OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Elementary Algebra Course Syllabus

Instructor: Carol Murphy Semester: Fall, 2006

Office Phone: (847) 635-1961 Office Hours: M/W DP11:00am - 12:00pm T/R RHC 11:00am - 12:00pm

Room: 2604 Des Plaines Campus Email: murphy@oakton.edu

B200 RHC Campus Instructor Homepage:

http://www.oakton.edu/user/~murphy

I. Course Course Course

Prefix Number Name Credit Lecture Lab

MAT 052 Elementary 3 3 0

Algebra

II. Prerequisites:

Credit in MAT 047 or concurrent enrollment in MAT 051 or an appropriate score on the OCC Mathematics Assessment Test.

III. Course Description:

This is an introduction to signed numbers, equations, exponents, polynomials, factoring and graphing.

IV. Course Objectives:

A. Apply the properties and perform the fundamental operations with integers
and rational numbers.

B. Perform the algebraic operations and factoring with polynomials.

C. Perform the algebraic operations with rational expressions.

D. Solve first degree equations and inequalities in one variable.

E. Solve and graph first degree equations in two variables.

F. Solve systems of first degree equations in two variables.

G. Solve second degree equations in one variable.

H. Apply new concepts and techniques learned to solving word problems in each area.

V. Academic Integrity:

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This

code prohibits:

cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI. Outline of Topics:

A. Integers and Rational Numbers

1. Graphical representation
2. Fundamental operations
3. Algebraic expressions
4. Exponential notations
5. Order of operations

B. First-Degree Equations and Inequalities in One Variable

1. Solution of equations and inequalities
2. Graphing inequalities
3. Formulas
4. Applications

C. Polynomials and Exponents

1. Fundamental operations
2. Factoring

D. Rational Expressions and Equations

1. Reducing to lowest terms
2. Fundamental operations
3. Solving equations with monomial denominators
4. Solving proportions
5. Applications

E. First-Degree Equations and Inequalities in Two Variables

1. Solutions of equations
2. Slope of a line
3. Graphing
4. Graphical solution of systems
5. Algebraic solution of systems
6. Applications

F. Quadratic Equations

1. Solutions by factoring
2. Solutions by square roots of perfect squares
3. Applications

VII. Methods of Instruction:

Methods of presentation include lectures, class participation and discussion, demonstration and handouts, group work, and regularly assigned homework from MyMathLab online software. Calculators / computers will be used when appropriate.

VIII. Course Practices Required:

The student is responsible for reading the assigned material and for online homework. All assignments must be handed in on time. Try to pace yourself since some of the assignments will take longer than others. Calculators will be used (Scientific calculator, TI 83 or TI 83 Plus are recommended).

Instructor reserves the right to change the seating of students to enhance the learning experience.

Tests:

All work must be shown for each problem on tests. Credit will be awarded only for those problems where student’s work is clearly shown.

One makeup test will be allowed for the semester. It is suggested that you save it for a true emergency. Please leave a message on instructor’s voice mail (not e-mail) or with the division office prior to test. The instructor must be contacted and the test made up before the next class. A copy of the test will be left in the Testing Center at the campus where your class is held. You must take the test at the Testing Center before the start of the next class.

Homework:

All homework will be done using MyMathLab computer software which accompanies the text. The course website may be accessed either from a home computer or from any computer on campus. Some class time will be devoted to homework lab sessions; however, it will be necessary to do most of the homework either at home or at school outside of class time. Homework for material covered for a particular test must be completed by the test date to receive credit. No credit will be awarded for late homework.

IX. Instructional Materials:

Required Textbook:

Introductory Algebra with MyMathLab by K. Elayn Martin-Gay, 2^nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.

Required Materials:

MyMathlab software which comes either bundled with the text or in a stand-alone version.

A calculator is required. It can be either a scientific calculator or a TI83 or TI83 Plus graphing calculator.

Supplemental Materials:

Videos which correspond to the text and other helpful tools can also be found at the text’s website.

Instructional videos are available from Instructional Media (Room 1815, DP and A 221, RH).

Tutoring is available in the Learning Center (Room 2415, DP and A135, RH).

X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

Tests: There will be four tests plus a comprehensive final.

Quizzes: If a student has 4 or fewer absences, the student’s online chapter quiz average will replace the lowest test grade.

Homework: If student’s online Study Plan (homework exercises) for material covered on a test is completed by the date of the test, 5 points will be added to that test grade. No points will be awarded for late work.

Grading Scale: Pass: 70% or better

Fail: Below 70%

XI. Other Course Information:

Attendance:

A good part of the educational experience is classroom attendance. If you miss a class, you must learn that material on your own, which is usually much more difficult. You are responsible for all announcements made and work covered during your absence. Attendance is therefore, strongly recommended! It is important to understand that one of the main causes of failure in this course is poor attendance.

Cell Phones:

All cell phones must be turned off and put away during class and exams. Repeated violation during class time could result in student being asked to leave. Violation during a test will result in student being asked to forfeit the phone for the remainder of the exam. Since phones must be turned off and out of sight during tests, they may not be used as calculators for tests.

Assist:

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.

Important Dates:

Aug. 21 Classes begin.

Sept. 4 Labor Day holiday. College closed.

Oct. 15 Last day to withdraw with a “W”.

Oct. 29 In-service conference. College closed.

Nov.10 College closed in observance of Veterans’ Day

Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day holiday. College closed.

Nov.23-24 Thanksgiving Recess. No classes. College closed.

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Recess. No classes. College open.

Dec.11 Last day of class.