MATH 106 Intermediate Algebra
I. Course Description
Intermediate Algebra is the second in a sequence of two pre-algebra math courses
leading up to College Algebra,
MATH 150. The prerequisite for this course is a grade of C or above in Math 104,
or a passing score on Part 1 of the
Columbia College Math Placement Test.
II. Course Objectives
To communicate mathematically in both written and verbal forms.
To reason with symbolic and graphical representations .
To use mathematics to solve real -world problems.
To use technology, such as graphing calculators and computers , to enhance their
mathematical understanding.
II. Course Overview
During Week 1, we review how to graph equations in two variables. We solve
system of linear equations by
graphing.
During Week 2, we solve systems of equations using the substitution and addition
methods, and solve applied
problems using systems of equations.
During Week 3, we discuss rational expressions. We simplify, multiply and divide
rational expressions. We briefly
review general factoring techniques.
During Week 4, we add and subtract rational expressions with same and different
denominators. There is a
proctored (supervised) midterm exam at the end of this week. The exam can either
be taken as a pencil and paper
exam.
During Week 5, we simplify complex rational expressions and rational equations.
We also discuss square roots,
simplify radicals and multiplying and dividing radicals.
During Week 6, we learn more about radicals and are introduced to rational
exponents.
During Week 7, we discuss quadratic equations and find solutions to quadratic
equations using the square root
property , completing the square , and the Quadratic Formula.
During Week 8, we graph quadratic equations and solve applied problems. There is
a two hour, written, proctored
final exam at the end of this week. The exam is a pencil and paper exam.
III. Measurable Learning Outcomes
Graph lines and quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions in the
Cartesian Plane.
Find the equation of a line in both slope-intercept and point-slope form.
Interpret the meaning of the slope and intercepts of a line .
Solve systems of linear equations by graphing, substitution and elimination.
Solve real-world problems using equations and systems of equations.
Factor polynomials .
Simplify rational, complex rational , and radical expressions.
Add, subtract, multiply , and divide rational and radical expressions.
Solve equations with rational and radical expressions .
Solve quadratic equations by the square root property , by
completing the square, by factoring, and by the quadratic
formula.
Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions.
IV. Course Policies
There will be no discrimination on the
basis of sex, race, color, national
origin, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran
status, age, physical handicap, or marital
status. Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for
this course are required to
register with the ADA coordinator of Columbia College at (573) 875 - 7626.
Student Conduct
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and
thus will not tolerate inappropriate
conduct in the course. All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a
land-based or on-line course, are
responsible for behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College's Code of
Student Conduct and Ethics Cod
for Computer Users. Students violating these codes will be referred to the
Campus Life Office for possible
disciplinary action. The Code for Student Conduct and the Ethics Code for
Computer Users can be found in the
Columbia College Student Handbook, a copy of which can be obtained by calling
the Campus Life office at (573)
875 - 7425.
On-Line Participation
This course is offered on-line, over the Internet, using the Internet and the
World Wide Web, using publishing
technology provided by Desire2Learn, Prentice Hall, and Columbia College.
Participation on-line is expected and
continuous throughout the course. Failure to turn in assignments by the date
due, or lack of participation in on-line
discussions may result in the student being withdrawn from the course.
Emergencies should be communicated and
documented to the instructor as soon as possible. Students are expected to watch
the assigned videos, do the online
homework, and log-in to the class conferencing each week. In addition, students
will take a quiz each week. Active
participation in the course will prepare and guide students in studying for the
exams. The instructor will facilitate o
line discussions in the conference room by responding to posted messages. See
"Ground Rules for On -line
Participation" for additional information.
In the math classes, a class week begins on Saturday and ends on Friday at
midnight. The first week begins
the first day of the session and ends at midnight the following Sunday. The
first week’s deadlines will be
lengthened due to the week starting on Monday rather than on Saturday .
Assignments scheduled for completion
during a class week should be submitted by the weekly due dates stated on the
grading schedule below. Late
assignments will not be accepted. See Section VII of this document, or the
Desire2Learn ‘Events’ calendar, for
specific deadline dates.
Ground Rules for On-line Participation
Students should use email for private messages to the instructor and other
students.
The class Discussion area is for public messages so we can see what others have
to say about any given topic, and
respond to these.
Students are expected to participate in on-line discussions, as well as with
other appropriate on-line activities
including homework assignments and quizzes.
Academic Honesty
All Columbia College policies are in effect as described in the Academic
Dishonesty/Misconduct section of the
current college catalog. All your work must be your own unless collaboration has
been authorized. If collaboration
is authorized you must acknowledge the collaboration in writing. Your grade will
be based in large part on the
originality of your ideas and your written presentation of
these ideas. Presenting as one's own the words, ideas, or
expression of another in any form is cheating though plagiarism.
