Course Information

Course Description:

A course designed primarily for students majoring in non-science degrees.  Topics include functions and graphs, linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, polynomials, rational expressions, exponents, radicals, systems of equations and exponential and logarithmic functions.

Course Objectives:

As a result of successfully completing this course, students will have demonstrated an acceptable level of mastery of basic concepts and principles of algebra and an understanding of mathematical logic necessary to apply these concepts and principles to problem solving.  Acceptable mastery of the course contents will indicate an algebra background necessary to pursue further coursework in mathematics except coursework for mathematics/science majors.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites:

Two years of high school algebra and an acceptable placement score or DSPM 0850

Course Topics:

Simplify expressions with positive, negative, zero or rational exponents.

Add, subtract, multiply and divide Complex Numbers.

Solve linear equations including equations with more than one variable.

Solve linear equations with absolute value.

Solve linear equations with rational expressions.

Solve quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula.

Solve application problems involving linear and quadratic equations.

 Solve radical equations.

 Solve equations of the quadratic type.

Solve linear inequalities.

 Solve inequalities with absolute values.

Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of function and functional notation.

Sketch graphs of  lines, circles, parabolas, functions with absolute values, exponential and logarithmic functions.

Find the distance between two points in the Cartesian plane.

Find the slope of a line in the Cartesian plane.

Find an equation of a line in the Cartesian plane.

 Solve exponential equations.

Solve logarithmic equations.

Solve application problems involving exponential and logarithmic equations.

Solve systems of linear equations in two and three unknowns.

 Solve systems of nonlinear equations in two unknowns.

Be able to find the domain of a function.

Add, subtract, multiply, divide and compose functions.

Find the inverse of a function.

Specific Course Requirements:

Be able to use the email, whiteboard and discussion components of  WebCT.  

Internet connectivity

Text Book (see below)

A valid drivers license with a picture if you require test proctoring at a location 

Business or Scientific Calculator

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

 Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:

 http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplementary Materials:

Scientific or Business Calculator

Hardware Requirements:

A computer with Windows 2000 (problems may occur with Windows 98) operating system or greater

Software Requirements:

Microsoft Word

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

All tests will be mailed to me using the postal service.  All work must be shown to receive credit.  The deadlines for each test are indicated in the assignment schedule.  These dates represent the last day you can take the test; you can work ahead of the schedule.  Tests will not be given after the dead line without permission from the instructor.  No books, notes, outside material or any human help. 

Grading Procedure:

Each homework, quiz and test will have the following possible point value: 

Each homework assignments - 8 points 

Each quiz - 10 points 

Each Test - 100 points 

Homework accounts for 15% of your final grade

Quizzes accounts for 20% of your grade

Test account for 65% of your grade 

To calculate your average, use the following formula: 

(Homework average) * .15 + (Quiz average) * .20 + (Test average) * .65

Grading Scale:

90 - 100           A
80 - 89             B
70 - 79             C
60 - 69             D
0 - 59               F

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

HOMEWORK

You need to do each problem assigned to master the mathematical topic.  Each homework various in the number of problems.  The problems that are due to me are the ones that are in bold print (eight problems).  Please submit by email the answers to these five problems.  On the subject line of the email write the lesson number that you are submitting.  I will post answers to the entire homework set.  No partial credit on quizzes.  Please email or phone me if you have any questions.

QUIZZES

The quizzes must be taken on or before the deadline.  The quizzes are online and are of the format of multiple choice or short answer.  Set aside a block of time to take the quiz, because once you start it you cannot quit and go back.  The quiz will be graded for you.  No partial credit on quizzes.  Notes may be used, but if you have to get your notes or book out you know you are not ready for the test.

TESTS

Tests must be mailed by the date due.  Please show all work.  Please use a calculator where needed.  No notes, books, outside material, or human help. 

Class Participation:

Students must communicate with other students in the chat room, students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, students must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion events.

You can always email me with a question.  I will encourage you to post your question on the discussion board so other students may answer the question or benefit from the discussion.

Punctuality:

Deadlines are given for Homework assignments, Quizzes and Tests.  Homework, Quizzes and Tests are not accepted past the deadline without permission from the instructor. 

Course Ground Rules

To begin the course, log into WebCt, click on Course Lessons, click on Test 1 Material and you find what you need.  The lessons in this course are either lecture notes or power point presentations.  Please contact me as you go through the material if you have any questions.

Participation is required, you are expected to participate in the online reviews (choose from two reviews before each of the tests) and participate in the discussion board when questions or topics are posted.  You need to be able to navigate in WebCT, check your email daily and keep abreast of course announcements.    It is your responsibility to address technical problems immediately.   Always observe course netiquette at all times.  Please communicate with me any questions or concerns you have.

It will be easiest for you to use Equation Editor in Microsoft Word to write out the homework problems.   If you do not have access Equation Editor, you will need to use the English language to write out the solutions. For example, would be written as "square root of (2x^2)" or "sqrt (2x^2).

All work is to be completed by the student enrolled in MATH 1110.  Work done by anyone else is considered cheating and will result in an F in the course.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

Always include a subject line.

Use standard fonts.

Do not send large attachments without permission.

Respect the privacy of other class members.

Discussion Groups:

Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. 

Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.

Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.

Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.

Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.

Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

We will use the Chat Room during our online review sessions. You can use chat to state what problem you would like to see worked. When in the chat room, use the following guidelines:

Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.

Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

Library

The Tennessee Board of Regents Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary due to time constraints or other unforeseen events.   If this is necessary, members of the class will be notified as soon as possible BY E-MAIL and posted on the BULLETIN BOARD.

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