COURSE OUTLINE FOR ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA

I. Basic Course Information

A. Course Number and Title: MATH 020 - Elementary Algebra

B. New or Modified Course: New

C. Date of Proposal: Spring, 2009

D. Sponsoring Department: Mathematics

E. Semester Credit Hours: 4 NC

F. Weekly Contact Hours: 4
Lecture: 3
Laboratory: 1

G. Prerequisites /Corequisites:
MATH 014 Arithmetic II:
Proportional Reasoning or
appropriate score on placement test

H. Laboratory Fees: None

II. Catalog Description
Prerequisite: MATH 014 Arithmetic II: Proportional Reasoning or appropriate
score on placement test. This course is designed to provide an introduction to and
development of elementary algebra concepts . Topics include exponents,
polynomials, factoring, solving first degree equations and inequalities, rational
and radical expressions , quadratic equations, techniques of graphing, systems of
equations and applications .

III. Statement of Course Need
Elementary Algebra serves as a prerequisite for MATH 030, Intermediate Algebra
and for college level math courses for students who are in a non-math intensive
program.

IV. Place of Course in College Curriculum
This is a developmental course and carries no college credit.

V. Outline of Course Content

A. Real Numbers and Algebraic Expressions
1. Operations on real numbers
2. Exponents and order of operations
3. Algebraic expressions
4. Translate verbal phrases into algebraic expressions

B. First Degree Equations and Inequalities
1. Linear equations in one variable and their applications
2. Linear inequalities in one variable and their applications
3. Graphs of first degree linear inequalities

C. Graphs of Straight Lines and Systems Linear Equations in Two Variables
1. The rectangular coordinate system
2. Graphs of linear equations
3. The slope of a line and its applications
4. Solve systems of two linear equations using graphical and algebraic
methods and their applications

D. Exponents, Polynomials and Factoring
1. Exponent rules with integer exponents
2. Simplify expressions containing integer exponents
3. Scientific Notation
4. Operations on polynomials in one or more variables
5. Factor polynomials
6. Solve quadratic equations by factoring

E. Rational Expressions and Equations; Radical Expressions
1. Operations on rational expressions
2. Solve simple rational equations and their applications
3. Operations on radical expressions

F. Quadratic Equations
1. Solve quadratic equations by taking roots
2. Solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula
3. Applications of quadratic equations

VI. Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes

A. Educational Goals
Students will:
1. Students will be able to produce works that demonstrate their ability to
move from the specific to the general, think abstractly about a situation,
and reconcile three different perspectives (symbolic, graphical, and
numerical) into a "connected whole." (G. E. 1)
2. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to reason quantitatively
and symbolically to solve problems. (G. E. 7)

B. Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Perform basic operations on polynomials, rational expressions and on
square roots.
2. Solve first degree equations and inequalities.
3. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables.
4. Factor polynomials.
5. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, square roots and the quadratic
formula.
6. Solve equations involving rational expressions and square root
expressions.
7. Solve application problems.

VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning
A. lecture/discussion
B. small- group /lab work
C. computer-assisted instruction

VIII. Papers, Examinations, and other Assessment Instruments
A. laboratory products/homework/quizzes
B. chapter tests
C. departmental final exam

IX. Grade Determinants
A. chapter tests
B. departmental final exam
C. laboratory products /homework/quizzes

The departmental cumulative final exam will be used to assess all the
learning outcomes listed in Section VI, Part B.

X. Texts and Materials
Suggested Textbook: Understanding Elementary Algebra With Geometry, A
Course for College Students, 6^th Edition, by Lewis Hirsch and Arthur
Goodman, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2006, ISBN 0-534-99972-7.

(Please Note: The course outline is intended only as a guide to course content and
resources. Do not purchase textbooks based on this outline. The RVCC Bookstore is the
sole resource for the most up-to-date information about textbooks.)

XI. Resources
No specific resources are necessary.