MAT 121 – COLLEGE ALGEBRA
Spring 2017 Course Syllabus
Description
This course will include a brief review of intermediate algebra, equations, and inequalities, functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and conic sections.
Course Competencies
1. Review topics
a. Polynomial Operations
b. Linear Equations
c. Factoring by Grouping and Quadratic in Form
d. Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers
e. The Cartesian Coordinate System
2. Equations and Inequalities
a. Transformations with functions involving Radicals, Absolute Value, Quadratic, Cubic, Square Root, Cube Root, and the Inverse.
b. First degree Inequalities and Rational Inequalities
c. Applications and Formulas including Proportion and Variation of multiple variables.
3. Functions and Their Graphs
a. Composition and Combinations of functions
b. One-to-one and Inverse functions
c. Rational Root Theorem
d. Synthetic Division and approximation of Real Roots
e. The Remainder and Factor Theorems
f. The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
a. Exponential Functions and their Graphs
b. Logarithmic Function
c. Properties of Logarithms
d. Logarithmic and Exponential Equations
5. Linear Systems
a. Substitution and Addition Methods
b. Matrices and Gaussian Elimination
c. Matrix Operations
d. Using the matrix key on the calculator
6. Graphs and Equation Recognition of the Conic Section
a. Circles
b. Parabolas
c. Ellipses
d. Hyperbolas
Instructional Philosophy
The instructor believes that mathematics should be related to experience, and that collaboration and active involvement creates more opportunity for learning. The content, learning resources, assessment procedures, and grading reflect these beliefs by incorporating a variety of activities in addition to traditional lecture methods.
Prerequisite
You should have a placement score of EA ≥ 85, or have completed Algebraic Literacy (MAT 055) or Intermediate Algebra (MAT 099) with a grade of S/C or better. Students with a placement score of EA 80-84 may be advised into MAT 121, but must co-enroll in an Algebra Lab (MAT 093).
Algebra Lab (MAT 093)
Students enrolled in MAT 121 with a placement score of EA 80-84 must co-enroll in a section of MAT 093. Students enrolled in MAT 121 with a placement score above EA 85, who wish to receive supplemental instruction in MAT 121 topics and their prerequisites, may choose to also enroll in this 1-credit course.
Attendance and Class Participation
We expect you to attend every class session, to arrive on time, and to stay through the end of the class period. We expect you to think seriously about problems, questions, and concepts presented in class and to contribute actively and constructively to class discussion. You are expected to bring your calculator to every class session and be ready and willing to use it. You are expected to recognize when you need help and to ask questions. You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for any graded classroom activity, for example: group projects, class discussions, quizzes, etc.
Calculator
A Texas Instruments TI-83, TI-83 +, TI-84, or TI-84 + graphing calculator is required
Group Activities
Some concepts of the book will be taught or enhanced by in-class group activities. There will be assignments relating to these activities. Missed group activities CANNOT be made up for any reason.
Writing Assignments
The ability to communicate mathematically is an important objective of this course. Writing assignments will be assigned throughout the course. Late assignments are not accepted.
Homework/Quizzes
One of the best methods for learning mathematics is practice. Therefore, you should make a concerted effort to complete all the assigned exercises and understand each of the concepts that these exercises illustrate. Late assignments are not accepted.Quizzes may be given covering assigned material and selected homework may be collected. Missed quizzes CANNOT be made up for any reason. There may be an on-line component to this section. Check with your instructor for more information.
Study Time
For a college course, you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class for each hour of class. This “two hour rule” is a reasonable rule of thumb for students who have a good command of the prerequisite skills and who use effective study strategies. Students who need to improve their prerequisite skills or who have not learned study strategies will simply need to spend more time studying than that specified by the “two hour rule”.
Tests
There will be four 70-minute in-class tests designed to evaluate your understanding of the material. Make-up tests will be given only at the instructor’s discretion. You must contact theinstructor prior to the absence, except in the case of an extreme emergency. There will also be a Final Exam the last day of class which is explained below.
Textbook
The required textbook for this course is College Algebra 2nd Ed., by MillerISBN: 9781259932694. This is a custom book. There is also a full size version available at some on-line sites (ISBN 9780077836344). You may use that book but be advised that some of the practice problems may be different. If you are going to use a full size book, whether rented or purchased, you should check the problem set with someone else in the class every class period.
Student Solutions Manual (Optional) ISBN 1259575071.
Note: Students who plan to take Pre-Calculus (MAT 166) next semester are advised to purchase the loose-leaf print of Precalculus, 1st ed. by Miller (ISBN 9780077538217), which is available in the Wolves’ Den Bookstore on campus. This textbook includes the required text for both College Algebra (MAT 121) and Pre-Calculus (MAT 166).
