This course provides an overview of college algebra and is designed to prepare the student to take a precalculus course (such as MA 104, Elementary Functions) and to handle typical algebraic tasks found throughout one's college career and beyond. Topics covered include real numbers, lines and linear equations, linear inequalities, polynomials and exponents, factoring, rational expressions, systems of linear equations, quadratic equations, roots, and radicals. Much of this material is the same as that found in high school algebra, but it is covered in just one semester. As such it provides a good review and a chance to catch up for those whose algebra background is not strong.
These goals will be assessed through homework, tests, in-class practice exercises, and quizzes. Informal student feedback is also taken into consideration. The third goal can be examined by looking at the success of those students who then take MA 104.
All students are required to meet individually with the instructor once during the third or fourth week of classes. (Of course, you are encouraged to see your instructor at other times as well.) This brief meeting is to help both you and your instructor in gauging your progress in the course. Although there is no grade for this meeting, you must go to it, as your exams will not be graded until this meeting has been held.
The in-class exam dates will be announced. The final exam is scheduled by the registrar at the time noted above. Short quizzes will be given in many of the class sessions. In-class ungraded practice exercises may also be done in some classes. Usually a quiz will consist of a problem (or problems) similar to what has recently been done in class or as homework. On occasion the homework may be collected, graded, and counted as a quiz, so be prepared to turn in your homework. Note that your three lowest grades in the homework/quiz category will be dropped at the end of the semester. This is intended to take care of absences due to short illnesses and similar occasional absences. It is not intended to indicate that students can simply miss three quizzes. In fact, missing three quizzes usually lowers a student's grade, as almost everyone has a few low quiz grades that it would be nice to have dropped. No makeup quizzes or tests are normally given. However, if you have been seriously ill or something similar, please see the instructor to see if some arrangements can be made. Note that written documentation is normally required. Members of a sports team who must miss class are required to provide the instructor with a schedule of games in advance. The grade for a missed quiz or exam is zero. The grading scale will be that found in the 2001-2003 Bulletin. Note that attendance is taken into account in deciding borderline grades at the end of the semester.
Due to the nature of the class, calculators may not be used on the exams and quizzes. They may be used sparingly on the homework. Since the main goal of the course is for students to acquire algebraic skill, it is best to do even the manipulation of numbers by hand. The numeric quantities used on the quizzes and tests will be kept simple enough so that there is no real need for a calculator. Cell phones and pages are to be turned off and put away during exams and quizzes. Only the test (or quiz), pens, pencils, and erasers are permitted to be used during an exam or quiz.
Attendance is expected. You cannot do well in the course if you skip class. Skipping class means that you miss explanations, quizzes, in-class exercises, etc. Do your best to improve your grade: attend class and do the homework! Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You need to do a lot of homework problems to develop the needed algebra skills. Make every effort to keep up with the homework. This is not the type of course where you can easily catch up later. Do the work for each class. If you feel that you are beginning to get lost, cannot solve the homework problems, or have other difficulties with the course, see one of the tutors or the instructor right away so that you do not fall behind.
Students are permitted to work together in doing the homework. Some students learn better this way; others may find it more helpful to largely work alone. Of course, it is important that you know how to solve the problems individually since you are on your own on the quizzes and tests. Do not simply copy someone else's homework, as that does little to help you learn how to solve the problems yourself. But do talk through with others how to solve the problems.
Students with documented disabilities should meet with the instructor at the beginning of the semester to find reasonable accommodations.