Textbook: Barnett, Ziegler, & Byleen, College Algebra: A Graphing Approach, McGraw Hill, 2000.

Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra with grades of A or B.

Instructor: Dr. V. Lee Turner Office: S202D Science Hall Phone: 491-6364

Course Outline: The following list of topics will be covered during the course:

1. Functions – Definition, graphs, domain, range, maxima, minima, transformations, even & odd
2. Linear & Quadratic Functions – Linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations and inequalities
3. Polynomial & Rational Functions – Remainder theorem, factor theorem, Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, rational zero theorem, approximating zeros, asymptotes of rational functions
4. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions – Composition of functions, inverse functions, graphs and applications of exponential functions, natural exponential function, logarithmic function properties, equations
5. Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices - Systems in two variables, augmented matrices, Gauss-Jordan elimination, matrix operations, matrix inverse, matrix equations, linear inequalities, linear programming
6. Sequences & Series – Definitions, arithmetic & geometric sequences, permutations & combinations, probability

PreTest: During the first three weeks of the semester, you will need to take an algebra skills pretest and pass at 80% correct. You may take it once each week in the Math office. Failure to pass the pretest will result in a one step reduction in the final course grade.

BeforeClassWork: Prior to each class period, you will be assigned to read a section of the text. A list of "matched problems" from the text will be given. These will be posted on the course web page. Your answers to these are to be turned in before the class begins. The ClassWork described below will assume that you have done this reading and completed the questions before coming to class. In addition, each chapter lists prerequisite topics. It will be your responsibility to review any of those concepts with which you are not fully familiar. Brief explanations are in the appendix at the end of the text. BeforeClassWork will contribute 5% to the final grade.

ClassWork: Each class period will be for both lecture and work in groups. The exercises assigned will be taken from the section you were assigned to read prior to class. These will be assigned as the period progresses and be due at its conclusion. Each group will submit one set of solutions. ClassWork will contribute 10% to the final grade.

AfterClassWork: There will be a homework assignment each class period and it will be due in my office by 4 PM of the day of the next class. The assignment will be posted on the course web page by 4 PM. You may work together with anyone in the class on these exercises, but you must turn in your own solutions. AfterClassWork will contribute 30% to the final grade. AfterClassWork turned in late will have an automatic 10% reduction and will not be accepted after the exam covering the sections.

Attendance and Late Work Policy: You are expected to be in class every period. However, there are legitimate reasons for occasionally being absent. For the days when you know in advance, such as athletic events, you must contact me before you leave campus and get all assignments. They will be due at the next class period. For unplanned absences, contact me as soon as possible to receive assignments. They will be due one week after the absence. If you are absent because you choose to be absent you will receive no credit for that day's ClassWork. Attendance will contribute 5% to the final grade.

Tutors: Tutors are available in the math department office. A schedule will be posted on the course web page. You are encouraged to make use of their services at no charge to you.

Calculators: A graphing calculator is required for this course. The Math Department has several calculators available for you to check out. A deposit is required.

Exams: There will be four exams and a comprehensive final exam. The tentative exam dates are September 30, October 18, November 11, and December 6. The final exam is December 18 at 10:00 a.m. Each exam will have a possible 100 points and the final exam will have a possible 200 points. The exams will contribute 50% to the final grade.

Grading: No predetermined grade scale will be used to assign final grades. Letter grades will be determined by the distribution of points earned. "Plus" and "Minus" grades will be given when the student's points fall close to the break between letter grades. A tentative grade scale will be given after each exam.

Course Web Page: This syllabus and assignments can be found on the internet at home.snu.edu/~lturner.fs/CollegeAlgebra/

If you have any disability that could adversely affect your academic performance, contact the Academic Services Center (491-6694). More information can be found at http://web.snu.edu/sm/current_students/undergraduate/academics/academic_services

Academic integrity is an integral part of the University’s milieu. I expect that when your name is on a paper, that you put significant thought into what is written on that paper. I encourage you to work with others on homework problems and to use the answers in the text as an aid. However, copying someone else’s work or appending the answer from the book to work that does not lead to that answer is cheating. Of course, when that happens, the person being cheated is you because you are robbing yourself of an opportunity to learn. More detail can be found at http://web.snu.edu/sm/current_students/undergraduate/academics/academic_policies/academic_integrity_policy