Intermediate Algebra

Math 99 – On Line
Course Syllabus – Spring 2010
Instructor: Carlea McAvoy
Email: at work: cmcavoy@spscc.ctc.edu
Phone: (360) 596-5573 (for a speedier response, please e-mail me)
Office: Building 35 Room 359
Office Hours: Tuesday: 11am to 1pm Wednesday: 12 to 1pm and 4:30 to 5:30pm
Thursday: 11am to 1pm and Monday and Friday by appointment.

Course Description:
This is an intermediate algebra course, which has a prerequisite of Math 98 or an equitable placement test
score. There is an expectation that you have some knowledge of performing operations with rational
numbers, polynomials, and rational expressions, graphing, simplifying expressions, solving equations,
inequalities, and systems of equations, factoring, and problem solving. The following is a list of objectives
for this course:
• Simplify polynomial, rational, and radical expressions, including use of rational exponents
• Perform operations on real numbers, polynomials, rational, and radical expressions
• Solve linear, rational, and radical equations
• Translate between linear equations and their graphs of data points
• Solve 2X2 and 3X3 linear systems
• Solve quadratic equations by factoring, use of the +/- theorem, completing the square, and using the
quadratic formula. Solve some equations quadratic in from.
• Work application problems which result in linear, radical, rational, and quadratic equations
• Use set notation correctly, including set-builder notation
• Graph quadratic and/or other non-linear relations
• Translate between exponential and logarithmic functions and their related graphs

Materials and Resources:

Textbook: Intermediate Algebra (Tenth Edition) by Lial, Hornsby, and McGinnis and published by
Pearson/Addison-Wesley
Note: You need to have the Access code in order to complete the quizzes, homework, midterm, and tutorials
for the course. This will not be included with a used text. You can purchase the access code for
about $40 at the www.mathxl.com website. The course code for SP10 Math 99OL is XL0H-91QD-
101Y-69I2

If you want to have a hard copy of the text (recommended by not required) this is the information you need.
Lial’s 10/e Intermediate Algebra text, Bundled with the MathXL access code. The ISBN is:
9780558332754
.
On-Line Websites:
My drupal site where course documents are posted: http://cmcavoy.spscc.edu
The campus site for on-line classes: http://angel.waol.org
Once you get to the site, follow the instructions for logging on. After the first time, you can change your
password. I don’t use this site much because there has been a lot of trouble logging on. Course documents
will be posted there also.
The Pearson/Addison-Wesley site (www.mathxl.com) is where you will take quizzes and tests, submit
homework assignments, and keep track of your grade with the on-line grade book.
On Campus: There is free tutorial help on campus in Building 32 Room 122. The math center hours change
every quarter, but they are usually open from 8am to 2pm daily and have evening hours on Tuesday
and Wednesday. I will post the hours for this quarter when they are available. You do not need an
appointment to use the math lab.

Instructor: I am on-line and on campus to help you be successful in this course. E-mail me with questions
when you have them and I will respond within 24-hours during the workweek. Please remember that
like any on-campus course, you will not have 24 hour a day access to an instructor. If you e-mail me
at 11am, I may not see your e-mail until the next day when I have my office hours. Please be patient.

Classmates: Exchange e-mails and phone numbers and help each other out!

On-line: The MathXL has videos, sample problems, and tutorials built into every homework assignment.
For some students, the website makes the hardcopy of the textbook obsolete. That is a choice you
must make.

Course Procedures:
Your grade is made up of homework scores, quizzes, the midterm, and the final exam. Ideally, you do the
homework on line sometime between Sunday and Wednesday at your convenience. These assignments have about 20
problems that have built in tutorials, videos, and help. You can take it as many times as you want until you get 100%
or the grade you are happy with. Then Thursday through Sunday you find time to take a quiz at that same site that
covers the same materials as the homework (but you don’t get the built in tutorials with the quiz). You get to take the
quiz twice in case you aren’t happy with your first score. You cannot take the quiz unless you have attempted the
homework at least once!
You will take the midterm exam (check the academic calendar for the due date) at the mathxl site about half way
through the quarter. The final exam is taken on campus during finals week. For the final exam you can have 2 pages
front and back of handwritten notes and a calculator.
You have to get things done by the due date, but you can always work ahead and get things done before the due date.
(Say if you were planning on being gone for a week, you could complete 2 weeks of work in 1 week.)
You may work ahead of schedule and finish as quickly as you want. Homework can be completed
after the due date, but you will not be able to take a quiz once a due date has passed.

Homework (33%): These homework assignments are worth 20 points each. Check the due dates on-line (at
the MathXL site) and in the academic calendar posted at the WAOL site. There is a homework
assignment due most weeks on Thursdays at midnight. You must have attempted this assignment at
least once to unlock the quiz that is due for that week. You may open and work on homework as
many times as you want. You can access the tutorials inside the homework assignments. You will
not be able to change your scores for homework 1 – 4 after you take the midterm. There is an extra-
credit assignment posted at the WAOL website.

