Course Outline for Elementary Algebra

1. COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

COURSE CONTENT AND SCOPE –Lecture: If applicable, outline the topics included in the lecture portion of the course (Outline reflects course description, all topics covered in class).	Hours per topic	COURSE OBJECTIVES - Lecture (If applicable): upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to… (Use action verbs – see Bloom’s Taxonomy below for “action verbs requiring cognitive outcomes.”)
1. Real numbers a. Signed numbers b. Order of operations c. Absolute value	5	Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Calculate with signed numbers, order of operations and absolute value 2. Perform operations with algebraic expressions 3. Model problems and solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable 4. Write ratios and solve proportions 5. Solve formulas for one variable 6. Factor polynomials 7. Add and multiply polynomials 8. Simplify expressions involving exponents 9. Convert between standard and scientific notation 10. Perform operations with algebraic fractions 11. Solve equations involving algebraic fractions 12. Model and solve quadratic equations in one variable 13. Apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve problems 14. Graph simple parabolas 15. Model and solve a 2x2 system of linear equations 16. Graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables 17. Read and interpret information from graphs 18. Calculate and interpret slope 19. Perform operations with radicals
2. Algebraic expressions a. Simplifying expressions b. Evaluating by substitution	5
3. Equations and inequalities a. Solving linear equations and inequalities b. Modeling with equations	10
4. Polynomials and exponents a. Laws of exponents b. Negative exponents c. Scientific notation d. Addition and multiplication of polynomials	10
5. Rational expressions a. Operations with rational expressions b. Equations involving rational expressions c. Ratio and proportion	10
6. Linear equations in two variables a. Slope b. Slope- intercept and point -slope forms c. Graphing, reading graphs	10
7. Systems of equations a. Solution by graphing b. Substitution method c. Elimination method d. Word problems	10
8. Factoring techniques a. Common factors b. Difference of squares c. Quadratic trinomials	10
9. Quadratic equations a. Solving quadratic equations by factoring and by the quadratic formula b. Graphing simple parabolas c. Pythagorean theorem	10
10. Roots and radicals a. Simplifying radical expressions b. Extraction of roots This course may also include: 1. Complex fractions 2. Factoring by grouping 3. Completing the square	10
Total lecture hours*	90

*Total lecture and laboratory hours (which includes the final examination) must equal totals on page 1.

2. REQUIRED TEXTS:

Provide a representative list of textbooks and other required reading; include author, title and date of publication:

Introductory Algebra Equations and Graphs, Katherine & Bruce Yoshiwara;
Beginning Algebra, Lial/Hornsby;
Beginning Algebra, Elayn Martin-Gay

3. SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:

Reading assignments may include, but are not limited to the following:

4. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

Title 5, section 55002 requires grades to be “based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter and the ability to
demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of essays or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems
them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills demonstrations by students.” Writing assignments in this
course may include, but are not limited to the following:

Writing assignments in this course include, but are not limited to, problem solving
exercises.

5. REPRESENTATIVE OUTSIDE ASSIGNMENTS:

Out of class assignments may include, but are not limited to the following:

6. REPRESENTATIVE ASSIGNMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL THINKING:

Title 5, section 55002(a) requires that a degree applicable course have a level of rigor that includes “critical thinking and the
understanding and application of concepts determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level”. Critical thinking
may include, but is not limited to analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Provide examples of assignments that demonstrate
critical thinking.

Writing assignments involve problem solving and analysis. For example: "Two hikers
are 11 miles apart and walking toward each other. They meet in 2 hours. Find the
rate of each hiker if one hiker walks 1.1 mph faster than the other."