Course Change
You may change to another section of MAT 121 or to a lower level ONLY if there are seats available and before the end of the 2nd day of the semester.
Final Exam
The final exam will be comprehensive and include key concepts and techniques learned throughout this course. The final exam will ONLY be given at the scheduled time. This is a 70 minute exam.
Extra Credit
No extra credit assignments will be given. It is to the students’ advantage to spend any extra time in careful study of the required course material. Since math courses are sequential it is vital that all required concepts be mastered for a passing grade.
Grading Scale
Group Activities ...... 5% 90 - 100 ...... A
Writing Assignments ...... 5% 80 - 89 ...... B
Homework/Quizzes ...... 10%70 - 79 ...... C
Four Tests ...... 60% 60 - 69 ...... D
Final Exam ...... 20% 00 - 59 ...... F
Math Help Center
You can receive FREE help for this course in the Math Help Center which is located in Mount Antero rooms 353 and 354. Hours of operation and additional help center locations are posted on the bulletin boards in the back of your class room.
Academic Honesty
Refer to the student code of conduct in theStudent Handbook,Planner, or the FRCC web site
docs/default-source/Being-a-student/student-handbook.pdf?sfvrsn=4
Academic Misconduct
Behavior violating a student’s rights and freedoms includes but is not limited to:
- Fraudulent representation of student work
- Copying the work of another student
- Unapproved use of electronic devices, calculator programs, notes, or information
- Communication of any kind between students during an exam
- Helping someone else violate standards of academic behavior
This behavior will call for disciplinary action at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor may give a zero on any assignment or exam where a violation has occurred. A report of the incident will be filed in the office of the Dean of Student Services. Repeated offenses may result in a failing course grade and/or dismissal from the college.
Cell Phones
Non-emergency use of cell phones is prohibited in class. Cell phones should be set to “vibrate” mode for reverse 911 calls.
Important Dates
Last day to drop a class and receive a refund (Census Date) for 15-week courses…..….February 1, 2017
Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for 15-weekcourses………………………………….April 15, 2017
No Registrations after the Census (Drop) date will be allowed.
NOTE: You must use your ONLINE account to complete an official “drop” or “withdraw”.
Policy on Non-Attendance
Any student who does not attend a class by 6 pm on Monday, January 23rdwill be dropped from that class. If a student is dropped for non-attendance, and by wishes to re-enroll in a course, he or she must go through the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the Course Instructor, the Instructional Dean, and the Campus Vice President. Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the instructor, and it is unlikely that a student will be re-enrolled in a course which they have not attended.
Financial Aid Recipients
The following actions have implications for financial aid recipients: non-attendance, dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.
Disability Support Services:
Academic accommodations are available for students with document disabilities. If you have a documented disability (whether learning, physical, medical, or psychological) and require academic accommodations, please contact one of the Learning Opportunity Center Coordinators:
Nancy Elliott Brittany Otter
E-mail:-mail: Phone: (970)204-8609Phone: (970)204-8606
Recording Lectures
Except where a student is entitled to make an audio or video recording of class lectures and discussions as an educational accommodation determined through the student’s interactive process with college disability services, a student may not record lectures or classroom discussions unless written permission from the class instructor has been obtained and all students in the class as well as guest speakers have been informed that audio/video recording may occur.
A student granted permission to record may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor’s explicit written authorization.
Students of Concern
Front Range Community College provides faculty, staff, and students a resource to report their concern about any member of the FRCC community. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please go to and report.
Our college is committed to preserving a safe and welcoming educational environment for all students. As part of this effort, I have an obligation to report certain issues relating to the health and safety of campus community members. I must report to the appropriate college officials any allegation of discrimination or harassment. Sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and sexual exploitation, is considered a form of discrimination.
In addition to reporting all discrimination and harassment claims, I must report all allegations of dating violence or domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, and/or credible threats of harm to yourself or others. Such reports may trigger contact from a college official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like more information, you may reach the Title IX/EO Coordinator by emailing or calling 303-678-3707. Reports to law enforcement can be made with the local law enforcement agency or you may contact the campus security office at:
Boulder County Campus – 303-678-3911
Larimer County Campus – 970-204-8124
Westminster Campus – 303-404-5411
If you would like a confidential resource, please contact Paul Meese, FRCC Executive Director of Human Resources. Further information may be found on the college’s web site at:
NOTE: All students must activate their new FRCC student email accounts. Please see instructions located on the Front Range Community College Website: