Math 105 - Elementary Algebra
Syllabus
Instructor: David Arnold
Prerequisite Classes
Students entering the Elementary Algebra course are required to show
proof of a C or better in a Prealgebra course taken at a college. In
lieu of this prerequisite, students can take an assessment test in
the Academic Support Center (the ASC is in the library) to insure proper
placement in the course. Students are advised to see a counselor as
they can be quite helpful in placing students in a course commensurate
with their ability and background in mathematics.
Office Hours
You can find a copy of my schedule, including office hours,
here.
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.
Office Location and Phone
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Physical Science building PS114A
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Office phone: (707) 476-4222
Cancelled Classes
Those driving long distances to attend classes are advised to call
476-4210 before driving to the CR campus. Choose #5 from a menu of
choices. You will then be advised of any cancelled classes for the day
in the Physical Sciences complex (math/science). Thus, you can avoid
the frustration of driving to campus, only to find that your class has
been cancelled.
Email
My email address is: David-Arnold@redwoods.edu
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.
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Click the "More" button, then select the link "Edit your profile." Take
some time to fill in information you wish to share.
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If you wish, change your password at this point. Remember to write down
your login name and password. Save them in a safe place.
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When you are finished making changes to your User Profile, click the "Save"
button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
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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.
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Select your class list and reply to the "Welcome" message you find there.
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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.
Classroom Environment
It is expected that everyone involved in this class, teacher and
students alike, will act in a manner conducive to providing a comfortable
environment for learning, a classroom where students feel free to ask
and answer questions without fear of embarrassment or ridicule.
It is important to stay on task when class is in session. Hence,
conversation not pertaining to the subject at hand should be taken
outside the classroom.
I understand that students will have to get up and leave the room
for various reasons and I also understand that students will arrive
late from time to time. However, courtesy requires that you enter and
leave as quietly as possible, without disturbing discussion or
lecture.
It is essential for student success to maintain a good environment
in the classroom. If you have any personal difficulties with the
learning envrionment in the classroom, please visit me in my office to
discuss them.
Texts
We will be using
Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Graphs and Models,
Bittinger, Ellenbogen, and Johnson, Addison Wesley publishers
Calculators
The TI83 graphing calculator is an integral part
of the elemenatry algebra course. Indeed, department policy requires
the use of a graphing calculator in
all mathematics classes beyond prealgebra at the College.
It is possible to use a different graphing calculator, but it is
not recommended. Instructors will perform all demonstrations during
class on the TI83, so you will find it easiest to follow along if you
are using the same calculator.
The TI83 plus is the calculator of choice in all of the statistics
classes taught at the college. Thus, if you intend to take stats and you
are going to purchase a new calculator, we recommend that you
purchase the TI83 plus.
Examinations
There will be anwhere from four to six midterm examinations during the
semester, depending on pace and the amount of time left for
examination purposes. Students should sit for all examinations on the
day that they are administered. If you miss an examination, there is
no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up the
examination. Indeed, makeup examinations are given only at the
instructor's discretion.
Students who need special arrangements for examinations are
expected to meet with the instructor before each examination to insure
that all examination materials are on file in the Academic Support
Center (the ASC is in the library).
If you know ahead of time that you have a conflict that will
prevent you from sitting for an examination, please meet with me to
discuss alternatives.
Every student will be required to sit for a final, cumulative
examination. The time and day of this examination is posted in the
Schedule of Classes and students are expected to sit for the exam at
the time and on the day posted. No exceptions. Please keep this in
mind when making travel plans for December. Plan ahead!
I will replace your lowest midterm examination score with the score
of your final, if the final examination score is higher.
Quizzes
We will be having daily quizzes to monitor progress. At the end of the
term, I will take arrange your quiz scores in order, take the top 50%
of your scores, then assign a letter grade equivalent to one
examination score.
Homework
Homework will be assigned daily and will be due the next class
meeting. At the end of the semester, I will arrange your homework
scores in order, then use the top 85% of your scores to assign a
letter grade for homework that is equivalent in weight to one
examination score.
