WLAC SPRING 2011
MATH 245 COLLEGE ALGEBRA(3 units)
Section #1500 TuTh 11:10-12:35 p.m. in D101
Instructor: I-Shen Lai
Homepage:
Email address: Voicemail: (310) 434-8080
Prerequisite: Math 125 with a C or better, or appropriate placement.
Required Texts: College Algebra, 8th edition, by Ron Larson (ISBN:9781439048696)
Calculator Policy:
Scientific calculatorsare helpful tools. It’s good to be able to know how to use calculators! For the purpose of this class, a non-graphing, scientific calculator will suffice (for example, Casio fx-300 or TI-30xii). A two-line calculator is more user-friendly than a one-line. No graphing calculators will be allowed on exams.
Math 245is a fast-paced and intense class. Many topics have already been encountered in Math 125, and there are certain prerequisites that you are assumed to know. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep up from the very beginning, and review topics you may have forgotten.
Community is built on mutual trust and respect. Every class is a community of learners, and we can enjoy this semester better if webecome a team with a common goal. In order to learn and thrive in this class, we all need to invest the time and effort necessary for success.
In order to maintain this trust, please be respectful to your instructor and fellow students. Refrain from talking during lectures. Silence your cellphones and do not text or take calls during classtime. Repeated warnings for excessive talking or texting may result in you being dropped from the class.
As your instructor and coach, I commit to do my very best to teach, to motivate, to support, to be available, and to walk alongside you on this journey.
I will hold very high standards and expectations for you as well. I trust that you will take this class very seriously and will work to the best of your ability; you will come to class on time, ready to learn and participate; you will complete the homework daily; you will go to office hours and workshops; you will be prepared for exams; and you will abide by the Academic Honor Code.
Have the right attitude, and you may be surprised at what a wonderful, fun, fruitful semester this could be, even though it will be tiring and stressful at times.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. -John Wooden
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. - John Wooden
Attendance is mandatory. You should plan to arrive to each class on time and stayfor the entire class session. If you are absent four times or late/leave early 6 times, you may be dropped from the class. Absences and tardies will reflect poorly on your grade.
You will be responsible for all announcements made in class. If you miss class, please be sure to contact me or a classmate for all announcements.
Classwork and Assignments may be given throughout the semester and must be turned in on time.
Quizzes will be given regularly and will be announced beforehand. There will be no make-up quizzes, but the lowest score will be dropped. If you are absent or late for a quiz, that will count as a dropped quiz.
Homework is an integral part of the course.
-Homework sets are due on the due dates (exam days). No late homework will be accepted.
-Homework is assigned for each section and should be completed dailyaccording to the sections covered in lecture, beforethe next class meeting.
HW write-up:
- Homework problems will be progressively assigned.
- Write the textbook section number and assigned problems at the top of the page. Keep pages organized.
- Do not crowd problems together. There should be NO MORE than 2 problems on each line (no more
than 2 columns). If you wish to divide the page into two columns, fold the paper or draw a line down the
middle with a ruler. Leave a line between problems.
- Number your problems clearly (in the margin or circled).
- Write out solutions neatly, step-by-step, showing all work.
- Check answers in the back of the textbook or solutions manual after you have tried it.
-All work must be shown neatly and legibly (pencil is best). If there are only answers in your homework
with no work, you will receive NO CREDIT.
- Homework sets must be stapled in order, and remove frayed edges please (or just use binder paper!).
- Check out and read the article “How to suck up to your teacher”!
HW set grading criteria:
Effort, completeness, neatness, with all work and correct mathematical steps shown by hand.
You will receive little or no credit if too many problems are missing; work is not shown; answers are
copied (considered cheating); effort is not evident.
Exams Chapter exams and a final exam make up the bulk of your grade. Be present on exam days! There will be NO make-up exams. If you miss an exam, it is unlikely that you will do well in the class.
ONLY exception: If you miss an exam because of an extreme emergency (with a valid document to prove it—e.g. hospital note, police report, court document, etc.), inform me right away ON THE DAY of the exam (by email or voicemail) if you wish to make-up the exam the next day. You MUST provide the official document.
The Final Exam cannot be missed and MUST be taken at the time scheduled by the college.
-The final exam is comprehensive(covers everything!!)
-If you do not earn at least a 55% on the final or if you do not take the final, you cannot pass the class..
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Students are expected to abide by the Academic Honor Code. Anyone caught cheating will receive a score of zero, and will be reported to the College.
Grades: Your semester grade will be weighted according to the following:
Homework (from textbook) 3%
Assignments/Classwork3%
Quizzes (lowest dropped) 6%
4 Chapter Exams (Exams 1-3: 16% each; Exam 4: 12% )60%
Final Exam28%
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TOTAL 100%
Overall class grade is assigned as follows (Adjustments may be made at instructor’s discretion):
A = [90-100%], B = [80-90%), C = [70-80%), D = [55-70%), F = [0-55%).
Drop deadlines: It is your responsibility to be aware of college drop deadlines and regulations, and to inform me if you intend to withdraw from the course.
Receive refund by 2/22; Avoid ‘W’ on permanent record by 3/4; Drop and receive a ‘W’ by 5/6.
All students who are requesting disability-related accommodations (including learning disabilities) should contact Disabled Student Services and inform me as soon as possible.
(VERY) TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
*schedule is subject to change. You are responsible for all changes.
Date / Text Section / Date / Text SectionT 2/8 / First day craziness!!!
Assessment Quiz
Things to do before the end of the week:
1. Purchase textbook ASAP.
2. Read the syllabus carefully again.
3. Start on the homework!
Th 2/10 / Syllabus
1.2
T 2/15 / 1.4
1.5
Th 2/17 / 1.7
1.8
T 2/22 / 2.2
2.3
Th 2/24 / 2.4
2.5
T 3/1 / Review
Th 3/3 / Exam 1 (1.2- 2.5)
HW DUE (1.2- 2.5)
T 3/8 / 2.6
2.7
Th 3/10 / 3.1
3.2
T 3/15 / 3.3
Th 3/17 / 3.4 / T 4/26 / 7.1
T 3/22 / 4.3 / Th 4/28 / 7.4
Th 3/24 / Review / T 5/3 / Review
T 3/29 / Exam 2 (2.6 – 4.3)
HW DUE (2.6 – 4.3) / Th 5/5 / Exam 3 (5.1 – 7.4)
HW DUE (5.1 – 7.4)
Th 3/31 / Cesar Chavez Holiday / T 5/10 / Selected topics from Chap. 8
T 4/5 / 5.1
5.2 / Th 5/12 / Selected topics from Chap. 8
Th 4/7 / 5.3 / T 5/17 / Selected topics from Chap. 8
T 4/12 / 5.4
5.5 / Th 5/19 / Selected topics from Chap. 8
Th 4/14 / 6.2
6.3 / T 5/24 / Exam 4 (Chapter 8 topics)
HW DUE (Chap. 8)
T 4/19 / Spring Break (4/18-4/25) / Th 5/26 / Review for final
Th 4/21 / T 5/31 / Finals week, no class
Th 6/2 / FINAL EXAM 11:30 am-1:30 pm Comprehensive final (everything!)
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