Syllabus
Course Title: Intermediate Algebra
Course number: MAT111
Section: 11
Semester: Fall 2005
Instructor: Professor D. Ledsome, M.A.
Office: Rm. 2210, South Bend Campus
Telephone: (888) 489-3478 ext 5416
Email:
Office Hours: TBA
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT 050 - Basic Algebra or demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment (elementary algebra section ASSET 40+), (algebra section COMPASS 41-65).
Program: General Education
Division: General Education and Support Services
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: Internet (varies)
Method of Delivery: Internet.
Text: K. Elayn Martin-Gay, Intermediate Algebra 4th Ed., Pearson Education, 2005
Supplemental Materials: MyMathLab/CourseCompass software; a scientific or graphing calculator for use on homework and tests.
Catalog Description: Reviews basic operations of polynomials, scientific notation, linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, and factoring algebraic expressions. Concentrates on properties of integer and rational exponents and equations, systems of linear equations, radicals, radical equations, quadratic equations, functions and their graphs, and applications. A standard college level intermediate algebra course.
General Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:
1. Perform basic operations on polynomials and factor polynomials.
2. Use the properties of integer and rational exponents and scientific notation.
3. Solve linear equations and inequalities.
4. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables.
5. Determine linear equations from geometric data.
6. Solve systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and addition/elimination.
7. Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula.
8. Graph quadratic functions.
9. Simplify rational expressions and solve rational equations.
10. Solve literal equations.
11. Simplify radicals and solve radical equations. 12. Interpret functions algebraically, graphically, and numerically and use function notation.
13. Use relevant mathematical terminology, laws, and notation.
14. Solve a variety of application problems in the above areas.
15. Use a scientific and/or graphing calculator proficiently as related to coursework.
16. Use computer technology which may include the Internet, the Web, email, or computer tutorials to enhance the course objectives.
Course Content:
" Polynomial operations
" Scientific notation
" Linear equations and inequalities
" Graphs of linear equations and inequalities
" Factoring
" Integer and rational exponents
" Rational expressions and equations
" Systems of linear equations
" Radicals and radical equations
" Quadratic equations
" Functions and their graphs
" Applications
Midterm/Final: There will be only two written tests during the semester, a Midterm Exam and a CUMULATIVE Final Exam. When you are ready to take the Midterm or the Final, let me know, let Amy Pawlosky know, AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO TAKE IT WITH YOUR SITE COORDINATOR (not me!) The Midterm and Final may be taken here in South Bend or at another Ivy Tech campus, but theyshould be taken at an Ivy Tech site, under proctored conditions. PAY ATTENTION to the dates listed in the Course Outline for when these should be taken. You are, of course, free to take them EARLY if you complete the work and are ready to do so.
CourseCompass online tests: you will be required to complete an online Chapter Test at the end of each chapter we do. This work will be "graded" by the software, and I will be able to retrieve the results whenever I like. These online tests will account for 35% of your course grade.
Grading: The grade awarded for MAT 111 will be determined as follows:
Online work: 35% of grade
Attendance/Contact: 5% of grade
Midterm and Final Exam: 60% of grade (30% each)
Grading Scale: 90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C; 60-69% D; 0-59% F
Attendance/Contact Policy: In the first week, youMUST send me an email at , listing your contact information (name, contact phone #, preferred email address). Then, each week thereafter, you must make one post in theDiscussion Board for this course inELearning (NOT on theCourseCompass site), in a "Check-In" section set aside for that purpose. If I don't see a post from you, you will be marked "absent" for that week.
Make-up Policy: Since the Midterm and Final are given by appointment, there should be no need for makeups.
Homework: Besides the practice problems you can generate using the software, you might wish to also do problems from the book. I'll also be providing you with a list of "Suggested Assignments" which are in the book. This will be the same list that I give my live-lecture sections. You may or may not not do many of these problems-- if you use the software properly, you may not need to-- but I'll provide it to you for your reference.
"Extra Credit": Your grade is determined entirely on the basis of the Midterm and Final, your online tests, and the attendance/contact. There is no "extra credit" you can do.
ADA Statement: IvyTechState College seeks to provide effective services and accommodations for qualified individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability, you are required to register with Disability Support Services at the beginning of the semester. In South Bend, callCathy Cassady, 219-289-7001, ext 5340. Her office is in 1213 (in the Learning Lab) on the South Bend campus. If you are in a different Ivy Tech region, contact your local campus and ask for their Disability Support coordinator.
Academic Honesty Statement: Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.
In particular, having someone else do your online work for you, or having someone else take (or attempt to take) the Midterm or Final Exam for you, constitutes cheating. You WILL be required to furnish proof of identity when you come in to take the Midterm and the Final.
IvyTechState College Virtual Library: For students on- and off-campus,the Virtual Library offers fulltext journals, books, and other resources essential for completing course assignments. Go to and choose the Virtual Library link for your campus.
General Education Outcomes: IvyTechState College is committed to graduating students who have the appropriate technical and general education skills. General Education skills are assessed in selected courses through an authentic assessment project to evaluate curriculum effectiveness.
Course Outline: Posted under "Weekly Course Timeline"
Note: The instructor reserves the right to alter the type and sequence of activities scheduled for this course.
Weekly Course Timeline
Week 1: Do Chapter 1, Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
Week 2: Start Chapter 2, Equations, Inequalities, and Problem Solving (all sections EXCEPT 2.6, 2.7). By the end of this week you should have finished 2.2 at least.
Week 3: Finish Chapter 2. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
Week 4: Start Chapter 3, Graphs and Functions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 3.2 at least.
Week 5: Continue Chapter 3. By the end of this week you should have finished 3.5 at least.
Week 6: Finish Chapter 3. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
Week 7: Start Chapter 4, Systems of Equations (sections 4.1, 4.3 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Week 8: Review for Midterm Exam. TAKE MIDTERM EXAM OVER CHAPTERS 1-4 BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Week 9: Start Chapter 5, Exponents, Polynomials, and Rational Expressions (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 5.4 at least.
Week 10: Finish Chapter 5. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Week 11: Start Chapter 6, Rational Expressions (sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.6 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished 6.2 at least.
Week 12: Finish Chapter 6. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Week 13: Start Chapter 7, Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers (all sections). By the end of this week you should have finished 7.4 at least.
Week 14: Finish Chapter 7. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
Week 15: Do Chapter 8, Quadratic Equations and Functions (sections 8.1, 8.2 ONLY). By the end of this week you should have finished the chapter. TAKE ONLINE CHAPTER TEST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
Week 16: Review for Final Exam. TAKE FINAL EXAM (OVER ALL CHAPTERS WE'VE DONE) NO LATER THAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 12.