MATH 95: ELEMENATARY ALGEBRA & GEOMETRY: Fall 2008

INSTRUCTOR: Jill Kitzmiller, Math Department                                                                                                    Office: H-208                                                                                                                                                         Office Hours:  M/W 12:40 – 1:00, 2:00 – 2:20 pm or by appointment.                                                                       Phone: (619) 594 -5711 (SDSU)                                                                                                                                    E-mail: jkitzmil@sdccd.edu                      Web site: http://faculty.palomar.edu/jkitzmiller/                                                 Text book help web site: www.mathxl.com   (see handout and textbook for details)

TEXT & MATERIALS                                                                                                                                           Elementary & Intermediate Algebra: Concepts and Applications: Bittenger.  Also the Geometry Supplement book is required.  A scientific calculator is required.  You may purchase the study skills book or student solutions manual, but they are not required.

PREREQUISITE                                                                                                                                                   Minimum grade of “C” in Math 35 or equivalent.

COURSE DESCRIPTION                                                                                                                                Elementary algebra and geometry serves as the foundation for the other math courses and is the first of a two-course integrated sequence in algebra and geometry intended to prepare students for transfer level mathematics. This course covers the real number system; writing, simplifying, solving and graphing of linear equations in one variable; solving linear inequalities in one variable; solving systems of linear equations in two variables; algebraic operations with polynomial expressions and factoring; functions; operations involving rational expressions and related equations; and geometric properties of lines, angles, and triangles.

STUDENT LEARNING  OUTCOMES                                                                                                                                                        Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:                                                                             1.  Apply the order of operations in simplifications                                                                                                          2. Translate verbal expressions into algebraic expressions, and simplify them                                                                   3. Apply properties of equality to solve linear and absolute value equations and related application problems                   4. Solve linear inequalities in one                                                                                                                                   5.  Identify functions, use appropriate function notation, determine the domain and range of functions from their formulas and graphs, and apply the algebra of functions                                                                                                                6. Identify the properties of a linear equation in two variables including the slope and intercepts, determine  the different forms of the equation of a line, and graph lines                                                                                                                 7. Solve systems of linear equations in two variables                                                                                                       8. Perform basic arithmetic operations with polynomials                                                                                                 9. Factor polynomial expressions using a variety of methods and solve polynomial equations by factoring                     10.  Perform arithmetic operations involving rational expressions and solve rational equations                                        11. Identify important geometric shapes and properties involving lines, angles, and polygons                                          12. Apply the appropriate area and perimeter formulas in application problems

PACE OF COURSE                                                                                                                                                 This course moves rapidly, especially meeting only twice per week.  You should plan on spending 10 or more 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.  Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Math study center located in K-211 for assistance with homework questions.

EXAMINATIONS                                                                                                                                               There will be seven in class exams (100 points each) and one comprehensive final examination (100 points). (See attached tentative schedule)  Exams cover one or two chapters and are closed book/closed note where each student must work independently.  Plan now to be in class on the date of the Exams.  There are no make-ups on exams.  You can drop your lowest exam score (or a missing exam). Any other missing exam grade will be recorded as a “0”.  If you have earned an “A” (90% or more) on all 7 exams, you are exempt from the final exam.

HOMEWORK                                                                                                                                                              Starting with chapter 3, 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.  I will answer questions on some homework problems in class as time allows, but it is recommended that you find a study partner to work with and complete all problems assigned in class activities and the text book.  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 contains copies of all handouts for each chapter of the course materials.  These include all worksheets done in class.  If you are absent for any reason, please print your own copies of 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.

ATTENDANCE                                                                                                                                                          It is the student’s responsibility to add, drop, or withdraw from this class before the appropriate deadlines.  You may (or may not) be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance.  If you decide to withdraw from this class, please let me know as a courtesy.  If you fail to withdraw from this course before the deadline, you will be assigned a final grade in the course (even if you stop coming).  Check the course catalogue for information on drop dates.

Regular class attendance is necessary for success in this course.  You are responsible for all material covered in class during your absence.

 ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION                                                                                                                   Any student who may need academic accommodation should discuss the situation with me during the first week of class.

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 that score will not be dropped.

GRADING                                                                                                                                                               Total points are as follows

                        Exams                                                 600 points

                        Final                                                    100 points

                        Total                                                    700 points

A = 630 points or more           B = 560 – 629 points    C = 490 – 559 points                                  D = 420 – 489 points F = 419 points or below  

Attendance, class participation and a subjective instructor’s interpretation of work may be used in assigning a final grade to borderline cases.

INCOMPLETE                                                                                                                                                         To receive a final grade of incomplete, you must be passing the class and be unable to take the final exam.