Syllabus for Math 103 (“Intermediate Algebra”) :
Syllabus for Math 103 (“Intermediate Algebra”) – Fall Semester 2006
Instructor: Scott L. Dennison Office: 125 Swart E-mail: dennison<at>uwosh.edu
Phone: (920) 424-7348, or leave a message at the Math Office (424-1333)
Office Hours: MW at 10:20-11:20 am, TR at 1:40-2:40 pm. By appointment only. A sign-up sheet is on my office door.
Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra for College Students, 2nd Ed., by Allen Angel.
Calculator: The TI-83, 83 Plus, or 84 Plus. Always bring yours to class, and obtain a user’s guidebook for it. Texas Instruments guidebooks are available at … http://education.ti.com/ [Click on “Support”, then click on “Guidebooks”.]
Pre-Test and Post-Test: A pre-test will be given during the first week, with a post-test given during week 11.
Grading Scale: This grading scale is used: A = 90%-100%, AB = 86%-89.9%, B = 80%-85.9%, BC = 76%-79.9%,
C = 65%-75.9%, D = 55%-64.9%, F = below 55%. Grades of “CD” will not be not given. Students who earn only a “C” in Math 103 usually have major difficulty in subsequent math or science courses – so make the effort to earn a “B” or better!
Examinations: All Math 103 students take the same 3 exams at the same time. Each exam counts as 25% of your grade (75% in all). If you cannot take an exam at the scheduled time, then you must arrange to take it at an earlier time. Makeup exams will not be given without clearance from the Dean’s Office. The time, place, and subject matter of the exams are:
Exam 1 (Thurs. Oct. 5th, 4:30-6:00 pm, S. Halsey 106): Covers Chapters 8 and 9 (omitting Sections 9.6 and 9.7).
Exam 2 (Thurs. Nov. 2nd, 4:30-6:00 pm, S. Halsey 106): Covers Chapters 10 and 11 (omitting Section 11.7).
Exam 3 (Thurs. Dec. 14th, 4:30-6:00 pm, S. Halsey 106): Covers Chapters 12 (Secs. 1-5) and 13 (Secs. 2-7).
Quizzes: Three quizzes will be given in class, each counting as 5% of your course grade (15% in all). Each quiz will have questions based on the “Chapter Practice Tests” at the end of two chapters in the book. Each quiz will prepare you for an exam. If you score higher on an exam than on its quiz, then the higher exam score will replace the original quiz score.
Homework: You should know how to work all the odd-numbered exercises in the “Exercise Sets” for the sections of the book that we cover. The odd-numbered exercises have their answers listed in the back of the textbook – and you can also see how to work them in the “Student Solutions Manual”. Working math problems is the ONLY way to learn math, and this book has many good ones to practice on.
Short quizzes (counting as 10% of your grade) will be given on most class days, to see if you can do the book’s exercises. Each quiz will have questions taken from the “Exercise Sets” for the sections of the book that have been discussed in class since the previous quiz. You should plan on doing 20 to 30 practice exercises every day – and then do it. Most students who fail to do homework on a daily basis will fail this course. However, most students who do homework exercises regularly will pass this or other math courses with no trouble. Working lots of problems is the secret to doing well in any math course.
Class Schedule: The “Class Schedule” tells you which sections of the book will be covered in class each day. We have a lot of math to learn in a brief time, so be forewarned – this is an ambitious schedule, and we will stick to it.
Important: You should keep up with this schedule by reading each section of the book the day before it is taught in class!
Getting Help: Get help right away when you need it. The Math Tutor Lab (113 Swart) provides free tutoring. Even better, there are tutors who are dedicated to Math 103 and Math 100 students. Their office location and hours will be announced.
Placement: Students may re-take the placement test. Students who feel they were incorrectly placed in a mathematics course may be allowed to move up to another course if a subsequent placement test score indicates that a higher placement is appropriate and if that score is submitted to the Math Department within 7 days after the first day of classes. Final approval will be subject to enrollment availability.
Objectives: Math 103 develops your ability to solve logical problems and to use basic math. Algebra will not only help you do well in other math and science courses, but also in non-technical subjects as well, because it teaches you to think logically.
Math 103 Coordinator: If you have any problems with Math 103 that you cannot resolve with your instructor, you are encouraged to meet with the course coordinator, Mr. Edward Clemons. His office is Swart 106.