Math 90

Intermediate Algebra

Course #5815 (4 units)

Course Syllabus

Spring 2005

MyMathLab ID: toner60792

 

 

Instructor:  Stephen Toner

Web Page:  http://www.stevetoner.com 

email:  toners@vvc.edu

VVC voicemail:    245-4271 ext. 2770          

Class Hours: MW: 6:50–8:55 am

Room:  bldg. 30 (Liberal Arts), room 5        

Office:  bldg. 30, office U

Office Hours: T,W,Th: 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

                        Wed: 2:05 pm – 4:00 pm

 

 

Spring Calendar:        Feb 14                Classes Begin

                                 Feb 21                President’s Day Holiday

                                 Mar 25-Apr 3     Spring Break

                                 May 3                 Last day to drop and receive a “W” grade

                                 May 30               Memorial Day Holiday

                                 Jun 8                   Last Day of Class        

 

 

Prerequisite:  Math 50 with a grade of "C" or better.  Be sure that you meet this requirement.

 

Textbook:  Intermediate Algebra, 6th edition, by Bittinger / Ellenbogen.  This textbook can be purchased new bundled with MyMathLab (an online tutorial) at no extra charge.  If you purchase a used textbook, MyMathLab can be purchased online at www.mymathlab.com for approximately $42.  MyMathLab is strongly recommended for supplemental use by my students.

 

Course Description:  This course is designed to serve as preparation for the study of college algebra, statistics, trigonometry and other college mathematics courses.  Topics include a review of the real number system, an introduction to imaginary and complex numbers, the solution of first degree, quadratic and systems of equations, polynomials, rational expressions, exponents and radicals, graphs of functions (both linear and nonlinear) and of relations, and exponential and logarithmic functions.

 

You are required to attend class every day.  After 4 hours of absence, you may be dropped from this class.  It is your responsibility to keep your enrollment status current.  You risk an “F” if you stop attending without officially withdrawing.  Do not bring friends or children to class.  Please turn any cell phones or pagers to a quiet mode during class time.  No cell phones will be allowed on your desk during exams.

 

 

Homework Policy:  Practice is essential.  Each student is expected to spend at least 2 hours doing homework for each hour this class meets.  I expect you to practice at least every-other-odd exercise in your text (#1, 5, 9, 13, etc.) unless otherwise directed.  Homework will not be collected, however.

 

 

Grading Policies:  Grades will be based on the average of all exams. No notes or “cheat sheets” will be allowed on any exam.  Any exam not taken will be regarded as a zero.  The lowest exam score (but not the final exam) will be deleted prior to computing the term grade.  The final exam is both required and comprehensive.  Students are expected to complete all exams during class on the dates and times scheduled and no make-up or re-take exams will be given. 

 

Grading Scale:  A=90% or above;     B=80%-89.9%;       C=70%-79.9%;       D=65%-69.9%;        F=below 65%

 

Tentative Class Schedule

An effort will be made to adhere as closely as possible to this schedule.  If we can ever “get ahead” of the pace, we will take the opportunity to do so, just in case we need extra time on other material, later in the course.  Test dates are fixed, however.  They will not change, regardless of our progress through the course.

 

 

 

Sections to be Covered In Class

 

 

 

Sections to be Covered In Class

M

2/14

Intro, 1.1 - 1.3, 1.5

 

M

4/18

Review

W

2/16

1.4, 1.6-1.7

 

W

4/20

Review, Test Chapters 5 & 6

M

2/21

President’s Day Holiday

 

M

4/25

7.1 – 7.4

W

2/23

2.1-2.4

 

W

4/27

7.5 – 7.6

M

2/28

2.5-2.6

 

M

5/2

7.7 – 7.8, 8.1

W

3/2

Review, 3.1-3.2

 

W

5/4

8.2 – 8.4

M

3/7

Review, Test Chapters 1 & 2

 

M

5/9

8.5 – 8.8

W

3/9

3.3

 

W

5/11

Review

M

3/14

3.4-3.5, 3.7

 

M

5/16

Review, Test Chapters 7 & 8

W

3/16

3.6, 4.1

 

W

5/18

9.1 – 9.4

M

3/21

4.2-4.4

 

M

5/23

9.5 – 9.7

W

3/23

Review, 5.1-5.3

 

W

5/25

Review, 10.1

M

3/28

Spring Break – No class today

 

M

5/30

Memorial Day Holiday

W

3/30

Spring Break – No class today

 

W

6/1

Review, Test Chapter 9-10.1

M

4/4

Review, Test Chapters 3 & 4

 

M

6/6

Review

W

4/6

5.4-5.8

 

W

6/8

Comprehensive Final Exam

M

4/11

6.1-6.4

 

 

 

 

W

4/13

6.5-6.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance Policy:  Class attendance is not a measure of performance or proficiency.  Whether a student is just physically present in the class is not a valid basis for grading.  Reference Title 5 Section 55002 of the California Code of Regulations: (A) Grading Policy.  The course provides for measurement of student performance in terms of stated course objectives and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based upon uniform standards in accordance with section 55758 of this Division. The grade is based on demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter and the ability to demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of written expression that may include essays, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills demonstrations by students.