Word copy of the syllabus: Math 3A 53983 syllabus.docx

Instructor Information

• Kelsey Casteel
• When you need to get in contact with me, please message me through the Canvas messaging system. When you are in Canvas click on the “inbox” tab on the main left hand side menu. If Canvas is down (fingers crossed that never happens), then please email me @ kelsey.casteel@reedleycollege.edu 
• Office Hours: Take advantage of office hours! These are designated times I am available to meet with you for whatever you need help with. My office is FEM 1 G (the far corner of the math center). I will be in there on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 – 9:50 am and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 – 10:00 am. My office phone number is 638-0300 x 3799

Course Information

Welcome to Math 3A, College Algebra! Our section number is 53983. We meet Monday through Thursday from 12:00 – 12:50 pm in Social Science (SOC) room 31. This course also requires that you are enrolled in Math 273, which is designed to provide any help you need with the class. These meeting times are outside of our lectures and are arranged in our Math Center in Forestry, Engineering, Math (FEM) room 1.

Course Description

This is a college level course in algebra for majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students will study polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, absolute value, and logarithmic functions; systems of equations; theory of polynomial equations; analytic geometry.

• Advisories: Eligibility for English 1A
• Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 103 or equivalent
• Credits: 4

Course Materials

Required: We will be using a FREE textbook to assist us in this class, College Algebra by Openstax. You do NOT need a print copy of the book, but if you want one you can purchase it through Amazon for $52. The online version of the textbook is FREE and can be found at https://openstax.org/details/books/college-algebra. You can download a PDF copy from the website for FREE as well.

Required: Calculator. I recommend a graphing calculator, such as a TI-83, TI-84, or TI-89 (TI stands for Texas Instrument). A scientific calculator will also work for this class, such as a TI 30 XIIS. For work during class or at home (but not during an exam), there are FREE online calculators available. I love to use Desmos https://www.desmos.com/ . There is a free desmos app you can download on your smart phone. I have scientific calculators that you can borrow for exams, though I recommend you have your own so that you are practicing on what you will be using.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze properties of various types of functions.
• Synthesize results from the graphs and/or equations of functions.
• Solve various types of equations and inequalities.
• Apply appropriate techniques to model real world applications.
• Use formulas to find sums of finite and infinite series.

Course Objectives

In the process of completing this course, students will:

• Analyze and investigate properties of functions, including linear, polynomial, absolute value, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions;
• Synthesize results from the graphs and/or equations of functions, including linear, polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions;
• Apply transformations to the graphs of functions;
• Recognize the relationship between functions and their inverses graphically and algebraically;
• Solve and apply rational, linear, polynomial, radical, absolute value, exponential, and logarithmic equations and solve linear, nonlinear, and absolute value inequalities;
• Solve systems of equations and inequalities;
• Apply techniques for finding zeros of polynomials and roots of equations;
• Apply functions and other algebraic techniques to model real world applications;
• Analyze conics algebraically and graphically; and
• Use formulas to find sums of finite and infinite series.

 

Grading

You can see your assignment grades and overall class grade anytime in Canvas. Your overall class percentage is broken down as follows:

• Exams and Final Exam: 70%
• Assignments and In Class Work: 30%

As an example of the breakdown, let’s say at the end of the semester you have an overall score of 78% for exams and 93% for assignments and in class work. Your overall class percentage would be

 

(0.70)(78)+(0.30)(93) = 54.6+27.9 = 82.5%

 

Based on your overall class percentage, letter grades are assigned based on the following intervals:

89.5 - 100%  A

79.5 - 89.4%  B

69.5 - 79.4%  C

59.5 - 69.4%  D

0 - 59.4%  F

Assignments/In Class Work

Assignment problems come from the College Algebra textbook and/or handouts in class. I only ask that you use pencil and standard sized paper (8.5 by 11 inches). You can use lined, blank, or grid paper. You occasionally have assignments done during class that will be turned in for credit.

It is impossible for me to check every problem for correctness. If there is something you are struggling with, you need to take the initiative and ask me or a tutor for help. An opportunity is given at the beginning of each class session to ask questions. The majority of questions assigned will be odd and can be checked with the answers at the end of the book. When I grade assignments, I am checking for completeness and effort. No credit will be given for a page full of only answers.

