College Algebra

Required Text & Supplement:
Text: Algebra & Trigonometry, Swokoski and Cole, Custom Edition, 2006.

Required Supplies:
Three ring binder, pencil, & scientific or graphing calculator

Course Description:
Exponents, factoring , equations, inequalities, functions, exponential and logarithmic functions ,
systems of equations , and matrices. Prerequisite: PDEV 100 or a minimum ACT Math score of
24 or a minimum MNSCU math placement score of 15. Some prior knowledge of algebra is
expected .

Course Objectives and Student Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate application of inductive and deductive reasoning.
• Evaluate complex relations using symbolic abstraction and generalization.
• Demonstrate problem solving using symbolic representation and manipulation.

Course Goals:
The student-learning goals of Math 127 include learning to work with exponents, radicals ,
polynomials , fractional expressions , exponentials, logarithms, and matrices; and applications of
all of these. It will prepare students for either Math 229 Fundamentals of Applied Mathematics
or Math 143 Trigonometry . Students who need to take Math 261 - (Calculus I) will need to take
Math 143 before Calculus.

Class Activity:
With the exception of exam days, each class day will start with discussion of the homework
problems followed by a lecture period for which guided notes will be provided. The guided
notes are basically an outline of what I will cover during that day, the details of which you will
have to fill in during the lecture. They save some time in copying the problems from the board,
but still serve to keep your attention on the lecture and help with being able to think about why I
am solving problems as I am, instead of just routine copying. The guided notes also include
practice problems that are to be completed mostly in-class to give you a chance to work
problems before doing the book assignment.

In addition to the Guided Notes, there are homework assignments for each section. It is in your
best interest to do all the homework even though most will not be graded it is your opportunity to
get the practice that is needed to become proficient on the material.

Course Outline:

Assignments are posted and regularly updated on the course Webpage listed above, and student
grades are posted within D2L. Bonus problems will be available on each test, but no extra credit
assignments will be available.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory in the sense that you will not be given an opportunity to make up work
from class that you miss, and it is up to you to learn the material on your own. For a known
absence due to military duty, jury duty, or other legal requirement, you must give me notice as
soon as feasible and prior to the absence if it will require missing an exam or quiz. For an
absence due to personal reasons such as illness or family emergencies, you should notify me as
soon as feasible, before the absence in most cases. In order for a makeup exam to be graded,
written documentation of the reason for the absence will be required. Examples are: a note from
the doctor saying you were seen (it does not have to say what you were seen for), a copy of the
police report for a minor car accident, funeral program or obituary, etc..

Absences due to family vacations, reunions, weddings, etc., are not excused absences. I expect
you to inform me of scheduled unexcused absences by Friday, July 6, 2007. Unexcused absences
will result in no credit on homework and quizzes missed, but you will receive copies of these
missed works to study from if you provide the requested notification. I count on you to plan to
attend such events around your class schedules if they come up during the session, especially
since the exam dates are already set.

Academic Honesty:
You are expected to do your own work. You may certainly work with others and get help on
homework assignments and labs, but the work you submit should be your own work. Note that
during exams you will not be allowed to get help from others. Make sure that you learn the
material while you do the homework and labs - that is the purpose of the assignments. Then
during the exam you can demonstrate your knowledge - that is the purpose of the exams.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any college course (or any course at any level).
See the MSUM Academic Honesty policy for more information and possible consequences of
cheating.

Evaluation:

1. Three Cumulative Unit Tests: 75-100 pts/each
2. Quizzes will occur about every other day: 10-15 pts/each
3. Select problems from the textbook, handouts, & Guide Notes: 5-10 pts/each
4. Comprehensive Final: 150 pts given Aug. 8^th

Grading Scale:
-98 A+; 97-92 A; 91-90 A-
89-88 B+; 87-82 B; 81-80 B-
79-78 C+; 77-72 C; 71-70 C-
69-68 D+; 67-62 D; 61-60 D-
59%- F

Assistance Available:

If you are having trouble please see Dr. Harms during office hours from 10:00-11:30 or make an
appointment. Study sessions are scheduled July 9^th, 17^th, 27^th and Aug. 6^th to provide extra test
preparation with Professor Harms, times to be announced. One-on-one tutoring is available at no
cost through Career Services and if you would like to take advantage of that see Professor Harms.
Drop in tutoring through the Math Department is available in Lommen 90-A from 9:00-1:00 M – F.

Special Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are
encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (voice) or
1-800-627-3529 (MSR/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion.

Cell Phones:

Please turn off your cell phone while in class to show respect to your classmates. If you use your
cell phone for a calculator and watch please make arrangements to get a scientific calculator and
watch.