MATH 96: INERMEDIATE ALGEBRA & GEOMETRY: Spring 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Jill Kitzmiller, Math Department
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 2:30 - 2:45 or 5:10 - 5:30 or by appointment
Phone: (619) 594 -5711 (SDSU)
Office: H-208 E-mail: jkitzmil@sdccd.edu
Web site: http://faculty.palomar.edu/jkitzmiller/
I do not check or respond to e-mail every day, and do not check e-mail on weekends or holidays. Feel free to leave a voicemail message at or e-mail and I will respond as necessary. I do not respond to messages about absences unless it is a long term situation.
TEXT & MATERIALS
Elementary & Intermediate Algebra, Bittenger, Also needed is the geometry supplement. Homework will be collected on-line using the Math-XL program. Homework is extra credit. A scientific calculator is needed.
REQUISITES
Prerequisite: MATH 095 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
Advisory: ENGL 043 and ENGL 056 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or W4/R5. Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with previous credit for MATH 100
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
Intermediate Algebra and Geometry serves as the foundation for the other math courses and is the second of a two-semester integrated sequence in algebra and geometry. This course covers rational, radicals, and quadratic equations; conic sections; systems of equations and inequalities; exponential and logarithmic functions; sequences and series; solid geometry; and an introduction to trigonometric functions. The course will also include application problems involving the topics covered. This course is the prerequisite for all transferable mathematics courses.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Perform the basic arithmetic operations with rational expressions, solve rational equations and application problems, including variation;
2. Perform the basic arithmetic operations with radical expressions, and solve radical equations;
3. Perform the basic arithmetic operations with complex numbers;
4. Solve and graph quadratic functions;
5. Identify and graph conic sections;
6. Solve nonlinear inequalities;
7. Solve systems of linear equations in two and three variables using a variety of methods;
8. Solve systems of nonlinear equations and inequalities;
9. Identify one to one functions and find their inverses;
10. Use the properties of and relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions to solve a variety of application problems;
11. Apply the correct notation when identifying, simplifying and using arithmetic and geometric series and sequences;
12. Apply the Binomial Theorem appropriately as needed;
13. Apply the appropriate surface area and volume formulas for three dimensional objects;
14. Identify and use the appropriate trigonometric functions to solve application problems;
15. Solve a variety of application problems related to these topics.
PACE OF COURSE
This course moves rapidly, especially meeting only twice per week. It is expected that you spent at least 10 hours each week outside of class reading the book, doing homework, and studying the material. It is critical that you read ahead and ask questions. If you fall behind it will be difficult to catch up. You are responsible for all material in assigned chapters and all material covered in lecture, even if you are absent.
ATTENDANCE
Regular class attendance is necessary for this class. You may be dropped if you miss two consecutive class meetings or have more than four total absences before drop date. Check course catalog for the last day to drop. Any student enrolled after that data will receive a letter grade. NO EXCEPTIONS
BEHAVIOR
You will be asked to leave the class for one or two class meetings if you exhibit behavior that prohibits or impedes any member of this class from pursuing any class assignment objective or learning opportunity within the classroom. Please be courteous of others, try to be on time, turn off your cell phone, ipod, computer, or other electronic devices (no headphones in class), and avoid talking during lectures. It is assumed that each student will do his/her own work. If a student is caught cheating on a test, that student will receive a “0” grade on that exam and the score will not be dropped.
EXAMINATIONS
There will be 7 in-class exams, each worth 100 points and covering approximately one chapter in the book. There will also be one comprehensive final exam worth 100 points, covering material from the entire course. Plan now to be in class on the scheduled exam dates. There are no make-up exams, but you can drop your lowest exam score. If you have a grade of 90 or more points on each exam you are exempt from the final exam.
HOMEWORK
I will assign problems for homework from each section of the text. These will be assigned on Math XL online and due by the date of each exam. In general, you can earn one point of extra credit toward that chapter exam for each section of homework completed with 80% or more correct. If you do not have access to a computer with internet connection, I will accept homework in written form from the textbook. See me for homework lists and specific instructions for turning in written homework. The tutoring center is available for help on specific problems. You may also come to office hours before or after class.
WEBSITE
I also maintain a personal website which contains copies of all handouts for
each chapter of the course materials, including practice exams. There are
also copies of worksheets done in
class. Please print your own copies
of practice exams or any handouts missed. Exam keys will be posted after each exam is
graded. The main page for the website also contains an article on how the
brain learns mathematics and how to reduce math anxiety, which you may find
informative/helpful.
GRADING
To receive a passing grade of “C” or better, you must receive 60 points or better on the final exam AND have a 490 points or more based on:
Exams (drop 1) 600 points
Final 100 points
Total points possible 700 points
Point Breakdown: 630 or more = A, 560 – 629 = B, 490 – 559 = C, 420 – 489 = D
below 420 (or below 60 on final exam) = F.
Attendance, class participation and a subjective instructor’s interpretation of work may be used in assigning a final grade to borderline cases.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION
Any student who may need academic accommodation should discuss the situation with me during the first week of class.
INCOMPLETE
To receive a final grade of incomplete, you must be passing the class and be unable to take the final exam.