Syllabus Fall 2006
Math 120 Intermediate Algebra
This Syllabus along with grades and suppliantly support material can be found at the web address: www.flc.losrios.edu/~pietrod
Disclaimer: All information in the syllabus is subject to change if the instructor finds it necessary. Any changes will be announced during a class session. Absent students are still responsible for any announced changes.
Instructor: Dean Pietromonaco, Phone & voice mail: 608- 6990, E-mail:pietrod@flc.losrios.edu Mailbox in admissions office at the Folsom Lake Campus
Text: Tobey/Slater fifth edition ISBN 0-13-149078-8
Prerequisites: Minimum "C" or better in Math 100 or appropriate completion of placement test. Instructor will verify prerequisites in the first two weeks of class.
Office hours: Fall 2006
| Dean Pietromonaco's office hours Fall 2006 in FLC1 Room 133 |
| Office Hours | M | 11:30-1:00, 3:30-4:00 | |
| T | 3:15-4:15 | ||
| w | 6:30-7:00 | ||
| th | 11:30-1:00 | ||
| F | 1:00-2:30 | ||
| Online hours | W | 3:30-6:30 | |
Tutorial Help: Go to www.flc.losrios.edu for further information
The Course Math 120 is an Intermediate Algebra course necessary for further study in math or the social/computer sciences. Math 120 can be applied for an Associates of Arts degree. Math 120 topics include: Signed numbers, solutions to equations and inequalities, systems, linear graphing, factoring, exponents and polynomials, rational expressions radicals, and quadratic equations, logarithmic functions and conic sections. A more specific breakdown of the topics can be found in the FLC Mathematics and Statistics brochure or the College Handbook. It is highly recommended that you see a counselor as part of your college planning.
Course Objectives
1.To help students develop an understanding of the concepts of algebra and increase their ability to learn.
2.To help students develop problem solving skills and technical reading skills.
3.To help students learn how to work and learn in co-operative groups.
4.To give students a fundamentally sound foundation in symbolic manipulation that will increase their ability to be successful in future math classes.
Ten hours a week of homework should be considered normal. Do not assume you cannot learn math until you try.
Grading
Letter grades will be calculated based on the percentage of the total points:
A: 90%-100% B: 80%-90% C: 70%-79% D: 60%-69% F: below 60%
The following is an approximate list of the points available during the semester.
Class/Homework ........................5 points each section.
Quizzes ........................................10 points each
Tests ............................................100 points each
Log Sheet.....................................5 per chapter and needed to make up an exam
Project/Labs..................................20-50 points each
Final exam ....................................200 points
There will be a quiz almost every class session except on days a test is given. There will also on occasion be a quiz at the end of a class session. If you leave earlier or come late on a day a quiz is given your score will be recorded as a zero. Your lowest 2 quiz scores will be dropped. Homework will checked daily and or collected daily. All homework not checked off prior to unit exam will be collected on the day of the exam. Late Homework will not be accepted. Homework needs to have your name, page number, assignment number, and class at the top right hand corner of the page. quizzes need to have your name the date and class number on the right hand corner of paper. All assignments need to be placed in the order they were assigned. Your homework will be grades for completeness and for the evens being correct. One class session at the end of the course will be used for a make -up exam. One and only one test may be made up. If you score lower on the make up exam you will receive half of lower score.
Math at times can be a difficult subject to comprehend and be successful at. Often it is not that the material is too difficult it is that it takes longer to learn than we would like. Remember every person who was capable at some point had to learn how to walk. All of you know how to walk and this shows that you know how to keep trying when faced with a challenge. As people get older they do not typically enjoy being frustrated for long periods of time. Every person at some point became frustrated when learning how to walk. Learning math is no different than learning how to walk. It is o.k. and actually quite normal to experience frustration and difficulty along the way. It is the problems that you get stuck on that will help you the most. Math is not about the rules that we learn but rather the ability to think logically that we obtain from working on mathematics.
Also note: It is expected you can do mental math including fractions. As you move up in math it is expected you can manipulate and calculate quantities faster than in previous classes. To facilitate this we will spend some time at the beginning of the course working on our mental mathematics skills. After which point worksheets will be available on the web if you feel like you are still having difficulties keeping up or understanding and manipulating quantities including fractions quickly.
Please see student hand book for appropriate academic and social conduct. Inappropriate behavior which includes but is not limited to: swearing, interrupting, sleeping, inattentiveness, and complaining about fractions will not be tolerated, appropriate action will be taken.
Special Note: If your cell-phone rings during
a test then you must turn in your test at that time. If your cell phone
rings on two separate occasions than you will lose your make up privileges.
If you answer the phone your highest test during the semester will be
recorded as a zero
Resources
1. Classmates are the best resource. Get to know the names and phone numbers of other students
2. Office hours are for you to get help. Use them.
3. Tutoring See above
4. My Math Lab Software.