Department of Mathematics Texas A&M University-Kingsville Online College Algebra Syllabus- Fall 2010 ************************************************************** COURSE: Online College Algebra Math 1314.600 We do not specify time and location for this online course. The following is a tentative time and place for occasional orientation, meeting, or tests. TIME: 5:30-6:45 PM, MW, LOCATION: Lib 306-B/ or Rhode Hall RH-243 INSTRUCTOR: Reza Ahangar Office: Rhode Hall / Room 230 OFFICE HOURS: MWF: 10:00-11:00 AM T&Th: 3:00-5:30 PM Extra help is available during instructor s office hours or by Appointment Contact Information: Phone: EXT-2235, e-mail: reza.ahangar@tamuk.edu Introduction: This online College Algebra course is designed for nontraditional students. Please read the following course syllabus carefully, especially the course expectations and activities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to communicate with the o Mathematics Department: http://www.tamuk.edu/math, Rhode Hall Room 230, or Ext. 2235 o Your academic advisor, or o Your instructor, phone: Ext- 2235, or e-mail: reza.ahangar@tamuk.edu Who is taking this course? Nontraditional students learning methodology has the following advantages: o They would like to apply the learning outcomes to specific goals, o They want to be able to directly apply new learning to their work and personal lives, o Problem solving and problem-centered so that they are actively engaged in the learning process. o Nontraditional students will bring rich and varied experience to the classroom, which become a valuable learning resource for other students. Prerequisite: Elementary Algebra or two years of high school algebra, or the equivalent level of skills. Textbook Title Thinkwell s College Algebra and Course Code, Author: by Edward Burger. PUBLISHER: Thinkwell, ISBN: 1-605-38-005-9 is required for this course. Textbook Student Resources www.thinkwell.com Computer Requirements: To participate in this course, you are required to have a valid and current e-mail account, access to a computer with Internet connection and a Java-enabled browser. You will also need access to Adobe Acrobat Reader. All students should send their e-mail address to the instructor as soon as they register for the course Catalog Course Description: 1
College level topics in algebra including functions, graphs, variation, piecewise defined functions, equations of lines, data visualization and elementary curve fitting, Linear, quadratic, and nonlinear functions and equations, solving equations and inequalities, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions with application of these functions to the natural and social sciences. Pedagogy and Course Philosophy: On the college algebra level, students have the opportunity to develop: capability to understand and interpret problems arising from natural phenomena related to their physical or social environments, ability to translate the problem into a mathematical representation, knowledge of how to solve mathematical models of real-world problems, ability to demonstrate the solution numerically and graphically using appropriate technology, and ability to draw inferences by reasoning, check for accuracy and validity, and refine the mathematical representations. Problem Solving Approach: These advantages will be used in activities and assignments to build on the shared experience of all learners in each class. For this reason each student s preparation, participation and interaction in class activities and discussions are critical to the success of each course. To achieve the SLO it requires a significant amount of time (8-10 hours per week) to prepare for and complete the course assignments. Required Course Activities o Participate in and complete the on campus or online orientation prior to your first online course. (visit the university or department website, Blue and Gold) o Register to purchase the Thinkwell company s online textbook. A pass code will be issued through your e-mail to have access; lectures, exercises, tests, and grade book,, etc. o Diagnostic Test of Prerequisite Chapter/ General Education Test o Weekly online video Assignments view by due date. o Weekly Online Practice Problems complete by due date. o Review Chapter Tests. o Chapter Tests o Final Exam Proctored Exams: Tests may be administered at the (Tamuk Testing Center or Math Department computer Lab) Picture ID card is required. Textbook Options Online Text Book with Course Materials from Thinkwell Corporation: Thinkwell s College Algebra with web-based online lectures and the College Algebra Companion Workbook by Thinkwell Corporation. To obtain access to the Thinkwell online lectures register for a password ($115.00). You must visit www.thinkwell.com and Then you will: Click Welcome Students white box; On state choose Texas ; On school select Texas A & M University- Kingsville ; and On selecting Course/Section choose: College Algebra-1314 2