Midterm (25%): About halfway through the class there is a cumulative midterm exam. You must pass
this with at least a 55% to continue on with the class. For the on-line class you should
complete the practice study guide for practice (and extra-credit) before you take the actual exam. The
study guide is posted at the mathxl site.

Final Exam (25%): The final exam is also cumulative. You must pass this with at least a 50% to
pass the class with a C or better. The final exam is an open note test (2 pages handwritten but
no book) with a time limit of three hours. There will be a practice final exam posted on-line at the
MathXL site for extra-credit and a written study guide posted at the drupal and WAOL site. Please
note: The best way to prepare for the written final exam is to complete the written final exam study
guide. Doing work on paper feels different than completing work on-line.
Quizzes: (17%) Quizzes will be posted at the MathXL site so make sure you have gone to the site and
downloaded all of the needed plug-ins before you take the first quiz. You should turn off the pop-up
blockers on your browser before you start to take a quiz. You will have two tries for each quiz but
every time you open it, new but similar problems will be generated. Once it is opened, you have 70
minutes to complete it. Each quiz has a due date which can be found on-line and in the academic
calendar posted at the WAOL site. Quizzes cover the same sections as the homework that was due a
few days before. Each quiz is worth 10 points. The quiz will be locked until you attempt the
homework for that week. Sometimes the computer may not grade it correctly. The day after the
due date, I will go on-line and grade them manually if necessary. Quizzes are due by midnight each
Sunday. If you have trouble with the on-line site while taking the quizzes, please contact technical
support. Take the quiz early if you can so that you will have time to get help before you open it a
second time. If you wait until Sunday night to take it, it will be too late to get help from Tech
Support or me. The syllabus quiz will be added to your first quiz score, and there is an extra-credit
quiz which will add on to your quiz total at the end of the quarter.

Grading Scale:
A 93-100% B+ 87 – 89% C+ 76 – 79% D+ 66 – 71% F V
A- 90 – 92% B 83 – 86% C 72 – 75 D 63 – 65% Student Student did
B- 80 – 82% (With at least a D- 60 – 62% finished class not finish
(With at least a (With at least a 50% on the with an class or
60% on the final) 55% on the final) final) average below contact
60% instructor

On-line mathematics classes can be a very convenient way to take a course, but there may be glitches
the first few times you visit the WAOL and MathXL site. This may be stressful to you as the
student, so I warn you now, that this may not be the best venue for you to take this class. If you
are not comfortable with computer technology, or if you do not have high-speed Internet access
at your house, you will probably not like taking an on-line class. In addition to this, if you are
not a self-motivated student, you would be better off taking the course on campus or switching
to the hybrid course. I will do my best to help you through the problems that you may have,
and I will strive to make this an enjoyable and productive class but in order to be successful
you will need to be self- directed.

Every time you e-mail me, you should include your name and Math 99OL in the subject line. I have 5 on-
line classes and about 100 on-line students so please identify yourself!

Every assignment you submit should have your name on the assignment. Even if you put your name on the
e-mail subject line, your name should still appear on your extra-credit work. The homework and
quizzes you complete at the MathXL website will be submitted to me automatically.

Extra-Credit:
The extra-credit assignment is posted on-line at the drupal and WAOL website. Each problem is worth ½ a
point. I will add the extra points to your homework total at the end of the quarter.
The syllabus quiz will add to quiz #1.
The practice final will add 10% onto your final exam grade.
The practice midterm will add 10% onto your midterm.
The Extra-credit quiz will be added onto your lowest quiz score. (If you miss a quiz, it will replace the zero)
Course Calendar
There is an academic calendar posted at the WAOL site to help you keep track of all of the due dates.
COURSE OUTLINE

II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
A. Simplify polynomial, rational and radical expressions, including use of rational exponents and scientific notation;
B. Perform operations on real numbers, polynomials, rational, and radical expressions;
C. Solve linear, rational and radical equations;
D. Solve linear inequalities including compound and continuing inequalities, graph the solution set;
E. Write/draw and interpret set notation and Venn diagrams correctly, including set-builder notation
F. Translate between linear equations and their graphs or data points
G. Translate between the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line and the standard form;
H. Solve 2 by 2 and 3 by 3 linear systems;
I. Solve quadratic equations by factoring, use of the +/- theorem, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula. Solve some equations
quadratic in form;
J. Work application problems which result in linear, radical, rational and quadratic equations;
K. Graph quadratic and/or other non-linear relations;
L. Correctly interpret and apply function notation;
M. State domain and range of simple functions;
N. Create and apply an equation to represent direct and inverse and joint variation;
O. Graph and apply exponential functions (extension to logarithms optional).
III. COLLEGE-WIDE ABILITIES:
Evaluate and process quantitative and symbolic data.
IV. COURSE CONTENT:
A. Review topics:
1. Solving linear equations and inequalities; Graphing linear equations; Systems of equations with applications (3 by 3 system with
application strongly recommended); Exponent properties and scientific notation
B. Polynomials:
1. Operations with polynomials 2. Factoring polynomials including ax2 + bx + c where a ≠ 1 3. Use of factoring to solve quadratic
equations 4. Applications
C. Rational expressions:
1. Definition, restrictions or variable, simplifying; Operations with rational expressions; Rational equations; Simplifying complex
fractions ; Applications
D. Radicals
1. Definition, properties; Simplifying complex fractions; Radical equations
E. The general solution to the quadratic equation
1. The +/- theorem; Completing the square; The quadratic formula; Complex numbers
2. Equations quadratic in form (lightly); Graphs of non-linear relations (choose some); The quadratic relation; Shifting and
stretching of the quadratic relations, seen from y = a(x-h)2 + k; The distance formula and circles; Inverse, absolute value, square
root

