MAT 140 College Algebra

 

Instructor Name:    Carol Murphy

Office:                     Room 2604, Des Plaines Campus   M/W 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
                                Room B 200, Ray Hartstein Campus   T/Th 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Phone:                      847-635-1961

Email:                       murphy@oakton.edu

Course:                   MAT 140 College Algebra Online
                               3 credit hours   3 lecture hours    0 lab hours

Prerequisite          MAT 053 or proficiency, MAT 120 with a grade of C or better or  appropriate score on the Mathematics Assessment Test

Course Description

A study of the following functions and their graphs: polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and special functions, systems of equations and inequalities, sequences and series and the binomial theorem.

 

Instructional Materials

 College Algebra plus MML, 2e, J. Beecher,  J. Penna,  M. Bittenger, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 2005.            Special Online edition with MyMathLab registration card.

 

A graphics calculator is required.  A TI-83 or higher numbered model will be used for instructional purposes.
 

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).

 

Course Objectives

1. Understand the concepts relation and function.
2. Understand the use of function notation.
3. Understand the relationship between a function and its inverse.
4. Graph and recognize the basic characteristics for the following functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.
5.  Solve systems of linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities.
6. Apply the concepts of sequence and series.
7. Use technology for graphing and evaluating functions.
    1. Generate the complete graph for the elementary functions.

2. Solve equations involving elementary functions.

Academic Integrity

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Oakton Community College has adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student handbook. You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct on the College Catalog. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are: Cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.

Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, 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.

Outline of Topics

A. Functions and Their Graphs

1. Operations on function: combinations
2. Graphing techniques
3. Translations
4. Inverse functions

B. Polynomial Functions: Graphs and Zeros

1. Quadratic functions
2. Polynomial functions of higher degree
3. Remainder and Factor Theorems
4. Complex zeros of polynomial functions
5. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
6. Applications

C. Rational Functions and Conic Sections

1. Rational functions and their graphs
2. Conic sections

a) Center at origin
b) Translations

D. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

1. Exponential functions and their graphs
2. Logarithmic functions and their graphs
3. Properties of logarithms
4. Solving exponential and logarithmic equations
5. Applications

E. Systems of Equations and Inequalities

1. Linear systems
2. Nonlinear systems
3. Systems of linear and nonlinear inequalities
4. Applications

F. Sequences and Series

1.Fundamentals of sequences and series (optional)
2. Arithmetic sequences (optional)
3. Geometric sequences (optional)
4. Binomial Theorem
5. Applications (optional)

                G. Technology

1.        Generate the complete graph of each elementary function including setting a proper window, tracing and zooming.

2.        Graphically locate the x-intercepts, the relative extrema and determine asymptotic behaviors.

3.        Solve equations graphically, numerically and /or symbolically.

Methods of Instruction

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

 

Course Practices Required

The student is responsible for reading the assigned material and for 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 (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 prior to 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.

 

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.

 

Methods of Evaluation

Assessment will consist of three tests and a final exam.  The tests will each count for 20% of the grade and the final will count for 30% of the grade.  Homework will count for an additional 10%.

 

On the day of each test, the homework for the material covered on that test will be collected. Late homework will not be accepted. Homework will be checked in and a grade assigned depending upon the number of sections completed. Homework must show all work for each problem and credit will not be awarded for any homework with answers only and no work showing.

 

Grading

           

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

65-69 = D

0-64 = F

 

 

Other Course Information:
 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. 22            Classes begin.

Sept. 5             Labor Day holiday. College closed.

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

            Nov. 11           Veterans’ Day holiday. College closed.

            Nov. 24-27      Thanksgiving recess. No classes. College closed.

Dec. 12            Last day of class.