Syllabus Math 1005, College Algebra, Section 1, 5 credits, Fall 2009 Instructor: Trevor Brennan Office: SCC 115, Phone: 726-6239 Office Hours: M 2-3, T 9-10, Th 2-3, and also by appointment. Email: bren0271@d.umn.edu Website: www.d.umn.edu/~bren0271 Meeting Time: MTWTHF 8:00-8:50, in Engr 290. TEXTBOOK: College Algebra with Trigonometry. Barnett, Ziegler, Byleen. McGrawHill. 2008. Course Description:  This course covers basic concepts of solving equations and inequalities. It includes an introduction to function concept and graphing along with polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Course Content: The topics that we will cover are (time permitting) Prerequisites, Equations and Inequalities, Functions and Graphs, Polynomial and Rational Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, and Systems of Equations. Calculators:  A calculator may be useful at times.  However, any calculator that is capable of symbolic manipulation will not be allowed.  This includes the TI-89.  See the instructor if you are unsure if your calculator is acceptable.  You must show your work (thought process) for all problems, thus answers arrived at by calculator alone will be granted very few, if any, points.  The instructor may limit or disallow the use of a calculator on some or all quizzes and exams.  Sharing a calculator during a quiz or an exam will be considered cheating and result in an immediate zero. Communicating Devices:  Cellular telephones and other communication devices; including iPods, are prohibited during class.  Having any communicating device out or on during class may result in a zero for participation for that day or the most recent participation activity.  Please inform me of any circumstance that may need special consideration.  Having any communicating device out during a quiz or exam will be considered cheating and result in an immediate zero. Grading: Written Homework: 10%          Online Homework: 10%           Quizzes: 10%          Participation: 5%            Exams (3): 45%            Comprehensive Final: 20% Homework: Homework will be assigned every Tuesday at the beginning of the hour and will be due at the beginning of the hour each Tuesday (I will also post them on my website). Any homework that is late or put in my mailbox will not receive credit. Homework must conform to the HOMEWORK GUIDELINES.  Your solutions must show your thought process, not just the answer.  Answers without supporting work will not receive full credit. This means you should do your homework without using your calculator, (unless you have really big numbers to compute).  Cooperation on assignments is encouraged, but copied assignments will not be tolerated and will receive a score of zero.  Late homework will not be accepted. Online Homework: Online Homework will be assigned weekly.  Online Homework will be due before 11:59 p.m. on the due date (typically Mondays).  You are required to have access to a reliable internet connection during the semester in order to do this homework.  There are four basic computer labs on campus http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/labs/maps/index.html.  The online homework can be found www.aleks.com. The course code is P6PCG-HRFYQ. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given during class on most Thursdays.  The quizzes will typically cover the same material as the homework that was turned in on the previous Tuesday.  The lowest quiz score will be dropped.   If you have a documented illness or University excused absence, a quiz may be made up if prior arrangements are made with me. Exams and Final: There will be three exams and one final given during the semester.  I will announce the dates at least a week ahead of time in class.  The comprehensive final will be announced in class.  Makeup exams are only allowed for a documented illness or University excused absence if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.  Unless it is not possible, you must provide notice ahead of time to your instructor for the absence.  Arrangements for a makeup should be made as soon as you know you will miss.  Do not wait for the next class.  You can leave a voicemail or send an email 24 hours a day. Participation:  Throughout the semester I will have participation exercises, which may consist of worksheets, group work, games, etc.  These will not be announced and cannot be made up for any reason, so attending class on a regular basis is encouraged.  You are allowed to miss one participation day without penalty. If you have questions about any of the grading, please arrange to talk with me about it within a week of its return.  I will use egradebook to keep track of your scores.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you find an error.  Keep all homework, quizzes, and exams as proof of your scores. Student Academic Integrity Policy: Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/integrity/Academic_Integrity_Policy.htm. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders. Student Conduct Code: The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code (http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code). Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, emailing, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities. Special Needs: Individuals who have a disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their performance in this course, are encouraged to inform me at the beginning of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing may be arranged in order to meet your needs. Mental Health Statement: As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the UMD Health Service Counseling website at http://www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/counseling/ Tutoring Center: In addition to office hours, help is usually available M-F at the Tutoring Center in SCC 40. The website is http://www.d.umn.edu/tutoring.