College of San Mateo    Fall 2009     

Course:

Math 112 AB

Elementary Algebra II

CRN 84533

11:10-12:00 MWF

Room 18-303

Description:

Prerequisite: Math 111 with a C or higher. Three lecture hours plus one hour by arrangement per week. Covers second half of Math 110. Second half of a study of elementary algebra including introduction to: exponents, polynomial operations, factoring, rational expressions and equations, roots, radicals and radical equations, and quadratic equations.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify and apply basic algebraic concepts including slope, absolute value, scientific notationm, equivalent equations, laws of exponents, intercepts, horizontal lines, and vertical lines.

2. Love systems of linear equations in two unknowns using graphing, eliminationm and substitution.

3. Solve equations and inequalities in one variable.

4. Solve quadratic equations by factoring and quadratic formula.

5. Solve elementary radical equations.

6. Graph linear equations.

7. Solve problems by application of linear functions.

8. Apply the properties of and perform operations with radicals.

1. Apply the properties of and perform operations with integer exponents.

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 “hour by arrangement” 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 dropped—these 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!