Cisco College

(Abilene Educational Center)

Math 1314 – College Algebra

Fall 2011

 

Instructor: David Hogan

Email: david.hogan@cisco.edu, dhogan@jimned.esc14.net

Office Hours: TBA

Course Hours: TBA

Text: Precalculus (7^th ed.) by Roland Larson and Robert Hostetler

Course Description: Study of quadratics; polynomial, rational, radical, logarithmic, and exponential functions and equations; inequalities; systems of equations; progressions; sequences and series; matrices and determinants; and topics in analytical geometry. Selected topics from among permutations and combinations, variation, theory of equations, mathematical induction and probability; may not apply toward a major in math. Three lecture hours per week.

Credit: 3 semester hours

Prerequisite: Placement testing by Accuplacer with a score of 86+ (Elementary Algebra Component) and two years of high school algebra (Algebra I and II) or successful completion of Math 0403 with a minimum grade of C or 2200+ on TAKS Math.

Core Curriculum Learning Objectives: The following exemplary educational objectives will be assessed with pre/post tests:

1. To apply arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, higher-order thinking, and statistical methods to modeling and solving real-world situations.
2. To represent and evaluate basic mathematical information verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically.
3. To expand mathematical reasoning skills and formal logic to develop convincing mathematical arguments.
4. To use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding and to solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of the results.
5. To interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics, and draw inferences from them.
6. To recognize the limitations of mathematical and statistical models.
7. To develop the view that mathematics is an evolving discipline interrelated with human culture, and to understand its connections to other disciplines. 

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student should be able to: 
 

1. solve various types of algebraic equations (linear, quadratic, absolute value, etc.) yielding both real and complex solutions.
2. solve linear, absolute value, quadratic, and rational inequalities.
3. graph various types of algebraic equations in two variables lines, circles, parabolas, etc.
4. understand the concept of functions and inverse functions in addition to performing operations on them.
5. solve linear systems of equations in two or more variables using both matrix and non-matrix methods. 

Grading Policy:                                                                                                                  Grading Scale: 

                5   Tests (100 points each)                           500 points                             A             100-90

                5   Unit Projects                                          100 points                              B              89-80

                6   Homework Quizzes (20 points each)        100 points                              C              79-70

                1   Comprehensive Final Exam                    200 points                              D              69-60

                Total                                                          900 points                              F              59-0

1. At the end of the semester your lowest test grade (if it is lower than your final exam grade) will be dropped and replaced by your final exam grade.
2. If you are unable to take a test, your score on the final exam will be substituted for that test. Special circumstances will be accommodated at the instructor’s discretion.
3. Five unit projects will be assigned and completed outside of the classroom.
4. Six unannounced homework quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Each quiz will be worth 20 points and the best 5 out of 6 will be used to determine a homework quiz average of 100 points. No make-up quizzes will be given. Homework quizzes are taken directly from the assigned homework and students may use their completed homework as an aid during the quiz. The homework quiz average may not be dropped and replaced by the final exam.
5. A departmental, multiple-choice pre-test will be given on the first day of class. The pre-test will not count toward your grade in the course. A departmental, multiple-choice post-test will be given as part of the final exam at the end of the course and will count 25% of the final exam grade. 

Attendance Policy:

1. If your instructor determines you to be failing due to excessive absences, you will be dropped from this course upon your 6^th unexcused absence.
2. Class attendance is extremely important to your success in this course. The examples and explanations given in class will help prepare you for tests. If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to obtain homework assignments and lecture notes from one of your classmates or instructor. 

Student Success:

1. The course schedule lists the sections of the text to be covered and gives the scope of tests. Homework assignments will be made for each section. While I will not collect and grade homework, it is crucial that you work the assigned problems and understand the reasoning behind them.
2. Take notes in class. An organized notebook of class notes and homework problems is essential to your success. 

Calculators: You will need a calculator. A scientific or graphing calculator would be a good investment if you plan to take math, engineering or science courses in the future. 

Academic Integrity: It is the intent of Cisco College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offender liable to serious consequences including suspension. 

Course Content: College-level courses may include controversial, sensitive, and/or adult material. Students are expected to have the readiness for college-level rigor and content. 

Student Conduct: Students are expected to take responsibility in helping maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Be respectful of your classmates. Please keep your talking during class to a minimum so as not to distract other students. 

Student Technology Use in Classroom: Students should silence all communication devices which include but are not limited to phones, pagers, recorders, palm devices, and laptops. No communication devices should be visible on desks during class unless otherwise directed by the instructor as part of an activity or approved by the instructor for note-taking. 

Changes to the Syllabus: The course schedule and procedures in this syllabus are subject to change if deemed appropriate by the instructor. 

Students with Special Needs: Students who qualify for specific accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should notify the instructor the first week of class. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary documentation to the Special Populations Coordinator. 

Course Outline:                                                                                                                  Exams:

Chapter 1: Functions and Their Graphs                                                                               Exam 1: Chapter 1

1.2: Graphs of Equations                                                                                        Exam 2: Chapter 2

1.3: Linear Equations in Two Variables                                                                    Exam 3: Chapter 3

1.4: Functions                                                                                                        Exam 4: Chapter 7

1.5: Analyzing Graphs of Functions                                                                          Exam 5: Chapter 8

1.7: Transformations of Functions                                                                           Final Exam: 1-3,7,8,10

1.8: Combinations of Functions: Composite Functions

1.9: Inverse Functions

1.10: Mathematical Modeling and Variation

Chapter 2: Polynomial and Rational Functions

               2.1: Quadratic Functions and Models

               2.2: Polynomial Functions of Higher Degree

               2.3: Polynomial and Synthetic Division

               2.4: Complex Numbers

               2.5: Zeros of Polynomial Functions

               2.6: Rational Functions

               2.7: Nonlinear Inequalities

Chapter 3: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

3.1: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs

3.2: Logarithmic Functions and Their Graphs

3.3: Properties of Logarithms

3.4: Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

3.5: Exponential and Logarithmic Models

Chapter 7: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

7.1: Linear and Non-linear Systems of Equations

7.2: Two-variable Linear Systems

7.3: Multivariable Linear Systems

7.5: Systems of Inequalities

7.6: Linear Programming

Chapter 8: Matrices and Determinants

8.1: Matrices and Systems of Equations

8.2: Operations with Matrices

8.3: The Inverse of a Square Matrix

8.4: The Determinant of a Square Matrix

8.5: Applications of Matrices and Determinants

Chapter 10: Topics in Analytic Geometry

10.2: Introduction to Conics: Parabolas

10.3: Ellipses

10.4: Hyperbolas

10.6: Parametric Equations

10.7: Polar Coordinates