College of San Mateo
Fall 2009
Course:
Elementary
Algebra I
CRN
82612
8:10-9:00
MWF
Room 16-140
Description:
Prerequisite:
Appropriate score on the placement test, or CR for 3 units of Math 811. Covers
first half of Math 110. Three lecture hours plus one hour by arrangement per
week. First half of a study of elementary algebra including introduction to:
signed number operations, order of operations, linear equations and
inequalities in one and two variables, systems of linear equations, exponents.
Student
Learning Outcomes:
1.
Identify
and apply basic algebraic concepts including slope, absolute value, scientific
notation, equivalent equations, laws of exponents, intercepts, horizontal
lines, and vertical lines.
2.
Solve
systems of linear equations in two unknowns using graphing, elimination and
substitution.
3.
Solve
equations and inequalities in one variable.
4.
Graph
linear equations.
5.
Find
the equation of lines.
6.
Solve
problems by application of linear functions.
7.
Other
topics as chosen.
Instructor:
Paulette
Callahan (callahanp@smccd.edu)
Contact
with me outside of class will be conducted by email (no phone) at
callahanp@smccd.edu. Do not call school staff to leave phone
messages for me! Office 12-173 by appointment.
Computer use: You are responsible
for having access to the internet (free on campus/libraries) to monitor any
postings online at http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/callahanp
For contact with or from me you must maintain
your username@my.smccd.edu email found at your WebSMART student
account.
Text: Elementary Algebra, 8th edition,
McKeague. Copies of this or similar books are on reserve at the library (ask at
the main desk first floor bldg. 9), and the Math tutoring lab 18-202. Other audio/visual
materials also available.
Attendance: You should be in
class for each entire session. If you sign up for this course, I assume that
you need the instruction and will follow the attendance policy. If you do not
need the instruction, you should place into a higher class to make room for
students that do need the instruction. Students who habitually come late, leave
early, or drift in and out during class time are disruptive to the class and
will be documented/dismissed/dropped. You should strive to not miss any of the
class meetings, but to stay in the class you must miss less than 20% of the
instructional days. For instance, if you miss the equivalent of 2 (or more)
test and non-test sessions thru 09/11 or 4 (or more) non-test days thru 10/07
or 6 (or more) non-test days thru 11/02, etc., you may be dropped/withdrawn by
me. Late arrivals, in/outs during class, early exits, and forced dismissals
from class count towards absence totals (from one-half to one whole session).
In all cases, it is your responsibility to keep up with your status and file
appropriate forms to avoid unwanted grades. Email and ask me if you are
concerned about your status. Each week, you should make time to spend at least
1 hr. in 18-202 as the Òhour by arrangementÓ mentioned in the catalog for
tutoring and homework help.
Homework: Each session, I
generally assign a limited number of even-numbered problems to turn in at the
beginning of the next session. That does not mean that is the only homework you
should do! Do at least 1 hour of independent study for every hour spent in
class, and for optimal success, I suggest that you do the following in order as
your time permits: read current sections and examples in the book, review class
notes, attempt odd problems, check answers in the back of the book, complete
assigned even problems to turn in, form a study group with other students and
compare notes and questions, bring questions to class, and go to tutoring as
needed (Bldg. 18 room 202). Homework is due at the beginning of class (late
students must present homework to me as they enter class). No later submissions
will be accepted (regardless of the reason or whether you were in class or
not).
Quizzes: Will occur daily, usually
based on previous homework material. Late students will not be allowed to take
the quiz.
Tests: It is solely your
responsibility to keep up with any schedule changes. All work must be shown on
the test paper and done in the manner asked for. Incomplete answers will
receive little or no credit. You may use a scientific calculator, but not as a
substitute for showing appropriate work. No cell phone calculators are
permitted. No books, notes, or scratch paper are to be used during tests. All
missed tests count as a zero score F. Of Tests 1 thru 4 shown on the schedule
(all of equal weight), one lowest score will be dropped. Test 5 will not be
dropped for any reason. If you miss Test 5, you must take a comprehensive final
to replace test 5 only. Students who take Test 5 as scheduled will not take a
final. If you receive an F for any 3 tests or more (whether dropped or not) you
will receive an F for the semester.
IMPORTANT: No makeup
(late or early) homework, quizzes, or tests will be given for ANY reason!
Grading:
Quiz/Hmk.
20% of final grade
4 counted Tests
80% of final
grade
Grading Scale:
A 90.0%-100%,
B 80.0%-89.9%,
C 70.0%-79.9%
D 60.0%-69.9%,
F 0%-59.9% (no +/- in final grade)
Please make special note to avoid future
conflict or misunderstandings:
1. Do not ask me if it is OK to be
absent or leave early, or give me notes from doctors, counselors, etc. Absence
from class will still be counted and you must decide for yourself whether it is
a necessary absence. There is no need to notify me of one-day absence or tell
me the personal reasons behind any absence. Informing me of these reasons will
not change my class policies. Extended absence of a week or more should be
discussed with me to assess your status and risk of being dropped. Plan to
arrive at school early to avoid lateness, accidents and parking issues.
2. Do not ask for make-up work,
early/late tests/quizzes/homework, or extra-credit. None are available.
Homework and quiz grades will be adjusted at the end of the semester to take
several missed assignments into account, and one test as stated above will be
droppedÑthese amendments are sufficient to accommodate limited normal
occurrences in life. If your needs exceed these accommodations, you may not be
able to satisfactorily complete the course.
3. The dropping of one test is intended
to accommodate your absence for any reason, serious or not, including (but not
limited to) illness, accident, doctor visit, jury summons, religious
observance, job conflict, school event, etc. No event will compel me to devise
or administer a make-up (early or late) test or offer another dropped test.
4. If you are unable to meet your
course obligations, be prepared to withdraw from the course or accept the grade
earned. Incompletes are almost always denied and are never used to avoid or
bring up low grades.
5. Students with disabilities must be
registered with the DRC and must notify me of any special needs during the 1st
week of instruction or risk the possibility of not having those needs met.
Accommodation forms must be given to me at least a week before a test. Failure
to do so will result in no accommodations allowed for that test.
6. After the first week of instruction,
if you have not brought up any issues with me, I will assume that you have
read, understand, and accept this syllabus and its terms, and I will not form
any new contract with you, regardless of the reason. I strictly adhere to my
policies out of fairness to all of the students.
7. I should not have
to tell you the following! No visitors are allowed in class (including
children, friends, relatives, pets, etc.). No cell phones, texting devices,
music players, computers, or any other distracting devices are to be used during
class. Use of such items can result in dismissal for the session. No
noisy/smelly/messy foods (such as pizza) are allowed in the classroom as no one
wishes to smell your food, watch you eat it, or clean up after you. No sleeping
during class time--if you need sleep more than instruction I will ask you to go
find a more comfortable and appropriate place. No private tutorials,
conversations, or sharing of notes is allowed while I am lecturing. No
profanity, abuse/harassment of me or other students, or in general any
disruptions that inhibit student learning will be tolerated. Students deemed by
me to be in violation of the above rules, whom I ask to desist or leave for the
session, must comply without argument or they will be removed by security and
referred to the Dean for possible disciplinary
action.
Now,
welcome to our class. Relax and enjoy learning with your new friends!