MAT 110 – College Algebra

Mathematics Department

Semester: Spring 2009

Catalog Course Description: This course includes the following topics: polynomial, rational, logarithmic and exponential functions; inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; determinants; simple linear programming; solutions of higher degree polynomials; combinatorial algebra, including the binomial theorem; and introduction to probability.

Prerequisite(s):                      MAT 102 or Appropriate Assessment Score

Credit Hours:             3.0 Credit Hours

Departmental Website:         http://www.midlandstech.edu/math/mathhome.htm

Instructor:                              Jason Wetzel

Office:                                     Airport Campus  RO 203   

Telephone:                             (803) 822-3074

E-mail:                                   WetzelJ@midlandstech.edu

Campus Mailbox:                  Airport Campus  RO 105

Personal Website:                  http://www.midlandstech.edu/math/wetzel

Departmental Assistant:       Mitzi Trigg – TriggM@MidlandsTech.edu – 738-7689

Department Chair:                 Rick Bailey – BaileyR@MidlandsTech.edu – 738-7618

Program Coordinator:            Rose Jenkins – JenkinsR@MidlandsTech.edu – 822-3351  

Class Schedule[s]:                 A01         MW        8:00-9:25 AC 217

Office Hours:                         Please see my website.        http://www.midlandstech.edu/math/wetzel

Textbook(s):                           College Algebra or College Algebra and Trigonometry, Sixth Edition, by Richard Aufmann, Vernon Barker, and Richard Nation; Houghton Mifflin, 2008

Equipment:                             Graphing Calculator, TI-84 or TI-84+

General Education Core Competency Statement: Programs may use this course to meet the general education core competency of mathematics.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.     Use the Cartesian Coordinate system to represent various functions (including but not limited to polynomial, rational, root, exponential, and logarithmic) and analyze shifts, stretches, and reflections of their graphs.

2.     Use the appropriate algebraic techniques to find roots of polynomial functions with both real and complex roots.

3.     Use a graphing utility to graph equations, functions and inequalities and interpret the graphs to solve problems.

4.     Solve problems involving exponential and logarithmic equations.

5.     Solve problems analytically and support you answer graphically and/or numerically.

Course Outcomes and Competencies:

Intended Course Outcome: Students should be able to understand and apply computational skills, quantitative reasoning and symbolic reasoning to evaluate and solve problems systematically.

            Course Competency: Students should be able to solve mathematical problems by identifying what information is available and relevant to the problem; by selecting or developing appropriate procedures and relationships; by correctly applying the methods selected to the information available; and by verifying the validity and appropriateness of the solution.

            Performance Measurement Instrument: Students will be given four applied mathematical problems to solve selected by the Mathematics Department to measure successful attainment of the competency.  These problems will be embedded within student quizzes and tests.  A student correctly solving 3 out of 4 of the problems will be considered to have successfully attained the competency.  The goal is for 80% of the students completing the assessment to successfully attain the competency.

Course Attendance:  

ABSENCE -          Failure to be present for a scheduled meeting of the class or arriving for the class more than ten minutes after the scheduled time for the class to begin.

TARDY ---             Arrival to class after the instructor has called the roll and before ten minutes past the time scheduled for the class to begin.

I.                     Absences are counted from the first day of classes.

II.                   Five absences are allowed for a class that meets three times per week, and three absences are allowed for a class that meets two times per week.

III.                 Three tardiesare considered as one absence.  The student must meet with the instructor at the end of the class to which he has been late to have the absence changed to a tardy.

IV.                 There are no "excused" absences; all absences are counted, regardless of the reason for the absence.

V.                   A student missing class time by leaving early will also be counted absent.

Please note the following: You are responsible for all material and announcements presented, whether you are present or absent. 

Withdrawal:  Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript.  Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing the course at the time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal.

Course Requirements:

                                                        For each section we cover in the book, there will be a corresponding homework assignment.   Homework will never be checked.  It will not count toward your grade.  Homework assignments are problems I suggest you do in order to be prepared for the test.  I will answer any questions from homework the first 10 minutes of class.  Pop quizzes will be given occasionally and will count toward the following unit test. 

                                                There will be NO make-ups!  If you are absent for a unit test, you will receive a zero for that test grade.  At the end of the semester, I will replace your lowest test grade with your homework average, if it is higher. 

Course Grading:        There will be 600 possible points for the course.

                                                                    500  five unit tests (100 pts. each)

                                                                    100  final exam

Grading Scale:                       90-100                     A                             Superior Work

                                                                  80-89                     B                             Good Work

                                                                  70-79                     C                             Average Work

                                                  60-69                     D                             Below Average Work

                                                                   0- 59                     F                              Unsatisfactory Work

Special Procedures:   Extra Credit:  An electronic course evaluation will become available to you through MTC Online.  It is important for MTC to get your feedback from this course.  At the end of the semester, the class with the highest response rate will earn 3 bonus points on the final exam.

Classroom Rules/Other:         

·         Come to class each day ON TIME,  prepared with your book, paper, pencil, and calculator

·         Keep up with your homework and have questions ready to ask at the beginning of each class

·         Maintain a positive learning environment in the classroom (nobody has the right to interfere with the learning of people around you)

·         Take notes and follow along in class

·         Turn cell phones off.  No headphones/earphones are allowed.

·         If I see or hear a cell phone while you are taking a test, you will get a ZERO.

Course Topic Outline/Course Calendar with Assignments:

[If controlled by instructor; otherwise delete statement]PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course.  Any change will be announced in class before it becomes effective.

                                    College Policies

Students are expected to read the student handbook and abide by its policies. Copies of the

handbook may be obtained at various locations on campus and is located on the web: http://www.midlandstech.edu/planner/

Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code addresses what constitutes academic dishonesty. All forms of dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification, will call for discipline.

                CHEATING ON TESTS includes:

§         Copying from another student’s paper.

§         Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.

§         Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.

§         Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of any un-administered test.

§         Bribing any other person to obtain information about tests.

§         Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.

                PLAGIARISM is the appropriation of any other person’s work and unacknowledged

                incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus) or 738-7199 (cell phone or off campus). In the event of an emergency, employees and/or students should immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, campus loud speakers, MTC Alerts! (http://www.midlandstech.edu/Phone_Alert.

htm),voice mail, email, college Intranet, and the MTC website homepage.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event weather conditions or other emergencies cause the closing or a delayed start of Midlands Technical College, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations, on the MTC Web site, and on the college’s information line (803-738-8234).  Notices will be sent to students via Campus Cruiser Mail when applicable.  Separate announcements may be made for day and evening classes as weather conditions change during the day.

If the college closing or reopening means that there is at least 30 minutes of a class remaining, plan to attend that class. For example, if the college opens at 10:00 a.m. in TTH, classes that normally meet at 8:00 a.m. will not meet, but classes beginning at 9:30 a.m.will meet. If the college closes at 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. classes will meet for their regular time, but 7:35 p.m. classes will not meet since there are fewer than 30 minutes remaining in class.

Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college.  This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.”  Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices.  Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits.  In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC Online using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.

Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.