Math 11011
College Algebra: Syllabus

Instructor: Dr Om Ahuja

Office: KSU Geauga Room 125

Phone: (440)834-4187, 834-3720

Email: oahuja@kent.edu

Website address: http://www.math.kent.edu/~oahuja

Math Clinic/Office Hours:

Geauga
11:00 AM to 12:50 PM
2:40PM to 3:00 PM

Twinsburg
04:30 PM to 5:00PM
6:40PM to 7:00PM

Wednesdays:

Geauga
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
2:40PM to 3:00 PM

Twinsburg
4:30PM to 5:00PM
6:40PM to 7:00PM

Other hours are by availability or by appointment. Also please note that Math Clinic will be immediately before and/or just after each class, generally in the classroom itself, depending on students' availability and room. Please realize that I truly enjoy working with my students inside as well as outside the class and I have an open door policy. Come in alone or with a friend (or friends) from the class. We'll all experience the benefits of working and learning together.

Teaching Philosophy:

Syllabus:

1. Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays 05:00 pm to 6:40pm (Twinsburg), Computer Lab.

2. Pre-requisite: Math 10005 or Appropriate Placement Test is essential pre-requisite. In brief, knowledge of beginning algebra and geometry as given in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the textbook is pre-requisite for this course. However, for your convenience, I have prepared review modules on my website. I strongly recommend that you download review modules (on beginning algebra) from my Website and review it during the first week at home. Ask me for any help or an extra class, if you have difficulties in understanding review materials. Note that students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.

3. General Course Information:

College Algebra is an important course for your success in college education. As a consequence, I will try to give you as many different opportunities to learn College Algebra as possible. But, it is your responsibility to keep up and do the work that is required for you to be successful in the course. Your goal should be to make a grade of A or B in the course. To do this you need to attend every class, participate in the in-class and out-class activities, regularly do all your homework, make peer study groups, make use of free Tutoring Service and do lots of extra practice before tests. It is strongly recommended that you make every effort to finish the required material and prepare for each test as early as possible. You do not have to and should not wait until the last day of a testing period to take your test. Also remember that the ability to learn from the text and class lessons is a skill, which you should try to develop.

4. Course Objectives:

The principal objective of this course is the understanding of the concepts and techniques of elementary college algebra and the use of them in solving problems that arise in real world applications. This understanding will be developed not only through the use of algebraic manipulations, but also through the use of the visual aid provided by Derive, a mathematical software. The emphasis of this course will be on the development of problem-solving skills rather than on memorization of formulas. Other objectives of this course are:

a. To help you to prepare for the study of calculus and other higher courses in mathematics;
b. To help you to succeed in nonmathematical courses that requires a strong foundation of algebra (e.g. economics, business studies, computer science, physics, engineering, etc).
c. To provide you an opportunity to learn about the beauty and practical power of mathematics.

5. Required Textbook: College Algebra (Third Edition) by James Stewart, Lother Redlin, and Saleem Watson.

6. Web-based course Materials: (http://www.math.kent.edu/~oahuja): The whole course is divided into 23 modules. Each module is written in the form of animated and dynamic PowerPoint slides which you can download from any computer. If you do not have PowerPoint in your home computer, you may download PDF file or free PowerPoint Viewer linked with my Website. I recommend you download and print each module using handout option with 3 slides per page. Note that there are many homework problems and worksheets in these modules. Also, please use the Discussion Forum and other materials available on my website. Note that you need password for my website.

7. Other Recommended Material: Please refer to Page XVI of your Textbook.

8. Use of Technology:

i. All students are required to have a scientific calculator with logarithmic and exponential capabilities. Note that no graphic calculators are allowed in class tests and final exam.
ii. A mathematical software called "Derive 5" will be used in projects or laboratory activities. This software is available on all the computers on the Campus.
iii. We shall use the BCA website for online assignments, online tests, and online practice sets. Please remember the website address:

http://bca.bcaeast.com

On this BCA website, please follow the following steps:

(a) Click the LOGIN button on Front Porch page

(b) Find your school using the search fields: In first box, type OHIO, in second box, type KENT. Enter and then click KENT STATE UNI-GEAUGA

(c) Type the PIN CODE:
              E-58MHP5P8867KA

(d) Click LOGIN to enter.

(e) Select a Username & Password you'll remember but will be challenging to decode.

(f) Fill-in registration form.

(g) For Subsequent USE: You will simply type in your USER NAME and Password

9. Course Description: Topics include linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic functions and their graphs. This course will integrate technology with the standard topics of College Algebra. Problems will be solved using analytic, numerical and graphical techniques.

10.Topic Outline: The course will cover the above-mentioned topics related to Chapters 1 through Chapter 6 in the textbook. If time allows, we shall also cover a part of Chapter 7. Since Chapters 1 and 2 are prerequisites, it is strongly recommended that you should study Chapters 1 and 2 OR REVIEW MODULES on my website, at home.

11. Point Distribution: Final Grade will be based on:

a. Full Attendance; Avoid Arriving Late Or Leaving Early From Class. Being late to class or leaving early is disruptive, inconsiderate and discourteous to your professor and the rest of the students; moreover, these things may be regarded as absences and affect your grades.

b. Pagers and cell phones. Use of cell phones in the classroom will not be permitted; you may not bring one into the classroom unless the ringer is turned OFF.

c. Respect your fellow students and never disturb others. As per university policy, disciplinary action may be taken if you disturb the class.