Late Work

I know that the semester can at times be overwhelming and we get behind in our work. I will drop your lowest 3 homework assignment grades at the end of the semester. An assignment is considered late at 4:01 pm the day it is due. If you are absent from class when an assignment is due you can scan it and email it to me on time to still get credit. I will not accept any late assignments for credit. I still can look over it and give you feedback if you would like.

Extra Credit

There are no extra credit opportunities available for this class.

Exams

There will be five in-class exams and one mandatory cumulative final exam. There are no make-up exams, but you can take an exam early if you know you will be absent. The final exam score can be used for one missed exam. All the exams and final exam will be free response (no multiple choice). You do not need any scantrons.

Final Exam

There will be a cumulative, mandatory final exam at the end of the semester. Because there are no make-up exams, if a student misses an exam then the final exam score will go in for that grade. If a student has not missed any exams, then the final exam will go in for the lowest exam given the final score is higher. As an example, say your exam scores are 80%, 65%, 75%, 83%, and 90% and you receive an 85% on the final. Then in the gradebook, you would have an 85% for the final, and the Exam 2 that used to be 65% would be 85%.

Technology

As a student of SCCCD, you are given a free student email account. Make sure you are able to login to this account and check it on a regular basis (at least once a day). You can also set it up through your smart phone if you have one and set up email alerts so that you never miss anything important. Your student email is the official way your instructors communicate with you outside of class. In addition to your email account, you also have a Canvas account set up by the college. I will use Canvas to post homework, make announcements, keep track of grades, ect. Make sure you have access and sign in on a regular basis.

Resources

• Your instructor
• Your fellow students
• FREE tutoring in the Math Center in the FEM building, open 8-4 Monday through Thursday and 8-12 on Fridays. The Math Center predominately works on a drop in basis. Because you are enrolled in Math 273 you will have a designated tutor and time to meet.
• FREE tutoring in the Learning Center in the Library, open 8-5 Monday through Thursday and 8-4 on Fridays.
• Online resources: Khan Academy, YouTube, any other websites you find that are helpful (please share with the rest of the class).

Drop Policies

If you wish to drop the class, it is your responsibility to make sure you drop it officially in Webadvisor. You will be dropped by the instructor if you miss eight days of class within the first nine weeks of the semester. If there is a special circumstance causing you to be absent that is out of your control, please speak with the instructor.

College Policies

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (ie: Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the American With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act please contact me as soon as possible.

Academic Dishonesty

``Students at Reedley College are entitled to the best education that the college can make available to them, and they, their instructors, and their fellow students share the responsibility to ensure that this education is honestly attained. Because cheating, plagiarism, and collusion in dishonest activities erode the integrity of the college, each student is expected to exert an entirely honest effort in all academic endeavors. Academic dishonesty in any form is a very serious offense and will incur serious consequences" (Reedley College Catalog pg 49).

Cheating

``Cheating is the act or attempted act of taking an examination or performing an assigned, evaluated task in a fraudulent or deceptive manner, such as having improper access to answers, in an attempt to gain an unearned academic advantage. Cheating may include, but is not limited to, copying from another’s work, supplying one’s work to another, giving or receiving copies of examinations without an instructor’s

permission, using or displaying notes or devices inappropriate to the conditions of the examination, allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student, or failing to disclose research results completely" (Reedley College Catalog pg 49).

Student Rights

``Student rights are protected by federal and state laws, and by policies established by the trustees of the State Center Community College District. It is therefore essential for the protection of students’ rights that procedures be established and followed which would identify violations of student conduct standards and the resolutions of such violations. Students have a right to an oral or written notice (reasons for disciplinary action), an opportunity for a review, and a decision given orally or in writing. For more information contact the

Vice President of Student Services’ office. (Board Policy 5520, Administrative Regulation 5520)" (Reedley College Catalog pg 49).

Important Dates

• Monday August 12^th : Start of the semester
• Friday August 23^rd : Last day to drop a full term (18 week) course for a full refund
• Monday September 2^nd  : Last day to drop the class and NOT receive a W (withdraw). It is as if you were never in the class.
• Monday Septermber 2^nd : Labor Day Holiday (no classes, campus closed) 
• Friday October 11^th: Last day to drop a full term class (letter grades assigned after this date)
• Monday November 11^th : Veterans Day Observed (no classes held, campus open)
• Thursday/Friday November 28-29^th : Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes held, campus closed)
• December 9-13^th : Final exam week. Our final is Wednesday December 11^th  from 12:00 pm to 1:50 pm in our normal room

 

*** This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor ***