MATHEMATICS 1090-004
Business Algebra
WEB L114, 11:50-12:40 MWF
Spring 2014
Instructor:Bryan Wilson – – Office JWB 314
Office Hours – To be determined later
You may also email me to set up times of your choosing.
Problem Session - There will be a weekly problem session at a time and place to be determined later. I will direct this session.
Course Website: http://www.math.utah.edu/~wilson/1090Spring14.html
Prerequisites:C or better in Math 1010.
Textbook:The textbook will be available online as an e-book beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8. At that time a link will be given to you to purchase the book. The title is Business Algebra, author is MacArthur. DO NOT use an old copy of this book, as a revised edition is being used for this semester!
Course Description:Math 1090 is a pre-calculus algebra course designed to prepare the student for a calculus course while holding a business and application-oriented approach. The entire book will be covered. Students will be expected to solve linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, and logarithmic equations. Because of the emphasis of this class students will solve many story problems and learn to interpret data presented in many forms. Also matrices and financial math will be covered.
Homework:Homework will be posted online for each section that is covered in class. The homework will be turned in weekly for a grade, usually on Mondays in class. Homework is turned in at the beginning of class on the day it is due and will not be accepted after that point. Working in groups is encouraged and highly recommended for these problems. The lowest two homework scores at the end of the semester will be dropped. The answers to all homework problems are in the back of the book, so you must show work to receive points!
Exams:Three 60 minute midterm exams will be given. The problems will be very similar to those from homework but with different numbers. These exams may have material from previous chapters as well at my discretion. Make-up exams will not be given except in some sort of unavoidable crisis situation. The sooner you let me know about a potentially missed exam, the better! Do not miss an exam and then try to talk to me about it 2 weeks later!
Final Exam:The final exam is a comprehensive department final. As such it may differ from the other exams in format, content, etc. It will be given on Tuesday, April 29 from 3:30-5:30 in a room to be determined later. The final exam cannot be made up, you MUST be in class on this day to take the exam.
Grading:Grades will be determined at the end of the semester by weighting the following parts of the overall grade:
10%Homework
25%Midterm
25%Midterm
10%Midterm (your lowest midterm will count for less of your grade) 30% Final Exam
Grades will be given based on the standard grading scale (90% or higher is an A, 80 – 90% is a B, etc.) I do not “bump up” grades which are close!
Extra Credit:There will be extra credit available from the following sources:
- Extra Credit problems on tests.
- An optional review assignment before the final exam worth 2% bonus.
- A bonus of 0.5% will be given each time a student attends my office hours or study sessions for help (for up to 2% bonus, limit of once per week).
- Bonus problems will occasionally be given and due with homework assignments. Each one will be worth 0.5% on your final grade.
Calculators:You may use a scientific calculator on any homework, quiz, or exam in this course. Cell phones and programmable calculators are not allowed!
ADA statement:The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic learning, and psychiatric disabilities. The student needs to have such a disability approved by the Disability Service Office (UNION 162) in order to have the accommodations provided. The instructor needs to be informed about such a disability and approved accommodations at the beginning of the semester.
Tutoring: The Rushing Math Center offers free drop-in tutoring, a computer lab, and study areas. The Rushing Student Center is adjacent to the LCB and JWB. More information available at http://www.math.utah.edu/ugrad/mathcenter.html.
University Tutoring Services, in SSB 330, offers one on one tutoring in many university courses at a low price.
Cheating:Cheating is a form of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. It should be noted that sharing work on tests is never allowed. The first instance of cheating will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment, and a second instance of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course. Other forms of academic dishonesty are outlined in the Student Code and will be enforced in this class.
Canvas:Your grades will be updated somewhat regularly on Canvas (which you can access through CIS). Important: This is the only information I will put on Canvas! All assignments, course announcements, etc. will be made through the course website!