Click on Register without Subscription Code. Notice that the university bookstore does not sell the subscription code. Then check continue Fill out the rest of the information and get a password to log on to the lectures and follow the instructions. If you have any trouble please contact techsupport@thinkwell.com. Instructional Strategies: 1. Students will use the online Thinkwell lectures and instructions. Any questions are to be posted on the Discussion board. 2. The students will also submit the answers to the Thinkwell Exercises (12 questions) at the end of each one of the assigned Thinkwell subsections. 3. The student must pay special attention to the course assignments since the assignments are made up of selected Thinkwell sections and do not include the entire Thinkwell College Algebra online and Companion Workbook. Note: Any problems with online information can be directed to techsupport@thinkwell.com Technology Resources: Calculator: TI-84 (or TI-nspire if available) Graphing Calculator, required for homework, exercises, and tests. Students will become skilled in calculator use to help solve problems. The use of the TI-84 will be required throughout the course for computations, graphing, or programming. In addition to the built-in programs, students will be instructed to enter, execute, and interpret the results of selected programs. ii) We may use (not required) spreadsheet (Excel) or Computer Algebra (Maple/Mathematica) based on our needs and availability of technology. In the most problem solving of the 21st century, we always need numerical or graphical approach to find solutions to the problems or projects. iii) We may use (not required) Computer Algebra System (CAS) for class demonstration: Maple is available in both computer Labs Lib-306-B and RH- 243. Method of Evaluation: 1) Chapter Tests (I): 10% 2) Chapter Test (II) 10% 3) Chapter Test (III) 10% 4) Chapter Test (IV) 10% 5) Chapter Exercises: 20% 6) Online Review Exams/Activities 20% 7) Final Exam 20% ----------------------------------- 100% Grading Scale: The final course grade will be based on the total points accumulated and calculated by: Grade Scale Less Than 60% [ 60% - 70%) [70%,80%) [80%--90%) [90% - 100] Grade F D C B A 3
The proctored exam will be taken online through Blackboard. Coordination of the proctored exam is done by the instructor and student. The students must comply with the following guidelines: It is up to the student to find a proctor that holds one of the following positions: Dean or Registrar of a college or university; Professional staff member of the adult or continuing education office, counseling center, testing center, or a professor of a college or university; Public or private school superintendent, principal, counselor, or teacher; Certified Librarian (city, county, etc.); Civil Service examiner or United State Armed Forces education officer. The Proctors' duties include: Being available during the whole exam appointment; Providing a quiet area and desk for taking the exam, and monitoring the student during the exam; Identifying the student by photo ID; Personal items such as purses, backpacks, cell phones, etc., may not be taken into the exam area; Items such as a graphing calculator, may only be used during the exam; Once the exam begins, do not allow the student to leave the test room for any reason until it is completed (the exam will be considered complete once the student leaves the room); Providing a computer and Internet access; Students' responsibilities: Arranging for a proctor and scheduling the exam at the proctor s convenience; Paying the proctor for exam proctoring charges, if any; Confirming the availability of a computer with Internet access at the exam site; Providing a photo ID to the proctor before taking an exam; Personal items may not be taken into the exam area (purses, backpacks, cell phones, etc.); Items such as a graphing calculator may be used during the exam; Bringing blank paper and writing tools to the exam as needed (proctors are not expected to provide paper or pens/pencils); Following the exam guidelines provided by the instructor. Instructor s responsibilities: Providing students with the specific guidelines for the proctored exam at the beginning of the course, including deadlines, materials allowed (calculator, text, and notebooks), etc.; Providing the proctor with specific instructions for the exam (time allowed, materials allowed, etc.); Verifying the proctor s contact information before the exam. Ethics Statement of Confidentiality Students enrolled in the program are expected to honor confidentiality as it pertains to student disclosure. Shared information, comments, or opinions expressed by another student or the faculty member during the course of classroom discussion should never be used in a manner which is intended to humiliate, embarrass, harass, damage, or otherwise injure other students in their personal, public, or business lives. In addition, 4
confidentiality must be upheld by not disclosing any information that would identify any particular individual. University Policies: i) Students With Disabilities: Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class, should notify the Service for Students with Disabilities Office (S.S.D) http://www.tamuk.edu/sass/lifeservices/ early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide documentation of his/her disability to the S.S.D. assistant coordinator. For more information, call (361) 593-3024 or visit Life services and Wellness. ii) It is your responsibility as a student of Texas A &M university-kingsville to be aware of the following policies: Academic misconduct, Nonacademic misconduct, Sexual misconduct. Information concerning these policies may be accessed through the online student handbook at the following website pp.36-48: http://www.tamuk.edu/sass/policies/studenthandbook2006.pdf Forms of academic dishonesty: 1) Cheating: deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered; giving or receiving aid unauthorized by the instructor on assignments or examinations. 