Math 1005, College Algebra, Section 4, 5 credits, Fall 2009

Instructor: Ross Garberich
Office: Solon Campus Center 152
Webpage:http://www.d.umn.edu/~garb0074 (should be up and running within a week)
E-mail: garb0074@d.umn.edu
Phone: 218-726- 7153
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-3:30, Monday & Wednesday 3:00-4:00, or by appointment
Meeting Times: M-Th 4:00-5:05pm Chem 200

Prerequisites: Math ACT 18 or higher or SSP 0103

Text: College Algebra with Trigonometry 8th Edition by Barnett, Ziegler, and Byleen, ISBN: 978-0-07-331264-4 or 0-07-331264-9.

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. 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. 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.

Homework: Homework will be email to you for the first week and will be made available on my website after that. It will typically be turned in at the beginning of class on Thursday, unless otherwise notified. Any homework that is put in my mailbox or under my office door will not be graded unless you have gotten my prior approval. Homework must conform to the “RULES, SUGGESTIONS AND MINIMUM STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS HOMEWORK/LAB ASSIGNMENTS”. Your solutions must show your thought process, not just the answer. Answers without supporting work will not receive full credit. In addition, homework must be on only the front side of each sheet of loose leaf paper. Cooperation on assignments is encouraged, but you must turn in your own work. Not all of the homework problems will be graded; some may simply be checked to see if you completed them.

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 XFXMC – 3HVCA .

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.  

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 that week. 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 and post them on my website. The tentative dates are Thursday October 1 st, Thursday October 29 th, and Thursday December 3. 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.

Grading: The final grade will be computed according to the following weights:

Written Homework: 10%
Online Homework: 10%
ALEKS Assessment 5%
Quizzes 10%
Participation 5%
Exams (3 @ 15% each): 45%
Comprehensive Final: 15%

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 (http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook) to keep track of your scores. There is also a link on my website. Please let me know as soon as possible if you find an error. (A zero may mean that the score hasn’t been recorded yet. So, wait a day and check again.) 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/assl/conduct/integrity. 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.

Tutoring Center: In addition to my office hours, help is usually available M-F at the Tutoring Center in SCC 40. The website is http://www.d.umn.edu/tutoring .