May