Math 1113 – College Algebra
Georgia Perimeter College – Clarkston Campus
Fall Semester 2012 Syllabus

Section 100 – CRN: 22744 (MW): 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 a.m.; Room: CD-1120

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Dr. John Weber
Office: CH-3266
email: john.weber@gpc.edu (this is the fastest method to contact me - you MUST use a student gpc email account)
Office Phone: 678.891.3693
Mathematics Department Phone: 678.891.3710
First Day of Classes: 20 August 2012
Midpoint of Semester: 16 October 2012
Last day of Classes: 4 December 2012

Advising and Tutoring Hours:

Please note that this syllabus provides a general outline for the semester; changes or adaptations may be required.

I encourage you to take advantage of office hours. Often there is not sufficient time in class to ensure that every student understands the material presented. Clearing up a small problem early will often avoid much confusion later on. Please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance. If office hours are not convenient for you, please email or call me. I am often able to answer questions over the phone and it is no inconvenience to me. I would like to help you pass this course, but I cannot help if you do not ask.

A significant time commitment on your part is necessary in order to be successful in this course. I encourage you to form 'study groups'. These groups can help you understand the homework assignments and to prepare for tests. Further assistance can be obtained from the Learning and Tutoring Center (see http://depts.gpc.edu/~gpcltc/ for hours of operation), located in CB-1200, which offers free tutoring.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any collegiate level mathematics course.

Text: Stewart, J., Redlin, L., and Watson, S. (2010) Algebra and Trigonometry, 2nd Ed. Stanford: Cengage (Required).

Other Materials: TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator (Required) and WebAssign Code (Required) - [WebAssign Key: gpc 3121 5825].

Course Description: This course is designed for students whose programs require a course in statistics as well as for those who wish to elect such a course. Topics to be covered include descriptive statistics, basic probability, discrete and continuous distributions, sample estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing, tests on means and proportions, chi-square tests, correlation, and linear regression.

Course Evaluation: Tests, exam, quizzes, assignments and the final grade of the course will be calculated as follows:

Type Number Points Total Points

Tests*
4 22 66

Homework Assignments
(Submitted in WebAssign)
4 3 12

Cumulative Final Exam**
1 22 22

TOTAL
    100

Notes:
*The lowest test score will be dropped only if it results in a higher final grade.
**The Final Exam grade will be worth either 22% of overall grade (22 points – if a test score is dropped) or 33% of overall grade (50 points out of 150 total points – if a test score is not dropped) whichever results in a higher final grade.

Grading Scales:

Grade Percentage Points
A 90% - 100% 90 - 100
B 80% - 90% 80 - 89
C 70% - 80% 70 - 79
D 60% - 70% 60 - 69
F below 60% below 60

Tentative Test Dates (NOTE: You will need to bring a blank Blue Book to class on Test Day):

10 September
3 October
31 October
28 November

Final Exam Date (NOTE: You will need to bring a blank Blue Book to class on Final Exam Day):

Assignments:
You should read the appropriate section of your text prior to class. MyMathLab assignments are DUE at the beginning of class on Test Day. NO late homework assignments will be accepted.

Daily Schedule and Assignments
http://algebra.jjw3.com/math1111/Fa12math1111Assigns.htm

Make-up Work:
You are responsible for all work. If you are absent on any particular day, you will need to obtain any notes from a classmate.

Missed Test Policy:
Make-up tests will NOT be given for ANY reason. The first missed test will be your drop test. Any other missed test will be given a grade of zero.

Behavior Policy:
You are expected to demonstrate generally accepted classroom behavior. The Student Handbook gives a detailed description of acceptable behaviors. You are expected to know and follow these guidelines. In particular, you are expected to refrain from using any non-educational technology during class, including, but not limited to portable music players and cell phones. If you are using a laptop during class, you are expected to refrain from using non-educational websites including, but not limited to social networking websites.

Attendance Policy:
Student's academic success is the major priority of the College. Because regular participation enhances the learning process, students are expected to adhere to the attendance policy set forth by the College and individual faculty members. Differences in content and teaching styles exist among courses, which can impact students' learning. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to attend all classes to better prepare them for assignments, tests, and other course-related activities. Students are accountable for assignments and material covered during an absence.

Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. The instructor will NOT withdraw you from this class, regardless of the circumstance. To receive a "W" for the course you must withdraw on or before the midterm date.

Withdrawal:
Students are expected to withdraw themselves if they feel they cannot complete the course. Students should withdraw online using the Student Information System (SIS). Withdrawals must be completed before the above stated midpoint date to receive a grade of "W" from the class.

