MAT 137 Intermediate Algebra

Professor Jean Insinga

Email: jean.insinga@snet.net

 

For many of you this may be the first online course you’ve taken.  We can all have a very pleasant and resourceful experience if we follow some simple steps. 

 

  1. Be Organized
    1. Set a time convenient for you to accomplish the requirements for each chapter.
    2. Communicate with the instructor or other classmates when you are confused and require further assistance.  Do not let assignments slide.
    3. Be sure to hand in all assignments as designated.
  2. Be Prepared
    1. The required textbook is Essentials of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra for College Students, by Robert F. Blitzer, publisher Prentice Hall copyright 2006.
    2. The syllabus is a guideline for the course and is subject to change.  Always check the CALENDAR and your web email.
    3. If assignments cannot be completed on time be sure to contact me.
  3. Avoiding Roadblocks
    1. Sometimes the site may be down and you cannot access the work.  Scheduled assignments will be adjusted accordingly.  Remember to schedule a convenient time to complete the course assignments.
    2. Many of the instructions of how to accomplish specific tasks will be in writing rather than visual or audio.  You will experience different ways of learning.
    3. Do not spend excess time to complete a task if errors on the system are displaying.  Contact me.

 

About the Course

The student will work with math problems completing assignments, quizzes and exams.  The student will also use an automated Math Homework program. You MUST have access to the Internet. All assignments will be due on specific dates.  Your work must be timely in order to receive an appropriate grade. 

 

The assignments will be available to you by chapter or topic and can be accessed from the site.  The due dates and schedule for you to follow will be in the calendar on the course site. Throughout the semester there will be recorded chat sessions where everyone will have the chance to ask questions or discuss topics within the course.  Your attendance at these chat sessions will be recommended.  You will have access to your grades using the built in grading feature.

 

Accessing the Course:

When you begin the course, it will be important for you to navigate through the website with ease.  The following are examples of important documents to access.

·         View and print the class Syllabus and Outline from Course Information (click on the Icon on the Homepage.

·         View the Class Calendar for assignments. Click on Calendar from the Menu bar (above the Homepage Icons). Click on the day to read the details.  For example for the 17th, click on 17 and the details will display.

 

The Class Syllabus:

 

I would like to draw your attention to the following items from the class syllabus:

 

  1. The grading section explains how you will be graded in the course.  All grades will be posted for your viewing throughout the course.
  2. The syllabus is a plan of material that will be covered in the course.  Please confirm all assignments on the Calendar.
    1. Assignments are assigned to determine your level of understanding of the topics covered.  These assignments will not be graded.
    2. Five homework projects will be graded.
    3. Three exams* will be taken online and graded. 
    4. Quizzes* will be taken online and graded.
    5. The Final exam will be a cumulative exam integrating all skills and material used throughout the semester. 
  3. Chat Session/Discussion Postings will be posted on the calendar.

 

*Exams and Quizzes will be timed.

 

 

I look forward to the teaching and learning involved in your online course!

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

Sample Syllabus

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Mathematics

MAT *137

Intermediate Algebra (Formerly MATH 121)

____________________

___________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Department

Course No.

Course Title

 

                  3

Online

      

 

____________________

____________________

_____________________

 

Credit Hrs.

# lecture hrs./week

# lab hrs./week

 

 

 

                           Jean Insinga

05/10/09

Prepared by

______________________________________________________________

___________________________

 

Faculty Member

Date

 

Course prerequisites:

"C" or better in MAT*095 (Formerly MATH 101), placement test, and/or permission of instructor.

 

 

 

Course Location (building/room number):

Online

 

 

______________________________________

 

 

Meeting time (days/hours):

 

 

Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Course Description:

 

A continuation of Math095.  Topics include linear, quadratic, and power functions; rational expressions and equations; radical expressions, equations, and introduction to complex numbers; and systems of equations.  There will be an emphasis on modeling and applications for all topics. 

Prerequisite:  Pass in Math 095, placement test, and/or permission of the instructor.

 

Scope of Course:

MAT 137 Intermediate Algebra covers linear, quadratic, and power functions; rational expressions and equations; radical expressions, equations, and introduction to complex numbers; and systems of equations. The student will use graphing calculator as well online Math software. The course meets the minimum Math requirement in general, business and liberal arts degree programs.

 

Program/Discipline Learning Outcomes Contained in Course:

The goal of the Math to incorporate the following learning outcomes into each course:

§  Written and oral communication skills

§  Critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills

§  Interpersonal skills and awareness

§  Teamwork, team-building, and project focus

§  Global awareness and diversity

§  Flexibility and adaptive to change

§  Personal productivity and organizational skills

§  Ability to understand the problem.