Levels of Communication
We will be using a minimum of two levels of communication in this course, one
formal, the other informal. All
email assignments are formal. They should be written as if you are communicating
with a client. The formal rules
of proper English and grammar apply for these submissions, and points will be
deducted for misspellings, incomplete
sentences, poor sentence structure, etc.
Conference postings are informal. You do not have to use capitalization to begin
sentences, there are no penalties for
misspellings, incomplete sentences, or other violations of grammatical rules.
The criteria that have to be met in
conference postings is that your messages must be original and intelligible. You
must communicate effectively. In
addition, you must meet the weekly requirements for full credit on conference
room assignments.
V. Grading Policy
You will be able to track your average in the grade book exactly throughout the
course. The grading scale is as
follows:
A = 540-600 pts B = 480-539 pts C = 420-479 pts, D = 360-419 pts F = 0-359 pts
You will know in advance the standards for each assignment. My goal is to give
prompt, clear, and useful feedba
to help you. Each student is responsible for:
• Completing weekly Reading/Video assignments, and doing textbook homework as
needed..
• Completing Weekly Homework/Discussion assignments by the due dates.
• Completing Weekly Quizzes by the due date.
• Completing a two hour proctored (supervised) Mid-Term Examination in week 4
and a two hour
proctored comprehensive Final Examination in week 8.
VI. Graded Assignments
Weekly On-Line (COURSECOMPASS/MyMathLab) Homework: 10% of course grade, 60 total
points.
Weekly Discussion and Calculator Assignments: 5% of course grade, 30 total
points.
Weekly Quizzes: 10% of course grade. Each quiz counts 10 points, 60 total points
for session. The tw
lowest quiz grades will be dropped from the final grade calculation.
Mid-Term Exam (Wednesday-Saturday of week 4): 35% of course grade, 210 points.
Final Exam (Wednesday-Saturday of week 8): 40% of course grade, 240 points.
VII. Assignment Due Dates
| WEEK | ASSIGNMENT | POINTS | DUE DATE (ALL TIMES IN CST /CDT ) |
| Week 1 | Introductory Posting | 2 | Within 4 days of you joining the class. |
| Discussion Assignment | 2 | Midnight, Sunday, January 17, 2009 | |
| Week 1 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Sunday, January 17, 2009 | |
| Week 1 Homework | Varies by week | Midnight, Sunday, January 17, 2009 | |
| Week 2 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, January 23, 2009 |
| Week 2 Quiz | 10 | Midnight Saturday, January 24, 2009 | |
| Week 2 Homework | Varies | Midnight Saturday, January 24, 2009 | |
| Week 3 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, January 30, 2009 |
| Week 3 Quiz | 10 | Midnight Saturday, January 31, 2009 | |
| Week 3 Homework | Varies | Midnight Saturday, January 31, 2009 | |
| Week 4 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, February 6, 2009 |
| Week 4 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Saturday, February 7, 2009 | |
| Week 4 Homework | Varies | Midnight, Saturday, February 7, 2009 | |
| Proctored Midterm Exam | 210 | Midterm can be taken any time between February 4 – February 7, 2009 |
|
| Week 5 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, February 13, 2009 |
| Week 5 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Saturday, February 14, 2009 | |
| Week 5 Homework | Varies | Midnight, Saturday, February 14, 2009 | |
| Week 6 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, February 20, 2009 |
| Week 6 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Saturday, February 21, 2009 | |
| Week 6 Homework | Varies | Midnight, Saturday, February 21, 2009 | |
| Week 7 | Discussion Assignment | 4 | Midnight, Friday, February 27, 2009 |
| Week 7 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Saturday, February 28, 2009 | |
| Week 7 Homework | Varies | Midnight, Saturday, February 28, 2009 | |
| Week 8 | Discussion Assignment | 2 | Midnight, Friday, March 12, 2009 |
| Week 8 Quiz | 10 | Midnight, Saturday, March 13, 2009 | |
| Week 8 Homework | Varies | Midnight, Saturday, March 13, 2009 | |
| 2 hour Proctored Final Exam | 240 | Final exam November be taken any time March 4 – March 7, 2009 |
VIII. Course Activities
Homework: Each week, you will be assigned problems to complete in the MyMathLab computer program
that is packaged with a new textbook from MBS, or purchased separately. Each week’s homework is due by
Saturday night at midnight, except in Week 1 (see schedule, above).
Discussion/Calculator: In Weeks 1-8, there will be assignments that involve the use of a graphing
calculator and/or require Discussion postings. These assignments will be due by Friday at midnight, except in Week
1 (see schedule, above), when the deadlines are extended.
