McM Block - Jpeg

Course Syllabus – Fall 2007

Course Number and Title: DEVS 0330 - Intermediate Algebra

Instructor

Information

Name: Beth St Jean

Contact Information:

Office: Academic Enrichment Center – Campus Center
Phone: (325) 793 – 4622 (If on campus – ext. 4622)
Email: bstjean@mcm.edu

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday: 1:30 – 5:00 pm

Course Overview

Catalog Description: Intermediate Algebra (3-0) Intermediate Algebra will prepare students for College Algebra by introducing concepts such as factoring, rational expressions, graphing linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, roots, radicals, quadratic equations, and complex numbers. Upon successful completion of DEVS 0330, the student will be ready to enroll in MATH 1311 or MATH 1315. Some laboratory time may be required. (Fall, Spring)

Course Overview: Students whose academic placement results indicate a need for pre-college development in math, reading or writing must register for and continually enroll in the corresponding Developmental Studies (DEVS) course(s) until it is passed with a grade of “C–“ or better. (McMurry 2007 - 2008 catalog, page 80) DEVS 0330 is also required to make a Post test score of 70% or higher, administered at the end of the semester.

Pre-requisites: Placement based on test score – ACT, SAT, SOAR Placement Test or successful completion of DEVS 0320 – Introductory Algebra.

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of algebraic mathematical operations.
Demonstrate an understanding of algebraic concepts necessary for success in MATH 1311 – College Algebra, MATH 1315 – Contemporary Math, or higher.

Course Materials and Resources:

Required Course Materials:

Textbook: Intermediate Algebra 5 th ed., Hawkes Learning Systems w/CD
Notebook: 3 subject spiral or 3-ring binder
Loose leaf notebook paper, and pencil
Tablet PC/Computer

Optional or Recommended Course Materials:

Calculator: TI 83 Plus (or any graphing calculator)
Graph paper, ruler, and color pencils

AEC and Other Educational Support Resources:

Free math tutoring is available in the AEC
VCR videos for each section of the text book
Math Lab held in the AEC (Academic Enrichment Center located in the Shirley L. & Mildred Garrison United Methodist Campus Center) CD program loaded on each computer
Individual assistance with the instructor is available by appointment
Practice problems for the post-test are available at Final Practice Problems

Course Policies:

Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class. A cumulative absence in excess of 5 hours of class or an absence of more than three consecutive hours will result in the student’s name being reported to the Student Retention Coordinator and/or withdrawal from the course. Videotapes are available for your viewing pleasure at the AEC; tapes should be viewed within a week of the absence to enable the student to understand the material in the next chapter.

Lab Attendance: You will be required to spend one hour a week in the AEC. You need to sign-in (or log) on the computer at the front, then also with the tutor assigned to your lab group. When you come into the AEC for extra help, other than your assigned lab, you will still log onto the computer, then also the Intro/Intermediate log book at the front desk. Make sure that you sign the sheet for Intermediate Algebra with Mrs. St Jean’s name on it, don’t forget to sign out as well.

Grade Determination:

Exams 5 @ 10%	50%
Final Exam	15%
Homework	20%
Attendance (Class &Lab)	10%
Quizzes	5%

Make-up Work: Listed under each individual section of the overall grade.

+/- Grade System:

Score	Grade	Score	Grade
93 - 100	A	73 - 76	C
90 - 92	A-	70 - 72	C-
87 - 89	B+	67 - 69	D+
83 - 86	B	63 - 66	D
80 - 82	B-	60 - 62	D-
77 - 79	C+	0 - 59	F

Academic Dishonesty: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ANY ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (attempted or successful cheating) CAN RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE AND REMOVAL FROM THE COURSE AT INSTRUCTOR'S DISCRETION.

Special Needs: McMurry University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no otherwise qualified student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap”. If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class and for which you may be requesting accommodation, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, located in Old Main Room 102. Arrangements will be made for students needing special accommodations.

Major Projects, Required Activities, and Assignments:

QUIZZES: Students should be prepared to take a quiz every class. Quizzes will be during the first two minutes of class, so don't be late! Quizzes missed due to an absence will receive a grade of zero. Arriving to class after the quiz is over will also result in a grade of zero. Quizzes can be made up by appointment only.

EXAMS: All exams will be closed-book (no textbook, no notebook). The final exam will cover all course material. The final exam will consist of two parts: the post test and a 10 question cumulative objective test. REMEMBER you are required to make a minimum of a 70% on the post test and a C- in the class to move into a college level math course.

EXAM REVIEWS: Will be provided before all tests – answers are provided for each review. Review old homework assignments! Class time will not be used for going over the review. You are expected to get help from your instructor out-side of class or with the tutors in the AEC.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned and should be completed before the next class to prepare you for the quiz. Since the quiz is given during the first few minutes of class, you will need to get help before the class time and quiz.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Course Number and Title: DEVS 0330 – Intermediate Algebra Instructor Name: Beth St Jean Fall 2007
*MWF – Tentative*			*MWF - Tentative*
*Due Date*		*Description*	*Due Date*		*Description*
AUG	27	Pre – test		22	5.1
	29	Syllabus, Access Codes		24	5.2 (mid-term grades due)
	31	1.1, 1.2		26	5.3, 5.4a
SEPT	3	1.2, 1.3		29	5.4b
	5	1.4, 1.5		31	TEST #3
	7	1.5, 1.6	NOV	1	6.1, 6.2
	10	1.7, 1.8		5	6.3
	12	1.8, 2.1		7	6.4
	14	2.2, 2.3		9	6.5, 6.6
	17	2.4		12	TEST #4
	19	2.5		14	7.1
	21	TEST #1		16	7.2
	24	3.1		19	7.4
	26	3.7		21	Thanksgiving
	28	3.3 – 3.6		23	Thanksgiving
OCT	2	3.2		26	8.1, 8.3
	3	4.1, 4.2		28	8.5
	5	Homecoming		30	TEST #5
	8	4.3	DEC	3	Post – test Review
	10	4.4		5	1^st try at Post – test
	12	4.5		7	Final Review
	15	4.6	10am	10	Final Exam at 8 am
	17	4.7	11am	10	Final Exam at 10:30 am
	19	TEST #2	9am	12	Final Exam at 10:30 am

*TR – Tentative*			*TR - Tentative*
*Due Date*		*Description*	*Due Date*		*Description*
AUG	28	Pre – test		23	5.1, 5.2
	30	Syllabus, Access Codes		25	5.3, 5.4
SEPT	4	1.1, 1.2		30	TEST #3
	6	1.3, 1.4	NOV	1	6.1, 6.2, 6.3
	11	1.5, 1.6		6	6.3, 6.4
	13	1.7, 1.8, 2.1		8	6.5, 6.6
	18	2.2, 2.3		13	TEST #4
	20	2.4, 2.5		15	7.1, 7.2
	25	TEST #1		20	7.4, 8.1
	27	3.1, 3.7		22	Thanksgiving
OCT	2	3.3 – 3.6, 3.2		27	8.3, 8.5
	4	4.1, 4.2. 4.3		29	TEST #5
	9	4.3, 4.4		4	Review for Post – test and final
	11	4.5, 4.6	DEC	6	1^st try at Post – test
	16	4.7		11	Final Exam at 8:00 am
	18	TEST #2