Syllabus for 2012 Spring Online Math 903 (sec # 18184) and Online Math 904 (sec # 18190)

General Information
Instructor:  John Nakahama
Office Location:  N1-101D
Email:  john_nakahama@wvm.edu (all students please use Angel email when school is in session)
Office Hours:  T&Th 11:00 am-12:30 pm, M&W 12:30 pm-1:00 pm and by appointment

Course Materials
Beginning & Intermediate Algebra, 4th edition, Elayn Martin Gay
MyMathLab (Note: Students who do not set up a CourseCompass account by Wednesday, Feb 1 will be dropped.)
CourseCompass Course ID:  attend the orientation to get this information
CourseCompass webpage:  http://www.coursecompass.com/

On-Campus Exam Dates
Sat, Jan 28:  Orientation, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, room number N3-501  (students will be dropped/not added who do not attend the orientation)
Sat, Mar 03:  Exam 1, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, room number N3-501  (exam covers 1.2-2.6)
Sat, Apr 07:  Exam 2, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, room number N3-501  (covers 2.7-5.1)
Sat, May 12:  Exam 3, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, room number N3-501  (covers 5.2-7.2)
Sat, May 19:  Final Exam, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, room number N3-501 (covers 1.2-7.7)
Students who miss an exam need to make it up by the following Tuesday during office hours, otherwise a grade of 0 will be assigned.

CourseCompass Quiz/HW Schedule (due 11:50 pm)
02/04:   1.2, 1.3, 1.4
02/11:   1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
02/18:   2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
02/25:   2.5, 2.6, 2.7
03/03:   2.8, 3.1, 3.2
03/10:   3.3, 3.4, 3.5
03/17:   3.6, 4.1, 4.2
03/24:   4.3, 4.5, 5.1
04/07:   5.2, 5.3, 5.4
04/14:   5.5, 5.6, 6.1
04/21:   6.2, 6.3, 6.4
04/28:   6.5, 6.6, 6.7
05/05:   7.1, 7.2
05/12:   7.3, 7.4, 7.5
05/18:   7.6, 7.7

Course Content
Section 1.2 - Symbols and Sets of Numbers 
Section 1.3 - Fractions 
Section 1.4 - Introduction to Variable Expressions and Equations 
Section 1.5 - Adding Real Numbers 
Section 1.6 - Subtracting Real Numbers 
Section 1.7 - Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers 
Section 1.8 - Properties of Real Numbers 
Section 2.1 - Simplifying Algebraic Expressions 
Section 2.2 - The Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality 
Section 2.3 - Solving Linear Equations 
Section 2.4 - An Introduction to Problem Solving 
Section 2.5 - Formulas and Problem Solving 
Section 2.6 - Percent and Mixture Problem Solving 
Section 2.7 - Further Problem Solving 
Section 2.8 - Solving Linear Inequalities 
Section 3.1 - Reading Graphs and the Rectangular Coordinate System 
Section 3.2 - Graphing Linear Equations 
Section 3.3 - Intercepts 
Section 3.4 - Slope and Rate of Change 
Section 3.5 - Equations of Lines 
Section 3.6 - Functions 
Section 4.1 - Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing 
Section 4.2 - Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution 
Section 4.3 - Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Addition 
Section 4.5 - Systems of Linear Equations and Problem Solving 
Section 5.1 - Exponents 
Section 5.2 - Polynomial Functions and Adding and Subtracting Polynomials 
Section 5.3 - Multiplying Polynomials 
Section 5.4 - Special Products 
Section 5.5 - Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation 
Section 5.6 - Dividing Polynomials 
Section 6.1 - The Greatest Common Factor and Factoring by Grouping 
Section 6.2 - Factoring Trinomials of the Form x2 + bx + c 
Section 6.3 - Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c and Perfect Square Trinomials 
Section 6.4 - Factoring Trinomials of the Form ax2 + bx + c by Grouping 
Section 6.5 - Factoring Binomials 
Section 6.6 - Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring 
Section 6.7 - Quadratic Equations and Problem Solving 
Section 7.1 - Rational Functions and Simplifying Rational Expressions 
Section 7.2 - Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions 
Section 7.3 - Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Common Denominators and Least Common Denominator 
Section 7.4 - Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators 
Section 7.5 - Solving Equations Containing Rational Expressions 
Section 7.6 - Proportion and Problem Solving with Rational Equations 
Section 7.7 - Simplifying Complex Fractions

Grading Policy and Notes
Grade Distribution
    Online Homework:  10%
    Online Quizzes:  12%
    Online Posting:  3%
    Exam 1:  15%
    Exam 2:  15%
    Exam 3:  15%
    Final Exam:  30%
Grading Scale
    A:  100%-90%
    B:  89%-80%
    C:  79%-70%
    D:  69%-60%
    F:  59%-0%

The final exam grade will replace the lowest of the three exam grades (if this is possible). The final exam is comprehensive.  An online quiz can only be taken if the online homework is completed with a grade of at least 80%.  Any online quiz can be taken three times.  The highest quiz score will count.  Students will lose the points for online homework and online quizzes not completed by the due dates (due dates are in CourseCompass and given above).  Students will no longer have access to the homework and quizzes after the due dates.  Quizzes and homework must be completed by 11:50 pm of the due date.  Students can practice on non-credit homework under if they no longer have access to the graded online homework (the credit and non-credit homework have the same content).  Students must post on the CourseCompass discussion board for each lesson covered in the course. Please be professional and courteous. Write about anything interesting you learned or on anything you are having difficulty with. You can add a thread to another student's post (words of encouragement, advice or suggestive comments).  Don't forget that all students in the class can read the postings in the Discussion Board, so only post information you want to share with other students.  Students are not allowed to use any type profanity or offensive language in the Discussion Board.

Pass/No Pass Option
Notification to elect Pass/No Pass option by the 5th week is a requirement.

Student Conduct
Please don't create a situation where I would have to question your academic integrity.  I expect all my students to earn their grade honestly.  Students will receive zero points on any exam where there is evidence that academic misconduct has occurred.

Disability Policy
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.  Please contact DISC (Disability Instructional Support Center) in S2-201, (408.855.5085 or 408.727.9243 TTY) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with verifiable documentation.

Student Learning Outcomes
The Mathematics Department at Mission College offers courses at three levels: basic skills, associate’s degree, and transfer. Students completing mathematics courses will be able to: Solve problems using mathematical terminology, symbols, operations, and techniques according to the course content and level of study; Apply technology including calculators and computers to mathematical problems; Improve computational and problem-solving skills; Construct mathematical models of “real life” problems and draw conclusions from these models; Formulate and test mathematical conjectures; Adapt general mathematical techniques to course-specific problems; Display logical thought process; and value mathematical ways of thinking. Students will be assessed through written homework, quizzes, tests, and/or oral and written projects.

Emergency Information
In case of a campus emergency (campus is closed due to an emergency), please check Angel for information about the class.  Your instructor may also email the class.  Please update your email address with the college using MyWebServices.

This syllabus is subject to change. The syllabus posted in Angel is the full version.  Last updated on 01/13/12.

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