Expected Educational Outcomes:
As a result of completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Understand the definition of a function.
  2. Determine the domain, range, and where a function is increasing, decreasing or constant for each type of function studied in the course.
  3. Students will be able to interpret the slope and y-intercept of a line as an average rate of change and an initial amount, respectively. Students will be able to interpret and apply these ideas in applied settings.
  4. Graph transformations (vertical and horizontal shifts, vertical stretching and compressions, and reflections) of basic functions.
  5. Graph quadratic functions of the form y = ax2 + bx + c by determining the vertex and intercepts. Students will be able to interpret and apply these ideas in applied settings.
  6. Identify and graph power functions, transformations of power functions, and polynomial functions where the polynomial is factorable. Students will be able to describe the end behavior of polynomials and the relationship between end behavior and the degree of the polynomial. Students will be able to determine intercepts of factorable polynomials exactly. Students will be able to use technology to approximate x-intercepts and turning points of polynomials.
  7. Identify and graph transformations of y = 1/x and y = 1/x2. Students will be able to recognize and determine vertical and horizontal asymptotes, end behavior, and behavior near vertical asymptotes.
  8. Relate algebraic solutions to the following types of equations to the graphs of corresponding functions and applications:
    1. Linear
    2. Quadratic
    3. Factorable polynomial
    4. Rational
    5. Radical (involving only one radical)
    6. Equations of the form xn = k
  9. Graph piece-wise defined functions.
  10. Students will be able to determine the symmetry of functions algebraically and graphically.
  11. Compose two functions and determine the domain of the composite function.
  12. Define an inverse function, get a rule for an inverse function, and graph an inverse function.
  13. Graph exponential functions of the form y = ax and their transformations. Students should also be able to graph the inverse function of y = ax.
  14. Solve simple exponential equations both graphically and using logarithms.
  15. Apply exponential functions to problems involving exponential growth or decay.
  16. Define a logarithm, convert between logarithmic and exponential form, and understand the inverse relationship between logarithmic and exponential functions.
  17. Use properties of logarithms to solve logarithmic equations and use logarithms in application problems.
  18. Use function graphs to determine solutions to the following types of inequalities and apply these solutions to concepts related to functions and other applications:
    1. Linear
    2. Quadratic
    3. Factorable polynomial
    4. Rational
    5. Exponential
  19. Solve linear systems of equations using Gaussian elimination and matrices.
  20. Graph circles whose equations are given in general form by completing the square.

Cheating Policy:
All student work must be that of the student or student group submitting the work. Projects completed with partners or as small groups should be so noted with all names indicated on each page. No phones, PDAs, smartphones, tablets, notecards, notes, texts, or other outside assistance during tests or quiizes. According to college policy, you may NOT share calculators during a test or quiz. The giving or receiving of help from notes or another person during exams or tests may result in a grade of zero for this work and/or a grade of "F" in the course, and/or referral to the campus disciplinary committee for penalty, which may include suspension from the College. See the Mathematics Department Academic Honesty policy below.

Academic Honesty Policy
As a community committed to learning, Georgia Perimeter College recognizes and specifies that students, whether working as individuals or in a group, shall always present to the instructor their own work for an honest grade assessment. Academic Honesty Procedures have been established by Georgia Perimeter College to insure due process in cases of cheating. A copy of procedures is in the Student Handbook. Cheating of any kind may result in a penalty ranging from a grade of zero for the work in question to a grade of "F" in the course AND will be referred to the College Court for assignment of penalty that may include suspension from the College. Referral to the College Court is required whether the student admits or denies the violation. Unless specifically authorized by the instructor, the following are examples of cheating. This is not an exhaustive list.

  1. On a test or quiz:
    1. Looking at or copying from another student's work.
    2. Allowing another student to look at or copy your work.
    3. Having a copy of the test before actually taking the test.
    4. Sharing a calculator.
    5. Communicating with anyone except the student's instructor using any form of communication including all forms of electronic communication.
    6. Accessing unauthorized material whether it be student notes, printed material, or material accessed electronically.
  2. On homework or other out-of-class assignments:
    1. Copying work or answers from another student.
    2. Copying work or answers from a book.
    3. Having another person do work for you.
    4. Allowing another student to use your work as his or her own.
    5. Presenting the work of another as your own (plagiarism).
    1. Submitting the programs, documentation or program results of another person as one's own.
    2. Obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized access to information stored in electronic form.
    3. Submitting false results of a program's output for a class assignment or falsifying the results of program execution for the purpose of improving a grade.
  3. For late work or tests:

Americans with Disabilities Act Statement
If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the Center for Disability Services (CDS). A CDS Counselor will coordinate those activities.

Equal Opportunity Statement
No person shall, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of Georgia Perimeter College.

Affirmative Action Statement
Georgia Perimeter College adheres to affirmative action policies designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.



Please read and familiarize yourself with the policies contained in the syllabus. If you have any questions or concerns, then please ask me. Please print and complete the form below. You will need to submit the form on or before Wednesday, 29 August 2012.

I have read and fully understand the syllabus, the Expected Educational Results of this course, the attendance policy and all other policies and acts attached to this syllabus. I understand that I am responsible for knowing about all announcements, changes in the syllabus, changes in course requirements, changes in test dates, etc. made in class.

 

Math 1111-100

 

Name ________________________________________________

 

Signature ________________________________________________

 

GPC-ID _________________________

 

Date _________________________