Elementary Algebra with Geometry

Office Hours.

T 8:00 – 9:00		*and by appointment
WR 9:00 – 10:00
F 9:00 – 11:00

Textbook. Elementary Algebra for College Students, Early Graphing, Second Edition by Allen R. Angel.

Calculator. A non-graphing scientific calculator is required for this course. Graphing calculators, cell
phones, PDA’s, etc… will not be allowed on exams and you may not share calculators with other
students. If you have any questions regarding the acceptability of a calculator please see me.

Course Description. A first course in algebra. Topics include but are not limited to, solving linear
equations and inequalities , arithmetic operations on polynomials, factoring polynomials, introduction
to rational and quadratic equations , simplifying expressions containing integer exponents, introduction
to radicals and rational expressions, graphing linear equations, solving systems of two linear equations,
and appropriate applications of these topics. In addition to regular homework assignments, student will
be required to spend an average of one hour each week outside of class time on a supplemental
learning activity as determined by the instructors (worksheets, computer software or other media).
Four class hours per week; four fee hours; four imputed credits; no earned credits.

Prerequisite. TRS 094 with a grade of C or better, or MCC Level 4 Mathematics Placement.

Homework. A list of suggested homework assignments will be handed out at the beginning of each
testing unit. These problems will not be collected for grading. Most problems will be odd
numbered and thus you can look up their answers in the back of the text. You cannot learn
mathematics effectively without a lot of practice, so it is very important that you keep up with the
assignments and seek help when you have trouble.

5^th Hour Assignments. To meet the requirements stated in the course description you will be required
to complete weekly computer based assignments. More details regarding this requirement will be
given by the second week of classes.

Quizzes. There will be at least 5 quizzes (any others will replace your lowest quiz grades). Quiz dates
will be announced ahead of time and will be given during the last 10 – 15 minutes of class.

Tests. There will be 4 tests and a comprehensive, departmental final exam. You must take the final
exam to pass the course. All test dates will be announced at least one week in advance.

Respect for self and others in words and deeds
 Responsibility for one’s own success through personal accountability
  Reality of the expectations and standards in a college environment

Attendance. Attendance is very important and is expected of you. I will be taking attendance at the
beginning of each class. Any student with more than 6 absences may be withdrawn from the
course and will not be eligible for: bonus points, make-ups, dropped 5^th hour computer
assignments, or the re-weighting of one’s grade based on a sufficiently high final exam score (see
^* under the Course Grade Breakdown section). Being late to class is very disruptive to the learning
environment and will not be tolerated. If lateness becomes a problem, I will request that you do not
attend class on days that you do not arrive on time. You are fully responsible for obtaining any work
or information missed due to your absence.

Make-up Policy. Assuming that you have not exceeded 6 absences, make-ups will only be given
when an absence is unavoidable. In this case, you must contact me as soon as possible ( preferably in
advance of the absence). Do NOT show up to the class following an exam and tell me that you missed
the exam and need to make it up. If a make-up time cannot be arranged prior to the exam being
returned to the class, you will have to wait until the final week of classes to make up the test.

Withdrawal. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate any withdrawal in accordance with
procedures stated in the College’s Withdrawal Policy (found in the Catalog & Student Handbook).
Failure to formally withdraw may result in receiving an “F” grade. You can pick up the necessary
forms for withdrawal in the Registration and Records Office. The last day for a student to withdrawal
from an individual course with a grade of “W” is Friday, April 27.

Cell Phones. During class time, cell phones must be turned off. Even when a phone is placed on
vibration mode it is still distracting and disruptive. For an initial offense you will be given a warning.
Subsequent offenses will result in your being reported to Student Services for being disruptive to the
classroom environment and excessive offenses may result in your being withdrawn from the class.

Academic Honesty Policy. Students should be familiar with the college’s position on Academic
Honesty Policy, which may be found on pages 241 – 242 of the 2006/2007 Catalog and Student
Handbook. First time violation of this policy will result in a zero grade on the test or assignment, and
any subsequent violation will result in an F grade in the course.

Mathematics Learning Center (MLC). In addition to my office hours, tutoring and other resources
are available in the MLC. The spring 2007 hours for the MLC are as follows:

Room 11-204 is the learning center’s study and tutoring area where students are welcome to study
in groups or alone and is staffed by professional mathematics tutors. In addition, copies of
textbooks and their solutions manuals for all mathematics courses offered, and scientific and
graphing calculators are available at the student aide desk for room use only with an MCC photo
ID.

Room 11-206 is the learning center’s computer room. It houses approximately 60 PC’s that are
available for students to use on a drop in basis. Several mathematical software packages are
available on these computers for your use.

Course Outline.

Testing Unit 1: Sections 1.1 – 1.10, 2.1 – 2.7
Testing Unit 2: Sections 3.1 – 3.5, 4.1 – 4.4, 5.1 – 5.4
Testing Unit 3: Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 – 6.6, 7.1 – 7.6
Testing Unit 4: Sections 8.1 – 8.4, 8.6, 8.7, 9.1, 9.2, 9.6, 9.7
Testing Unit 5: Sections G.1 – G.7 from the Geometry Supplement
(^*Note: The material from Testing Unit 5 will only be tested on the final exam.)

Course Grade Breakdown:

Quizzes: 10%
5th Hour Assignments: 14%
Tests: 56% (4 tests @ 14% each)		see * below
Final Exam: 20%

^*In the case that your final exam score is higher than your lowest test score, your lowest test will be weighted at
5% and your final exam will be weighted at 29%. This opportunity does not apply to those with more than 6
absences (see the Attendance section).

Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale (course averages will be rounded to the nearest
whole number).

Additional Information

Emergency Closings. If the College is closed due to inclement weather or some other emergency, all Rochester
area radio and television stations will be notified no later than 5:30 a.m. In addition, the homepage on the MCC
website will display a message indicating the College is closed. Please do not call the
College to avoid overloading the telephone lines .

Class cancellation information is available daily on the web or through the telephone. Simply go to the MCC
website and under the “Quick Links” window on the homepage, click on “Class
Cancellations”. Additionally, class cancellation information is available by dialing 292-2066, press “1” for the
Brighton Campus and “2” for the Damon Campus. If possible, please use the web as there could be delays in
the voice recordings based on the number of cancellations.

Learning Centers. Monroe Community College has a number of Learning Centers at Brighton (for example,
Accounting, Math, Psychology, Writing, the Electronic Learning Center, etc.) and at Damon (for example, the
Integrated Learning Center, Electronic Learning Center, etc.). Learning centers are staffed with instructional
personnel and may be equipped with computers and software to assist students.

***Policies are subject to change with notification given to the student***