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

TIME LIMITATIONS
Courses must be completed as outlined in the enclosed syllabus for your particular class. If you are unable to finish
within the time frame indicated an extension might be arranged with the instructor’s permission. If an extension is
needed, contact the instructor directly.

In a correspondence course, there is a tendency to procrastinate. It is suggested that you thoroughly read the
information provided, and then establish and maintain a schedule. If you have questions contact your instructor at the
phone number indicated on your syllabus.

APPOINTMENTS FOR TAKING TESTS/EXAMS

Testing is scheduled by appointment only with the Correspondence Testing Office at (360) 754-7711, ext. 4298.
Appointments must be made a minimum of 24 business hours in advance. (calls or e-mails on weekends may delay
your exams). Testing is held two evenings per week, on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00pm-9:00pm. You may
start a test at any time between the specified hours; however, testing ends promptly at 9:00pm. We cannot
accommodate “walk-ins.” You are required to present picture identification each time you take a test.
When scheduling a test, you must provide the following:: Your name (be sure to spell it out), your daytime phone
number, the course name and number, which test (mid-term,or final), and the day and date you wish to take the
test. Please be sure to speak slowly and clearly when leaving a message on the Automated Correspondence Test
Mailbox. You may e-mail the testing center to request a testing time at testingcenter@spscc.ctc.edu You may also
schedule your test online by going to: www.spscc.ctc.edu click on current student,student-services,testing,
correspondence-testing, and then click on the e-mail link provided. Be sure to include ALL of the required
information listed above in your e-mail as well. Failure to do so may delay your testing session.

PLEASE NOTE; NO ONE will call you back if you use the automated phone system, however, we will e-mail
testing confirmations to students who use the online option for scheduling. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO
SCHEDULE A TEST DURING REGULAR TESTING TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
TO MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS.

Testing Location
Testing locations vary each quarter. Check the testing website to confirm location.
• Mondays - Bldg 25 Testing Center (Room 126)
• Thursdays - Bldg 22 (Room 206), 1rst and 3rd Thursdays only.
• Any last minute changes will be posted on the outside doors of Bldg. 25 (Student Services)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
If you do homework that is not at the mathxl website, you should deliver or mail completed assignments directly to
the instructor. If you would like your assignments returned via mail, be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped
envelope with each assignment submitted. Make a photocopy of each assignment submitted. The instructor will not
assume responsibility for assignments not received or lost in the mail.

GRADES
Letter grades will be awarded unless previous arrangements have been made with the instructor. If an "I" (incomplete)
is given and is not removed by the end of the following quarter, the "I" will become an "F.” Contact the Enrollment
Services Office for further information at (360) 754-7711, ext 5241.

DROPPING THE COURSE

You must contact the Enrollment Services Office to officially withdraw from a correspondence class. To receive a
100% refund, you must drop a class by the 5th day of the quarter. If you have any questions, contact Enrollment
Services Office at 754-7711, ext. 5241.

STUDENT SERVICES
Students enrolled in correspondence courses have access to all the services offered at this college
including, career counseling and information, campus activities and financial aid assistance.

Correspondence courses maintain the same quality of instruction as those taught through the regular lecture/lab
method. Often the same instructor teaches both the regular and correspondence sections. We encourage students to
establish and maintain a one-to-one relationship with the instructor.

If you have additional questions, contact the Correspondence Testing Office at (360) 754-7711, ext. 4298 or e-
mail testingcenter@spscc.ctc.edu.

CORRESPONDENCE TESTING CALENDAR

2009/2010
SPRING QUARTER 2010
First Day of Instruction Apr 5 M
First Evening of Testing April 12 M
Student Advising Day (no day classes) May 13 TH
Memorial Day (Holiday - all staff, no classes) May 31 M
Last Day of Instruction June 14 M
Final Examination Days June 15-21 T-M
Last Evening for Testing June 21 M
Graduation June 18 F
Faculty Day None listed
QUARTER BREAK Students: June 22 - June 25

Testing Alternatives:
For the Spring, I will be available to proctor the final exam Monday through Friday (by
appointment). This will be by appointment only so e-mail Carlea (cmcavoy@spscc.ctc.edu)
if you would like to test with me rather than through correspondence testing. I will be on
campus Saturday June 19th from 10am to 2pm to proctor final exams for those of you who
cannot come in during the week.
Also you may take the test near your house if you cannot come to campus. You must find a
testing site near your home that will be approved by your instructor. Contact me for details.