Course Syllabus

Algebra 1A

Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy reference. Whenever there is a question about what assignments are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling document. IMPORTANT NOTICE #1: All assignments (with the exception of discussion question responses and participation) must be turned in via the assignment link. You will not receive credit for assignments turned in to your Individual Forum. For math lab assignments you need to create a screen shot of your final results for each assignment and turn them in as an attachment via the assignment link as well. IMPORTANT NOTICE #2: All assignments must now be accompanied by a Certificate of Originality. Sign the certificate of originality and post it to the assignment link as a separate document from your assignment. The Certificate of Originality is located in the Course Materials forum. You may post your certificate of originality with your discussion question responses as an attachment. You do not have to post a certificate of originality with your other discussion question participation responses.
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Facilitator Information
Jennifer Hutchison jhutch123@email.pheonix.edu (University of Phoenix) jhutch123@q.com (Personal) 541-383-3818 (PST)

Facilitator Availability You may call me from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. I may have to call you back, but please do call if you need help. For emergencies, when you are not able to gain access to messages on the Online Learning System (OLS), please send a message to my personal email address. In the event a third party needs to contact me, please direct them to my contact information listed under "facilitator information." No third party should use your login credentials to gain access to the classroom.

Where to Go to Class
Main: This is the main forum for the class and is where discussion is conducted. It has read-and-write access for everyone. Chat-Room: This is a read-and-write access forum. It is designed as a place to discuss issues not related to the course content. This is the forum to which we will send our bios. Course-Materials: This is a read-only forum, which means you can read messages here but cannot send any. This is where I will post the course syllabus and materials. Individual Forum: You will see one forum with your name on it. This is a private forum, shared only by you and me, the facilitator. Your classmates will not have access to this forum. You can ask individual questions here. However, if you have general questions about instructions of assignments, please post those in the Main forum, since other students may benefit by that exchange as well.

Policies
For class policies, please see the Policies link on the left side of the Materials page for the course on eCampus. Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within that link. University policies are subject to change so please be sure to read them at the beginning of each class as it may have changed since your last class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities it is important you read the policies governing your current class modality.

Technical Support
Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-877-832-4867, or use the e-mail support form. Answers to the most common issues are found in the Knowledge Base by clicking Help, found at the top of every student Web site.

Feedback
Each week, I will provide grades or scores and comments on your assignments.

Grading Formula
Points 95+ 90-94 Grade A A-

87-89 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 67-69 64-66 60-63 <59

B+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF

Course Description
See eCampus.

Course Topics & Objectives

See eCampus.

Course Materials
See eCampus.

Point Values for Course Assignments

Week One CheckPoint: Algebraic Expressions Discussion Questions Participation Week Two CheckPoint: Linear Equations Exercise: Week Two Concept Check Assignment: Expressions and Equations (Appendix C) Assignment: Expressions and Equations (MyMathLab Quiz) Week Three CheckPoint: Solving Inequalities Discussion Questions Participation Week Four CheckPoint: Graphing Equations Exercise: Week Four Concept Check

30 20 20 30 10 30 50 30 20 20 30 10

Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations (Appendix D) Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations (MyMathLab Quiz) Week Five CheckPoint: Introduction to Functions Discussion Questions Participation Week Six CheckPoint: Looking at Functions Exercise: Week Six Concept Check Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs (Appendix E) Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs (MyMathLab Quiz) Week Seven CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Equations Discussion Questions Participation Week Eight CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Inequalities Exercise: Week Eight Concept Check Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (Appendix F) Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities (MyMathLab Quiz) Week Nine Capstone Discussion Question Final Project: Final Exam Participation Point Total

30 50 30 20 20 30 10 30 50 30 20 20 30 10 30 50 20 200 20 1,000

Week One
Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions Compare the values of integers. Simplify expressions using the order of operations and properties of real numbers. Translate phrases into mathematical expressions. Use substitution to evaluate algebraic expressions.

Course Assignments
1. Course Preparation Read the course description and objectives. Read the facilitators biography and post your own.

2. Readings Read Appendix A. Read Appendix B regarding the use of Equation Editor and MyMathLab. Read Ch. 1 and sections 2.12.6 in Ch. 2 of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra. Review the Equation Editor tutorial at http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/EEGT/EEGT-01-INTRO.asp Review the How to Answer Questions tutorial to learn how to use MyMathLab. Enter MyMathLab by clicking the link provided under the Week One Materials section of your student Web site.

3. CheckPoint: Algebraic Expressions

Complete the Week One CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in Ch. 1.