It is essential that students keep up with the homework on a daily
basis. Each time you come to class without your homework, you are not
prepared to take part in the class at a level geared to your
success. Therefore, students are encouraged to hand in homework on
time. However, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that many
students have to deal with outside the classroom. Consequently, I do
accept late homework (up to a point).
In order to facilitate the recording of homework scores, students
are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their
homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple
in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the paper, please
write down the assignement number, the pages that encompass the
assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the
first line of your homework might read:
Assignment #12, Page 150, #1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 23, 45
Grading the Homework
Homework will be graded in the following manner.
Suppose that I collect 40 assignments on the semester.
Then 85% of 40 is 34. I will select your top 34 homework scores and divide
by 340 (thirty-four assignments at 10 points apiece). I will calculate your
percentage by dividing your total points by 340 and I will then assign
a letter grade based on the following scale.
| 90-100% |
A |
| 80-89% |
B |
| 70-79% |
C |
| 60-69% |
D |
|
Below 60%
|
F |
Table 1. Homework Grading Scale
Note: If I only collect 36 assignments, then 75% of 36 is 30. I will
sum your top 30 scores, then divide by 300 and assign a letter grade based
on the scale indicated above.
In keeping with my philosophy that homework is a key to success, I
will replace your second lowest midterm score with your homework
score, if the homework score is higher.
Grades
Midterm exam scores will be totaled, curved, and assigned a letter grade.
All exams will count toward your final grade in the class. Your lowest
midterm will be replaced by the score on your student project.
A Grading Example
Suppose that your homework, quiz, and exam scores are as follows:
-
Exam Scores: A, B, C, D, B
-
Homework Score: B
- Quiz Score: C
-
Final Exam: B
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.
| Exam #1 |
A |
4 |
| Exam #2 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #3 |
C |
2 |
| Exam #4 |
D |
1 |
| Exam #5 |
B |
3 |
| Homework |
B |
3 |
| Quizzes |
C |
2 |
| Final |
B |
3 |
| Totals |
|
21 |
Table 1. Finding Your Grade
You have a total of 21 grade points. Because there are 8 scores, your
grade point average is 21/8 (approximately 2.6). This particular student
GPA (2.6) would only earn a C in the class.
Adjusting for Final Exam Score
Because the student final exam in this example is higher than the grade on
Exam #4, replace the grade on Exam #4 with the final exam grade, as follows:
| Exam #1 |
A |
4 |
| Exam #2 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #3 |
C |
2 |
| Exam #4 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #5 |
B |
3 |
| Homework |
B |
3 |
| Quizzes |
C |
2 |
| Final |
B |
3 |
| Totals |
|
23 |
Table 2. Finding Your Grade
The grade points now total 23. The average is 23/8 (approximately 2.9),
good enough for an B in the class. This is pretty good incentive to
work hard and do a good job on the final exam.
Adjusting for Homework Score
Because the student homework grade in this example is higher than the grade on
Exam #3, replace the grade on Exam #3 with the homework grade, as follows:
| Exam #1 |
A |
4 |
| Exam #2 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #3 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #4 |
B |
3 |
| Exam #5 |
B |
3 |
| Homework |
B |
3 |
| Quizzes |
C |
2 |
| Final |
B |
3 |
| Totals |
|
24 |
Table 3. Finding Your Grade
The grade points now total 24. The average is 24/8 (3.0),
good enough for an B in the class. In this case, the homework score
did not improve the overall grade, but for many it will be the case
that the homework score will boost the overall grade. This is good
incentive to work hard on your homework.
Final Grades.
After GPA’s are calculated, letter grades in the class are assigned on
the following basis.
| Above 3.4 |
A |
| 2.9-3.3 |
B |
| 2.0-2.8 |
C |
| 1.5-1.9 |
D |
| Below 1.5 |
F |
Table 4. Final Grades