COURSE SYLLABUS
Great Basin College
MATH 095–Elementary Algebra (3 CREDITS)
McMullen Hall 114
TuesdayThursday 5:30PM-6:45PM
Fall 2012
Instructor:Christian Gordon
Email:
Telephone: (775)738-4635
Office Hours: by appointment only
Text: Introductory Algebra, Fourth Edition.Bello, Ignacio. (McGraw-Hill 2012).
ISBN: 0-07-338439-9
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This is the first course in algebra for students who plan to continue in the math sequence. Topics include operations on real numbers, simplifying expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, factoring, radicals, and the concept of graphing.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Elementary Algebra focuses on development of fundamental algebra skillsIt is designed to provide students with the algebra skills necessary for success in subsequent math courses, science courses, and life. Topics covered will include simplifying and factoring expressions, solving and graphing linear and quadratic equations, factoring, and radicals.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
GBC is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For more information or further assistance, contact the ADA Officer, at 753-2271.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
I will use a variety of methods to maximize student learning. These include, but are not limited to, Socratic Questioning/Discovery, Direct Instruction, Teams-Games-Tournaments, Community Circles, and Circles of Knowledge. The method that will be used most frequently will be Socratic Questioning/Discovery, as it is very effective for the teaching of procedural concepts like those we will cover in this class. However, as I get to know you and your classmates, I will adapt my approach and methods to best fit your learning styles.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Class discussions and student participation are the most effective way for students to learn the material, obtain needed help, and have their questions answered. Class discussions and student participation are also imperative for the instructor to determine student progress/comprehension. Therefore, students may be dropped from this class due to three or more unexcused absences. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor (see above) concerning any absences and to make up the material missed in class.
COMMUNICATION DEVICES:
Cell phones are a distraction to you, your classmates, and the instructor. All cell phones should be turned off in class to ensure that learning is maximized during class hours.
ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY(taken from GBC course catalog):
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words, ideas, or data asone’s own. When a student submits work that includes thewords, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information
must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specificreferences, and if verbatim statements are included, throughquotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or
speaking, the student will acknowledge the source whenever:
• Another person’s actual words are quoted.
• Another person’s idea, opinion, or theory is used, even if it iscompletely paraphrased in the student’s own words.
• Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge.
A nationally recognized plagiarism software may be used tocheck student work.
Cheating
The following are some examples of cheating:
• recycling (using material generated for one class in anotherclass).
• Using electronic devices inappropriately.
• Using unapproved notes.
• Unapproved discussion between classmates.
• Having others represent you in class—attend class for you,do work in your place, take exams.
• Having others do your work.
CLASS SCHEDULE (Tentative):
Week 1 / Tuesday, Aug. 28Thursday, Aug. 30 / Chapter 1: Real NumbersWeek 2 / Tuesday, Sept. 4 Thursday, Sept. 6 / Chapter 2: Linear Equations
Week 3 / Tuesday, Sept. 11Thursday, Sept. 13 / Chapter 3: Graphing Linear Equations
Week 4 / Tuesday, Sept. 18 Thursday, Sept. 20 / Chapter 6: Intro to Rational Expressions
Week 5 / Tuesday, Sept. 25 Thursday, Sept. 27 / Review/Exam 1
Week 6 / Tuesday, Oct. 2Thursday, Oct. 4 / Chapter 4: Exponent Rules
Week 7 / Tuesday, Oct. 9 Thursday, Oct. 11 / Chapter 4: Polynomials
Week 8 / Tuesday, Oct. 16 Thursday, Oct. 18 / Chapter 5: Factoring Expressions
Week 9 / Tuesday, Oct. 23 Thursday, Oct. 25 / Review/Exam 2
Week 10 / Tuesday, Oct. 30 Thursday, Nov. 1 / Chapter 8: Four Basic Operations on Radicals
Week 11 / Tuesday, Nov. 6Thursday, Nov. 8 / Chapter 8: Simplifying Radicals
Week 12 / Tuesday, Nov. 13 Thursday, Nov. 15 / Chapters5 & 9: Solving Quadratic Equations
Week 13 / Tuesday, Nov. 20Thanksgiving Break / Chapter 9: Solving and Graphing Quadratic Equations
Week 14 / Tuesday, Nov. 27 Thursday, Nov. 29 / Review/Exam 3
Week 15 / Tuesday, Dec. 4Thursday, Dec. 6 / Review for Final Exam
Week 16 / Tuesday, Dec. 11 Thursday, Dec. 13 / Final Exam
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS:
OUTCOMESStudents will be able to / MEASUREMENTS
Solve linear equations / Weekly Assignments, Exam 1, Final
Graph linear equations / Weekly Assignments, Exam 1, Final
Simplify algebraic expressions / Weekly Assignments, Exams 1 & 2, Final
Utilize and communicate validity of product, quotient, and power rules for exponents. / Weekly Assignments, Exam 2, Final
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and factor polynomials / Weekly Assignments, Exam 2, Final
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and simplify radicals / Weekly Assignments, Exam 3, Final
Solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula / Weekly Assignments, Exam 3, Final
Graph quadratic equations / Weekly Assignments, Exam 3, Final
Construct and solve a variety of applied problems using algebraic techniques / Weekly Assignments, Exams, Final
GRADING/STUDENT EVALUATION:
Point Distribution:
Assignments / 10%Class Participation / 5%
Exams (3) / 60%
Final / 25%
Grading Scale:
93-100 A80-83 B-67-69 D+
90-93 A-77-79 C+63-66 D
87-89 B+73-76 C60-63 D-
83-86 B70-73 C- Below 60 W
* This syllabus is not a contract between student and instructor. The content or sequence of the material and exams may be changed at any time to facilitate student learning.
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