MATH 150 College Algebra

MATH 150 College Algebra Syllabus

Instructor: Email: Office Location: Office Hours: Course Location and Time:

Course Length: 3 credit hours Prerequisite: Math 130 with a grade of “C” or better or appropriate placement score on the Course Placement Exam.

Required Textbook: Supplementary Materials: Scientific calculator, computer, and internet access.

Course Description: This course will examine functions and their graphs, linear and quadratic functions and optimization problems, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their applications, as well as linear systems of equations, matrices, and Gaussian elimination.

Course Objective: By the end of this course, students will be able to create and use basic algebraic models, solve algebraic equations, appreciate the beauty and value of algebra, and demonstrate competence and confidence in algebra’s study and application.

MATH 150 meets the following College Wide Goals.

A. Communication:  Students will solve problems and present their solutions to the class.  Students will work together in small groups on completing a hands-on mathematical project, and discuss their results in class. B. Critical thought:  Students are required to analyze and synthesize information and draw reasoned conclusions.  Students will analyze and solve real world problems (e.g. optimization problems, exponential growth/decay problems). C. Cultural Competence:  Students will participate in class discussions and work together on a hands-on mathematical project, creating an environment that promotes professional behavior, understanding and respect for individual differences. D. Information Competency and Research:  Students will do online practice problems and homework assignments through WebAssign. Students will use Blackboard to access lecture notes and supplementary material.

Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course the student will be able to:

1. Define a function, graph a function, and identify domain, range and symmetries of a function. 2. Graph functions using horizontal and vertical translations and reflections. 3. Form the composition of two functions. 4. Find the inverse of a function. 5. Graph and find extrema of quadratic functions. 6. Solve real world optimization problems by finding the vertex of quadratic functions (parabolas). 7. Classify and describe features of different functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic). 8. Perform long division with polynomials. 9. Find zeros of polynomials. 10. Add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers. 11. Understand the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. 12. Graph and identify properties of conic sections (ellipses, parabolas and hyperbolas). 13. Solve, graph and use exponential and logarithmic equations and functions. 14. Apply exponential and logarithmic functions to model real world problems. 15. Solve linear systems in three or more variables (matrices).

Course Requirements: 1. Attendance, In-Class Participation & Quizzes: Students are expected to attend all class sessions and are responsible for material missed during any absence. Occasionally, short quizzes will be given at the end of class. The objective of the quizzes is to test students' understanding of the material covered in class and to prepare them for exams. 2. Email & Blackboard: Students are expected to check their NNMC email and the course Blackboard page regularly. Lecture notes, as well as some extra material and all the important announcements will be posted on the Blackboard. 3. Homework: Completing the homework is essential to understanding and mastering the course material. Late homework earns no credit unless caused by extenuating circumstances as determined by the instructor. Online homework will be assigned through WebAssign. To activate and access your WebAssign account, go to http://www.webassign.net/ You will need the following class key to enroll into our class section and access the online homework: xxxxxxxxx For every section we cover, there is a corresponding assignment on WebAssign. Tentative due dates are listed in the table below. A student who registers late for the class is responsible to inform the instructor and to complete past assignments as soon as possible. 4. Project: Students will complete and present a hands-on mathematical project. 5. Exams: There will be three exams and a comprehensive final exam. The exams are closed-book, closed-notes. Should there be any formulas needed, they will be provided by the instructor. The exam dates and topics will be announced at least one week in advance. The final exam will be administered at the date and time prescribed in xxxx xxxx Schedule of Classes (pg. 16) available at: http://nnmc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SPRING-2017_General_Information.pdf

Evaluation: Grades will be determined according to the weighting scheme: (This is an example and may change depending on the instructor) Three Exams: 45 % Attendance and Quizzes: 15 %

2 Homework and Project: 15 % Final Exam: 25 %

Course Grading Scale: The following grading scale will be used to determine final letter grades:

A+ = 99 –100% A = 93 –98% A- = 90 – 92% B+ = 88 – 89% B = 83 – 87% B- = 80 – 82% C+ = 78 – 79% C = 70 – 77% C- = 68 – 69% D+ = 66 – 67% D = 63 – 65% D- = 60 – 62% F = 0 – 59%

Important note: Grades of C- and below do not count toward graduation and do not meet the criteria for satisfying prerequisites.

Study Assistance: Northern New Mexico College provides tutors at the Student Success Center. Tutors are available to answer questions and to assist students, but they do not complete students’ homework.

Students with Disabilities: Northern New Mexico College recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can succeed. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act; if you have a documented disability, you may request accommodations to obtain equal access and to promote your learning in this class. Please contact the Verna Trujillo, Coordinator of Accessibility and Resource Center at 505-747-2152 or [email protected] to inquire about appropriate accommodations. After your eligibility is determined, you will be given a letter, which when presented to instructors, will help us know best how to assist you.

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Dishonesty Policy: Students in this course and in all college classes are expected to complete their course work in accordance to our College policies. Academic dishonesty on the part of a student including cheating on a test, plagiarism or falsification will be subject to academic sanctions. For more information about academic dishonesty and how such incidents will be handled by your instructor and by the College, please refer to Northern’s student handbook Tentative timetable (Actual dates may change depending on the semester and instructor)

Week Dates Sections Topics covered 1 01/17* Chapters Basic Algebra Review, Equations and Graphs P, 1 Functions 2.1 2 01/23 2.2 Graphs of Functions 2.3 Getting Information from the Graph of a Function 3 01/30 2.5 Transformations of Functions 2.6 Combining functions 4 02/06 Review Review for Exam I Exam I 5 02/13 2.7 One-to-One Functions and Their Inverses 3.1 Quadratic Functions and Models 3.2 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs 6 02/20 3.3 Dividing Polynomials 3.4 Real zeros of Polynomials 3.5 Complex Numbers 7 02/27 3.6 Complex Zeros and the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra 3.7 Rational Functions (time permitting) 8 03/06 Review Review for Exam II Exam II 03/13 Spring Break

9 03/20 7.1 Parabolas 7.2 Ellipses 10 03/27 7.3 Hyperbolas (time permitting) 4.1 Exponential Functions 4.2 The Natural Exponential Function 11 04/03 4.3 Logarithmic Functions 4.4 Laws of Logarithms 12 04/10 Review Review for Exam III Exam III 13 04/17 4.5 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 4.6 Modeling with Exponential and Logarithmic Functions 14 04/24 5.2 Systems of Linear Equations in Several Variables 6.1 Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations 15 05/01 Review Review for final exam

* 01/16 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – College closed