2) Academic misconduct: tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of a scheduled test. 3) Fabrication: use of invented information or falsified research. 4) Plagiarism: unacknowledged quotation and/or paraphrase of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own in work submitted for credit. Failure to identify information or essays from the Internet and submitting them as one's own work also constitutes plagiarism. 5) Please be aware that the University subscribes to the Turnitin plagiarism detection service. Your paper may be submitted to this service at the discretion of the instructor Six-drop policy: If you are a freshman and you are enrolled in college for the first time Fall 2007 or later following graduation from high school, you are affected by this law. Senate Bill 1231 limits the number of courses that you may drop during your undergraduate career to six drops. If you need additional information on Senate Bill 1231 and how it affects you, please contact the Registrar s Office in College Hall, Room 105. Notice: The instructor reserves the right to alter the content of this syllabus, as necessary, throughout the semester to better design the curriculum for this course. Students will be notified of such changes. ***************************************************************************** College Algebra Course Content: Chapter (1)- Prerequisite Chapter 5
1.1 Introduction 1.2 Inequalities 1.3 Absolute Value 1.4 Exponents 1.5 Converting between Notations 1.6 Radical Expressions 1.7 Polynomial Expressions 1.8 Factoring 1.9 Factoring Patterns 1.10 Rational Expressions 1.11 Working with Rational 1.12 Complex Numbers Chapter (2): Linear and Quadratic Functions 2.1 Linear Equations 2.2 Word Problems with Linear Equations: Math Topics 2.3 Word Problems with Linear Equations: Applications 2.4 Quadratic Equations: Some Solution Techniques 2.5 Quadratic Equations and the Quadratic Formula 2.6 Quadratic Equations: Special Topics 2.7 Word Problems with Quadratics: Math Topics 2.8 Word Problems with Quadratics: Applications 2.9 Radical Equations 2.10 Variation 2.11 Solving Inequalities 2.12 Inequalities: Quadratics 2.13 Inequalities: Rationals and Radicals 2.14 Absolute Value Chapter (3): Functions and Graphs 3.1 Graphing Basics 3.2 Relationships between Two Points 3.3 Relationships among Three Points 3.4 Circles 3.5 Graphing Equations 3.6 Function Basics 3.7 Working with Functions 3.8 Function Domain and Range 3.9 Linear Functions: Slope 3.10 Equations of a Line 3.11 Linear Functions: Applications 3.12 Graphing Functions 3.13 The Greatest Integer Function 3.14 Composite Functions 3.15 Quadratic Functions: Basics 3.16 Quadratic Functions: The Vertex 3.17 Manipulating Graphs: Shifts and Stretches 3.18 Manipulating Graphs: Symmetry and Reflections 6
4.1 Polynomials: Long Division 4.2 Polynomials: Synthetic Division 4.3 The Remainder Theorem 4.4 The Factor Theorem 4.5 The Rational Root Theorem 4.6 Zeros of Polynomials 4.7 Graphing Polynomials 4.8 Rational Functions 4.9 Graphing Rational Functions Chapter 4: Polynomial Functions Chapter (5): Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 5.1 Function Inverses 5.2 Finding Function Inverses 5.3 Exponential Functions 5.4 Applying Exponential Functions 5.5 The Number e 5.6 Logarithmic Functions 5.7 Solving Logarithmic Functions 5.8 Properties of Logarithms 5.9 Evaluating Logarithmic Functions 5.10 Applying Logarithmic Functions 5.11 Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 5.12 Applying Exponents and Logarithms 5.13 Word Problems Involving Exponential Growth and Decay 7
General Education and Student Learning Objectives: College Algebra is a course serving the general education course at Texas A & M University with the following Student Learning Objectives. GEO-1 GEO-2 GEO-3 GEO-4 GEO-5 GEO-6 GEO-7 Mathematics General Education Objectives To demonstrate proficiency in applying mathematical models and using statistical information to solve real world problems. To demonstrate competence in conveying and evaluating basic mathematical information. To demonstrate proficiency in using mathematical reasoning and logic to develop convincing argument. To demonstrate proficiency in using appropriate mathematical thinking to judge the reasonableness of results when applying technology to solve problems. To demonstrate competence in interpreting and drawing inferences from mathematical models such as formula graphs, table, and schematics. To recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models. To demonstrate and understanding that mathematics is interrelated with human culture and connected to other disciplines. References: [1] Don Smell, College Algebra: A Course in Crisis, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996 [2] West Texas A & M Virtual MathLab and Tutorial: http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/index.htm [3] For online projects please see: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_interest_area.php?ia=math [4] The National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides leadership in using information technology to redesign learning environments to produce better learning outcomes for students at a reduced cost to the institution. http://www.center.rpi.edu/whoweare.htlm 8