ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA

Topics and Course Description: A first course in algebra. Topics covered in-
clude the fundamental operations on real numbers, first degree equations, in-
equalities in one variable , polynomials, integer exponents, and solving quadratic
equations by factoring .

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate and apply the basic properties of real numbers such as the
commutative, associative, distributive laws , identity elements and additive
and multiplicative inverses and perform operations over the real numbers.
• Interpret and apply rules of the order of operations involving real numbers.
• Evaluate expressions by substituting values for variables.
• Translate English into algebraic expressions and develop mathematical
reasoning.
• Simplify algebraic expressions.
• Apply the rules of exponents over the Real numbers.
• Evaluate roots and radical expressions.
• Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable.
• Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables .
• Evaluate polynomial expressions .
• Perform basic polynomial factoring.
• Solving quadratic equations by:

- Applying the zero product property and relating it to factors of poly-
nomials.
- Solving a quadratic equation algebraically by factoring.

Academic responsibilities:

• Learn all the material covered in this course.
• Learn basic calculator procedures to solve problems.
• Take all tests and quizzes and complete homework/ group work as stated
in the class policy.

Text: ALEKS Course code: 94W9F-XHLY9

Calculator: A TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator is recommended for this course.

Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 093 or equivalent or qualifying ACCUPLACER,
ACT/SAT test results.

Class Format: Lecture on new material, in-class work on ALEKS and group work.
Students are expected to actively participate in class.

Attendance: Attendance is checked every class period. Students are required to
come to class on time and to stay for the entire class period. Any student who
has missed more than three classes may be dropped from the roster. In order
to pass this class, you must log a minimum of 8 ALEKS hours every week.
Otherwise you will be administratively withdrawn from the class. This means
that at the end of week 1 of the semester you must have logged 8 hours. At the
end of week 2 you must reach 16 hours, at the end of week 3 you must reach
24 hours, etc. Only one single excuse from this policy is permitted, and you
must be caught up by the end of the following week. You may work ahead of
schedule, but you cannot fall behind! If you complete all of the material your
requirement drops to 3 hours per week.

Course Structure and Approach: ALEKS Learning Modules The mathematical
content in this class is mainly delivered through ALEKS, an interactive on-line
learning environment. Students work at their own pace and may access course
materials through any computer connected to the internet.

ALEKS classes differ from ordinary lecture-and-textbook classes in a few ways.
Where an ordinary class covers the curricular material from A to Z, ALEKS
will only drill the student in material where he or she has a deficiency. ALEKS
does not take you through material you already know. Therefore every ALEKS
course begins with an initial assessment so ALEKS can find out what you know
and what you don't know. The rest of the time in class is spent only on the part
of the curriculum you don't know. You will be re-assessed at regular intervals
so ALEKS can see if you retain the material have learned. In short, ALEKS'
approach to learning is: Fill in any gaps in your knowledge that prevents you
from reaching your semester goal.

ALEKS Assessments: ALEKS uses regular assessments to assess your progress to-
wards your semester goal. Assessments are comprehensive, which means that
every assessment will assess the entire course! In some sense, you are taking a
comprehensive final exam every time you take an ALEKS assessment. There-
fore, assessment scores will typically be low at the beginning of the semester,
but in your quest to reach the semester goal, you gradually acquire more knowl-
edge and as a result, your assessment scores improve. Ideally, towards the end
of the semester, your will master all the course material and your scores will
approach 100%.

It is very important that you do all ALEKS assessments without help in any
form! Do not use any books or notes. Do not use a calculator unless it is
available from the brown ALEKS toolbar at the top of the screen. Getting as-
sistance or "cheating" on ALEKS assessments will not improve your grade, but
it will cause ALEKS to start your learning exercises at a level which is beyond
your ability. ALEKS will eventually adjust to meet your specific needs.
Initial ALEKS Assessment The first time you login, ALEKS will do an initial
assessment of your algebra skills. The initial assessment is un-proctored - you
will take it on your own. It does not count in any way towards your grade.
This assessment is used by ALEKS to determine what material you are ready
to learn.

Mid-Semester ALEKS Assessments On-line assessments of your progress are
scheduled after every 20 ALEKS items or so are completed. These assessment
checks whether you are able to retain the material you have covered. Your con-
tinued progress in the class depends on how well you do on these assessments:
You receive credit for all items in which you show mastery. Any item you do
not master is listed as yet to be completed. This means than an assessment
could set you back! This could happen if you "forget" an item from earlier in
the course, and is unable to show mastery of the item in the assessment. In
this case you'll need to repeat the item. Mid-semester assessments are taken
on your own, they are un-proctored, and don't count towards your grade. The
best strategy when doing assessments is to be honest, and do the best you can.
If you don't know how to solve a problem on the assessment, just click the "I
Don't Know" button.

Final ALEKS Assessment (Final Exam): The final ALEKS assessment is a
mandatory, proctored assessment. No help of any kind is allowed: no books,
no notes ... It is identical in all aspects to the ALEKS assessments you have
been taking during the semester. You can think of this assessment as your final
exam.

Grading: The final grade will be determined by your final ALEKS assessment. Let-
ter grades will be assigned as follows:
S: 70-100%, U: below 70%.
Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an F. The Mathematics De-
partment does not assign the F grade in any course. If a student wishes an F
be assigned, then the student must request the grade, in writing, on the day
of the final exam. The attendance requirements specified in the syllabus must
be observed for a student to be eligible for the letter grade option.

ADA: Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right
to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at
Truckee Meadows Community College. For assistance, contact TMCCs Dis-
ability Resource Center at 775-673-7277, TTY 775-673-7888, come by the Red
Mountain Building, room 315 B .

Student Classroom Conduct Statement: Truckee Meadows Community College
encourages all students to pursue academic studies and other college sponsored
activities that promote intellectual growth and personal development. Stu-
dents are responsible for complying with Nevada System of Higher Education
(NSHE) and college guidelines. TMCC has an obligation to maintain condi-
tions under which the work of the college can go forward freely, in accordance
with the highest standards of quality, institutional integrity and freedom of ex-
pression. These standards, procedures for reporting infractions, and processes
for addressing complaints and allegations are available on the TMCC web site,
college catalog (appendix L) and the o±ce of the associate dean of students
(RDMT 120, 673-7114).