Math 161 College Algebra for
Math, Science, & Engineering Majors Spring, 2011
Instructor: Lynn Vazquez
Office: Russell 118
Contacts: Phone: 732-255-0368 Math Office
Phone: 732-255-0400 x2183 OCC Main Number
E-Mail:
Book: Intermediate Algebra with Applications, 6th Edition
By Aufmann, Barker, & Lockwood
Tests: Tests will be announced in class. If a student must miss a test, the student must do the following in order to make-up that test:
1) Call the instructor or have someone call for you as soon as possible.
2) Make-up the test prior to the next class meeting.
If the student does not call or make-up the test prior to the next meeting, a zero will be recorded.
A maximum of one make-up test per semester is allowed.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be announced prior to the day of the quiz. Make-up quizzes are not provided!! If you miss a quiz, a zero will be recorded.
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the assignment and have questions ready for the beginning of the following class.
Attendance: Students are responsible for all material covered in class if they are absent. This includes missing the announcement of any quizzes, tests, or take-home quizzes. Be responsible for your absences!
Interruptions: Come to class on time! Each student is allowed to be late to class 2 times during the semester, any student with more than 2 absences will be charged with an absence for each additional day late. If a student accumulates 3 absences, an absence warning notice will be sent to the student. If the student has one additional late after the warning notice has been sent, the student will be withdrawn from class.
Shut off all cell phones!
Grading: Your final grade will be the average of all test grades + quiz average. If you are in danger of failing and would prefer to withdraw from class, then you must speak to me about withdrawing. If you do not, then you will receive an “F.”
In order to pass this class with a “C” or better, you must do well enough on your quizzes and tests so that your average is at least a 70. This applies to all students.
A= 90-100; B+ = 88-89; B = 80-87 ; C+ = 78-79; C = 70-77;
D= 64-69; F=<64
Office Hours.: Mon/Wed/Thurs:8:40-9:25; Tues/Fri 10:25-10:55; Mon & Thurs: 11:30-noon
To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled office hours, please contact your instructor directly or contact the Department of Mathematics. Phone: 732-255-0368 or
General Education Goals:
This course will meet the General Education Goal #1 to develop the ability to become an independent thinker through mathematical, scientific, and philosophical reasoning, and Goal #3 to develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing, and evaluating information.
Statement of Accommodation: If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to come and discuss this with me or a staff member from Disability Services.
Course Objectives:
The student will be able to:
a. Define graph functions and apply the function concept in practical application
b. Apply mathematical modeling for problem solving
c. Solve equations and inequalities involving polynomials, rational and irrational expressions
d. Display proficiency in the use of a graphics utility and understand its place and importance in mathematics
e. To analyze conic section equations and graphs
f. Solve parametric equations
g. Work with the complex number system and study its applications
All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course or in any course is private. Students’ written work, assignments, and test results may be used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course Content, support materials, and communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other forms of communication) ay be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized college administrators.
Important Notes
Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC (). Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.
Campus Resources and Services: Tutoring is available [a] in the Writing Center for writing assignments in all subject areas, not just English courses, and [b] in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. Tutoring information for all other subjects can be found on the Tutoring page on the college website. In addition, Study Strategy Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under “Academics.” More information on college services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under “T” for Tutoring or under “S” for Study Strategy Seminars).