Fall 2009 Math 1070 (002) (College Algebra) Syllabus

Office Hours: Tue 8:30-9; Wed 11:15-12:13; Thurs 10:10-11:08, 1:30-2. Also by appointment.

Math Dept. Statement on Furloughs:This year the CSU is suffering the most severe budget cuts in the history of the University. Our Administration is attempting to manage these cuts by increasing student fees and requiring employees (faculty, staff, etc.) to take unpaid furlough days. The CSU Stanislaus Campus Furlough Days can be found at http://www.csustan.edu/Budget/furloughs.html, these are non-instructional furlough days NOT faculty furlough days. Each faculty member is required to take 8 furlough days during the Fall semester, 2 during Winter, and 8 during Spring. Faculty are to determine their own furlough days. Each instructor will inform the class of his/her furlough days at the beginning of the semester. It is very likely that not all of your classes will have the same furlough days. A furlough day is by definition a temporary leave of absence without pay, that is, a day during which faculty are not allowed to work.

Dr. Coughlin's Furlough Days: September 4, October 1, 14; November 23, 24, 25; December 17, 23

Warning: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus at any time during the term by announcing them in class and on my web page.

Prerequisites: Math 0106, OR Math 0110, OR a passing score on the ELM test, OR their equivalent.

General Education: This course satisfies General Education area B3.

TEXT: Fundamentals of College Algebra 11th ed., by Earl Swokowski and Jeffrey Cole.

Objectives: We will cover most of chapters 1 - 6 and 8. The main goal of this course is to prepare you for calculus. To achieve this goal you will be expected to:

1. Understand how to solve basic algebra problems, including word problems.
2. Know how to work with complex numbers.
3. Describe, manipulate, and graph polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
4. Solve a system of equations.
5. identify and describe properties of various conic sections.

In short, you will start your preparation to succeed in Calculus!

Grades:

This class will be graded using plus/minus grading. Your total course percentage will be translated to a letter grade as follows: 90-100%: A- or above, 80-89%: B- or above, 70-79%: C- or above. The course grade is based on:

Homework:	16%		Due Wednesdays
Quizzes:	15%		Fridays
Low Exam:	17%		Ex.1: Fri. Oct. 2
High Exam:	20%		Ex.2: Fri. Nov 20
Final exam:	32%		Friday, Dec. 18 8:30am

 

Homework:

Assignments are given in class and will be available on the class web page. You are expected to complete all problems and understand the concepts behind them. You should consider the problems I assign as the bare minimum. I strongly recommend you do additional problems. The assignments are due, stapled, at the beginning of class every Wednesday. Late homework will not be accepted. See the Homework Guidelines Sheet for further restrictions. I will NOT answer homework questions on Wednesday for the assignment being turned in. Each assignment is worth 100pts: 30-50 for completeness/adherence to the guidelines, and 70-50pts for accuracy on selected problems. The lowest homework score will be dropped.

Quizzes/Exams:

Quizzes will be given during the first 15 minutes of class every Friday, except for the days of an exam. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.

There will be 2 in-class exams tentatively scheduled below. Other information about the exams will be announced in class. The final exam will be cumulative.

 

Exam 1:

Friday, October 2

Exam 2:

Friday, November 20

Final:

Friday, December 18, 8:30am - 10:30am

Class Participation:

Attendance is important to your success. You are expected to be an active member of this class. If you must miss class (or are tardy), it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. Any disruptive behavior interfering with the learning environment of others will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class.

Late Work Policy:

I have a firm policy of not accepting late work. If alternate arrangements need to be made, you must complete the work before the due date. If you cannot make it to an exam due to documented illness or the like, let me know in advance by phone or e-mail. Make-ups will be given only under these circumstances. I do reserve the right to refuse make-up requests. The only exceptions to this policy are documented medical emergencies and the like (verifiable). I do not give early exams to accommodate vacation schedules, so please make your holiday travel plans accordingly. I do reserve the right to refuse make-up requests. Don't abuse this.

Academic Honesty:

I consider academic honesty to be at the core of the University's activities in education and research. Cheating is an attack on the efforts of myself and fellow students and, above all, on the cheater's integrity. Those caught cheating will be dealt with to the full extent allowed under University policy including, but not limited to, receiving a zero score and reporting to the Coordinator of University Discipline.

Cell Phone Policy:

During class time, your cell phone, or equivalent, is to be turned off and out of sight. Any use of a cell phone during class will result in confiscation of the phone until that day's class has ended or your removal from the class for that day. If you attempt to use your cell phone or leave it on during an exam, you will be considered to have finished your test, and I will collect your exam at that time. Exceptions may be made only if you discuss your situation with me prior to the start of that day's class, in this case, your cell phone must be set to vibrate/silence or quietest agreed upon setting.

Students with Disabilities:

Academic accommodations are available to students who are registered with the Office of Disabled Student Services. I cannot make accommodations until the student has filed all appropriate paperwork and Disability Resource Services (MSR 210, 667-3159) has notified me of the appropriate accommodations.

Students in Athletics:

If you are a student athlete, it is your responsibility to provide me with a letter signed by your coach listing all of the days in which you will be absent. Accommodations will be made only if I receive the letter from your coach at least 7 business days in advance, with appropriate exceptions for the first seven business days of class.

General Suggestions:

• Don't use the fact that I drop one homework/quiz to blow them off. You might need the drop later on in case you get sick or do not do well. You will also need to know that material for the exams!
• Some of the homework exercises may be time consuming, so DO NOT put off the homework until the last minute.
• Keep all homework assignments. They are the best study materials for the exams.
• Participate in class, ASK QUESTIONS, make use of my office hours. The material really builds on the sections previous to it, so it is important for you to understand the previous and current sections before trying to understand the next section. If you get behind or stuck, see me or work with other students RIGHT AWAY.
• Form a study group with others in the class. Work together on homework but everyone must join in and work. Know the difference between valid group work and plagiarism.
• If you think you'll need extra help, get it ASAP!

Important dates: (See Schedule of Courses or Academic Calendar)
Last day to drop a class:	October 6
Last day to change grade options (CR/NC):	December 4
Dr. Coughlin's Furlough Days:	Sept 4, Oct 1, 14; Nov 23, 24, 25; Dec 17, 23
No classes:	October 13; November 11, 26, 27 :)

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