SYLLABUS
Course: MATH
111 College Algebra Term: Fall 2007 Meets: MTThF 1:50 –
3:00
Instructor: Craig
Kalicki Office: HH-284 E-mail:
craig.kalicki@briarcliff.edu Phone: 279-5541
Text: Larson,
Hostetler, Edwards, College Algebra A Graphing Approach, 5th
Edition, Houghton Mifflin,
ã2008, ISBN 0-618-85188-7
Goals
of course:
This course is a survey of topics in algebra intended for
students who will take courses in the natural sciences,
business, and the social sciences, as well as higher level
mathematics courses. Students should
expect to
1) gain an awareness of algebra as a body of
mathematical tools for solving problems in many disciplines,
2) develop skills important for success in other
courses that apply quantitative reasoning,
3) become competent in the use of technology as
an aid for solving problems,
4) achieve a level of quantitative literacy
appropriate for a liberally educated person, and
5) reduce occurrences of anxiety or avoidance
often associated with doing mathematics.
For students in the humanities, MATH 105 Mathematics for
Liberal Arts Students is recommended as an
alternative to MATH 111.
MATH 111 is designated as a basic
quantitative literacy (QL) course.
Quantitative literacy is defined at
Briar Cliff as a collection of skills,
knowledge, and dispositions that enable a person to deal with quantitative
issues and problems that arise in academic
study, in the workplace, and in daily life.
After completing this
course, students will be able to do the
following at a basic level:
- read and understand
quantitative information.
- use mathematical methods to
solve problems in context.
- interpret and apply
mathematical models.
- compare alternative solutions
of quantitative problems.
- effectively communicate
conclusions of quantitative investigations.
- recognize limitations of
mathematical methods.
Prerequisites:
Students seeking a Briar Cliff degree must either have a
math ACT of at least 21 or have been advised to take
this course based on the results of the mathematics
assessment test administered previous to registration.
Those whose mathematics skills have not been assessed may
arrange to be tested through the Department.
This course in not
appropriate for students who have had a course in calculus.
Expectations
of students:
1) Attend class on a
regular basis. Three or more unexcused
absences should be considered excessive.
Absences due
to participation in athletic events or other extracurricular activities
sponsored by the
University
are considered to be excused.
2) Read and review
the text as needed, paying particular attention to terminology and
examples. You may
want to take
some notes in class, especially solutions of problems. PowerPointÒ
presentations used in
class will be
made available on BCU Online.
3) Be prepared to ask
questions, participate in class discussions, and present solutions of assigned
problems.
Mathematics is
not a spectator sport -- you must be continually involved in order to be
successful.
4) Ask for help
whenever difficulties arise or you feel the need for advice or encouragement. There is no such
thing as a
“stupid question.” Due to time
constraints, not all questions can be answered in class. Make
use of your
instructor’s office hours.
5) Hand in reasonably
complete homework assignments on the dates due.
All assignments will be posted on
BCU
Online. Solutions should generally
include all work that you do; methods of solution are more
important than
answers. No late work will be
accepted except in cases of serious illness or family
emergency.
If you have not completed an assignment, hand in what you have done on
the date due.
Working on
assignments with others in the course is encouraged.
6) Show evidence of
achieving learning outcomes on exams.
Exams will be thorough and sufficient study time
should be
allocated. Missing an exam without prior
permission will result in a grade of zero for the exam.
Grading:
|
3 exams @ 20% |
60% |
|
A
= 100 - 93 |
C+ = 76 - 74 |
|
Final exam |
25% |
|
A- = 92
- 90 |
C
= 73 - 67 |
|
Assignments |
15% |
|
B+ = 89 - 87 |
D+
= 66 - 64 |
|
|
|
|
B = 86 - 80 |
D = 63 - 55 |
|
Total |
100% |
|
B-
= 79 - 77 |
|
Grading
rubric:
The grading rubric below will be used to assess written work,
including text assignments and exam questions.
|
Level |
Characteristics |
|
4 |
Solution is correct and clearly
stated. |
|
3
Good |
Solution is substantially correct. |
|
2 Adequate |
Solution is flawed but basically
correct. |
|
1
Minimal |
Solution is attempted but significant
errors occur. |
|
0
Unacceptable |
Solution is omitted or an answer is
given with no supporting evidence. |
Technology:
Students are expected to have a graphing calculator
available for use at all times, including during class and
exams. If this will
be your first experience with a graphing calculator, spend some time learning
to use it.
Recommended models for this course are the TI-84 Plus and
TI-86. Deriveä 6 for Windows, a user-friendly
computer algebra system, is installed on the BCU network and
will be introduced in class. Some
assigned
problems may involve computer solutions. Experimentation with the software at any time
is encouraged.
Learning
outcomes:
Expected student learning outcomes
specific to this course are listed below.
Assessment of the degrees to
which these outcomes have been achieved
will be done via written exams and homework assignments.
Students who have completed MATH
111 will be able to
1) understand and apply the function concept.
2) use technology to analyze the graphical
behavior of functions.
3) perform basic transformations and operations
on functions.
4) solve linear equations.
5) construct and apply linear models.
6) fit linear models to data.
7) solve quadratic equations.
8) analyze and apply quadratic models.
9) solve basic types of inequalities.
10) describe behavior of polynomial graphs.
11) understand and apply exponential models.
12) understand and apply logarithmic models.
13) solve linear systems in two variables.
14) solve applied problems involving linear
systems.
15) use matrices to display and obtain
information.
16) perform basic matrix operations.
17) find and apply the inverse of a square
matrix.
18) generate terms in sequences and series.
19) find the sums of arithmetic and geometric
series.
20) apply basic counting principles.
Course
outline:
Ch 1 Functions and
Their Graphs [8 classes]
Graphing equations using technology /
mathematical modeling / lines in the plane / functions / graphs
of functions / transformations of graphs
/ combining functions / inverse functions.
Ch 2 Solving
Equations and Inequalities [8 classes]
Solving linear equations /linear models /
direct variation / least squares fitting / solving equations
graphically / complex numbers /
solving quadratic equations / quadratic models / solving linear and
quadratic inequalities.
Ch 3 Polynomial and
Rational Functions [3 classes]
Graphs of polynomial functions / polynomial
models / zeros of polynomial functions / graphs of rational
functions.
Ch 4 Exponential and
Logarithmic Functions [7 classes]
Exponential functions / logarithmic
functions / properties of logarithms / solving exponential equations /
exponential and logarithmic models.
Ch 5 Linear Systems
and Matrices [5 classes]
Linear systems in two variables / matrices /
operations on matrices / matrix methods for solving linear
systems / inverse of a square
matrix.
Ch 6 Sequences,
Series, and Probability [5 classes]
Sequences / arithmetic and geometric
sequences / series / counting principles / probability.
Ó2007 by Craig Kalicki PhD,