College Algebra

Course Details

Course Number: 1233  Section Number: 109

Fall 2011

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 213

Days & Times:

MW 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

Course Attachments

Class Schedule  Math 1233 F11 MW Daily Schedule--20120329-165553.pdf

Textbooks

A Graphical Approach to College Algebra, 5th Ed.
Book is by Hornsby, Lial, Rockswold
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Dawn Slavens   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

COURSE DESCRIPTION (from 2010-2012 Undergraduate Catalog):    

Equations, inequalities, rational expressions, exponents, logarithms, radicals, functions, graphs, and systems of equations. Each student must have a graphing calculator.  

(This course is designed for students planning to take  additional mathematics.)                                                                                                                                                                         


Course Expectations

GRADING POLICY:   Grades will be calculated using the following method:

                    Daily                      16%                                

                    Exams 1, 2,& 3      48%  (16% each)                                                         

                    Mini Exams 1 & 2  16%   (8% each)

                    Final Exam             20%

 

If you have made every effort to succeed in this course (good attendance and an honest effort on homework assignments) and you are still having difficulty, seek help immediately.  The first step is to take advantage of the office hours set up by the instructor.  If the listed hours are unsuitable, see the instructor outside of class for individual appointments at mutually agreeable times or go to the math help sessions for help in room 101 (M-R 2-5 & F 1-4).

Homework/Quizzes:  Homework assignments will be given daily.  Completing all assignments with an emphasis towards understanding of concepts and strengthening your problem solving skills in the context of the mathematical concepts presented in class and the text is essential for successful completion of this course.  There will be frequent (nearly daily) short quizzes to assess students’ progress towards obtaining mastery of the College Algebra content.  No make-up quizzes will be given.  Two of your lowest quiz grades will be dropped before computing your daily average to compensate for up to two unavoidable absences.  


Grading Standards

See course requirements above.


Final Exam12/6/2011  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Submission Format Policy

All exams and quizzes will be done in class.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Make-up Exams: Make-up exams are not generally given; however, such exams may be given for an absence that is a result of a documented medical or personal emergency.  If a student is going to miss an exam due to an approved university activity, the student should request to take the exam early.   For missed exams, timely notification (for emergencies, on or before the scheduled day of the exam, and for approved university activities, a week prior to the scheduled day of the exam) is necessary to receive consideration to make up the missed exam or take the exam early.  Once an exam has been returned to the class, it is not possible to take a make-up. No student will be allowed to make up more than one exam. 

Make-up Quizzes: No make-up quizzes will be given.  Two of your lowest quiz grades will be dropped before computing your daily average to compensate for up to two unavoidable absences.  


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance: Midwestern State University’s Class Attendance Policy is stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.  You are expected to attend every class meeting.  The nature of the study of mathematics is such that absences may cause you to fall behind resulting in poor performance.  You are expected to be in your seat when class begins and remain for the entire period. Any student who accumulates more than 2 absences prior to Oct. 17th (last day to withdraw from any class) will be required to withdraw from the class or the instructor will process a withdrawal with an assigned grade of “F” or “WF.”  Further, any student with more than 4 absences at the end of the semester is subject to a one letter grade reduction in her/his course average. Exceptions to this attendance policy may be made by the instructor for an extenuating circumstance, but it is the responsibility of the student to request, in writing, the exception.  The request should include an explanation of the extenuating circumstance and provide appropriate documentation verifying the extenuating circumstance.


Other Policies

Calculator:  A graphing calculator is required for this course.  Bring your graphing calculator to each class meeting.

 Cell Phones and Pagers:  Please turn these off and put them away during class.  Incompliant students will be dropped from the class. 

 Adhering to Scheduled Class Time:  Students who need to leave class early should have permission from the instructor or be counted absent for the entire class period.  Students should make every effort to arrive to class on time and remain for the entire period.  Excessively leaving class early or arriving to class late will result in dismissal from the class with a grade of F.

 Cheating:  Evidence of cheating on any of the assessments from which your course grade will be determined will result in a grade of zero on the evaluated work and possibly a grade of F in the course.  No grades of zero that result from cheating will be dropped when course averages are computed. 

 Student Rights: All students should refer to the MSU Student Handbook for information related to student responsibilities, rights and activities.  Topics such as Student Affairs and Student Life, Academic Issues, Financial Issues, University Policies and Procedures, and Code of Student Conduct are included in this handbook. 

 Disability Policy:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.