READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY! It contains answers to many of your questions and has important information about the expectations of this course.
Intermediate Algebra/Math 108 Internet 4 Credits Summer 2001
Instructor: Jason Rose Office: Shields 207B Office Hours: 11AM-12 Noon on Tuesday & Thursday, 4PM – 5PM on Monday &Wednesday, or by appointment. Phone: 800.680.0274 ext.2107 or 208.733.9554 ext.2107 E-mail: jrose@csi.edu Web page: www.csi.edu/ip/matheng/faculty/jrose.cfm
Description: This course is designed to prepare the student for college algebra. It covers first-degree equations and inequalities, linear functions, systems of linear equations, polynomials, exponents and radicals, rational expressions, quadratic equations, graphing functions, and logarithms.
Pre-requisites: Grade of C or better in 010 or placement recommendation from COMPASS test (Algebra > 46)
Course Delivery/Philosophy: This course uses multimedia instruction extensively. One of the main advantages is that the student can move faster than the minimum pace. Most sections begin with a pre-test (Overview). If you get a perfect score on the pre-test, you can move on to the next section. If you don't get a perfect score, the program will give you a prescription of study for the section so that you can focus on the material you don't know. If you do get a perfect score, you can still look over the material if you think you need a refresher. Each section will take you through a lecture (Explain) and some interactive problems (Apply and Explore). Each section ends with a post-test (Evaluate). After you've completed a section, you move on to the next section. Students near CSI will be able to work in the computer lab in GRM 201, the library, the dorm, the Mini-Cassia Center, or Canyon 101. Students at Micron can use the lab in Training and Education. If you have a computer that meets some minimum specifications and can access the internet, you'll be able to work from home. I will be available by email, telephone, or in my office. After every five sections ± , you'll take a paper/pencil test.
Required Materials: A computer that can run the software (see minimum specs below) and the special Internet Intermediate Algebra software/book set (a shrink-wrapped book with 3 CDs and a floppy disk inside the back cover) that MUST be obtained new from the bookstore. The price of the software/book set is for a non-transferable license to use the software for the semester. The book and the software come free with the license. The software company charges CSI for each student enrolled in the course each semester, so you must buy the materials from the CSI bookstore in order to take the course (every time you take the course). You will not be able to sell it back at the end of the semester. If you’re going to work in a campus lab (GRM 201, CSI library, Canyon 103, the dorms, or the Mini-Cassia Center) you should also obtain a set of stereo headphones from the bookstore or otherwise (the ones from your walkman will work fine.) The headphones in the labs can be gross (if you can find them).
Minimum Computer Specifications: To work from home, you must have a Pentium-class computer w/ at least 32 MB of Ram, 100 MB of free disk space, a CD-ROM drive, a sound card, a video card that can handle 16 bit high-color at a resolution of 800x600, and access to the internet.. Inside the back cover of your PAN, there are 3 CDs. The first CD you will only need to use once, just to install the program (client) on your computer. The other two (Intermediate Algebra Part One and Intermediate Algebra Part Two) contain lessons. You will need the appropriate lesson disk every time you want to work on a section. If the system doesn’t ask you to use the floppy disk the first time you use the software, keep it in a safe place. You’ll eventually need it.
Course Objectives. The student will be able to do the following: Work with real numbers. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials. Factor polynomials. Solve linear equations and inequalities. Solve linear absolute value equations and inequalities. Graph a linear equation and find its slope and intercepts. Graph and/or find the equation of a line given its slope and a point or two points. Find parallel and perpendicular lines. Graph and/or find the equation of a horizontal or vertical line. Graph and interpret a linear inequality. Solve a system of two linear equations using graphing, substitution, and/or elimination. Use linear equations to solve number, interest, coin, and mixture problems. Simplify, multiply, divide, add, and subtract rational expressions. Simplify complex fractions. Solve equations with rational expressions. Solve for an unknown in a rational expression. Solve distance and work problems involving rational expressions. Work with rational exponents simplify, multiply, divide, add, and subtract radical expressions. Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and/or using the quadratic formula. Work with complex numbers. Understand functions, functional notation and the vertical line test. Find the sum, difference, product, quotient and composition of two functions. Find and graph the inverse of a function. Apply knowledge of functions and graphs to exponential and logarithmic functions. Understand natural and common logs and be able to apply the change of base formula. Solve nonlinear equations that can be reduced to solving polynomial equations. Solve nonlinear equations by graphing, adding, and/or substitution. Solve quadratic inequalities. Understand matrices. Solve systems of equations using Cramer's rule and/or Gaussian elimination.
Policies and Procedures: Consistent Effort is important for success. You should plan to spend 20 hours per week on this course. If you already have a full load or are working full-time with other courses, this course may not be for you. Sit down now and block out 20 hours to work on Math every week.
Academic Integrity: Please read the behavioral policy on Honesty starting on page 15 of the current CSI Catalog. Any violation of the policy will be dealt with severely, including but not limited to, being dismissed from the class and/or given a grade of "F" for the course.
Logging In for the 1st time Your login name is a little complicated. It is your three initials (as you gave your name when you applied to CSI, if you didn’t give CSI a middle name or initial, use an “x” in its place) followed by the last four digits of your Social Security number. Your password is your full Social Security number (again, as given on your application) without spaces or dashes. You can change your password as soon as you login for the first time.
