DSPM 0800
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
SYLLABUS AND STUDENT RULES

I. Course Description

An introduction to algebra course. Topics include the fundamental operations of real numbers ,
polynomials, exponents, factoring, ratio, proportion, linear equations and applications, single
variable inequalities, evaluating algebraic expressions, solving quadratic equations by factoring
and introduction to graphing. Prerequisite: DSPM 0700 or equivalent skills .

II. Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Simplify expressions using multiple algebraic operations.
2. Solve linear equations and simple quadratic equations by factoring.
3. Solve application/word problems using linear equations.
4. Graph linear equations in two variables by using the X and Y intercepts.
5. Factor polynomials completely.
6. Apply use of calculator in multiple algebraic topics – expressions, equations, graphing
linear equations, scientific notation.

Topics
· Fractions
· Exponents, Order of Operations , and Inequality
· Variables, Expressions, and Equations
· Real Numbers & Number Line
· Adding and Subtracting Real Numbers
· Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers
· Summary Exercises on Operations with Real Numbers (Optional)
· Properties of Real Numbers
· Simplifying Expressions
· The Addition Property of Equality
· The Multiplication Property of Equality
· More on Solving Linear Equations
· Summary Exercises on Solving Linear Equations (Optional)
· An Introduction to Applications of Linear Equations
· Formulas and Applications from Geometry
· Ratios and Proportions
· More about Problem Solving: Percent, Interest, and Money
· More about Problem Solving: Distance, Rate, and Time
· Solving Linear Inequalities
· Reading Graphs: Linear Equations in Two Variables
· The Product Rule and the Power Rules for Exponents
· Integer Exponents and the Quotient Rule
· Summary Exercises on the Rules for Exponents (Optional)
· An Application of Exponents: Scientific Notation
· Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
· Multiplying Polynomials
· Special Products
· Dividing Polynomials
· The Greatest Common Factor and Factor by Grouping
· Factoring Trinomials
· More on Factoring Trinomials
· Special Factoring Rules
· Summary Exercises Factoring (Optional)
· Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

III. Required Materials

Students must check with the instructor before purchasing any materials.

Required for classroom: textbook, Beginning and Intermediate Algebra , 4th Edition by Lial,
Hornsby, and McGinnis, with MyMathLab access. Publisher: Pearson, ISBN 0-321-50722-3,
available in the NSCC bookstore.
Calculator: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus. TI-89 or comparable calculators are not allowed.
The DSPM 0800 review packet is also required for this course and is available in the NSCC
bookstore or by downloading from ww2.nscc.edu/dspm.

Recommended Item for classroom:
Student Solutions Manual for Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, 4th Edition Publisher: Pearson,
ISBN 0-321-44954-1.

-OR-

Optional:required MyMathLab access separately, ISBN-0321119991X,
Optional: required textbook separately ISBN-0-321- 44233-4).

Required for New Web Class: My Math Lab Access Code (ISBN 032119991X)
Strongly Recommended for New Web Class: Beginning & Intermediate Algebra with MyMath
Lab access code (ISBN 0321507223)

IV. Course Requirements

In order to receive credit for this course, the student must:
A. Attend class regularly.
B. Complete the homework assignments.
C. Have a final average of 70 or more.
D. Complete three (3) unit tests and a comprehensive final exam

V. Grading

On-campus courses:
Grades for on-campus courses will be based on unit tests, homework, and a final exam as follows:
Unit tests 60%
Homework 15% (procedure to be announced by instructor)
Final Exam (comprehensive) 25%
Note: Points may be deducted from the final average for more than three absences
(3 classroom hours).