14. Unannounced Graded Class Activities: From time to time, their will be unannounced graded class activities. There will be no make-up graded activity. However, one absence (with score zero) or the lowest score, will be dropped.

15. Daily Home Work (200 Points)

Submission of Weekly Home Work: Daily homework will be assigned at the end of each lesson. Homework will be collected on every Wednesday. Please note that the assigned homework on Monday and Wednesday of a previous week will be tabled on the following Wednesday as soon as you enter the class. Remember that Wednesday of every week is the only day when you hand in the previous week homework or any late homework with at 10% or more penalty. If you have a late HW because of medical reasons and you want to avoid penalty, submit a medical certificate along with the late homework on the following Wednesday. If you are absent, it is entirely your responsibility to know what was assigned and covered in your absence. Make a friend and ask him or her on phone or by email about your HW in the class.

Completion of homework is crucial to the student's success in this course. Homework problems will be assigned and checked on weekly basis. The homework (only for that week) must be kept in a pocket folder (no binders or notebooks or previous graded homework) with each section stapled. Problems must be worked neatly in numerical order and with pencil. At the top of first page of a homework, please write date, homework number, and Chapter/Section.

Grading Homework: Homework may be graded partially or totally. I may grade all even-numbered questions and some other specific problem(s) or just look for completeness. I am interested in the solution of problems not just their answers. Only answers- without solutions - from the text book will not be accepted. In addition, your homework score will also depend on the following criteria:

(a) Honest attempt

(b) Clarity and completeness of all solutions

(c) Clear evidence of self-checking answers/solutions of all the questions

(d) Regularity in doing homework (10% penalty for first week and 25% for two or more weeks of late unexcused work)

Extra Problem Solving Folder (20 Bonus points): After finishing your homework, do as many extra practice problems as you can. If there is any doubt about the solution of any question, please ask in class or outside class. Remember to PRACTICE. Extra Practice Exercises and class notes should be kept in a separate folder and should be neat, complete, and organized. You may submit this folder during the last week of classes for your bonus points.

Note : DO all of the problems of homework and do them again until you KNOW how you did it!

16. Web-based Quizzes and Take-Home Tests on BCA: You will be assigned some of the quizzes on my website, take-home tests and practice sets on BCA website. You may go to BCA website from links in my website, or click on BCA website http://bca.brookscole.com to do a take-home test or practice set. You can access these websites from any computer any time.

17. Mid Term Tests: The syllabus, dates, structure, and policy for each test will be discussed during the class time, about a week before each test. In the event that a student misses a test, a zero will be assigned for that test score. A makeup test (in Louis Senera's office) may be given under special circumstances.

18. Web-Based Discussion Forum and Journal/Project Writing: You are expected to contribute in discussion on this Forum. In order to receive credit, you must include your name. In this forum, you may discuss any concepts or problems that you have not completely understood, topics you particularly enjoyed, or concerns you may have relating to the class. You may also provide solution or answer to any question raised by other students in your class.

19. Comprehensive Final Exam (250 points): The final exam will be comprehensive and is required of all students. The Final Exam will be closed book and closed-note and will consist of problems similar or identical to homework, class work, handouts, and Class Tests. There is no make-up final exam. The final exam is on FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, December 15 From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

20. Free Math Tutoring: If you have many difficulties in doing homework problems or if you do not get good grades in tests, you may see Louise Senra in Room 128 and request for a math tutor on a regular basis.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

In accordance with the University Policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Geauga campus students should contact and submit the appropriate documentation to Louise Senra, Student Disabilities Representative (Room 128).

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Cheating means to intentionally misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offence at the Kent State University. The penalties for cheating and/or plagiarizing are serious, and academic sanctions can range from the instructor's refusal to accept the work, an assignment of the grade of "F" or zero for the project, the assignment of an "F" for the course, or even revocation of the degree. A student may also face additional sanctions under the Code of Student Conduct, which may result in probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to changes upon my discretion.

TEN MOST BENEFICIAL TIPS FOR SUCCEEDING IN THIS COURSE:

1) Do not miss classes and be regular in doing your homework.
2) Read relevant chapter of your textbook before class: Use paper and pencil, read concepts and workout textbook examples and highlight questions you wish ask next day in the class.
3) Pay attention, listen carefully, ask and answer questions in class.
4) Get involved in class affairs and participate in class presentation.
5) Before starting your homework, review your class notes, and then clarify them using the textbook.
6) Try not to leave any homework question unanswered.
7) Try to first understand (not just memorize) the concepts and skills, then practice the skills with understanding, by doing as many problems as necessary.
8) Using 3 X 5 index card for every new mathematical word and new formula might be a useful idea. You can use them as reference when you do your assignment.
9) Make a small group of 2 or 3 fellow students. It always helps to discuss math with each other, so get their phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
10) Keys to good exam preparation: (i) Set the goal of getting a good score, (ii) Start your preparation as early as possible, (iii) Practice to make that score a reality. Think positively towards algebra: Others have done it - you can do it too!