Math 30 --- College Algebra

Syllabus

Instructor: David Arnold

Office Hours

Monday 9:00-10:00
Tuesday 9:00-10:00
Wednesday 2:00-3:00
Thursday 9:00-10:00
Friday 9:00-10:00

Office Location and Phone

Physical Science building PS100
Office phone: (707) 476-4222

Note: These are "official" office hours. However, I will make myself available whenever I can. Please do not be afraid to ask for help at any time as I am always eager to help.

Email

My email address is David-Arnold@Eureka.redwoods.cc.ca.us.

WebBoard

There is a marvelous piece of software on our webserver that enables you to interact with your instructor and classmates online. The software is called WebBoard. On my home page, you will find an icon that looks like this:

Clicking on this icon will take you to the login screen for the WebBoard software. Select New User. You will be presented with with a form containing a number of fields. Fill in the appropriate information. Some fields, like a return email address, are mandatory. Other fields are optional. Write down your login name and password and keep it in a safe place. Once you've completed the information, click the "Create" button to build your profile.

Return to my home page, click the WebBoard icon, enter your new login name and password, then click the "Enter" button to log onto the system.

Once inside the WebBoard system, you'll want to complete some introductory tasks.

Click the "More" button, then select the link "Edit your profile." Take some time to fill in information you wish to share.
If you wish, change your password at this point. Remember to write down your login name and password. Save them in a safe place.
When you are finished making changes to your User Profile, click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
Take some time to explore some of the features of the WebBoard. Note that there is a "Help" button with information on the inner workings of the WebBoard.
Select your class list and post a "Hello" message.
Finally, there is one very important thing you have to do when a session is finished. You have to log off. There is a "Log Off" button provided for logging off. If you don't do this, and simply close up your browser, your connection stays open on the server. You won't notice any difference at your end, but if our server becomes overcrowded with open connections of people who failed to log off properly, server performance could degrade, or worse yet, crash the server. So, always log off at the end of a session. If you log off properly, you will be returned to the division web page in your browser.

Whenever you have a question, either during the day or late at night, post it to the WebBoard. Hopefully, someone will be watching and provide a solution to your question.

Always be polite with your questions and responses. The WebBoard is a privilege, not a right. User that abuse this privilege, making jokes or being rude, will be denied further access to the WebBoard.

Texts

College Algebra, Graphs and Models, Second Edition, Addison Wesley
There is also an accompanying Study Guide.

Calculators

This course carries an intensive calculating load. We will use the TI-83 in class, but other calculators will work just as well: TI-86, TI-89, TI-92, HP48-GX, to name a few. Several of these calculators will also do symbolic calculation, taking derivatives, integrals, etc. However, I will have to curtail the use of some of these features, particularly on examinations, as I expect all symbolic work to be done by hand. There are several reasons for this policy, foremost of which is my desire to keep the entire class on a common playing field. I don't want any student to have an advantage over another simply because he has a more powerful, expensive calculator. I'll have more to say about this policy as the class progresses.

Classroom Materials

We will be using a ton of graph paper in the course so it is important that you buy in quantity at the best price that you can find.

Purchase only quad ruled graph paper, which is 4 squares per inch. Anything finer will make the plotting and reading of graphs difficult.
Engineering graph paper is excellent graph paper: it will help you complete your homework more quickly and aid in cutting down in mistakes. However, it is more expensive than regular graph paper. Check the CR and HSU bookstores. The price for this paper varies widely so shop around for the best price you can find.

You will need a clear plastic straight-edge. It is important that you can easily see your work through your clear plastic straight-edge.

Homework

Homework will be assigned daily and graded. Each homework assignment will be worth 10 points. The homework schedule is given in the Assignment Sheet and is distributed on the first day of class.

Homework Collection Policy

I will not collect all of the homework assignments. However, on certain randomly selected class days, I will ask for the homework. Because you will never know which days I will be collecting the homework, you must be prepared with your homework on a daily basis.

Late Homework Policy: If you do not have your homework ready at the moment that I collect it, then I will not accept it. Late homework is never accepted.
Homework Weight: Homework will be graded and will count the equivalent of one exam in the final grading process.
The 75% Rule: Suppose that I collect 40 assignments on the semester. Then 75% of 40 is 30. I will select your top 30 homework scores and divide by 300 (thirty assignments at 10 points apiece). I will calculate your percentage by dividing your total points by 300 and I will then assign a letter grade based on the following scale.

**Table 1.** Homework Grading Scale
90-100%	A
80-89%	B
70-79%	C
60-69%	D
Below 60%	F

Note: If I only collect 36 assignments, then 75% of 36 is 27. I will sum your top 27 scores, then divide by 270 and assign a letter grade based on the scale indicated above.

Examinations

You will have 4-5 midterm examinations periodically throughout the semester, and a final exam at the end of the semester.

Makeup Exam Policy

There are no makeup exams. Exams should be taken on the day they are administered. If you do not show for an exam, you receive an F for that exam. Any exceptions to this rule are at the instructor’s discretion. You should contact me only in extreme emergencies.

Final Examination

The final exam will be administered only on the posted day and time. No early or late final exams will be given. Keep this in mind when making travel plans for the end of the semester. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Note well: You must take the final to receive a grade in the course.

Here are two very important benefits and reminders regarding the final examination:

If your final exam score is higher than your lowest test score, I will replace your lowest test score with your final exam score.
If your homework grade is higher than your second lowest exam score, then I will replace that exam score with your homework grade.

Grades

Exam scores will be totaled, curved, and assigned a letter grade. All exams will count toward your final grade in the class.

A Grading Example

Suppose that your homework and exam scores are as follows:

Exam Scores: B, B, B, C, D
Homework: A
Final Exam: A

Let’s total your grade points and compute your grade point average (GPA). An A is worth 4 points, a B is worth 3 points, a C is worth 2 points, a D is worth 1 point, and an F is worth 0 points.

**Table 2.** Finding Your Grade
Exam #1	B	3
Exam #2	B	3
Exam #3	B	3
Exam #4	C	2
Exam #5	D	1
Homework	A	4
Final Exam	A	4
Totals		20

You have a total of 20grade points. Because there are 7 scores, your grade point average is 20/7 (approximately 2.8). This particular student GPA (2.8) would only earn a C in the class.

Adjusting for the Final Exam

Because the final exam in this example is higher than the grade on Exam #5, replace the grade on Exam #5 with the final exam grade, as follows:

**Table 3.** Adjusting for the Final Exam
Exam #1	B	3
Exam #2	B	3
Exam #3	B	3
Exam #4	C	2
Exam #5	A	4
Homework	A	4
Final Exam	A	4
Totals		23

The grade points now total 23. The average is 23/7 (approximately 3.2), good enough for an B in the class.

Adjusting for the Homework Score

Because the homework grade is higher than the grade on Exam #4, replace the Exam #4 score with the homework grade.

**Table 4.** Adjusting for the Homework Grade
Exam #1	B	3
Exam #2	B	3
Exam #3	B	3
Exam #4	A	4
Exam #5	A	4
Homework	A	4
Final Exam	A	4
Totals		25

Your GPA is now 25/7 (approximately 3.6), good enough for an A in the class. This is a pretty good incentive to do well on the final and work hard through the remaining weeks of school.

Final Grades.

After GPA’s are calculated, letter grades in the class are assigned on the following basis.

**Table 5.** Final Grades
Above 3.4	A
2.9-3.3	B
2.0-2.8	C
1.5-1.9	D
Below 1.5	F