Northeastern State University

College of Mathematics, Science and Nursing

Department of Mathematics

Tahlequah, OK

MATH 0123 - Elementary Algebra - Spring 2003

MWF  2:00 - 2:50 p.m. - SC 115

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Julie Sawyer, Assistant Professor

Office Hours: 9-10 a.m. MTWThF, 1-2 p.m. MWTh; and by appointment at other times

Office:  HH 108, Telephone:  918-456-5511 ext. 3083, E-mail: sawyerjk@nsuok.edu

 

PREREQUISITES:

None

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

A course for students with little or no previous algebra background.  Included topics are signed numbers, exponents, order of operations, factoring, algebraic fractions, linear equations and inequalities, word problems and  percents.  No college credit.

 

COURSE PURPOSE:

This is a remedial course designed to prepare students for Intermediate Algebra. It has been designated as a course for students needing to satisfy a deficiency in Mathematics. It is a review of basic algebra concepts. Topics covered in this course can be found in the Catalog Description of the course as shown above.

 

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

The student will be expected to achieve the following objectives:

1.         Identify and graph, on a number line, sets of real numbers

2.         Understand the meaning and effects of operations on rational and real numbers

3.         Write algebraic expressions and evaluate them using the order of operations

4.         Identify properties of real numbers

5.         Solve linear equations and solve formulas for specified variables

6.         Analyze application problems, solve them, and state the conclusions

7.         Interpret and graph linear equations

8.         Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials

9.         Evaluate expressions involving integer exponents

10.       Factor polynomials using various methods.

 

COURSE MATERIALS:

Gustafson, David R. and Peter D. Frisk. Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, An Integrated Approach (5th edition). Pacific Grove, California: Brooks and Cole Publishing Company, 1999.  A calculator with a square root key and a p key are required for the course.  Students should bring the text and calculator to class.

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES:

$          Regular attendance is vital to successful completion of this course.  Failure to regularly attend any zero level course may result in an Administrative Withdrawal (AW) from the course.  This AW may affect your eligibility for financial aid, athletics and veteran’s benefits.  Consult the instructor or the NSU catalogue for the complete AW policy.  You will be required to complete and sign a data sheet concerning the AW policy and attendance will be taken every day.  In addition, your grade will be affected by failure to attend class if you miss quizzes or in-class exercises or fail to turn in homework.

$          Tutors for all math courses are available in SC125B on a drop-in basis (times will be posted); tutors for zero level courses will be available (time and place to be announced); and free math tutors are provided by the Student Development Center (Haskell Hall 202) and Student Support Services (Haskell Hall Annex) on a sign-up basis.  Extra credit points are available for students who utilize any of these opportunities for extra help.  One point per hour spent working with an approved tutor will be awarded, up to a total of five points per exam period.  Tutoring logs will be provided.  It is the responsibility of the student to turn in these logs at the end of each exam period.       

$          If a mid-term exam is missing for a fully documented reason, and approval is obtained prior to the exam time, a make-up exam or grade substitution may be given at the discretion of the instructor.  Absolutely no make-ups or grade substitutions will be allowed for the final exam.  Homework will be assigned and graded.  The lowest homework score per exam period will be dropped (a total of four dropped homework scores).  Late homework will not be accepted.  Unannounced quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester.  One quiz score will be dropped.  In-class exercises will be given on an unannounced basis.  There will be no make-ups for homework, quizzes or in-class exercises.

 

EVALUATION OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT:

$          Grades will be based upon formal written examinations, homework assignments, in-class exercises and periodic quizzes.  There will be a total of 650 points in the course.  Each of the three mid-term exams will be worth 100 points, and the comprehensive final will be worth 150 points.  Homeworks, quizzes and in-class exercises will be worth a total of 200 points.  Letter grades will be assigned as follows:  585 - 650 points, A; 520 - 584 points, B; 455 - 519 points, C; Below 455 points, F.  I reserve the right to reduce the number of points required for a letter grade based on overall class performance.

$          All students are required to take the CPT at the end of the semester.  The CPT score will be included as part of the final exam grade.

$          The final examination will be administered at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2003.

$          Students are advised that the last date during the semester when they may drop a course with an automatic "W" will be Friday, April 11, 2003.  If you decide to drop after this date, you will receive a “W” or an “F” at the discretion of the instructor.  The final drop date for the semester is May 2, 2003.

 

ADA COMPLIANCE:

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations, please advise the instructor of such disability at the first class attended.