Library Use and other assistance outside of class. Campus Computer Labs that have the Academic Systems software installed: ADC 201, Mon. - Fri. 8am to 4:30pm and Tues. - Thurs. 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Canyon 103 , open M - Th 8 am - 9 pm, F 8 am - 6 pm, Sat. 9am - 12 pm Library, open M-Th 7:30am - 9pm , F 7:30am - 6pm , Sat.-Sun. 1pm - 5pm
Free Peer Tutoring is available on campus through the Academic Development Center. If you are struggling and/or need extra help see Cindy Howa (Peer Tutoring Coordinator, 9am - 4pm, GRM 202) to apply. Help is also available in the Math Lab, Shields 207.
Office Hours: Don't wait for things to get out of control, contact me the first time you have trouble or don't understand something. I have NO desire to see you fail or do poorly. You should plan on spending at least 12 hours working on this course. Some of your time should be spent getting help from me. As an instructor, I am required to hold office hours so that there is a set time for you to visit with me. Take advantage of it. Feel free to come to my office in person, or e-mail or voice mail me your questions and I will answer them as soon as I can. (It helps if you give the page and problem number of a problem from the text that illustrates your difficulty. )
Academic Systems Technical Support: If you have problems with the software, you can call 1-800-681-HELP 24 hours a day for assistance. Be sure you write down exactly what is happening and when, and any error messages you have received before you call. Alternatively, you can send an email to help@academic.com or browse their website: http://support.academic.com
Outcomes Assessment: For this class, we will take a final that shares questions with the final of a traditional Math 108 class. The results will be compared, but the comparison will not effect your grade.
Provisions for Testing If you can come to campus you will take tests in the Campus Testing Center (GRM 230). The Testing Center hours are Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 am - 9:30 pm. You cannot start a test after 8:30 pm. On Friday, the hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. You cannot start a test after 3:30 pm. Photo ID is Required every time. No Exceptions!! Tests at Micron: Students who work at Micron will take tests at the Training and Education Office. If you can’t come to campus and don’t work at Micron, let me know quickly and we’ll make other arrangements.
Grading: The quiz (evaluate) scores will be averaged and assigned a percentage between 0 and 100. Tests 1, 2, and 3 will be worth 100 points. The final will be worth 200 points. Each time you complete a test on schedule, you’ll receive 10 times your test grade as a decimal as bonus. If, for example, you complete Test 2 by June 18 with 80% correct, you’ll earn a bonus of 10 x 0.80 = 8 pts. I'll calculate your grade as follows: (2×quiz average + 1st test + 2nd test + 3rd test + final+ on-time bonus points)/7. 90-100 is an A, 80-89 is a B, 70-79 is a C, 60-69 is a D, and below 60 is an F. The grade of NC will only be given by request to students who work diligently and stay in contact with me for the entire semester. I can drop students up until the start of the last week of classes and will do so if requested by the student. If you just disappear without dropping, I’ll give you your F.
On-time test deadlines
You will receive the bonus points for test 1 if you complete it by June 19.
You will receive the bonus points for test 2 if you complete it by July 3.
You will receive the bonus points for test 3 if you complete it by July 17.
You will receive the bonus points for the final if you complete it by July 26.
You will not be penalized if you take a test after the deadline, you just don't get the bonus points. Taking the final by July 26 is a hard and fast deadline to be sure you get a grade other than “I” at the end of the semester. If you have test 1 and test 2 completed with an average of 70% by July 26 I can give you an incomplete. You must ask for the incomplete. An incomplete gives you a year to complete the course. Keep in mind that the software license expires at the end of the semester, so if you haven't completed all of the online quizzes by July 26, you may need to buy a new license to continue.
Schedule You are encouraged to work as fast as you can. As soon as you are ready for a test (or pretty close), let me know 48 hours in advance of when you would like to take it. I’ll write a test for you and send it to the appropriate testing facility.
Week of : Activities:
May 23-24: Call the bookstore and order materials
May 27-31: Receive the materials, install the client, login and complete lesson EIIA
Jun 3-7: EII C, EII E,
Jun 10-14: 5.1 5.2, Take test 1 (On-time deadline for test 1 is June 19)
Jun 17-21: EII F, EII B, 10.1
Jun 24-28: 10.2, 10.3, EII D, Take test 2 (On-time deadline for test 2 is July 3)
Jul 1-5: 8.4, 9.2
Jul 8-12: 11.1, 11.2, Take test 3
Jul 15-19: 12.1, 12.2, 12.3
Jul 22-26: 13.1, 13.3, Matrix Supplement, Review, Take Final
What to do if you suspect a quiz has been scored incorrectly: Many of the questions on the quizzes can detect different forms of the correct answer, but occasionally the program may mark an answer incorrect that you think is correct. When these sorts of problems come up, you can take an electronic snapshot of the screen using the Print Scrn key (near F12). Hitting the Print Scrn key copies an image of the screen to the clipboard. You can then open a program like Paint or Word or Wordpad and select Edit->Paste to move that clipboard image into a program that will allow you to save or print it and show it to me. (If you get an error message, this trick works well when you want to show the exact message to the technical support people.)