 

Importance of Course in Program/Discipline:

MAT 137 Intermediate Algebra is required in most degree programs. This course provides the foundation for upper level math classes.

 

Learning Outcomes:

The goal of MAT 137 is to provide each student with necessary skills and application to become proficient in Mathematics. The following list describes the learning outcomes that support this overall goal:

·         Solve linear equations and inequalities.

·         Graph linear functions, relations and inequalities.

·         Find an equation of a straight line.

·         Solve systems of linear equations by graphing, substitution, and addition methods.

·         Solve rational equations.

·         Solve radical equations.

·         Solve quadratic equations

·         Graph quadratic and power functions.

·         Apply mathematical modeling to solve problems.

 

Textbooks and other required readings/computer software/materials/library reserve room:

Essentials of Introductory and Intermediate Algebra for College Students

Robert F. Blitzer

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2006

 

 

 

Office Location

(building/room number):

Online

Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday 24/7

 

Office Telephone:

 

 

Office e-mail:

 

 

 

860-343-5763

jean.insinga@snet.net

 

 

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to participate in an online course through assignments, projects, exams and chat sessions.  An online course allows the student to establish a flexible schedule to do work; however, chat sessions will be recommended.

 

Class Cancellation Policy:

Please call 343-5888 for class cancellations due to inclement weather.  Any work due on day of cancellation will be due the following class.

 

Evaluation (exams, term papers, projects, etc., and percentages towards final grades):

Student will be given assignments that develop problem solving and analytical skills.  Collaborative learning will occur to encourage interaction among students.  There will be a focus on teaching the student to learn on his or her own.  Computerized projects will be completed throughout the semester.

 

Your grade will be determined as follows:

 

    3 Exams**                                                         =                 60%

    Final Exam                                                         =                 25%

     Homework/Quizzes/Discussion Postings         =                  15%

    

**  The grading will display under My Grades.  A plus/minus system will be used for final grading.

 

THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS OR QUIZZES GIVEN UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE PRIOR TO THE EXAM OR QUIZ.

 

Responsibilities of the Student:

1.      Follow the calendar assignments.

2.      While online, students are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior, treat others with respect, and use appropriate language.  

3.      Read the topics/chapters in your textbook that relate to the lectures.

4.      Complete all assigned homework and exams in the time allotted.

5.      If having difficulty with either concepts or problems, email instructor with questions or visit the on campus Learning Center (Chapman Hall Room 711) or sign onto the e-learning online tutoring.  Do not wait until the exam to make the instructor aware of your problems.

6.      Math Placement Tests: The purpose of the Math Placement Exam is to assess a student’s background and place him/her in an appropriate level of mathematics so as to increase the student’s success.  If a student believes that he/she has been misplaced in a math class, the student should bring this to the attention of the instructor.  If after reassessing the placement, the math teacher recommends the student to be reassigned to another math course, the student must complete the course change process before the second week of classes.

 

 

 

ADA Accommodations Statement

“Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office.  After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors.  This should be done at the beginning of each semester.  Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”

 

Academic ethics and classroom behavior

 “At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty.  Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual.  This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities.  Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.”  (Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1)

 

Use of Computing Resources

All resources and facilities of the Data Processing Labs, including the computer classroom sites, are to be used solely for the legitimate and authorized academic and administrative purposes.  Any unauthorized or illegitimate use of the computer systems, resources, and/or facilities will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with Section 53a-250, et seq., of the General Statutes.

 

Unit Outlines/Unit Objectives/Expected Outcomes/Assessment Measures:

Each unit will cover specific objectives for the internship.  The assessment measures of midterm evaluation, journal, project and final evaluation.

 

WEEK     DATE                                      CHAPTER                                                                                                              ASSIGNMENT    

1                            Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations                           4.1,4.2,4.3 Exercise Set

                                            Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3                                                                    My Math Lab Homework (MML)                       

  2                          Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations                           4.4 Exercise Set

                                                              Section 4.4                                                                MML  

      3                                        Chapter 4 Systems of Linear Equations                                 4.5 Exercise Set

                                                              Section 4.5                                                                MML

                                                                                                                                                Quiz Chapter 4

 4                           Exam #1 (Chapters 4)

   5                         Chapter 8: Basics of Functions                                                     8.1, 8.2 Exercise Set (Page 540-546, 553-556)

                                                             Section  8.1, 8.2                                                         MML Homework

                                                                                                                                                Quiz Chapter 8

To be continued…