Student Learning Outcomes for College Algebra

1. The students will demonstrate factual knowledge including the mathematical notation and
terminology used in this course. Students will read, interpret, and use the vocabulary, symbolism,
and basic definitions used in college algebra including the real numbers , exponents, radicals ,
polynomials, factoring , functions, equations, inequalities, and graphs.

2. The students will describe the fundamental principles including the laws and theorems arising
from the concepts covered in this course. Students will identify and apply the laws and formulas
that result directly from the definitions; for example, the quadratic formula, rules of exponents, and
properties of logarithms .

3. The students will apply course material along with techniques and procedures covered in this
course to solve problems. Students will use the facts, formulas, and the techniques learned in this
course to simplify algebraic expressions, graph functions, and solve inequalities, equations and
systems of equations .

4. The students will develop specific skills, competencies, and thought processes sufficient to
support further study or work in this field or related fields. Students will acquire a level of
proficiency in the fundamental concepts and applications necessary for further study in academic
areas requiring college algebra as a prerequisite, or for work in occupational fields requiring a
background in algebra. These fields might include education, business, finance, marketing, computer
science, physical sciences, and engineering, as well as mathematics.

Course Content

Textbook: College Algebra, Ninth Edition, by Gustafson and Frisk. Content consists of the following
topics, listed according to the corresponding chapters in the text. (See textbook “Contents.”) Individual
instructors will supplement this core material with additional topics.

0. A Review of Basic Algebra: Sets of Real Numbers; Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation;
Rational Exponents and Radicals; Polynomials; Factoring Polynomials; Algebraic Fractions.

1. Equations and Inequalities : Equations, Applications of Linear Equations; Quadratic Equations;
Applications of Quadratic Equations; Complex Numbers ; Polynomial and Radical Equations;
Inequalities; Absolute Value .

2. The Rectangular Coordinate System and Graphs of Equations : The Rectangular Coordinate
System; The Slope of a Nonvertical Line; Writing Equations of Lines.

3. Functions: Functions and Function Notation; Quadratic Functions.

4. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: Exponential Functions and Their Graphs; Logarithmic
Functions and Their Graphs; Properties of Logarithms .

6. Linear Systems : Systems of Linear Equations.