Math 30 - College Algebra
Fall 2008
Hybrid Course

Back to Math 30 Page

Instructor: Michelle Moreno
Phone: 707-476-4100 ext. 4900
Office: PS 119C
Office hours: Monday 3-4 pm
Math Lab hours: Wednesday 3:30-5:00
E-mail: michelle-moreno@redwoods.edu
Website: http//:online.redwoods.edu/instruct/mmoreno

Course homepage: http://online.redwoods.edu/instruct/mmoreno/math30.htm
Class Sessions: MW 5:30pm-6:50pm in PS 117

TOPICS: First-degree and absolute value equations and inequalities; composite and inverse functions; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of equations; matrices; sequences and series; mathematical induction; binomial expansion theorem; complex numbers.

PREREQUISITES: Math 120 (Intermediate Algebra) with a grade of "C" or better, or satisfactory performance on the math assessment exam. Prerequisites will be enforced.

TEXTBOOK: Algebra and Trigonometry (7th edition), by Sullivan, published by Prentice Hall. Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 12, and part of 11 will be covered in the course. You must also purchase a Student Study Pack (includes the Student Solutions Manual, Algebra Review booklet, CD Lecture Series, and an access code for the Prentice Hall Tutor Center).

Alternatively, you may use the 6th edition of the textbook if you already have it. Study guidelines will be provided for both the 7th and 6th editions.

COURSE STRUCTURE: This section of Math 30 will operate as a "hybrid" course, with two class sessions per week, and additional instruction provided online. In addition, most assessment will take place online.

Course Units: The course is divided into 9 units that you will have to complete consecutively. Instruction for each unit will be provided by readings from the textbook, practice problems from the textbook, and supplementary material available online. Detailed study guidelines and directions for the completion of each unit are provided on this course web site. The following three assignments are required to complete each unit :

• The Unit Pretest is an online assignment that you can take from home or anywhere else on the web. You can also repeat it as many times as you like.
• The Unit Exam is an online assignment that you must take in the presence of a designated proctor. You can also repeat it as many times as you like, but only once per day.
• The Unit Written Assignment is a written assignment that you must turn in to the instructor. You will be allowed to revise and correct this after it is initially graded.

Final Exams: There will also be one Midterm Exam after unit 5, and one comprehensive Final Exam at the end of the course. Both of these exams are online exams that must be taken in the presence of a designated proctor.

We have made arrangements for students to be able to take the proctored Unit Exams, Midterm Exam, and Final Exam in the Academic Support Center on the Eureka campus and at the Arcata Instructional Site (see the proctored exam instructions page for more details).

There will be deadlines imposed for the completion of each unit, as well as deadlines for the Midterm and Final Exams, but in all other respects you will be able to work at your own speed. Thus, depending on your background and workload, you may be able to proceed quickly through the course.

GRADING:

There are 510 total points, as detailed below:

Written Homework	90 points (10 points each)
Unit Pretests	90 points (10 points each)
Unit Exams	180 points (20 points each)
Midterm Exam	50 points
Final Exam	100 points

Grade cutoffs are displayed below. Grade cutoffs will not be any higher, but could possibly be lower (this depends partly on midterm and final performance as well as individual consideration will be given for class participation and effort).

85-100%	A
72-84%	B
60-71%	C
50-59%	D

Attendance: Students missing five class sessions will have their grade reduced by 10% and another 10% for every two missed sessions there after. Consideration will be given to students who have a clear understanding of the material and are working ahead. However, do not assume that you can miss class. You must discuss it with me first.

Time: Like all math classes, this class will require a great deal of your time. Also, because this is a hybrid course it is extremely important that you stay organized, make a schedule, and stick to the deadlines.

AVAILABLE HELP: Personal help will be available from the instructor during class, office hours, and via email and fax. Registering for Math 152 (Math Lab) is also highly recommended, as that will provide you with many possible hours for personal help. Students can also take advantage of the Prentice Hall Math Tutor Center. See the Help page for more information on help resources.

IS THIS COURSE FOR ME? This course may be appropriate for some students, and perhaps not for others. Students taking this course must be self-motivated and must actively seek help when needed. Because we only meet twice per week, more independent learning is involved in this course. Consequently, it is very important that you don't miss class meetings, that you come to class prepared, and that you schedule regular study times for yourself. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting.

This class has been taught for the past several years, and it has worked well for students who followed the study guidelines and did not fall behind schedule. Like all courses, it is especially important that you schedule enough time to devote to the course and don't overextend yourself with other commitments.

USE OF CALCULATORS: A good graphing calculator is required. The calculator must be able to do polar and parametric plots in addition to usual plots of functions, and should be able to solve equations numerically (i.e., find intersections of curves). The TI-83+ or TI-84+ is an excellent, easy-to-use calculator which meets these requirements, and is the standard calculator that we use in other math courses at College of the Redwoods. However, if you already have another good graphing calculator that meets the above requirements, that may be used instead.

If you don't have a graphing calculator, and don't wish to purchase one, there are a limited number of calculators available for rent from the Math Department for $20 per semester.

DISABILITIES: Any student who feels that s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor as soon as possible. The student will also need to visit the Disabled Student Programs and Services office (476-4280) and obtain a DSPS Support Services Agreement. Every effort will be made to meet accommodation requests. However, no retroactive accommodations will be provided.