4. Discussion Questions What is the difference between an equation and an expression? Include an example of each. Can you solve for a variable in an expression? Explain your answer. Can you solve for a variable in an equation? Explain your answer. Write a mathematical phrase or sentence for your classmates to translate. Translate your classmates phrases or sentences and explain what clues indicate that the problems are either expressions or equations. Respond to classmates who have responded to your sentence or phrase and indicate whether or not they correctly translated the problem. Ask clarifying questions if you need more explanation, or help students who seem to struggle with the concept. What are the steps of the order of operations? Why is it important that you follow the steps rather than solve the problem from left to right? Write an expression for your classmates to simplify using at least three of the following: (a) Groupings (parenthesis, brackets, or braces), (b) Exponents, (c) Multiplication or division, and (d) Addition or subtraction. Consider participating in the discussion by simplifying a classmates expression, showing how the expression would be incorrectly simplified if computed from left to right, or challenging the

class with a complicated expression. Respond to your initial post and provide your classmates with the answer to your expression.

Weekly Reminders Week 1

Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 1 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 CheckPoint Participation Main Main Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Main Location Due Tuesday Thursday Friday All week

Week Two
Solving Algebraic Equations and Inequalities Solve one-variable equations using the addition and multiplication principles. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear equation. Solve a formula for a variable.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Linear Equations

Complete the Week Two CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to apply concepts introduced in sections 2.12.6 of Ch. 2.

2. Exercise: Week Two Concept Check

Post your 50-word (or more) response to the following: o o o o How do you know when an equation with one variable has infinitely many solutions? How do you know when an equation with one variable has no solution? How do you know when and equation with one variable has one solution? Give an example of each type of equation.

3. Assignment: Expressions and Equations

Complete Appendix C to apply the skills learned in Ch. 1 and sections 2.12.6 of Ch. 2 to a real-life situation. Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expressions in Appendix C. Complete the Week Two Quiz in MyMathLab. This assignment assesses content from Ch. 1 & 2 (sections 2.12.6).

Weekly Reminders

Summary of Week 2 Deliverables Assignment Concept Check Appendix C CheckPoint Quiz Location Syllabus (Post to Assignment Link) Materials (Post to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Due Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Week Three
More on Solving Equations and Inequalities Solve one-variable inequalities using the addition and multiplication principles. Graph one-variable inequalities. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear inequality. Translate sentences into inequalities.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read sections 2.7 & 2.8 of Ch. 2 and Ch. 3 of Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Solving Inequalities

Complete the Week Three CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 2.7 & 2.8 of Ch. 2.

3. Discussion Questions Why does the inequality sign change when both sides are multiplied or divided by a negative number? Does this happen with equations? Why or why not? Write an inequality for your classmates to solve. In your inequality, use both the multiplication and addition properties of inequalities. Consider solving your classmates inequalities. Explain how you arrived at your answers. Also, help other students who may be having difficulty solving inequalities. Ask clarifying questions if you need additional assistance. How do you know if a value is a solution for an inequality? How is this different from determining if a value is a solution to an equation? If you replace the equal sign of an equation with an inequality sign, is there ever a time when the same value will be a solution to both the equation and the inequality? Write an inequality and provide a value that may or may not be a solution to the inequality. Consider responding to a classmate by determining whether or not the solution provided is a solution to the inequality. If the value he or she provides is a solution, provide a value that is not a solution. If the value is not a solution, provide a value that is a solution.

Weekly Reminders Week 3

Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 3 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 CheckPoint Participation Main Main Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Main Location Due Tuesday Thursday Friday All week

Week Four
Graphing Linear Equations Graph points from ordered pairs in an (x,y) coordinate system. Determine whether a given point is a solution for a linear equation. Graph a linear equation using tables and intercepts. Find the slope of a line given two points or the equation of a line.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Graphing Equations

Complete the Week Four CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in Ch. 3.

2. Exercise: Week Four Concept Check

Post your 50-word response to the following: o Explain in your own words why the line x = 4 is a vertical line. o Explain in your own words why the line y = 4 is a horizontal line.

3. Assignment: Solving Inequalities and Graphing Equations

Complete Appendix D to apply skills learned in Ch. 2 & 3 to a real-life situation. Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expression in Appendix D. Complete the Week Four Assignment in MyMathLab. This assignment assesses content learned in Ch. 2 & 3.

Weekly Reminders Week 4

Summary of Week 4 Deliverables Assignment Concept Check Appendix D CheckPoint Quiz Location Syllabus and Main Forum(Post to Assignment Link) Materials (Post to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Due Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Week Five
Functions Differentiate between functions and equations. Find function values for specific domain values. Determine the domain and range of a function.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read Ch. 7 of Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Introduction to Functions

Complete the Week Five CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of Ch. 7.

3. Discussion Questions Address the following: What similarities and differences do you see between functions and linear equations studied in Ch. 3? Are all linear equations functions? Is there an instance when a linear equation is not a function? Support your answer. Create an equation of a nonlinear function and provide two inputs for your classmates to evaluate. Find examples that support or refute your classmates answers to the discussion question. Provide additional similarities and differences between functions and linear equations. Challenge your classmates by providing more intricate examples of nonlinear functions for them to solve. Address the following: What is the difference between domain and range? Describe a real-life situation that could be modeled by a function. Provide feedback about your classmates answers. Describe the values for x that may not be appropriate values even when they are defined by your classmates function. A function could, for example, indicate the amount of bone strength (y) in a living human body over time in years (x). It would not make sense to look at negative years, because the person would not yet be born. Likewise, looking beyond 100 years might not make sense, as many people do not live to be 100.