Web courses:
Grades for this course will be based on unit tests, discussions, homework, and the final exam as

follows:
Tests--50%
Discussions (Introduce Yourself, Summary and Reflections)--10%
Homework--15%
Final Exam (comprehensive)--25%

Grading Scale:

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
F 0-69
X Continuation Grade-See below for criteria
1. Must be first attempt (no W, F, X, or WF grades on record)
2. Must have completed all requirements (homework, all three unit tests, & final exam)
3. Attendance record must not be in violation of stated attendance policy
4. Overall average must in the "D" range (59.5-69.5)
WF It is mandatory that an instructor issue a student a withdrawal/failing grade if the
student misses class for two (2) consecutive weeks without contacting the instructor.

VI. Policies

Attendance:
A. Students are expected to attend all classes and be on time.
B. A maximum of three absences (3 classroom hours) is allowed with no direct effect on the
final grade. Each hour of absence over this number will lower the student's final average by
one point for each hour of absence. Students will be dismissed from class with a WF
grade after missing the sixth classroom hour.
C. Any test or assigned homework missed due to absence must be made up within one week
of the student's return to class.
D. Tardies will be recorded and will lower the course grade. Guidelines will be announced by
the instructor.
Makeup Tests: Students who miss a scheduled unit test must make up the test in the Testing
Center within two days of returning to class. Ten points will be deducted from the final score of the
makeup test taken after the assigned test day. Makeup tests are to be taken in the Testing Center in
the Library, K-158 (353-3564).
Other: Any changes in course sections must be made before the second class meeting. Students will
be allowed only into sections with open seats and with the instructor/coordinator approval.
Students who want to drop to a lower level mathematics course must make the request for
consideration before the second class meeting and will only be allowed into lower level sections with
open seats. Approvals by the instructor and the mathematics’ coordinator are required.

VII. Instructor Information

Record the following information concerning the course instructor.
Name: ______________________________ Email: ___________________________
Office Number: ____________________ Office Phone: _____________________
Office Hours: _________________________________________________________________


Nashville State complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you wish to request any
accommodation(s) for this class, please notify the Student Disability Services’ Coordinator and the
instructor as soon as possible. The phone number is 353-3721.

Nashville State Community College has a zero tolerance policy for disruptive conduct in the
classroom. Students whose behavior disrupts the classroom will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
The instructor has primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic
integrity. He/she can order temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of and student engaged in
disruptive conduct or in conduct which violates the general rules and regulations of the College.

Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as,but is not limited to,behavior that obstructs or disrupts
the learning environment(e.g.,offensive language,harassment of students and professors,repeated outbursts
from a student which disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject taught,failure to
cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum,etc.),the continued use of any electronic or other noise or light
emitting device which disturbs others (e.g.,disturbing noises from beepers, cell phones, palm pilots, lap-top
computers,ganes,etc.)

Academic Dishonesty (Honor Code)

Any form of academic dishonesty,cheating,plagiarizing, or other academic misconduct is prohibited."Plagiarism
may result from: (1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas,(2) failing to enclose borrowed language in
quotation marks, and (3) failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words"(A Writer´s Reference 331).

Academic dishonesty may be defined as, but is not limited to, intentionally trying to deceive by claiming credit for
the work of another person, using information from a web page or source without citing the reference, fraudulently
using someone else´s work on an exam, paper, or assignment, recycling your own work from another course,
purchasing papers or materials from another source and presenting them as your own, attempting to obtain
exams/materials/assignments in advance of the date of administration by the instructor, impersonating someone
else in a testing situation, providing confidential test information to someone else, submitting the same assignment
in two different classes without requesting both instructor´s permission, allowing someone else to copy or use your
work,using someone else´s work to complete your own, altering documents, transcripts or grades, and forging a
faculty/staff member´s signature.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through regular college
procedures as a result of academic dishonesty the instructor has the authority to assign an"F"or a
"Zero"for the exercise, paper, or examination or to assign an "F" for the course.

NOTE: This syllabus is meant simply as a guide and overview of the course, the topics, the objectives, the general
assessments, and some standard college policies. Some items are subject to change or revision at the instructor’s
discretion. Each instructor will further clarify their criteria for grading, classroom procedures, attendance, exams and
dates, etc.