COURSE SYLLABUS: MAT 092 BEGINNING ALGEBRA Spring 2012 Instructor: Jacquie Fernndez Message Phone: 776-2276 Office

Hours: by appointment Email: JFERN001@instructor.yc.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION: Credit Hours: (3) Review of real number operations, solving linear equations, working with formulae and dimensional analysis, solving linear inequalities, graphs of linear equations, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents, basic operations on polynomials, and an introduction to mathematics technology. A graphing calculator is required for this course (TI 83/84 recommended) PREREQUISITE: MAT 082, or one year of high school algebra completed within the last 4 years, or a satisfactory score on the mathematics skills assessment. COURSE CONTENT: 1. Real number operations and their relationship to algebra 2. Linear equations in one variable 3. Working with formulae and solving literal equations 4. Geometric figures and formulae 5. Linear inequalities and interval notation 6. Linear equations and inequalities in two variables 7. Systems of linear equations and inequalities 8. Rules of exponents 9. Unit conversions using dimensional analysis 10. Basic operations with polynomial expressions 11. Factoring 12. Use of mathematics technology LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to: 1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide real numbers and apply the ideas of real number arithmetic in algebraic settings 2. Use properties of equality to solve linear equations in one variable. 3. Solve formulae for one variable in terms of other variables. 4. Apply formulae for area, perimeter and volume of basic geometric shapes. 5. Solve linear inequalities in one variable and give solutions both graphically and in interval notation. 6. Graph linear equations in two variables by locating points and by using a point and a slope. 7. Interpret and apply slope as a rate of change. 8. Derive equations of lines from given information 9. Solve systems of linear equations using graphical and algebraic methods. 10. Solve systems of linear inequalities. 11. Combine expressions using the rules for exponents. 12. Interpret and perform arithmetic operations using numbers written in scientific notation. 13. Use dimensional analysis to perform unit conversions, and to assign units to application problem results. 14. Add, subtract, multiply and divide expressions involving polynomials. 15. Factor binomials, trinomials and other polynomials using various methods. 16. Use a graphing calculator to graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables and to solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.

Required Course Materials:

1. Text: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, second edition by Rockswold/Krieger Note: The MyMathLab site contains an online interactive version of the textbook. It is up to you whether or not you would like to have a hard copy of the text or just purchase access to the MyMathLab site. 2. MyMathLab: MyMathLab will be used for all online homework and quizzes, and it contains numerous resources to help you learn the course content. If you purchase your textbook from the Yavapai College Bookstore, an access code for MyMathLab is included in your purchase. If you have purchased the text elsewhere, or if you would like to use the electronic version only, you may purchase an access code directly from the MyMathLab Website (it costs $88).
To register on the MyMathLab site follow the steps in the MyLabsPlus_Registration_Information sheet that you should have received with the first class email(click here to view and download a copy).

3. Calculator: A graphing calculator is required for the course. Texas Instrument graphing calculators, such as the TI-83 or 83+ or TI-84 or 84+ are strongly recommended.

Class Website:
All of the course announcements, documents, information and links to MyMathLab will be contained in the class website. I will make most of the course available b y Wed, Jan 11th (7 days before the class starts) so you can read course information and get registered for MyMathLab. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to the class website: http://fernandezmathatyc.yolasite.com/ 2. Read the home page, and watch the video about Navigating the Website 3. Go to the MAT 092 page and follow the instructions for the first week of the class.

Assessment Measures:
Homework: Homework assignments for each of the sections we will be covering will be completed in MyMathLab(MML), and must be completed by the due date listed with each assignment (it can be completed early if you prefer). Homework assignments may be resubmitted as many times as you would like before the due date. It is possible to earn 100% on each homework assignment. Late homework will not be accepted and will be entered as a grade of 0. There are a total of 15 MML assignments at 10 points each. Tests: Online chapter tests are completed and submitted through MyMathLab. These tests are designed to assess skills. Tests may be taken only once and will not be accepted for credit after the due date. Each of these tests will be worth 50 points. Comprehensive Final Exam: During the last week of the semester, your knowledge will be assessed through a paper and pencil final exam. You may take the final exam between Wed, May 2nd and Tues, May 8th at specified times/dates. These will be determined after the start of the semester. I will have locations and times available if other arrangements need to be made (including taking the final early), these will be scheduled on an individual basis. The final exam is worth 200 points of your course grade.

NOTE: In order to receive a passing grade for the course, you must score higher than a 50% on the final exam!!

GRADING: Your course grade will be based on the total points earned in the course as follows:
Syllabus acknowledgement/Student Info Sheet 6 online chapter exams at 50 points each 15 online MML homeworks at 10 points each Proctored comprehensive final exam total 20 points 300 points 150 points 200 points 670 points

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

NOTE: In order to receive a passing grade for the course, you must score higher than a 50% on the final exam!! CLASS POLICIES:

Withdrawing from the Course:

Student Initiated Withdrawal: To officially withdraw from a course, you must withdraw using the My Registration feature within the My Services portion of your portal. You must complete this process before Tues March 13th. Instructor Withdrawal: Anytime between March 14th and April 30th you may email your instructor and request a withdrawal. I will not withdraw a student without a written request. Grades: Grades earned in the course (A, B, C, D, F) will be assigned for those students still registered in the course at the end. If you have not withdrawn from the course you will be assigned a grade in the course. You may submit a written request by email for a grade of Unsatisfactory (D or F) or Satisfactory (A, B, C) if received before the last week of class.