MATH 60: Elementary Algebra
Instructor: Tom Greenwood
Office: MS 102
Office Hours: M – TH 11:00 – 12:00 or by appointment
Phone: 395-4229
E-Mail:
Website: http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/tgreenwood
Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or better in Math 50/ACDV 72 or equivalent placement.
Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra by Turner and McKeague (xyztextbooks.com)
Course Description: Fundamental concepts and mathematical processes first degree equations, polynomials, special products and factoring, rational expressions and equations, ratios, proportions, exponents, graphs, simultaneous linear equations.
Course Content: Chapter 1 Real Numbers and Algebraic Expression (2 weeks)
Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Inequalities (2.5 weeks)
Chapter 3 Linear Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables (2.5 weeks)
Section 4.1 Solving Linear Systems by Graphing (1 day)
Chapter 5 Exponents and Polynomials (2 weeks)
Chapter 6 Factoring (3 weeks)
Chapter 7 Rational Expressions (3 weeks)
Grading: Homework 10%
Quizzes 20%
Exams 50%
Final Exam 20%
Total 100%
Grades will closely follow this trend.
Percent Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 60 F
The overall grade is based on a percentage, not on points.
Homework: Homework will be assigned through the xyztextbooks.com website. It is highly suggested to buy web access to the book at xyztextbooks.com for $45/year. This is compared to buying the textbook at the bookstore for $120.
The Access Code for this class is 11495
Homework will be due every Monday at 6pm. The only exception will be on weeks when there is an exam. On those weeks, the homework will be due on the day of the exam at 11am.
One of the best ways to ensure that you maximize your chances for passing this class is to make sure you do the homework every day!! There are many students who have not passed this class (and should have passed) and the main reason is that students did not do their homework.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given every Tuesday, based on last week’s work assigned. On those weeks when there is an exam, there will be no quiz.
Exams: Exams will be based on every chapter.
Final Exam: This is a cumulative final.
8 am class: Wednesday, December 6, 8:00 – 9:50 am
9:35 am class: Monday, December 4, 10 – 11:50 am
Important Dates: Last day to drop without a “W” is September 3, 2017.
Last day to drop with a “W” is October 20, 2017.
Attendance: If you miss more than 8 classes (two weeks), you will automatically be dropped from the class. I need not warn you when you are close to this point. Students cannot leave class early unless they have the professor’s permission prior to the start of class.
Cheating: There will be a zero tolerance policy on cheating. A first offense will receive a zero on that assignment/quiz/exam and possible mention on their permanent record. A second offense will receive more drastic measures with a possibility of being removed from the course. Calculators are subject to being reviewed by the professor before, during, and after an examination. This is due to previous encounters in past semesters.
Classroom Etiquette:
It is expected that you devote your full attention to the class. Some examples of bad etiquette are (but not limited to):
· Text messaging
· Reading newspapers, magazine, or other material not related to the class
· Talking
· Sleeping
· Studying for another class
Talking: There is absolutely no talking aloud while the professor is conducting lecture. This is a distraction to not just the professor, but fellow students as well. Please have consideration for the students around you. Failure to do so will result in being asked to leave the class.
Sleeping: Sleeping is not permitted in class. If you cannot stay awake in class……go home and get some rest.
Cell Phones: Cell phones need to be either turned off for the duration of class. It is unacceptable to answer the phone either in class or to leave class to take a phone call. Any use of the cell phone in class will result in you being asked to leave the class. No exceptions.
Texting: Texting in class is prohibited. This is the equivalent to talking in class. If you caught texting during class, you will be asked to leave the class.
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, laptops, music, etc.) should be turned off and put away before the beginning of class. Any electronic device being used in class can also result in you being asked to leave the class.
Calculators: Scientific calculators are allowed after the first chapter. Graphing calculators cannot be used (TI-83, TI-84, etc..).
Makeups: Quizzes cannot be made up. Exams can be made up only in extreme circumstances. Missing an exam does not give you the automatic right to make it up!! Notification of the absence must be given prior to the time of the exam. Documentation must be provided in case of sickness. If a makeup is granted, a maximum of one makeup is allowed for the semester.
Accommodations: Students with disabilities needing accommodation, including those who had an IEP in high school, should make requests to Disabled Students Programs and Services in CSS 10 (661-395-4334). All requests for accommodations require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. Please discuss approved accommodations with me so we can work together to ensure your access and success at BC.
FERPA: The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that prohibits the instructor from sharing student information (grades, class progress, etc..) with anybody except the student. This means that I cannot share your information with family members (parents, siblings, spouses, etc…).
Tutoring: Drop in tutoring is available in the Math Learning Center (Second floor of the Student Services Building).
The Math Hub(MS-113) offers drop-in, one-on-one tutoring with math consultants to help you crunch those numbers.
The Tutoring Center(CSS-203) trains students who have been successful in various subjects to be your tutor, sitting down with you one-on-one to encourage and guide you in a specific course.
SI (Supplemental Instruction)(CSS-193) represents small group learning in which you participate in weekly study groups for a certain course led by competent students (known as SI Leaders).
Notes: To be successful in Math 60, you must make sure to put in the work necessary to be successful. Every hour that you spend in class, you need to spend about two hours outside of class. Staying on top of your homework and the material (and attending office hours) will help in making sure you are successful in this class. Also make sure to do the homework every day!!
Math 60 Course Outcomes
1. Translate application problems, such as distance, percent, and geometry by formatting an appropriate equation or inequality. Solve and interpret solutions.
2. Classify linear, rational, and quadratic functions, and apply appropriate algorithms, including factoring, graphing, and symbolic representations to find solutions.
3. Demonstrate mathematical knowledge by clearly communicating linear, exponent, and rational concepts in written or verbal form.
4. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the conclusion of this course, the students should be able to:
A. Simplify algebraic expressions using the correct order of operations.
B. Solve formulas and linear equations for a specified variable.
C. Solve application problems by defining a variable, setting up and solving an equation and interpreting the result.
D. Perform algebraic operations on polynomials: factor, add, subtract, multiply, and divide by a monomial.
E. Given a linear equation, graph the line, identify, and interpret x and y intercepts and slope.
F. Write and graph linear equations given a) two points and b) one point and a slope.