Quizzes: Each week, a quiz will be posted by noon on Wednesday and is due by midnight on Saturday,
central time, except in Week 1 (see schedule, above.) The quizzes will be closely related to the suggested homework
problems assigned for the week. The two lowest quiz grades will not be included in the calculation of your final
grade. Late quizzes will not receive credit.
Reading/Video: Each week, you will read 1 – 5 sections in the textbook. You should also watch the video
lesson on material that you feel you need more instruction on.
Proctored Midterm/Comprehensive Final Exam: These will be pencil and paper exams, on which
you can use a calculator, but not notes or the textbook. It is strongly recommended that your proctor be a Columbia
College site, local college, public school, library or testing center, and choosing a proctor from one of these
organizations will simplify the proctor approval process.
IX. Course Materials
Required Text - Introductory Algebra, 5th Edition, by Robert Blitzer
Required Graphing Calculator A TI-83, TI-83+, TI-84 or TI-84+ is required for all of the Columbia
College math courses. I would suggest shopping around – prices for these calculators vary. It is possible to purchase
this calculator from MBS Direct or a retailer, or to buy a used one using an online search for information, going
through auction sites, checking the classified ads in the newspaper, etc. I will provide a link to the calculator user
manuals for the TI-83 and -84.
Required CourseCompass Program Access – See above. I will send you the CourseID that you need to
register in the CourseCompass program in an email about a week before school begins. The email will come to
your Cougars account.
Optional Supplemental Materials All other
materials are optional. X. Course Schedule
Week 1: Linear Equations & Graphing Systems of Linear Equations
Readings: Sections 4.1 and 4.2, pp. 223 - 246, Section 5.1, pp. 289 – 300.
Homework: Each week there will be two online homework assignments in MyMath Lab.
I also suggest you work
some of the homework in the book to prepare for quizzes and exams
On-line Discussion Assignment: This week, your online discussion assignment is
to do an introductory post and
one math discussion post. The CourseCompass ‘Assignments’ > ‘Weekly Assignments’
area has a list of problems
you can use for Discussion posting.
Week 1 Quiz
Week 2: Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Reading: Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4, pp. 301 – 328.
Proctored Midterm Make an appointment to take your midterm exam. The midterm can
be taken Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of week 4.
Weekly Homework Assignment
On-line Discussion Assignment: Each week, post one homework problem from the
list in the CourseCompass
‘Assignments’ > ‘Weekly Assignment’ area. You can earn 0-4 points on your post.
Guidelines and requirements for
the math discussion posts can be found in the ‘Weekly Assignments’ area.
Week 2 Quiz
Week 3: Factoring & Rational Expressions
Readings: Sections 7.5, pp. 446 – 454, Sections 8.1 and 8.2, pp. 474 – 490.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz.
Week 4: Adding & Subtracting Rational Expressions
Readings: Sections 8.3 and 8.4, pp. 491 – 509.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz.
Proctored Midterm (two hour time limit): taken anytime Wednesday – Saturday of
this week.
Week 5: Complex Rational Expressions, Rational Equations & Radicals
Readings: Sections 8.5 and 8.6, pp. 510 – 526, Sections 9.1 and 9.2, pp. 549 –
567.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz.
Week 6: Radical Operations, Radical Equations, Solving Applied Problems
Readings: Sections 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 and 9.6, pp. 567 – 593.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz
Week 7: Solving Quadratic Equations
Readings: Sections 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, pp. 599 – 624.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz.
Course Evaluation: Please go to the following site and evaluate the course:
Week 8: Graphing Quadratic Equations, Solving Applied Problems
Readings: Sections 10.5, pp. 630 – 641.
Weekly Homework, Discussion and Quiz.
Proctored Comprehensive Final Exam (two hour time limit): taken anytime
Wednesday through Saturday of this
week.
XI. Instructor Information – Anne Ross
I graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1986 and 1989 with
degrees in Business Administration.
I’ve been teaching for Columbia College since 1989 – first in the classroom and,
for the past 5 years, online – and
have taught Finance and Math classes. I love teaching - especially teaching
online - and I am proud to be on the
faculty of Columbia College. I’m an economist for the State of Missouri, and
live on what my brother calls a
‘farmlet’ in the beautiful country near Fayette, MO with several dogs, cats and
other assorted wild animals.
Telephone: (660) 248 - 9843 (evening) – emergency only, please. It is much
easier and faster to reach
me via email, which I normally check twice a day, at the minimum. I have some
hearing loss, so if you DO call me,
please speak slowly and distinctly. I arrive at home very late in the evening,
and will reply to your phone call, via
email, within 24-48 hours. Be sure to include your course & section information.
I strongly suggest emailing me,
rather than calling me.
Fax: (314) 754 – 9821
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