Weekly Reminders Week 5

Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 5 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 CheckPoint Participation Main Main Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Main Location Due Tuesday Thursday Friday All week

Week Six
Graphs of Functions Graph linear equations using slope and y-intercepts or x- and y-intercepts. Determine whether lines are perpendicular, parallel, or intersecting. Write linear equations using point-slope and y-intercept forms.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Looking at Functions

Complete the Week Six CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 7.37.5 of Ch. 7.

2. Exercise: Week Six Concept Check

Post your 50-word (or more) response to the following: o How can you determine if two lines are perpendicular? Your response should include the following: o How the slopes of two perpendicular lines relate. o How you recognize two lines are perpendicular on a graph. o How you recognize two lines are perpendicular simply from their equations.

3. Assignment: Functions and Their Graphs

Complete Appendix E to apply the skills learned in Ch. 7 to a real-life situation. Use Equation Editor to write mathematical expressions and equations in Appendix E. Complete the Week Six Assignment: Ch. 7 Quiz in MyMathLab. This assignment assesses content learned in Ch. 7.

Weekly Reminders Week 6

Summary of Week 6 Deliverables Assignment Concept Check Appendix E CheckPoint Quiz Location Syllabus and Main Forum(Post to Assignment Link) Materials (Post to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Due Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Week Seven
Systems of Equations Solve systems of linear equations using graphing and methods of substitution and elimination. Determine whether a system is consistent or inconsistent. Determine whether equations of a system are dependent or independent.

Course Assignments
1. Readings Read sections 8.18.4 of Ch. 8 and sections 9.19.3 of Ch. 9 of Intermediate Algebra.

2. CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Equations

Complete the Week Seven CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 8.18.4 of Ch. 8.

3. Discussion Questions Address the following: Systems of equations can be solved by graphing or by using substitution or elimination. What are the pros and cons of each method? Which method do you like best? Why? What circumstances would cause you to use a different method? Consider responding to your classmates by indicating pros and cons they may not have considered or persuading them to see the value of the method you like best (if you chose different methods). Describe situations in which you might use their methods of solving. Address the following: Review examples 2, 3, and 4 in section 8.4 of the text. How does the author determine what the first equation should be? What about the second equation? How are these examples similar? How are they different? Find a problem in the text that is similar to examples 2, 3, and 4. Post the problem for your classmates to solve. Consider responding to your classmates by asking clarifying questions or by expanding a classmates response. Also, help students solve the problem you posted by providing feedback or hints if necessary. You may also want to provide an explanation for your solution after a sufficient number of students have replied.

Weekly Reminders Week 7

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 7 Deliverables Assignment DQ 1 DQ 2 CheckPoint Participation Main Main Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Main Location Due Tuesday Thursday Friday All week

Week Eight
Systems of Inequalities Solve and graph systems of inequalities in one and two variables.

Course Assignments 1. CheckPoint: Solving Systems of Inequalities

Complete the Week Eight CheckPoint in MyMathLab. This activity provides the opportunity to practice concepts introduced in sections 9.1, 9.2, & 9.4 of Ch. 9.

2. Exercise: Week Eight Concept Check

Post your 50-word (or more) response to the following: Describe what the graph of interval [4,10] looks like.

3. Assignment: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

Complete Appendix F to apply the skills learned in Ch. 8 (8.18.4) & 9 (9.1, 9.2, & 9.4). Use Equation Editor to write mathematical equations and expressions in Appendix F. Complete the Week Eight Assignment: Ch. 8 & 9 Quiz in MyMathLab. This assignment assesses content learned in section 8.18.4 of Ch. 8 and sections 9.1, 9.2, & 9.4 of Ch. 9.

Weekly Reminders Week 8

Summary of Week 8 Deliverables Assignment Concept Check Appendix F CheckPoint Quiz Location Syllabus and Main Forum(Post to Assignment Link) Materials (Post to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Due Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Week Nine
Apply Algebraic Concepts Apply algebraic concepts to solve mathematical problems.

Course Assignments
1. Capstone Discussion Question Post your response to the following: Has the content in this course allowed you to think of math as a useful tool? If so, how? What concepts investigated in this course can apply to your personal and professional life? In what ways did you use MyMathLab for extra support?

2. Final Project: Final Exam

Resources: Appendix A, MyMathLab Complete the Week Nine Final Test in MyMathLab. This test assesses content learned throughout the course.

Weekly Reminders Week 9

Discussion Questions Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately. Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score. Summary of Week 9 Deliverables Assignment Capstone DQ Final Exam Participation Main Math Lab (Post screen shot to Assignment Link) Main Location Due Tuesday Sunday All week